“You Can’t Plant Anything in July”
One of the biggest gardening myths I hear every summer is this:
“Is it too late to plant?”
Not even close.
A lot of gardeners think once Memorial Day or early June passes, the planting window slams shut until autumn or next spring. But here in Colorado, July is still a very active planting month if you know what to plant and how to manage the heat.
In fact, warm soil is one of the best things your plants can have.
Many perennials actually establish faster in July because the soil temperatures are warm and root growth is extremely active.
Trees and shrubs can also do just fine when planted in summer, as long as they receive deep, consistent watering while getting established, which can take a few months.
Hand watering is permitted any day of the week during watering restrictions.
And your vegetable garden? July is prime time for succession planting.
This is when smart gardeners start a second round of crops to keep the harvest going into late summer and fall.
Fast growing vegetables like lettuce, radishes, spinach, bush beans, beets, and even carrots can still be planted for another harvest.
Many gardeners are surprised how much food can still be grown after the Fourth of July.
What July Planting Success Really Comes Down To
Now, does summer planting require a little more attention? Absolutely.
July planting success comes down to three simple things:
- Water deeply and consistently
- Mulch about 2 inches deep to hold moisture
- Avoid planting during extreme heat spikes when possible
Cloudy days are best.
Morning planting is always easier on new plants than working in the afternoon sun.
And adding compost and mulch can make a huge difference in helping roots stay cool and moist.
How to Use July Planting to Your Advantage
This is also the perfect time to fill empty spaces in containers and garden beds where spring flowers may already be fading out.
Garden centers often discount plants in midsummer too, which means savvy gardeners can score some great bargains.
So don’t pack away the shovel just because it’s July.
Colorado’s growing season is far from over, and there’s still plenty of time to plant vegetables, perennials, shrubs, and flowers that will thrive well into fall.
The Garden Wise Guy