By Jessica Carlson

Otter Tail County Master 

Gardener Volunteer

By the time July rolls around, many Minnesota gardeners might think the planting season is over. The peas have been picked, the garlic is nearly ready to pull, if not already, and empty rows start appearing in the garden. The good news is those open spaces do not have to stay empty. In Zone 4A, July is actually an excellent time to plant another round of cool season vegetables that will be ready for harvest this fall.

Before planting, check the seed packet for the days to maturity and count backward from your average first fall frost, which is often around late September in Otter Tail County. Many cool season vegetables can handle a light frost, so they do not need to be fully harvested before the first chilly night. In fact, crops such as kale, spinach, and carrots often improve in flavor after temperatures dip.

Leafy greens are some of the easiest and most rewarding crops to start now. Lettuce can be ready in 30 to 50 days, spinach in about 40 to 50 days, and arugula in as little as 25 to 35 days. Kale and Swiss chard take a bit longer, around 50 to 60 days, but both continue producing well into fall and often taste even better after a light frost.

Consider planting another round of herbs. Cilantro, dill, and parsley all prefer cooler weather and are often more successful in late summer than they are during the heat of early June. Cilantro planted in July can provide fresh leaves for salsa, salads, and soups well into September.

Root crops are another great choice for midsummer planting. Radishes mature in only 25 to 35 days, turnips in 40 to 60 days, beets in about 55 to 65 days, and carrots in 60 to 75 days depending on the variety. Carrots planted in late July are often especially sweet because cool autumn nights help the roots develop better flavor.

If you would like to grow broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts, look for young transplants at a garden center rather than starting them from seed this late in the season. These crops need more time to mature, and transplants give you a head start.

Warm July soil helps seeds sprout quickly, but it can dry out fast. Keep new seedlings and transplants consistently moist by mulching lightly with straw or shredded leaves. Water in the morning and provide afternoon shade during extreme heat by using a lightweight row cover or a temporary shade cloth.

Instead of leaving those garden spaces empty for the rest of the summer, sow a quick crop and keep the garden producing for another couple of months. A packet of lettuce spinach or radish seed costs very little and maybe you have some leftover from the spring. You may be surprised by how much food you can still harvest before the gardening season finally comes to a close.