07/19/2026
Dog Days of Summer. Despite the myth that it refers to lazy dogs on a hot day, or dogs and rabies, the term actually refers to Sirius, the "dog star", which is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. During this time of year, Sirius appears to rise alongside the sun (which also coincides with the hottest time of the year). The Dog Days span July 3 through August 11 and while this doesn't have much significance in the garden, the Dog Days are a surprisingly good time to begin transitioning to the autumn garden.
You can still squeeze in short crops like bush beans and some summer squash and zucchini. Check the seed packet to make sure there are enough days to ripen before the days shorten and cool.
And although it seems counterintuitive, the Dog Days, particularly the latter part of July and the month of August is a good time to start seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, and Brussels sprouts for the fall garden. You can plant the seeds in pots or flats, or they can be sown in a sheltered place in the garden (I plant them directly in a shady place in the garden and transplant them when they are still "babies"). With the warm soil temperatures, the seeds sprout quickly. Keep them watered and you'll have young plants to transplant after Labor Day. This is a HUGE savings as the cost of transplants at nurseries has sky rocketed in recent years. Plus, your plants are likely to be more vigorous and healthier than those raised for mass production, and youāll have a greater choice of varieties.
In addition, it's a good time to look over seed packets and purchase cool season veggie seeds if needed so you can be prepared. And ordering seed packets is a good "garden activity" to do on a hot summer day. Cool season crops include brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cabbages), greens (kale, chard, spinach, etc.), roots (radishes, turnips, carrots, etc.), and peas. Don't forget to order a few cool season flowers as well! These include sweet peas, violas, stock, cornflowers, and others, along with native California wildflowers like California poppies. (Native wildflowers grow quite happily amongst the kale and radishes in a cool season veggie garden!)
To learn more about the right time to plant different vegetables in our area, check out our fantastic planting guide. It's a great resource to print out and pin it to your bulletin board to reference this autumn.https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/Vegetable%20Planting%20Guide%202025%20%281%29.pdf
And keep watering.
Photo credit: L. Meyerpeter. Young broccoli seedling.
