It's Not Too Late! 6 Vegetables You Can Still Plant in July

This year I planted my vegetable garden on the late side. But everyone assured me that, in my region (upstate New York), it would be just fine planting during the first week of June. Alas, the week after I planted, it rained for five days straight. Then it got boiling hot.

Most of my veggies seemed to pull through OK with the exception of some cucumber plants and most of my carrot seeds. But I've harvested carrots in late October before, so I wondered if I could just replant them now. And what else could I plant even though it's mid-summer?

I went to the experts to find out and got some very good news. If you think you missed the gardening boat this year, you haven't yet! Here's what you can plant right now and still get a fall harvest.

How Late Can You Plant Veggies in Summer?

The rule of thumb: "The first thing to know is the first frost date for your area," says Sandra Gerdes, Manager of the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden. "Once you know this, look at the 'days to maturity [DTM]' on the seed packet and count back from your frost date."

For example, if your first frost date is October 1, you can still sow crops now that have a maturity of 60-70 days. Also note: "As the days get shorter and shorter, the crops are going to be growing slower, so add about 10-15 days to the DTM to get the harvest you're looking for," explains Corbin Scholz, the farm director at Seed Savers Exchange.

Veggies to Plant in Summer

The following vegetables actually thrive when planted in July—and they’ll reward you with a fresh harvest in fall.

1. Carrots

I can indeed re-plant my beloved carrots! "You should still get a healthy carrot harvest before the weather stops the plants from growing," says Scholz. Depending on the variety, carrots are ready for harvest in 60-80 days. These plants also can survive frost, which can even make the roots sweeter. But you want to harvest them before the ground freezes solid.

And don't toss the pretty greens: You can eat them, too. I like to sauté them in a little olive oil, toss into a tomato and cucumber salad, or even munch on them raw.

2. Lettuce

"Most salad greens—leaf lettuce, kale, spinach, mustard greens—are quicker to mature and a safe bet," says Gerdes. Loose leaf and head lettuce take about six to eight weeks until they're ready for salad. Regularly harvesting the outer leaves of loose leaf types encourages more growth because it allows the plant to continue growing.

3. Radishes

There are so many different radish varieties, and most types are ready to harvest in just 30 days. These root vegetables grow optimally in full sun but can also thrive in partial shade; you can plant radishes next to taller vegetables like beans and peas.

4. Beets

Beets generally prefer full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. So avoid planting these close to larger plants like zucchini or pumpkin that may shade them too much. Since this root vegetable grows underground, it can be hard to tell when beets are ready to harvest. They're usually ready in about 50 to 70 days. One sign is their size: Push some of the soil away to expose the roots and if the tops are about the size of a golf ball, they're good to go.

5. Peas

One of my favorites to grow, peas look so pretty with their delicate, winding stems and white flowers. You need to pay close attention to harvest the pods before they turn bitter and stringy. I like to taste test as soon as I see a pod, so I can get an idea of the right time to harvest them. Most varieties will be ready in about 60 days. Also peas will need a pole or trellis to climb, so allow space for that.

6. Swiss Chard

A great vegetable for beginner gardeners, this leafy green adds a pretty pop of color with its bright pink, orange, and sunshine yellow stems (which you can eat!). If you harvest Swiss chard regularly, it will continue to produce. Cut just the larger, older leaves so the smaller ones can keep growing. Swiss chard is generally ready for harvesting in about four to six weeks from planting. You can start harvesting when the leaves are about six inches long.

Tips for Summer Planting

Once you've decided which veggies you want to plant, Scholz points out, "There are a few differences between planting in summer and spring." Specifically, you'll need to factor in warmer temperatures and more limited space.