July in USDA zone 7-8 is when the mercury climbs higher than a cat on a hot tin roof, and the humidity makes you feel like you’re wearing a wet wool sweater. But don’t let that deter you, intrepid gardeners! While your northern friends might be winding down their planting season, you’re just hitting your stride. July in your neck of the woods is prime time for heat-loving crops that would make a polar bear sweat.

Your extended growing season is like nature’s gift to gardeners, allowing you to squeeze in another round of planting when other zones are singing their swan songs. So grab your sun hat, slather on the SPF 100, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of mid-summer planting in Zones 7-8. Here are some of the top plants you can still sow in July.

Basil

July is basil’s time to shine. This aromatic herb loves heat more than a lizard on a rock. Plant heat-loving varieties like ‘Genovese’, ‘Thai’, ‘Spicy Globe’, or ‘African Blue’ now, and you’ll have enough for pesto to last you through winter. Just remember, even sun-worshippers need a break sometimes. Mulch well and consider providing some afternoon shade. A deep morning watering will help your basil cope with the afternoon heat, ensuring it’s as happy as a clam in hot sauce.

Learn more about growing basil in our Basil Growing Guide.

Beans (bush and pole)

Beans in July? You betcha! Both bush and pole varieties will rocket out of the ground faster than you can say “Jack and the Beanstalk.” For bush beans, try ‘Provider’, ‘Contender’, or ‘Blue Lake 274’. If you’re going vertical, ‘Kentucky Wonder’, ‘Rattlesnake’, or ‘Scarlet Runner’ pole beans will climb to new heights. To keep your beans from feeling like they’re in a sauna, use light-colored mulch to keep the soil cool and retain moisture. On particularly scorching days, you might even want to rig up some temporary shade. Your beans will thank you by producing enough for endless summer salads.

Learn more about growing beans in our Beans Gardening Guide.

Cilantro

Cilantro in July is like a challenge to Mother Nature. “Oh, you think it’s too hot for me? Watch this!” Plant heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Slow Bolt’, ‘Santo’, ‘Leisure’, or ‘Calypso’, and you’ll have this love-it-or-hate-it herb gracing your tacos well into fall. To keep your cilantro from throwing in the towel, give it a spot with partial shade and keep the soil consistently moist. Harvest frequently to prevent bolting – it’s like giving your cilantro a refreshing haircut in the heat of summer.

Learn more about growing cilantro in our Cilantro Gardening Guide.

Collard Greens

Collards are the tough guys of the garden, flexing their leafy muscles in the face of summer heat. Varieties like ‘Georgia’, ‘Vates’, ‘Champion’, and ‘Flash’ will stand up to July’s scorching temperatures like champs. Plant them now, and they’ll reward you with nutrient-packed greens that actually taste better after a light frost. It’s like they’re saying, “Is that all you’ve got, weather?” To help them thrive, mulch heavily and water deeply. If your collards start looking a bit stressed, remove some outer leaves. It’s like letting them shed a layer in the heat.

Cucumbers

Nothing says summer like a crisp cucumber, and July is prime time to get them in the ground. They’ll grow so fast you can almost watch it happen. ‘Straight Eight’, ‘Marketmore 76’, ‘Armenian’, and ‘Suyo Long’ are all great choices for our summer heat. Just be prepared – turn your back for too long, and you might find a cucumber the size of your arm hiding under the leaves. To keep your cukes cool as, well, cucumbers, give them a trellis to climb. It’s like providing them with their own personal elevator to rise above the heat. Water deeply and regularly, aiming for the base of the plant. Your cucumbers will be so happy, they might just try to hitch a ride into your house to escape the heat.

Learn more about growing cucumbers in our Cucumber Gardening Guide.

Eggplant

Eggplants are the sophisticates of the summer garden. They love heat more than a cat loves a sunbeam. Varieties like ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Patio Baby’, ‘Hansel’, and ‘Ping Tung Long’ will thrive in your July garden, soaking up the sun like they’re on a Mediterranean vacation. Plant them now, and by fall, you’ll be living your best ratatouille life. To keep your eggplants from feeling like they’re in a broiler, mulch well and provide support for those heavy fruits. On days when even the sun seems to be sweating, consider draping some shade cloth over your plants. It’s like giving them a fancy parasol to stroll under.

Learn more about growing eggplants in our Eggplant Gardening Guide.

Melons

Watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydews – oh my! July is melon madness month in Zones 7-8. For watermelons that’ll make you spit seeds in delight, try ‘Sugar Baby’ or ‘Crimson Sweet’. Cantaloupe lovers should reach for ‘Hale’s Best’ or ‘Ambrosia’, while honeydew aficionados will swoon over ‘Greenflesh’ or ‘Earlidew’. Just be sure to give them plenty of space, or you might find your whole yard taken over by vines. To keep your melons from turning into steamed vegetables, use black plastic mulch to warm the soil and retain moisture. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage roots so deep they might just strike oil. Your melons will be so happy, they’ll be playing hot potato in your garden all summer long.

Learn more about growing melons in our Melon Gardening Guide.

Okra

Okra laughs in the face of July heat. It’s like the cactus of the vegetable world – the hotter and drier it gets, the happier it is. ‘Clemson Spineless’, ‘Red Burgundy’, ‘Silver Queen’, and ‘Emerald’ varieties will stand tall and proud in your summer garden, practically daring the sun to shine brighter. Plant it now, and you’ll be swimming in gumbo ingredients before you know it. To keep your okra thriving, mulch well but keep it away from the stem to prevent rot. It’s like giving your plants a cool necklace instead of a turtleneck. Harvest frequently to encourage continued production. Your okra plants will be so productive, you might need to start a roadside stand.

