In areas like the Southeast and coastal West, you'll have to wait until the fall to add anything to your garden. But for gardeners in certain regions in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, July offers up a great chance to plant quick-growing
If your summer is flying by and you haven't gotten to everything on your to do list, it is not too late to plant seeds. July is actually an optimal time as the ground is warm and the daytime and nightime temperatures are warm so your seeds will germinate faster and your plants will grow very well.
July is not too late to start a garden, and you can still get a bountiful harvest in just a few weeks or months. However, you should prepare the garden quickly if you are starting in July and sow seeds or plant young transplants as early as possible.
The hardiest of flowers can be planted as soon as the soil in your garden can be worked, even if it's several weeks before the last frost of the season. For half-hardy flowers, hold off until a couple weeks before the final frost, and for tender flowers, plant when there's no chance of frost for the rest of the season.
Summer isn't as ideal of a time to plant as spring or early fall, but with a few precautions, most plants will do fine. Peak sunlight and searing heat are added stressors on young plants with small roots, not to mention, summer soil tends to be drier.
Most plants grow best in temperatures ranging from 59°–86°F. When temperatures above 90°F are sustained for long periods, plant growth is slowed, and some plants begin to show signs of stress.
Different plants need a different amount of lead time before they are ready to transplant into the garden. Starting too soon can result in a weak, lanky plant, while starting too late can give you one that is just not ready for the outside world—both will struggle to survive!
August is often the perfect time to start planting because it encourages root growth in the soil before things start freezing, giving your garden a head start for the spring. Plus, these flowers look great in your yard during the autumn season.
Most flowers should be planted after your region's last frost date. Planting flowers in spring is the most popular time, but perennials do fine if planted in early fall in the North and late fall in the South.
Plant roots will grow deeply in search of this nutrition and moisture, and these deep roots will support the plant well during longer periods of hot weather that will kill plants with more shallow root systems.
Summer is a critical time for fertilizing plants as they are in their peak growing season. During this period, plants require more nutrients to support the rapid development of leaves, flowers, and fruits. Proper fertilization during summer can lead to lush foliage, abundant blooms, and a bountiful harvest.
Bedding plants that flower for the longest time include cosmos, begonias and geraniums. Check the plant label for flowering times when you buy. Another thing to consider is how much maintenance your plants will need.
While it is not the ideal time to plant your roses, you can still plant during the summer months with adequate watering and care.
July & August Blooms
While some annual flowers may need a haircut, or may even slow down in the heat of the summer, many perennials continue to flourish and thrive into July and August. Read on to learn more about fantastic perennials that add color to the landscape in mid to late summer.
July is a great time to add quick-blooming wildflowers like Alyssum, Red Poppy, Zinnia, and Cosmos to your garden.
There are dozens of flowers perfect for planting in July. From marigolds to zinnias, just because the weather is hot doesn't mean planting must stop. Below are some of our mid to late-summer favorites! Marigolds are bright and cheerful flowers that are heat-tolerant and can bloom continuously until the first frost.
Finally, consider your local climate to ensure your perennials have enough time to establish themselves before winter arrives. Try to plant at least a month before the average date of the first fall frost.
Petunia. Petunias are one of the most popular flowering annuals thanks to their bright, cheerful blooms that fill gardens with color from spring until the first frost. There are multiple varieties of petunias, from grandiflora (which have the largest blooms) to milliflora (which have the smallest blooms).
You can plant in your garden every single day in the month of July to take full advantage of the long, sunny days of summer. While I'd love to give you a hard and fast rule for what you can still plant in your raised bed kitchen garden in the middle of summer, it will vary depending on where you live.
It's not too late to plant in your garden! In much of the country, summer still is full steam ahead in August. In other regions, the hint of cooler evenings mean the growing season is beginning to slow down. But regardless of where you live, there's plenty of time left in the season left for growing things!