If you missed the springtime opportunity to plant your vegetable garden, or you decided to give up on the Great British weather and hold out until it got warmer and drier, only to realise that it is July and it is still cold and wet, don’t despair! It is not too late to get planting.
In England, July is a good time to both plant and harvest a variety of vegetables. Here’s a list of what you can grow.
Vegetables to Sow in July:
Leafy Greens
Lettuce and salad leaves: Quick-growing varieties can be sown directly into the soil.
Spinach: Choose a heat-resistant variety to avoid bolting.
Kale: Hardy and can be harvested in autumn and winter.
Swiss Chard: Sow for a continuous harvest of leaves.
Root Vegetables
Beetroot: Direct sow for a late summer to early autumn harvest.
Carrots: Sow later varieties for a late autumn harvest.
Turnips: Can be sown for an autumn crop.
Radishes: Radishes are super satisfying to grow as they mature at a rapid rate – and are delicious, too.
Legumes
French Beans: Dwarf varieties can still be sown.
Peas: Early varieties can be sown for an autumn harvest.
Brassicas
Cabbages: Winter and spring cabbages can be sown now.
Broccoli: Sow now for harvesting in autumn.
Herbs
Coriander: Sow directly for autumn harvest.
Parsley: Can be sown directly into the soil.
While many people think that July is too late for sowing seeds, as the soil and air are generally warmer and there is more light, germination tends to be much faster. Depending on where you are in the country, you may need to be vigilant about making sure your plants get enough water.
Courgettes, squashes and sweetcorn will all grow well if sown in July; to be on the safe side, invest in young plants instead of seeds, and plant them as early in July as possible so that you can harvest them before the first winter frosts.
If you are worried that you have missed the boat for this year, check out our directory of trusted, rated and vetted local gardeners near you. They will be able to offer you advice on what you can still sow and will help you to keep on top of your gardening jobs now and as the year progresses.
While it might be a little bit late for fruit and vegetables, there are plenty of flowers and can be sown for vibrant results next summer. Foxgloves, delphiniums, forget-me-nots and wallflowers can all be sown direct into the garden.
For more tips and advice, follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or X.