By the time July rolls around, it’s easy to think you’ve missed the planting season.
The tomatoes are already producing, peppers are taking off, and the Sacramento Valley heat can make gardening feel more like survival than enjoyment.
But one of the things we’ve learned while gardening in Davis is that July isn’t the end of the season, it’s simply the beginning of a different one.
Living in USDA Zone 9B gives us a long growing season, and there are still plenty of vegetables, herbs, and flowers that thrive when planted in July.
Not sure which USDA Zone you live in? Check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. It’s the standard gardening tool that tells you which perennial plants, shrubs, and trees are most likely to survive in your region.
Here are five of our favorites.
1. Basil
If we could only plant one thing in July, it would probably be basil.
It absolutely loves the warm days and mild nights that define a Sacramento summer.
We like succession planting basil every few weeks so we have a steady supply for homemade pesto, pasta, sandwiches, and caprese salads.
Growing tips:
- Plant in full sun.
- Water deeply and consistently.
- Pinch off flowers to encourage more leaves.
There’s almost no such thing as too much fresh basil.
2. Sunflowers
Sunflowers and July go hand in hand.
Many varieties mature in 60 to 80 days, which means there’s still plenty of time to enjoy blooms before fall.
They’re also one of the easiest ways to attract bees and other pollinators to your garden.
After seeing thousands of acres of sunflowers blooming across nearby Yolo County each summer, we’ve made it a tradition to grow a few at home too.
3. Bush Beans
Bush beans are one of the easiest vegetables to direct sow in July.
The warm soil helps seeds germinate quickly, and many varieties are ready to harvest in just two months.
We like them because they’re productive, beginner-friendly, and don’t require much space.
Fresh beans picked a few minutes before dinner are hard to beat.
4. Cucumbers
July isn’t too late for cucumbers, especially if you choose fast-maturing varieties.
Give them plenty of water, rich soil, and something to climb, and they’ll reward you with crisp cucumbers well into late summer.
We’ve found that harvesting regularly encourages even more production.
5. Zinnias
If you’re looking to add some color to the garden, don’t overlook zinnias.
These cheerful flowers thrive in Sacramento’s summer heat and bloom continuously until the first frost.
We love cutting fresh bouquets for the house, and the bees and butterflies seem to love them just as much as we do.
For very little effort, they bring a lot of life to the garden.
Gardening in July Is All About Timing
The biggest challenge isn’t deciding what to plant, it’s helping new plants survive the heat.
A few things that have worked well for us:
- Plant early in the morning or in the evening.
- Water deeply instead of lightly.
- Add a layer of mulch to keep the soil cool.
- Give young seedlings temporary afternoon shade during extreme heat.
Once plants get established, they’re often much tougher than we expect.
One of the Best Parts About Gardening in Zone 9B
One reason we love gardening in Northern California is that the growing season feels almost endless.
While much of the country is winding down by late summer, we’re already thinking about broccoli, carrots, lettuce, spinach, peas, and other cool-season crops.
There’s always something to plant next.
What We’re Planting This Month
This July, we’re adding another round of basil, a few more sunflowers, and experimenting with some late-season vegetables in our backyard garden.
If you’re gardening in Sacramento, Davis, or elsewhere in Zone 9B, we’d love to hear what’s growing in your garden this month. Email [email protected] to share your gardening experiences.