Skip to main content
Zone 5A — July

What to Plant in July in Zone 5A

July in Zone 5A: 0 crops to start indoors, 0 to plant or direct sow outside, and 260 entering harvest window. Last frost averages May 7. Reference city: Des Moines, IA.
Updated May 13, 2026 · Frost data from NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
0 Start Indoors
0 Plant Outside
260 Harvest
Frost risk: Cleared

Frost season has cleared in Zone 5A. The last spring frost typically passed by May 7, and the very latest 10% chance closed by May 21. Tender crops are safe to plant out.

See full Zone 5A frost outlook →

Start Indoors in July

No crops to start indoors in July for Zone 5A.

Plant Outside in July

No crops to plant outside in July for Zone 5A.

Harvest in July

Plant Type Planted / Sown Harvest Window
African Flake Daisy Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 8
Amarillo Yellow Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 14
Angelica herb Apr 30 Jul 19 – Jul 29
Arroyo Lupine Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 24 – Aug 13
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
Autumn King Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 14 – Jul 19
Barletta, Pearly White Onions root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 14 – Jul 19
Black Beauty Eggplant vegetable Apr 30 Jul 14 – Jul 29
Brunswick Cabbage brassica Apr 16 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Carentan Leeks allium Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 4
Chantenay Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9
Cosmos flower Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
Cosmos Sensations Mix Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 14
Crimson Sweet Watermelon melon Apr 30 Jul 19 – Jul 29
Curly Parsley herb Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 19
Danish Ballhead Cabbage brassica Apr 16 Jul 25 – Aug 4
Drumhead Cabbage brassica Apr 16 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Dutch Yellow Shallots allium Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Flat-Leaf Parsley herb Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
French Red Shallots allium Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Full Heart Batavian lettuce Apr 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Gaillardia Annual Mix Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 29
Giant Imperial Mix Larkspur Flowers flower Apr 9 Jul 18 – Aug 7
Giant Maximum Mix Snapdragon Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 19 – Aug 3
Giant Musselburgh Leeks allium Apr 16 Jul 25 – Jul 30
Glory of Enkhuizen Cabbage brassica Apr 16 Jul 15
Hamburg Rooted Parsley herb Apr 16 Jul 15 – Aug 4
Harris Model Parsnips root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 29
Heritage Rainbow Blend Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 14
Holland Red Shallots allium Apr 2 Jul 1 – Jul 31
Imperial Star Artichoke vegetable Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 8
Kuroda Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9
Love-in-a-Mist Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 24
Lunar White Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 14 – Jul 19
Mammoth Sunflower flower Apr 30 Jul 4 – Jul 19
Nutri-Red Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 14
OG American Flag Leeks allium Apr 16 Jul 15 – Jul 25
Pixie Delight Lupine Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 18
Popcorn vegetable Apr 30 Jul 24 – Aug 28
Purple Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 14
Purple Haze Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 12
Pápalo leaves herb Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 19
Queen Anne's Lace Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 24 – Aug 8
Savoy Perfection Cabbage brassica Apr 16 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Shallot vegetable Apr 30 Jul 29 – Aug 28
Silver Queen Sweet Corn vegetable Apr 30 Jul 29 – Jul 31
Snow White Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 14
Solar Yellow Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9 – Jul 14
St. Valery Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9
Tendersweet Carrots root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 9
Texas Bluebonnet Lupine Flowers flower Apr 30 Jul 14 – Aug 3
Verona Red lettuce Apr 7 Jul 1 – Jul 8
White Lisbon Bunching Onions root vegetable Apr 30 Jul 4
Witloof White lettuce Apr 7 Jul 22 – Aug 14
Ace 55 Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Acorn Squash squash May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 15
All Sorts Surprise Mix Sunflowers flower May 7 Jul 16 – Aug 15
Amish Paste Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 27 – Aug 7
Anaheim Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 30 – Aug 7
Ancho Grande Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Armenian Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Ashley Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Atkinson Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Bachelor's button edible flowers flower May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 2
Banana Peppers pepper May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 30
Basil Herb Mix herb May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 26
Better Boy Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Big Jim Hatch Chile pepper May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Bitter melons vegetable May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Black Cherry Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 17 – Jul 28
Black Krim Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Black-Eyed Pea legume May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 16
Bonny Best Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Borlotti Bush Bean legume May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Bradley Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Broccolini brassica May 14 Jul 3 – Jul 23
Cal Sweet Watermelon melon May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 5
California Giant Mix Zinnia Flowers flower May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Calypso Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Canary Bird Zinnia Flowers flower May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Caribe Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Caserta Summer Squash squash May 7 Jul 11
Casper Eggplant vegetable May 14 Jul 23
Celebrity Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 25
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 31 – Aug 7
