What to do in July in the vegetable garden?

July brings strong growth and the first generous summer harvests. Watering and caring for crops remain important, but there is still scope for sowing and planting. Choose varieties suited to your climate and the growing time left in the season.

What can you sow and plant in July?

Suitable lettuces, radishes, carrots, beetroot and turnips can still be sown. There may also be time for beans and some brassicas, depending on the variety. Sow small amounts at intervals and keep the seedbed moist.

Plant out young leeks, cabbages or lettuces when they are ready. In hot weather, choose a cooler part of the day and water them in well. Leafy crops may bolt in heat: suitable summer varieties and some protection from the hottest afternoon sun can help.

Care for growing plants

Check supports for tomatoes and other tall crops. Remove small sideshoots from the leaf joints of cordon tomatoes. Bush tomatoes do not usually need this treatment. Follow crop-specific guidance before pruning or pinching other vegetables.

Watering and mulching

Check soil moisture regularly in hot, dry weather, particularly around young plants and in containers. Water at soil level. A shortage of water can slow growth and reduce the quality of radishes, lettuce and beans.

Apply suitable organic mulch, such as straw or a thin layer of dry grass clippings, to moist soil. It helps reduce evaporation and suppress weeds. Keep mulch clear of stems and avoid thick, compacted layers of grass.

Weeding and thinning

Remove weeds while they are small and hoe carefully between rows. Thin crowded carrots and turnips to the spacing recommended for the variety, giving the remaining plants room to develop.

Watch for pests and diseases

Inspect crops regularly. Look out for powdery mildew on courgettes and cucumbers, Colorado beetles on potatoes and aubergines where this pest occurs, leek moth and flea beetles on susceptible crops. Warm, damp weather can favour late blight on tomatoes and potatoes: summer heat does not rule out disease.

What can you harvest in July?

Depending on the weather and planting date, courgettes, lettuce, radishes, French beans, beetroot and early potatoes may be ready. Melons and aubergines can follow in favourable conditions. Harvest beetroot when it reaches the size you want, not as soon as a root starts to form.

Pick herbs such as basil, chives, mint, tarragon, savoury, parsley and thyme. Some can be dried for later use. Leave enough healthy growth for the plants to recover after picking.