Midsummer Planting Guide: Best Crops to Grow by Seed in June & July

When June rolls in and July heats up, many gardeners hang up their gloves—thinking the window for sowing has passed. But across much of the U.S., midsummer sowing opens the door to a second season of growth. With the right varieties and a little know-how, you can enjoy a late bounty of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and blooms from seed.

We’ve sorted recommendations by plant type and then by region, so you can get growing—right on time.

A Region-by-Region Guide for Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits & Flowers

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VEGETABLES

Northeast & Upper Midwest (Zones 3–6)

With shorter summers and the possibility of an early frost, gardeners in this region should make the most of the midsummer sowing window by choosing fast-maturing crops and cool-weather favorites. Midsummer planting here works best with quick growers that can take advantage of the season’s remaining warmth yet thrive as cooler nights return in late summer. Selecting varieties known for reliability in shorter growing seasons ensures you can still enjoy a productive harvest before frost arrives.

• Beans (bush & pole) – Try heirlooms like Top Crop, Provider, or Henderson Black Valentine.
• Beets – Sow Detroit Dark Red or Cylindra.
• Broccoli – Start Waltham 29 indoors and transplant later.
• Carrots – Try Scarlet Nantes.
• Kohlrabi – Try Purple Vienna or White Vienna.
• Rutabagas – Try American Purple Top.
• Turnips – Try Golden Ball or Purple Top White Globe.

Southeast & Deep South (Zones 7–9)

Abundant sunshine and long, hot summers give Southern gardeners one of the longest midsummer sowing windows in the country. While high humidity and intense heat can pose challenges, they also create ideal conditions for multiple rounds of crops—especially those that thrive in warm soil and extended daylight. Midsummer planting in this region favors heat-loving vegetables and quick growers that can be harvested in succession, keeping the garden productive well into fall.

• Collards & Mustards – Try Georgia Collards or Green Wave Mustard.
• Cowpeas – Try Pinkeye Purple Hull or California Blackeye #5.
• Cucumbers – Add Straight Eight or Boston Pickling (quick-growing, heat-tolerant).
• Melons – Try Sugar Baby or Minnesota Midget for fast maturity in midsummer plantings. Black Diamond or Moon & Stars can also be grown if planted in early June in Zone 8b–9 areas with long, hot growing seasons and consistent moisture.
• Okra – Try Clemson Spineless 80.
• Summer Squash – Add Early Summer Crookneck or White Scallop.
• Sweet Corn – Try Golden Bantam Improved or Stowell’s Evergreen.

Southwest & Desert Regions (Zones 8–10)

Hot, dry climates with cool evenings call for drought-tolerant, sun-loving varieties that can withstand intense summer conditions. Taking advantage of the midsummer sowing season here means selecting crops that handle both high daytime temperatures and lower nighttime lows. Early morning planting and deep watering are essential to help seedlings establish strong roots. Midsummer planting in this region often focuses on heat-tolerant vegetables and resilient herbs that continue producing even in prolonged dry spells, ensuring a steady harvest despite the challenging climate.

• Chiles & Peppers – Try Jalapeño Early, or Anaheim.
• Cowpeas – Try Pinkeye Purple Hull—very popular in the Deep South for its productivity and drought resistance—or California Blackeye #5, a classic black-eyed pea also suitable for this season.
• Melons – Add Honey Rock (a drought-tolerant cantaloupe).
• Summer Squash – Try Black Beauty Zucchini, Early Prolific Straightneck, or Benning’s Green Tint.
• Swiss Chard – Try Fordhook Giant.

Pacific Northwest (Zones 6–9)

Known for mild summers, cloudy days, and ample rainfall, this region is ideal for greens and quick-growing crops that thrive in cooler temperatures. The midsummer sowing season here offers an excellent opportunity to plant vegetables that appreciate gentle sun and steady moisture, as well as those that will mature in time for fall harvest. Midsummer planting can also include hardy crops that, with proper protection, may overwinter and provide an early harvest the following spring, making the most of the region’s extended cool-season potential.

• Kale – Try Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch or Lacinato.
• Lettuce – Try Black Seeded Simpson or Buttercrunch.
• Peas – Try Sugar Snap or Super Sugar Snap.
• Radishes – Try Early Scarlet Globe or French Breakfast.

Mountain West & High Plains (Zones 4–7)

With strong sun, cool nights, and a short growing season, gardeners in this region benefit from rugged, quick-maturing varieties that can handle sudden weather shifts. The midsummer sowing window is best used for crops that grow quickly and can make the most of the warm days before fall frost arrives. Midsummer planting in raised beds or mulched rows can help retain soil warmth and moisture, extending the harvest season and giving cool-weather crops a better chance to mature in time.

