Think you missed your chance to grow a garden this year? Good news—midsummer is a great time to dig in and get planting! With warm soil, long days, and the right crops, you can still enjoy a bountiful harvest just before fall settles in.
I still remember the first time I planted a garden in July. Every year, I kick off the growing season with big plans and even bigger excitement. I started our seeds indoors early, gave the seedlings plenty of time to grow strong, and carefully prepped them for life outside. But one night, I forgot to bring them in—and a chipmunk didn’t just take a nibble, it ate every last seedling.
With our garden beds sitting empty, I figured the season was a complete bust. But on a whim, I decided to try a midsummer garden. No grand plans, no pressure—just a few seeds and a little hope. And honestly, it turned out to be one of my favorite gardens ever. It was simple, full of surprises, and the perfect reminder that it’s not too late to grow something lovely.
Maybe you’re feeling a little behind this season, too. Whether your seeds didn’t sprout, pesky pests got the best of your plants, or you’re just now deciding to start a garden— it really is better late than never.
what’s to love about midsummer gardening
Spring might steal the spotlight but don’t overlook the beauty of midsummer gardening.
Seeds love warmth—most sprout best when the soil is between 70°F and 85°F. If you’re planting in the summer, keep an eye on soil temperatures and moisture to help your seedlings stay happy and stress-free.
Longer days mean more sunlight—perfect for growing healthy, thriving plants.
While spring brings the crowds to garden centers, midsummer shoppers often find quieter aisles—and unexpected discounts.
Even if your spring garden was successful, succession planting in midsummer lets you refresh beds while allowing you to enjoy your harvest, a little bit at a time and a little bit longer.
our favorite vegetables for midsummer planting
The key is choosing crops that thrive in heat or mature quickly enough to beat the first frost. Here are some great options:
Lettuce
Lettuce is a speedy grower—ready in as little as two months!
One of our family favorite is Buttercrunch Lettuce, which you can start harvesting in just 55–65 days. It’s a reliable choice for late-season planting too, thanks to its tolerance for cooler temperatures as fall rolls in.
We also love Prizehead Lettuce—a real showstopper in the garden with its lime green inner leaves and ruffled purple edges. It matures in about 45 days and is slow to bolt, making it perfect for those midsummer sowings when other lettuces might struggle.
Cherry Tomato
Whether you’re working with a patio pot or a trellis, there’s a tomato variety to suit your space!
Our top pick, Geranium Kiss Tomatoes, are determinate, growing to a compact 18–24 inches—ideal for containers. Despite their size, they’re impressively prolific, producing golf ball–sized fruit in just about 65 days.
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes are indeterminate, stretching up to 6–8 feet tall. They thrive in the midsummer heat, thanks to their drought tolerance, and are also ready to harvest in around 65 days.
cucumbers
Burpless. Spineless. Pickling. Muncher. Bush or vining—there’s a cucumber for every craving!
We can’t get enough of Beit Alpha, Muncher, and National Pickling! These standout varieties are more tolerant than most, quick to mature in just 55–65 days, and perfect for staggered planting—so you can enjoy a steady stream of crisp, garden-fresh cucumbers all season long.
Zucchini
With its high yields and endless ways to enjoy the harvest, zucchini is a top pick—especially for beginner gardeners. Zucchini thrives when direct sown on hot, sunny days—making it an ideal pick for midsummer planting.
Our go-to variety? Black Beauty. It’s the classic you’ll recognize from grocery store shelves and a staple in home gardens. This bush-type plant is compact, productive, and ready to harvest in just 50–55 days.
carrots
A root vegetable that doesn’t mind the heat! Packed with flavor and impressively productive, carrots are a must-have for every home gardener. Plant every two weeks—for a steady, abundant harvest.
Little Fingers is a petite carrot variety that matures in as little as 55 days, giving you time for multiple plantings before fall arrives. And if you’re after a splash of color, Rainbow Mix is a stunning choice—ready to harvest in just about 60 days and sure to brighten up any garden bed.
BEANS
Beans are a warm-season favorite—prolific, low-maintenance, and available in both pole and bush varieties.
Jade Bean is our tried-and-true pick! This compact plant may be small, but it delivers big with an abundance of tender, stringless pods—even in the peak of summer heat.
With a quick maturity of just 55 days, Jade Beans are perfect for succession planting every 2–4 weeks, giving you a steady supply all season long.
Don’t Stop Yet! More Herbs & Flowers to Plant This Season, too
Herbs
- Basil: Loves warm weather and adds a burst of summer to your dish.
- Mint: Hardy and refreshing but keep it contained—it spreads fast!
- Thyme, Oregano, and Rosemary: Thrive in the sun— and perfect companions for grilled meats.
Flowers
- Zinnias: Bright, cheerful, and pollinator friendly.
- Marigolds: Vibrant, low-maintenance, and naturally help keep pests away.
- Cosmos: Delicate blooms that keep going until frost.
tips for a thriving midsummer garden
Gardening in the heat takes a little extra care, but it’s manageable:
Water deeply in the morning while it’s still cool—this helps reduce evaporation and gives moisture time to reach the roots before the heat sets in. Not an early riser? No worries—early evening is the next best time, giving plants a chance to absorb water before nightfall.
Watch for pests—they tend to be most active during the summer heat. And, just like us, plants can feel the stress of scorching days, and that stress makes both seedlings and mature plants more vulnerable to pest damage.
Frequent harvesting encourages new growth, helps prevent pests and diseases, and can even delay bolting in heat-sensitive plants.
A layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, reduce weeds, and enrich the soil over time.
Provide shade for tender seedlings from the harsh sun with row covers or light cloth. We’re lucky to have a tree that shades half our garden—it’s the perfect spot for our most sensitive crops to thrive through the summer heat.
seed packet basics
Seed packets have a wealth of information. While it will vary depending on the brand, most will include a planting zone map, how deep to plant, whether the plant is vining or bush, if they are best started in ground or in a container, number of days to germinate and number of days to maturity.
In addition, there is the controversial, expiration date. While seeds don’t necessarily expire or go bad, their quality and germination rate drop. Storing your seeds in a cool, dry place will extend the life of your seeds!
know your zone
Before planting, check your USDA hardiness zone and first frost date. This helps you choose crops that will mature in time. Many seed packets list “days to maturity,” so you can count backward from your frost date to see what’s still possible.
While this is a standard formula, sometimes, there are factors that would extend your days of maturity. Local gardeners are a great resource—they can offer insight into your area’s specific climate and share tips on how to adjust your planting schedule for the best results.
Starting a garden in midsummer might feel like showing up late—but the truth is, there’s still plenty of time to grow something beautiful. Whether it’s a handful of herbs on your porch or a full bed of veggies, your garden can still thrive. So, grab your gloves, soak up the sun, and let your second-season garden begin!
Did you start a midsummer garden this year? I’d love to know—what are your favorite things to grow? Drop a comment below!
