By the time July rolls around, many people believe planting season has come and gone - but the truth is, July can be the perfect time to plant many edibles and herbs from seed. Many cooler weather plants only need about 60 days to fully mature. Since the first frost can be as late as October or early November in Illinois, mid-summer is the right time to be thinking about a second harvest. 

Maintaining a garden is not only a great hobby, but it can also significantly improve the appearance of your outdoor space. For those who are planning to put their home on the market this fall, starting a mid-summer garden can be a great way to make your yard more appealing to potential buyers and compete with other Belleville homes for sale. 

If you're looking to spruce up your yard this summer, below are 5 plants you can easily add to your garden this July: 

1. Carrots
   Late July is one of the best times to plant carrots, as they're a great compliment to many classic autumn comfort food meals. Carrots typically take between 70 and 80 days to fully mature, so planting them in mid-July should give you plenty of time to harvest before the first frost hits. 
2. Cucumbers
   Since most cucumbers take about 50 days to mature from seed to harvest, they're a great edible to add to your garden in July. However, most cucumbers are sensitive to frost, so err on the side of planting these vegetables as early in the month as possible. 
3. Radishes
   Radishes are a popular edible for a fall harvest. They're able to grow until the soil freezes, and because they mature fairly quickly (between 30 and 60 days), they can be planted any time between early July and early August. 
4. Basil
   An excellent herb for any fall garden, basil matures in 30 to 60 days and only needs between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight to grow. Planting basil in July will give you an excellent herb to incorporate until your cooking come fall.
5. Kale
   Many people believe fall is actually the best time to harvest kale as a small amount of frost exposure can actually help to sweeten the plant. Kale takes about 55 days to mature, so planting in mid to late July should lead to a good second harvest and a healthy vegetable to add to your plate in the fall.

If you're more interested in ornamentals than vegetables, fast-blooming wildflowers such as cosmos, zinnia, and alyssum can make a great addition to your garden in July.

Gardening is a great way to improve the appearance of your yard and may even help you to sell your home faster. Just remember that your plants will need some extra water, care, and maintenance in the intense summer heat. For more tips on how to improve the appearance of your outdoor area, our real estate agents can help. Contact us at Strano & Associates Real Estate. We've been experts at serving the southern Illinois real estate market since 1981.