Cherry Bomb peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Cherry Queen Zinnia Flowers flower May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Chinese Snake Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 21
Chioggia Beet root vegetable May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Chocolate Bell Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 18 – Aug 2
Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers flower May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Cinnamon Basil herb May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Clasping Coneflower flower May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Classic Tomatillos vegetable May 7 Jul 26 – Jul 31
Corno di Toro Pepper pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Cosmic Purple Carrot root vegetable May 7 Jul 4 – Jul 21
Crego Mix Aster Flowers flower May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Cubanelle Peppers pepper May 21 Jul 22 – Jul 30
Cupid Grape Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Danvers Carrot root vegetable May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Dark Green Summer Squash squash May 7 Jul 26
Delicata Squash squash May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 15
Delicious Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Detroit Dark Red Beet root vegetable May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Dragon Tongue Bean legume May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Dwarf Long Pod Okra vegetable May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Early Girl Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 5 – Jul 15
Edamame legume May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 10
Egg Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Emerald Giant Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Emerald Green Velvet Okra vegetable May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 11
Epazote herb May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Evening Sun Sunflowers flower May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Everbearing Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 6
Fall Rutabagas root vegetable May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Fava Bean legume May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 15
Floradade Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Florida Giant Watermelon melon May 7 Jul 31
Fresno Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Gardener's Delight Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 28
Genovese Basil herb May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn vegetable May 14 Jul 22 – Jul 28
Golden Beet root vegetable May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Golden Bush Scallop Summer Squash squash May 7 Jul 11
Golden Celery vegetable May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Golden Marconi Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 18 – Aug 2
Golden Sunray Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Greek Basil herb May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Green Cabbage brassica May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 22
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Green Flesh Honeydew Melon melon May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Green Marrow Summer Squash squash May 7 Jul 31
Green shiso leaves herb May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Green Zebra Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Jul 31
Hairy vetch cover crop stands cover crop May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 12
Heart of Gold Cantaloupe Melon melon May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Homemade Pickles Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Honey Rock Cantaloupe Melon melon May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper pepper May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Isis Candy Cherry Tomatoes tomato May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Italian Large Leaf Basil herb May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 21
Jade Bush Bean legume May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Jalapeño Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Jubilee Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Juliet Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 12 – Jul 14
Kellogg's Breakfast tomatoes tomato May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean legume May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 18
King Arthur Peppers pepper May 21 Jul 22 – Jul 28
Large Red Cherry Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Lettuce Leaf Basil herb May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Licorice Basil herb May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Lima Bean legume May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 26
Lime Basil herb May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Long Green Louisiana Eggplant vegetable May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Long Ping Tung Eggplant vegetable May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Long Purple Italian Eggplant vegetable May 14 Jul 28
Luminosa Zinnia Flowers flower May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Lunchbox Mini Peppers pepper May 21 Jul 15 – Jul 20
Manitoba Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 18
Marglobe Improved Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Marglobe Supreme Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Marion Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Marketer Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 1
Marketmore 76 Cucumber cucumber May 14 Jul 11 – Jul 21
Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes tomato May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Midnight Snack Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Money Maker Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Mountain Magic Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 25 – Jul 28
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil herb May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 21 – Jul 23
Muncher Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Nantes Carrot root vegetable May 7 Jul 8 – Jul 21
New Sunn Hemp Cover Crop cover crop May 14 Jul 13 – Aug 12
Orange Flesh Honeydew Melon melon May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Orange Horizon Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Orange King Zinnia Flowers flower May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Orange Oxheart Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Orion Florence Fennel vegetable May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 5
