What to Do in the Garden in July (Cool-Climate US)

Start and sow for fall

• Begin direct-seeding fall vegetables in mid-July: carrots, beets, and broccoli, with the window running to mid-August for spinach and lettuce (UMN Extension).
• Start seeds of broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts to transplant later for fall harvest (Purdue Extension).
• Complete succession plantings of bush beans and sweet corn early in the month.

Water and maintain

• Supply about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to garden and lawn, applied deeply rather than as frequent light sprinklings (Purdue Extension).
• Mow about a half-inch higher than usual during hot, dry weather.
• Keep mulch on beds to hold moisture and suppress weeds; keep up weeding (the UMN weed-control window runs May-September).
• Make sure potato tubers, carrot shoulders, and onion bulbs stay covered with soil so they don't green up.
• Divide bearded iris in late July through early August (UMN Extension).
• Deadhead annuals and perennials to keep them blooming; skip planting bare-root or balled-and-burlap stock in midsummer heat.

Harvest

• Harvest tomatoes, squash, peppers, beans, and cucumbers frequently to encourage further production.
• Pick summer squash small and tender; harvest sweet corn when silks begin to dry and kernels exude milky juice.
• Harvest raspberries when fully colored, and prune out the canes that fruited once harvest is done (Purdue Extension).
• Broccoli will keep producing edible side shoots after you cut the main head.

Sources

Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.

• University of Minnesota Extension — Upper Midwest home garden care schedule — Direct seed fall vegetables from mid-July (carrots, beets, broccoli) through mid-August (spinach, lettuce); divide bearded iris late July-early August; weed control May-September
• Purdue University Extension — July garden calendar (Indiana Yard and Garden) — 1-1.5 inches of water weekly in a single deep application; mow higher in summer; start fall brassicas; frequent harvest of summer crops; prune out fruited raspberry canes; cover potato/carrot/onion shoulders

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