Top 5 Seeds to Plant in July for a Late-Summer & Fall Harvest
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Time to read 2 min
July’s long daylight hours and warm, well-insulated soil create a germination sweet spot. Seeds pop quickly, young roots anchor fast, and many cool-season crops planted now mature as the weather moderates—meaning sweeter flavor, fewer pests, and a bountiful late-summer or fall harvest. Below, find five can’t-miss seeds to start this month, complete with USDA Zone guidance and the Arber product that will give each crop a healthy head start.
1. Carrots
Recommended Zones: 3–9
Why Plant in July: Warm soil speeds up notoriously slow carrot germination, while cooler fall nights convert starches to sugars for extra-sweet roots.
Planting Tip: Keep the seedbed consistently moist by covering rows with burlap until seedlings emerge; remove burlap immediately to avoid etiolation.
Arber Boost: Feeding carrots with a balanced NPK fertilizer that feeds roots without excess nitrogen helps to prevent “hairy” carrots and splitting. Feed monthly with Organic Plant Food.
2. Beets
Recommended Zones: 3–10
Why Plant in July: Beets grow quickly, often in 50–60 days, so a July sowing delivers tender roots and nutrient-rich greens by early fall.
Planting Tip: Thin seedlings to 3 in. apart; use the baby greens in salads so nothing goes to waste.
Arber Boost: Apply Organic Soil & Root Boost at planting directly in the planting hole to improve moisture retention and boost root mass for healthier, stronger bulbs.
3. Cucumbers
Recommended Zones: 4–11
Why Plant in July: Cucumbers crave heat; a mid-summer planting germinates in days, yielding crisp fruits before first frost. Succession sow for continual snacking.
Planting Tip: Train vines up a trellis to improve air flow, conserve space, and produce straighter, cleaner cukes.
Arber Boost: Cucumbers are highly susceptible to getting pest infestations, including pests like aphids and cucumbers beetles. Use Insecticide for Tomato & Vegetable every 7–10 days as a foliar spray to prevent pests while being safe for pollinators.
4. Kale
Recommended Zones: 3–9
Why Plant in July: Kale prefers maturing in cool temps; sowing now schedules peak harvest for chilly nights that intensify flavor and reduce pest pressure.
Planting Tip: Harvest outer leaves first; the plant will keep producing until a hard freeze.
Arber Boost: Kale is highly susceptible to powdery mildew, a common fungal disease that shows up as white, powdery spots on leaves and stems, especially during warm, humid conditions. Spray Bio Protectant at the first sign of mildew, or use preventatively every 7–10 days.
5. Broccoli
Recommended Zones: 5-9
Why Plant in July: Broccoli heads tighten and sweeten when they form in cool weather. Starting seeds indoors now guarantees transplants are ready once mid-summer heat wanes.
Planting Tip: Shade seedlings in peak heat using row cover or shade cloth to prevent bolting.
Arber Boost: Boost unparalleled growth and vitality with the Green & Grow Bundle. Increases biodiversity, improves soil health, and grows greener, thicker leaves and deeper, stronger roots. Treat with the Organic Soil & Root Boost at transplant time directly into planting hole, and then continue treating monthly with Organic Plant Food to sustain healthy growth.
Ready to Grow? Let Arber Power Your July Garden!
Arber’s line of organic, science-backed plant care products makes mid-summer sowing easy—no synthetic chemicals, no guesswork, just healthy soil and vigorous plants. Stock up now so your July seedlings launch strong and your fall table overflows with home-grown flavor.
