Ah, the dog days of summer. The perfect time to relax and soak up the sun. If you’re looking for some plants to add to your garden this month, look no further! Check out our list of seven gorgeous plants to plant in July. From flowers to veggies, we’ve got you covered. So, get outside and start planting!
Table of Contents
Flowers
Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed, and they bloom prolifically all summer long. If you want to add some color to your garden this July, planting zinnia seeds is a great option.
Here are a few tips for getting started:
- Choose a warm spot in your garden that has well-draining soil. Zinnias need plenty of sun to thrive.
- Sow the seeds directly in the ground, spaced about 12 inches apart. You can also start them indoors and then transplant them outside later.
- Water the seeds frequently, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Once the plants have established themselves, they are fairly drought tolerant.
- Deadhead the flowers often to promote more blooming.
Alyssum
If you’re looking to add pops of vibrant flowers in your garden in the middle of summer, consider planting Alyssum. This hardy little plant comes in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and purple. Better yet they are relatively easy to care for. Here’s everything you need to know about planting Alyssum in July.
- When it comes to sunlight, Alyssum does best in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. If you live in an area with very hot summers, you may want to give it some afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from scorching.
- To plant Alyssum, simply scatter the seeds on the ground where you want them to grow. Keep in mind that they need light to germinate, so don’t cover them with too much soil. Once they’ve sprouted, thin out the seedlings so that they’re about six inches apart.
- Alyssum doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer, but you can give it a little boost by adding some compost to the soil before planting.
- Water the seedlings regularly until they’re established, then cut back on watering. Alyssum is relatively drought-tolerant, so you don’t need to water it too often.
- If you live in an area with heavy rains, you may need to stake the plants to keep them from falling over. Otherwise, they don’t require much in the way of care.
Cosmos
Cosmos come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, purple, and yellow. They’re also quite easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginning gardeners.
- When planting cosmos, be sure to choose a sunny spot in your garden. Cosmos need at least six hours of sunlight each day in order to thrive.
- Cosmos are typically planted from seed. If you’re planting more than one variety of cosmos, be sure to keep the different types of seeds separate so you can easily tell them apart later on.
- When you’re ready to plant, simply sprinkle the seeds on the ground and lightly cover them with soil.
- Water the area well and keep an eye on the soil to make sure it doesn’t dry out. In about two weeks, you should start to see little sprouts poking through the ground!
- Once your cosmos are a few inches tall, you can begin thinning them out so that they have room to grow.
- You should also cut back on watering at this point, as too much water can cause the plants to become leggy and produce fewer flowers.
- As your cosmos continue to grow, be sure to deadhead any spent blossoms to encourage new growth.
Vegetables
Lettuce
If you’re looking to add some fresh greens to your diet, planting lettuce in July is a great option! Lettuce is a cool-weather crop, so it thrives in the cooler temperatures of summer. Plus, there’s nothing quite like harvesting your own lettuce from the garden!
Here are a few tips for successfully planting lettuce in July:
- Choose a variety that is suited for summer planting, such as Simpson Elite.
- Start seeds indoors about six weeks before transplanting them outdoors.
- Harden off seedlings by gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions over a week or two.
- Plant seedlings in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.
- Water frequently, especially during times of hot, dry weather.
- Crop lettuce when it is young and tender for the best flavor. Cut leaves from the outside of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
Kale
Kale is a super healthy vegetable that is packed with nutrients. It’s also really easy to grow, making it a great choice for those who want to get into gardening. If you’re thinking about planting kale in July, here are a few things you should know.
- Kale likes cool weather. This means that it’s best to plant it in early July, before the heat of summer sets in.
- In terms of soil, kale prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. You can either amend your existing soil or start with a bag of premixed garden soil. Either way, make sure the soil is loose and not too compacted.
- Kept moist but not wet. This means that you should water it regularly, but also make sure that the soil isn’t constantly saturated. Overwatering can lead to problems like root rot, so it’s important to strike a balance.
- A simple compost or all-purpose fertilizer will do the trick. Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much fertilizer can actually harm the plant.
- You can start picking kale leaves as soon as they reach a good size. The best time to harvest is in the early morning.
Herbs
Basil
If you love the taste of fresh basil, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy it all year round! With a little planning and care, you can successfully grow basil in your garden even during the hot summer months.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose a sunny spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Prep the soil by adding some organic matter. This will help increase drainage and aeration.
- Sow the seeds directly into the ground or start them indoors in seedling trays.
- Water regularly, making sure the soil does not dry out completely.
- When the plants are about four inches tall, pinch out the tips to encourage bushier growth.
- Harvest the leaves regularly to keep the plants from going to seed.
Dill
Did you know that planting dill in July is a great way to get an abundant harvest? Dill is a beautiful herb that adds a wonderful flavor to many dishes. If you want to learn how to plant dill, read on for some tips.
- Dill loves warm weather and grows best in full sun. If you live in an area with hot summers, make sure to plant your dill in an area that gets plenty of shade during the hottest part of the day.
- It also needs well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Add compost or aged manure to your planting bed before planting dill seeds or transplants.
- Dill seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover them with soil. Just press them into the surface of the soil and keep the area moist until they sprout.
- Harvesting dill is easy – just cut the leaves as you need them.
Thrive in July!
July is a great time to be planting flowers, herbs, and veggies in your garden! If you’re looking for some ideas, we hope that this list of seven plants to plant this month has been helpful. And don’t forget to let us know in the comments below any tips or tricks you have for gardening in the summer heat. Happy planting!
