GreenlyWhat to plant in July in California
Worked out for 11 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in July in California, by zone: frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (San Diego): broad bean, peas, onion, cabbage, cauliflower and 37 more; frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F (San Francisco): broad bean, peas, onion, spinach, lettuce and 20 more.
In California, July is summer.
Frost-free, highs above 82 °F: Los Angeles, San Jose, Fresno, Sacramento and 5 more
In July, on average, these cities have highs of 84 to 105 °F and lows of 58 to 75 °F, 0.0 to 0.1 in of rain on 0 days; the day lasts 14 h 13 min to 14 h 49 min (on the 15th). A dry month: whatever is sown needs watering.
No frost in July in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| start indoors, plant out in September | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper | Los Angeles, San Jose and Santa Barbara |
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybean | Los Angeles, San Jose and Santa Barbara |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Cucumber, melon, achocha | Los Angeles, San Jose and Santa Barbara |
| start indoors, plant out in October | Celeriac, celery | Los Angeles |
Compared with June: no longer sown — arugula.
Not starting in July: lettuce (November, sown direct), peas (November, sown direct) and spinach (November, sown direct) — dates for Sacramento.
Ready to harvest in July in Sacramento, if sown in the right month: zucchini (May), green beans (May), sweet corn (April), basil (May), bok choy (May), borage (May), corn (April) and Florence fennel (April).
Frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F: San Diego
In July, on average, San Diego has highs of 77 °F and lows of 65 °F, 0.1 in of rain on 0 days; the day lasts 14 h 07 min (on the 15th). A dry month: whatever is sown needs watering.
No frost in July in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, peas, cabbage, beet, zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, parsley, cilantro, basil, arugula, bok choy, borage, chamomile, chayote, chickpea, corn, dill, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, mustard greens, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybean | San Diego |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | San Diego |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Cauliflower, cucumber, melon, achocha | San Diego |
| start indoors, plant out in September | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, Brussels sprouts, chili pepper | San Diego |
| start indoors, plant out in October | Celeriac, celery | San Diego |
The same as in June.
Not starting in July: lettuce (October, started indoors) and spinach (November, started indoors) — dates for San Diego.
Ready to harvest in July in San Diego, if sown in the right month: broad bean (April), peas (May), lettuce (May), cabbage (March), broccoli (April), Swiss chard (May), beet (May) and green beans (May).
Frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F: San Francisco
In July, on average, San Francisco has highs of 63 °F and lows of 55 °F, 0.0 in of rain on 0 days; the day lasts 14 h 32 min (on the 15th). A dry month: whatever is sown needs watering.
No frost in July in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, peas, spinach, lettuce, radish, carrot, cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, beet, parsley, cilantro, arugula, chamomile, daikon, dill, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, parsnip | San Francisco |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | San Francisco |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Cauliflower | San Francisco |
| start indoors, plant out in September | Leek, Brussels sprouts | San Francisco |
Compared with June: no longer sown — turnip.
Not starting in July: tomato (no month outdoors by these rules), bell pepper (no month outdoors by these rules), zucchini (no month outdoors by these rules) and green beans (no month outdoors by these rules) — dates for San Francisco.
Ready to harvest in July in San Francisco, if sown in the right month: broad bean (April), peas (May), spinach (May), lettuce (May), radish (June), carrot (May), cabbage (March) and broccoli (April).
How we work it out
For each city we use its average weather in July and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in July if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.
Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 60–80 °F and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 40 °F, semi-hardy ones from 40–50 °F (we use 50 °F); warm-season crops need days above 55 °F, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, watermelon, squash) above 60 °F, up to 95 °F. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Fava (broad) beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in fall and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).
This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.
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