Hi, I'm Vanessa, your local Garden Consultant, and I would love to dream and grow with you!

At Your Dream Garden, we believe that the gardening journey should be an experience of beauty and bounty -- more enjoyment, less overwhelm.

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If you're just now catching the gardening bug or you've been meaning to start but haven't quite gotten there yet—good news! You're not too late.

🌿 1. Bush Beans

Days to maturity: 50–60
These fast-growing legumes don’t need trellises and are ideal for staggered plantings throughout July. Great for kids and garden beginners.

Pro tip: Keep soil moist during germination and pick often to encourage continuous harvests.

🥬 2. Swiss Chard

Days to maturity: 55–65
A colorful, heat-tolerant green that keeps producing right through the first frost. Cut outer leaves and let the center keep growing.

Pro tip: Mulch around the base to hold moisture and discourage weeds.

🥒 3. Cucumbers

Days to maturity: 50–70
Plant by early July for a late-summer cucumber harvest. Choose bush or trellis varieties depending on your space.

Pro tip: Plant in rich soil and water at the base to avoid mildew. Harvest regularly to keep vines producing.

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In Zone 6b, where the first frost usually arrives around October 15, we still have 100–120 growing days left starting in late June. That means you can absolutely grow a wide range of vegetables that will thrive right through summer and into fall.

Whether you're planting in raised beds, containers, or a backyard plot, here are 7 great crops you can still start growing right now—and enjoy the harvest in just a few weeks to a few months:

🥕 4. Carrots

Days to maturity: 60–80
Perfect for fall harvests and can even sweeten with a light frost. Direct sow through mid-July.

Pro tip: Choose short or round varieties like Parisian or Little Finger for quicker results in raised beds or containers.

🥬 5. Heat-Tolerant Lettuce

Days to maturity: 30–45
Don’t give up on lettuce just because it’s summer! Choose bolt-resistant varieties like Jericho, Romaine Parris Island Cos, or Black Seeded Simpson.

Pro tip: Plant in partial shade or under taller crops to keep them cool. Harvest early in the day for crisp, flavorful leaves.

🍅 6. Tomatoes (Fast-Maturing Varieties)

Days to maturity: 55–75
Yes--- You still have a chance on tomatoes. Just make sure to get transplants of fast-growing varieties. Focus on early or determinate types such as Early Girl, Bush Goliath, or Celebrity.

Pro tip: Use black mulch or compost to warm the soil, and prune lower leaves to promote airflow and root growth. Stake or cage right after planting.

Final Thoughts: You’re Right on Time 🌱

Late June and early July are not the “too late” season—they’re the perfect season for fast, productive, and heat-loving crops. With just a little planning and the right varieties, you can have a vibrant, productive garden all the way into fall.

🌶️ 7. Peppers (Compact or Quick Varieties)

Days to maturity: 60–90
Like tomatoes, peppers planted in late June or early July will do best if started from larger transplants. Choose varieties like Ace, California Wonder, or Jalapeño Early.

Pro tip: Peppers love heat—use row covers early and fertilize with a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus blend to encourage fruiting.

🌟 Bonus: Long-Season Options to Try Now

If you’re planting before mid-July, you can even start longer-season crops like:

• 🎃 Pumpkins – Choose smaller, fast-maturing types like Jack Be Little or Early Sugar Pie (90–100 days)

• 🍈 Summer Squash (Zucchini, Pattypan) – Fast growers with heavy yields (45–60 days)

• 🥒 Melons – Look for short-season varieties like Minnesota Midget or Sugar Baby

🌸 Are you ready to create a thriving, balanced garden this year?
Book a Garden Consultation and let’s plan your most beautiful, abundant, and pollinator-friendly season yet.

Together, we'll design a garden that brings you joy by feeding you and your loved ones, and helping the planet at the same time.
👉 Book Your Consultation Today!