What’s not to love about summer? 

The warm climate, longer days, and an ample amount of sunshine are something you and your plants can benefit from! However, every zone is different and faces different challenges during the warmer months. Before you start planting vegetables and herbs, you’ll want to conduct research and fully understand how your zone works. 

Not sure where to start? TeraGanix is here to help.

If you're ready to start prioritizing what to plant this summer and get the most out of your vegetables and herbs this year, you've come to the right place. 

Let’s dive in!

Why it's important to understand your zone

The climate varies across the United States. Even though it's considered summer, summer has a different definition in every state you go to. What your friends grow in California might not do as well in colder climates like Montana or South Dakota. 

Understanding your unique planting zone will help your garden thrive and flourish throughout the summer months and well into fall. This will also help you choose vegetables and herbs with the highest success in your unique climate. That way, you can avoid certain plants that can handle extreme heat or colder than usual climates. 

Here’s a list of vegetables and herbs to plant in summer by zone:

Zone 2 and 3

If you live within zone 2 or 3, you know that the cold weather can be unforgivable, even during the summer months. These zones include the north-central states, northern New England, the Rockies, and Alaska. However, just because it’s colder doesn’t mean you can’t plant your vegetables and herbs during July. Greens and other types of root vegetables thrive in these conditions, and July is a great time to focus on those. Here are a few to consider:

Arugula

Spinach

Parsley

Beets

Carrots

Cilantro

Kale 

Radish 

In colder regions, these vegetables will flourish and be ready to harvest by fall. They also don’t mind frost nips and can be left outdoors under a snowpack.

Zone 4 and 5

States in these zones include the Midwest states and southern New England. Before July rolls around, these zones are used to inconsistent spring weather and early summer days. In July, it’s all about warm summer nights, long sunny days, and hot weather.

 
If you’re looking to extend your growing season in these regions, you’ll want to get right on your summer to-do list and garden maintenance. Start eliminating pests, pruning all your plants, and considering what you can plant for fall harvest. Here are a few to consider:

Beets 

Carrots 

Summer squash

Pumpkins

Basil 

Kale

Leeks

Spinach

All of these vegetable seeds can be directly sowed into the ground for fall harvest, setting your garden up for success.

Zones 6 and 7

Locations in these zones include the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic states. The temperatures are mild and consistent. The evenings are warm, and the temperatures are high and predictable. As you prepare your garden throughout July, it’s important to prioritize your summer garden weeding, inspect your irrigation system, and ensure your plants have the nutrients to thrive throughout the warmer months. July is the perfect month to start planning your fall crops.
Here are some crops to consider:

Arugula 

Kale 

Lettuce 

Brussel sprouts

Carrots 

Garlic

Kale

Dill

Peas

It’s recommended that you start your seeds indoors at the end of July if you’re still harvesting your summer crops. However, if you plant crops like Arugula, Kale, and Lettuce early enough, they’ll be ready for harvest in August, perfect for all those summer salads you have planned!

Zones 8 and 10

These zones include the southern regions of the United States and California. Spring and summer months are perfect for harvesting throughout these regions. These are considered to be the hardiest zones with mild winters. The summers are longer and much warmer, which is great for plant growth and provides an opportunity for an extended growing season. Squash is a staple summer vegetable crop that can be planted in midsummer and ready to enjoy in as little as a month. 

However, herbs don’t do as well in these warmer climates. The only herbs you’ll have luck with are cilantro and dill. Here are a few other vegetables to consider:

Corn

Eggplant

Peppers

Onion

Tomato 

Squash

Dill

Cilantro

It’s recommended to plant these crops in late spring or early summer. If you want a second round of vegetables, aim for August and September.

Zones 11 and 13

These zones include most of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The best part about living in these zones? You have year-round growth! You can successfully plant crops like melons, sweet potatoes, and garlic without worry. The tropical climate has the perfect amount of moisture and consistent temperatures, so you can plant your favorite crops with ease during July. You’ll find success with just about any herb you choose. You can add them to your garden and use them as an ornamental addition. Here’s a list of vegetables to consider:

Peppers

Sweet potatoes 

Melons 

Tomatoes 

Herbs

Keep in mind that this is just scratching the surface of many vegetables and herbs that can thrive in these zones if you plant them in July. If you want to plant a certain vegetable or herb that's not listed above, we recommend researching the plant and your unique zone for the best results!

Preparing your garden for the warmer months with EM-1

If you want a thriving garden you can be proud of, you’ll need to ensure it’s receiving the nutrients and gardening maintenance to thrive. The best thing you can do for your plants to ensure they flourish through the summer months is to introduce them to EM-1 Microbial Inoculant. 

This is an organic liquid probiotic for soils and plants. It contains a combination of yeasts, actinomycetes, and two kinds of bacteria. It's a natural, organic, and an environmentally friendly alternative to fertilizers that can help you yield high results, especially during warmer months! EM-1 can improve root size, nutrient cycling, water absorption, and help you restore natural resistance to disease and pests.

Getting started with TeraGanix 

Ready to take your garden to the next level this summer? TeraGanix is here to help. We have a range of gardening and composting products designed to help you see incredible results in your home garden. Whether you’re looking for a natural alternative to fertilizers or you want to try new ways to compost, we have you covered. 

Make sure to shop our gardening and composting products today to get started.