BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Brussels Sprouts should not normally be fed
during July, but they will really appreciate a
mulch with well rotted compost or other organic
material. This will help preserve water round
the roots. Brussels sprouts do not like being
short of water.
Click here for more information on caring
for Brussels Sprouts.
CARROTS
Carrots should be kept watered and weeded during
July. In many areas, carrot seed can continue to
be sown until mid-July. Do remember to thin out
any recently sown carrots seedlings to ensure
that competition for water is kept to the
minimum. Unless your soil very poor in
nutrients, carrots do not need feeding.
Continue to harvest carrots during July - if
you have any doubts on how to pull carrots,
there is a section on this in the link below.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
LETTUCE
Continue to sow lettuce until mid-July. Lettuce
are cool weather plants so keep them well
watered and mulch them now the hot weather has
arrived if this has not already been done. If
you can choose a spot out of the mid-day sun,
all the better. Lettuce harvesting should be in
full swing during July.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
PEAS
In July, water is the main need of pea plants.
Water well in dry conditions and if you haven't
already mulched around them, do this after a
good watering. Check the supports to make sure
they are strong and secure.
Peas planted early in the season should be
ready for harvest late June to early July. Pick
them young for the sweetest peas of all!
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on sowing peas.
FRENCH BEANS
In July French Beans need to be kept well
watered and they appreciate a feed every couple
of weeks. Mulch around them if possible. The
critical time for watering is when they are in
flower which is different for each variety.
Don't forget to pinch out the growing tips when
they reach the tops of their supports if they
are the climbing variety.
There are four pages of advice and pictures
on French Beans on the GardenAction site and the
last one is devoted to pests and diseases which
attack French Beans. If you have any problems,
take a look by clicking on the link below.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on caring for your french beans.
RADISH
Sow radishes over a period of months to avoid a
glut. They can continue to be sown in July. The
best position will be sunny but not too hot. If
the plants get too hot they will bolt and run to
seed, so try to avoid placing them where they
get the full sun in the early afternoon.
At the same time you should be harvesting
previously sown radish. Radish require only
water in July, dont feed them.
At the very end of July you can begin to sow
winter radish, but spread this out over August
and early September to ensure a supply over a
long period time.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on sowing radishes.
TOMATOES
Water and feeding are the main needs of tomatoes
during July. If you are applying a liguid feed,
use tomato plant feed which will be higher in
potash than normal liquid feeds. This encourages
fruit growth over leaf growth. As the plants
grow, make sure you continue to tie them into
their supports.
Tomato plants very often produce too many
tomatoes which leads to small fruit which
matures late in the season. To stop this
happening pinch out all but six or so trusses of
tomatoes. This can be done any time in July -
the earler the better. Remove all foliage that
is touching the ground to avoid disease. Also,
be ruthless and cut back some foliage if the
centre of the plant is becoming congested. Do
click on the link below for more details,
especially on how to prune tomatoes.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on tomatoes.
ONIONS
Onions are good news in July because they
require almost no attention other than weeding
and watering if conditions become really dry.
Japanese Onions sown last year should be
ready for harvest in late June to early July.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on growing onions.
RUNNER BEANS
Runner Beans are also good news in July. Just
keep them watered and they will do fine.
Remember to pinch out the growing tips when they
reach the top of the supports. If you are going
on holiday in July make absolutely sure that the
supports are strong enough.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on growing runner beans.
RHUBARB
Rhubarb should still be harvestable at the
moment but this will end in early July. Other
than that, let your rhubarb grow happily on it's
own for a month or so.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on growing rhubarb.
MAINCROP and NEW POTATOES
New potatoes should be in peak condition now for
harvesting. Continue to harvest them throughout
July.
Maincrop potatoes should have their flowers
removed as they appear in July. This will help
the plant concentrate it's efforts on producing
tasty potatoes. In mid July, spray the plants
with Bordeaux mixture (available from most
garden centres) to prevent attack from botryitis.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on growing potatoes.
SWEET CORN
Sweet corn are very easy vegetables to care for.
Their needs in July are simple, water when dry
and a fortnightly feed. The best feed is one
rich in potassium - tomato plant liquid feed is
ideal
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on growing sweet corn.
WINTER CABBAGE
Winter Cabbage should be growing well by now and
will appreciate a water when the dry weather
comes. Feed with a nitrogen rich compost or
liquid rich feed. Hoeing around the plant during
July will break up the surface soil and deter
pests.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
SUMMER CAULIFLOWER
Nothing complicated for summer cauliflower in
July, just water and weeding.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
SPRING CABBAGE
Spring Cabbage should be sown outside at the end
of July - they will be ready for harvest in
March next year when there is not much else
available from the vegetable garden.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
BROCCOLI
In July it's water that broccoli need most. They
are especially vulnerable to drought when the
heads begin to form.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
BEETROOT
Beetroot can still be sown up to early July.
Continue to thin out seedlings as they emerge -
thin to 10cm (4in) apart for round or globe
varieties and 15cm (6in) apart for long
varieties.
Click here for easy to follow instructions
on growing beetroot.