Padron Peppers pepper May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Pandora Striped Eggplant vegetable May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Pasilla de Oaxaca Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Patio Princess Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Paul Robeson tomatoes tomato May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 31
Pepperoncini Pepper pepper May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Pineapple Tomatillos vegetable May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Pinkeye Purple Hull Cowpea legume May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 23
Planters Jumbo Cantaloupe Melon melon May 7 Jul 31
Poblano Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Polar Bear Zinnia Flowers flower May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Ponderosa Red Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Powderpuff Aster Flowers flower May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Prizewinner Runner Pole Bean legume May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 28
Purple Basil herb May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 7
Purple Beauty Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
Purple Tomatillos vegetable May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Rattlesnake Pole Bean legume May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 16
Red Burgundy Okra vegetable May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 13
Red Cabbage brassica May 14 Jul 23 – Sep 1
Red Cayenne Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Red Cherry Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Red Garnet Amaranth vegetable May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Red Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Red Pear Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 28
Red Velvet Leaf Basil herb May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 26
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach lettuce May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Rio Grande Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Roma VF Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Romanesco brassica May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 22
Romano Pole Bean legume May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 14
Rutgers Tomato tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
San Marzano Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 31 – Aug 10
Santa Fe Grande Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Serrano Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Shelling Pea legume May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Shishito Peppers pepper May 21 Jul 20 – Jul 25
Signet marigold edible flowers flower May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Single Mix China Aster Flowers flower May 7 Jul 16 – Jul 26
Snow Crown Cauliflower brassica May 14 Jul 3 – Jul 13
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Straight Eight Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 6 – Jul 11
Sugar Baby Watermelon melon May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sugar Snap Pea legume May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Summer Savory herb May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
Sun Gold Sunflowers flower May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 10
Sun Gold Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 10 – Jul 18
Sunbright Yellow Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sunray Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sunspot Sunflowers flower May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 16
Sweet 100 Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Sweet Marjoram herb May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Sweet Million Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Taylor Dwarf Bush Bean legume May 7 Jul 11 – Jul 14
Tendercrisp Celery vegetable May 7 Jul 31 – Aug 15
Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 11
Thai Basil herb May 14 Jul 13 – Jul 18
Thai Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Thessaloniki Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 2
Thorogreen Bush Lima Bean legume May 10 Jul 14 – Jul 24
Tigerella Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 8 – Jul 23
Tom Watson Watermelon melon May 7 Jul 31
Trucker's Favorite Corn vegetable May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Tumbling Tom Red Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 18 – Jul 23
Velvet Queen Sunflowers flower May 7 Jul 21 – Aug 5
Verde Tomatillos vegetable May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 31
Waltham 29 Broccoli brassica May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 12
Wee Be Little Pumpkin squash May 7 Jul 31
West Indian Burr Gherkin Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 11
White Cherry Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
White Cloud Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 23 – Jul 28
White Emergo Runner Pole Bean legume May 7 Jul 21 – Jul 26
White Marrow Summer Squash squash May 7 Jul 31
White Wonder Cucumber cucumber May 7 Jul 1 – Jul 6
Yard Long Bean legume May 7 Jul 6 – Aug 5
Yellow Beefsteak Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Yellow Jalapeno (Caloro) Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Yellow Mushroom Hot Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 28 – Aug 7
Yellow Pear Tomatoes tomato May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Yolo Wonder Sweet Peppers pepper May 14 Jul 23 – Aug 2
Yukon Gold Potato root vegetable May 7 Jul 26 – Aug 15

Key Tasks for July in Zone 5A

  1. 1 Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around heat-sensitive crops to retain moisture and keep root zones cooler. Water deeply and less frequently rather than shallow daily watering.
  2. 2 Begin fall cool-season planting window this month. Direct sow lettuce, spinach, arugula, and radishes now for harvest before hard frost.
  3. 3 Check soil moisture before watering — stick a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only when the soil is dry at that depth. Consistent moisture is more important than frequency.
Back to full Zone 5A planting calendar
June July in Zone 5A August

Get a Personalized July Calendar

SoilStack builds your exact planting schedule from your ZIP code — day-by-day tasks, weather prompts, and harvest tracking included.

Start Your Free Garden Calendar