• Broccoli – Try Waltham 29 or Green Sprouting Calabrese.
• Cabbage – Try Early Jersey Wakefield or Golden Acre.
• Radish – Try White Icicle.
• Spinach – Try Bloomsdale Long Standing.
• Zucchini – Try Black Beauty or Fordhook Zucchini.

HERBS

All Regions

Herbs thrive in warm soil and long days, making them excellent candidates for midsummer sowing no matter where you garden. Many can be sown directly in the ground, while others do well when started in pots for a steady, fresh supply throughout the season. Midsummer planting of herbs ensures continued harvests well into fall, and heat-tolerant varieties often reach peak flavor during the warmest months, adding fresh, aromatic herbs to your kitchen right when you need them most.

• Basil – Try Genovese, Cinnamon Basil, or Lemon Basil.
• Cilantro – Try Slow Bolt Coriander.
• Chives – Try Onion Chives.
• Dill – Try Bouquet or Dukat Dill.
• Oregano – Try Italian – Oregano.
• Parsley – Try Moss Curled, Plain Leaf, or Triple Curled.
• Summer Savory
• Thyme – Try Winter – Thyme.

FRUIT

All Regions

While some fruits take longer to mature, summer is still a great time for midsummer sowing of quick-starting varieties or for planting crops that will be ready next season. Choosing heat-tolerant and fast-growing options allows gardeners to enjoy fresh fruit before frost in warmer regions, while cooler areas can focus on establishing plants for early harvest the following year. Midsummer planting also gives perennial fruits a head start, helping them develop strong roots during the warm months and improving their performance in the next growing season.

• Ground Cherries – Try Cape Gooseberry or Cossack Pineapple .
• Melons – Try Hale’s Best Jumbo, Iroquois, Heart’s of Gold, Minnesota Midget, Sugar Baby or Crimson Sweet.
• Tomatillos – Try Purple Tomatillo or Toma Verde .

FLOWERS

Northeast & Upper Midwest

Shorter summers in this region call for fast-growing, cool-season bloomers that can mature and flower before the first frost. The midsummer sowing window is ideal for selecting flowers that thrive in cooler nights and still have enough time to reach full bloom. Midsummer planting can also include varieties that self-sow if left in place, ensuring future displays without extra effort. By choosing quick-to-bloom options, gardeners can enjoy a colorful finale to the growing season while setting the stage for next year’s flowers.

Poppies – Try Poppy Iceland.

Southeast & Gulf Coast

In this region, heat-tolerant annuals reign supreme, thriving in the intense sunshine and high humidity of summer. The midsummer sowing season is perfect for flowers that not only withstand these conditions but also flourish in them, providing vibrant color for months on end. Midsummer planting here focuses on resilient blooms that keep producing despite long, hot days, ensuring the garden remains bright and full well into fall. Choosing varieties that naturally handle humidity will give you a continuous display with minimal stress.

• Cosmos – Try Sensation Mix.
• Sunflowers – Try Lemon Queen, Autumn Beauty, or Incredible Dwarf.
• Zinnias – Try California Giant Mix, Lilliput Mix, or Cherry Queen.

Southwest & Desert Areas

Hot sun and dry air call for resilient blooms that don’t blink at drought and can handle extreme summer conditions. The midsummer sowing season here is best used for flowers that thrive in intense sunlight and require minimal water once established. Midsummer planting should focus on drought-tolerant annuals and perennials, sown directly into the garden and kept evenly moist until germination. Once rooted, these hardy blooms will continue to provide vibrant color even in the most challenging desert heat.

• Marigolds – Try Crackerjack Mix or Sparky Mix.

Pacific Northwest

Cool, damp summers in this region favor flowers that appreciate light moisture and gentle sun, making it a great place for steady, lush growth. The midsummer sowing season can be used to plant quick-blooming varieties for late-season color, as well as hardy flowers that establish now and bloom the following year. Midsummer planting often overlaps with fall sowing here, allowing gardeners to prepare beds for early spring blossoms while still enjoying a burst of color before the season ends.

• Alyssum – Try Carpet of Snow
• Bachelor’s Buttons – Try Polka Dot Mix or Tall Mix.
• Sweet Peas (for fall sowing) – Try Royal Mix or Old Spice Mix.

Final Notes for Midsummer Sowing

• Keep soil moist during germination.
• Mulch to regulate soil temperature and moisture.
• Shade cloth can help seedlings establish.
• Check seed packets for sowing method—some crops like beans, carrots, and dill should be direct-sown, while others like broccoli and basil benefit from indoor starting.

It’s not too late! There’s still time to turn bare ground into bushels of beans, baskets of squash, rows of blooms, and fragrant herbs ready for the kitchen. But you’ll have to act fast—summer’s second planting window is short, and the time is running out. Grab your seeds today from our heirloom selection, roll up your sleeves, and get them in the soil while the season’s still warm. There’s plenty to harvest if you start now!

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