Learn more about growing okra in our Okra Growing Guide.

Peppers

Both sweet and hot peppers thrive in our July heat. It’s like they’re trying to outdo the weather. “You think you’re hot? Try biting into one of us!” For sweet peppers that’ll make your taste buds dance, go for ‘California Wonder’, ‘Sweet Banana’, or ‘Gypsy’. If you like it hot, ‘Jalapeño’, ‘Cayenne’, and ‘Habanero’ will bring the fire. To keep your peppers from feeling like they’re in a pepper roaster, provide some afternoon shade and mulch well. Use a calcium-rich fertilizer to prevent blossom end rot – it’s like giving your peppers a delicious milk mustache. Just remember to wear gloves when handling hot peppers, or your hands might feel like they’re experiencing July temperatures too.

Learn more about growing peppers in our Bell Peppers Growing Guide and our Hot Peppers Growing Guide.

Pumpkins

Yes, you read that right. July is the perfect time to plant pumpkins for a Halloween harvest. It’s like planting a time machine that will transport you to fall. ‘Connecticut Field’ will give you classic jack-o’-lanterns, while ‘Jack Be Little’ produces adorable minis. For something different, try the fairytale-esque ‘Cinderella’ or the blue-green ‘Jarrahdale’. Just be prepared for the vines to take over your garden like a botanical Godzilla. To keep your pumpkins from turning into summer squash, water deeply and regularly. Use row covers to protect young plants from pests and intense sun – it’s like giving your pumpkins their own personal beach umbrella.

Learn more about growing pumpkins in our Pumpkins Gardening Guide.

Squash (summer and winter)

Both summer and winter squash love our July weather. For summer squash, ‘Black Beauty’ zucchini, ‘Yellow Crookneck’, and ‘Patty Pan’ will have you leaving bags on neighbors’ porches by August. Winter squash like ‘Butternut’, ‘Acorn’, and ‘Spaghetti’ will happily sprawl through your garden, promising tasty treasures for fall. To keep your squash from feeling the summer squeeze, mulch heavily and water at the base of plants. Keep an eye out for squash vine borers – these pests are like uninvited guests at your squash’s summer beach party. Remove affected parts promptly to keep the party going strong.

Learn more about growing summer squash in our Summer Squash Growing Guide.

Sweet Corn

There’s nothing sweeter than homegrown corn, and July is your last call to get it in the ground. ‘Silver Queen’, ‘Butter & Sugar’, ‘Peaches & Cream’, and ‘Ambrosia’ will have you hosting the neighborhood corn roast in no time. Plant in blocks for better pollination – it’s like setting up a speed dating event for your corn. Water deeply and regularly, especially during tasseling. If pests try to crash your corn party, use lightweight row covers – it’s like giving your corn its own bouncer. In a few months, you’ll be experiencing a true eargasm.

Learn more about growing sweet corn in our Corn Gardening Guide.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are the underground heroes of the July garden. While everything above ground is sweltering, they’re busy growing delicious tubers in the warm soil. ‘Beauregard’, ‘Centennial’, ‘Georgia Jet’, and ‘Covington’ will turn your garden into a treasure hunt come harvest time. To keep your sweet potatoes sweet (and not sweaty), water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to splitting – nobody likes a cracked sweet potato! By fall, you’ll be unearthing buried treasure that puts any pirate’s booty to shame.

Learn more about growing sweet potatoes in our Sweet Potatoes Growing Guide.

Tomatoes

Last but not least, heat-set tomato varieties can still go in the ground in July. They’re like the marathon runners of the vegetable world, pacing themselves through the summer heat to give you a delicious finish in fall. ‘Arkansas Traveler’, ‘Cherokee Purple’, ‘Solar Fire’, and ‘Heat Master’ are up for the challenge of our July temperatures. To keep your tomatoes from feeling like they’re in a sauce pan before their time, mulch heavily and provide afternoon shade if possible. Water deeply and consistently to prevent blossom end rot and splitting – it’s like giving your tomatoes a reliable drinking fountain in the middle of a heat wave. With a little TLC, you could be enjoying fresh tomatoes in your holiday salads!

Learn more about growing tomatoes in our Tomatoes Growing Guide.

July Garden To-Do List for Zones 7-8

1. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth. Your plants should be like camels, not goldfish.
2. Mulch everything. Think of it as a sun hat for your soil.
3. Harvest regularly. Zucchini wait for no one.
4. Stay vigilant for pests. In this heat, they multiply faster than rabbits.
5. Provide shade for heat-sensitive plants. Even vegetables can get sunburned.
6. Start planning your fall garden. It’s never too early to dream of cooler days.
7. Sharpen your pruning shears. It’s jungle out there.
8. Check your irrigation system. In July, a clogged sprinkler head is a gardening emergency.
9. Take care of yourself too. Gardening in July is not for the faint of heart.

Remember, July gardening in Zones 7-8 is not for the faint of heart. It’s for the bold, the brave, and maybe the slightly crazy. But when you’re enjoying fresh salsa made entirely from your garden while your northern friends are staring at bare soil, you’ll know it was all worth it.

So, intrepid gardeners, what’s your secret weapon for July planting? A special watering technique? A miracle mulch? Or just a really big hat? Share your tips in the comments below. After all, we’re in this hot, humid, wonderfully fertile boat together!