GreenlyWhat to plant in July in the Pacific Northwest
Worked out for 11 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in July in the Pacific Northwest, by zone: frost-free, highs above 82 °F (Portland, Boise and 6 more): zucchini, green beans, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin and 14 more; frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (Seattle, Olympia and 1 more): cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, cucumber and 18 more.
In the Pacific Northwest, July is summer.
Frost-free, highs above 82 °F: Portland, Boise, Spokane, Salem and 4 more
In July, on average, these cities have highs of 84 to 95 °F and lows of 54 to 67 °F, 0.1 to 0.4 in of rain on 0 to 2 days; the day lasts 15 h 00 min to 15 h 38 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 | Zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybean | Portland, Spokane, Salem and 4 more |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Cucumber | Portland, Spokane, Salem and 4 more |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Melon, achocha | Portland and Salem |
Compared with June: no longer sown — tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, arugula and chili pepper.
Not starting in July: tomato (March, started indoors), bell pepper (March, started indoors), lettuce (September, started indoors), peas (September, sown direct) and spinach (September, started indoors) — dates for Medford.
Ready to harvest in July in Medford, if sown in the right month: broad bean (April), peas (May), cabbage (March), beet (May), parsley (May), cilantro (May), arugula (June) and bok choy (May).
Frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F: Seattle, Olympia and Tacoma
In July, on average, these cities have highs of 78 to 80 °F and lows of 54 to 57 °F, 0.4 to 0.7 in of rain on 3 to 5 days; the day lasts 15 h 33 min to 15 h 37 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, beet, cilantro, chamomile, chickpea, dill, mustard greens | Seattle |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | Seattle |
| sow direct or start indoors, plant out in September | Cabbage, parsley | Seattle and Olympia |
| start indoors, plant out in September | Broccoli, Brussels sprouts | Seattle and Olympia |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Cauliflower | Seattle |
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybean | all |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Cucumber | all |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Melon, achocha | Tacoma |
| sow direct | Arugula | Seattle and Olympia |
| sow direct | Moringa | Tacoma |
Compared with June: new — broccoli and soybean; no longer sown — tomato, bell pepper, eggplant and chili pepper.
Not starting in July: tomato (March, started indoors), bell pepper (March, started indoors), lettuce (September, sown direct) and spinach (September, started indoors) — dates for Olympia.
Ready to harvest in July in Olympia, if sown in the right month: broad bean (April), peas (May), lettuce (May), cabbage (March), broccoli (April), Swiss chard (May), beet (May) and parsley (May).
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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- What to plant in July: all climates
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