What to Plant This Month- July
 

IN THE NURSERIES: Plenty of summer bloomers to choose from right now.... Look for colors that complement your house color.
 
ANNUALS: There's still time to add some heat-loving summer color to your yard. Look for: petunias, million bells, marigolds, zinnias and more.

For the really fun stuff, try Annie's Annuals, available by mail order and at select Sacramento nurseries (Bushnell's, Sierra Nursery & Rock, Redwood Barn Nursery and Windmill).
 
PERENNIALS: Visit nurseries for summer bloomers like: echinacea, lavender, penstemon, canna, catmint, gaura, rudbeckia, geum, daylilies and agapanthus.
 
CACTI, SUCCULENTS & PALMS: Plant this month, while soil is dry, to avoid conditions favoring rotting.
 
HERBS: Still time to plant herbs. Nurseries are very well-stocked with the likes of basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, etc. Look for "slow-bolting" cilantro, such as Renee's Cilantro 'Slow-bolt'. Like pesto? Try Renee's 'Italian Pesto' basil.
 

VEGETABLES: Plant artichoke, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chard, sweet corn (final sowing), cucumbers, parsnips, summer squash.

Check your local nursery for already started seedlings or, in the case of easily-sprouted corn and squash, plant in place from seed.

More Resources:
Yearly Vegetable Planting Calendar
UC VRIC Table 2: Vegetable Gardening at a Glance: How to Plant and Store (pdf file, requires Adobe  Reader)
Vegetable Gardening
 

LANDSCAPE TREES: Avoid tree-planting this month. Fall is usually considered the best time; spring runs a close 2nd. If you must plant now, be especially vigilant about watering. Visit the Sacramento Tree Foundation's website for the lowdown on Sacramento area trees. Also see my picks and the City of Sacramento's Tree Planting Guide. If you're a SMUD customer, you may qualify for free shade trees! Click here to see trees being offered the Sacramento Shade Program and how to get them.