What vegetables can I plant in late July in Minnesota?

Looking to plant something midsummer after harvesting early crops such as lettuce, peas and
spinach? You can grow a variety of vegetables in July and August that will mature before winter
arrives in Minnesota. The key to a successful midsummer crop is knowing the average first frost
date in your area, and then choosing crops that tolerate cooler temperatures as they reach
their days to maturing.

Counting days to frost

Finding the average first day of frost for your area is easy thanks to the Midwestern Regional
Climate Center’s interactive map, which lists first fall and last spring freeze dates by county.
Armed with that information, you can look for crops that will provide a late-season bounty.

Some vegetables really come into their own in the fall. Among them are the brassica crops such
as broccoli, kale, cabbage, bok choy and collards. When young, warm summer temperatures
help these plants grow quickly, and then cooler fall nights encourage vegetable formation for
crops such as cabbage and broccoli.

The University of Minnesota Extension offers a handy guide to selecting vegetables for
midsummer planting. Among the hardiest choices are Brussel sprouts, cabbage, collard greens,
kale, all of which will survive temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

For herbs, basil and cilantro are good choices for mid-summer planting. While neither will
survive a frost, they grow quickly so they’re ready to harvest about a month after seeds are
sown.

Another option may be to plant garlic in September, which will produce hefty bulbs the
following July.

Finally, for those who aren’t looking for a fall harvest but don’t want their garden to sit fallow,
consider planting a cover crop, which will provide organic materials and other benefits to the
soil. Watch the University of Minnesota Extension’s video to learn more about growing cover
crops in your garden.

—Written by Donna Lovell, Master Gardener