Vegetable Garden in July

July in the vegetable garden is when the mouth really starts to water at the site of so much fresh produce to pick and eat. That hard work is starting to pay off now, so much to look forward to. Unfortunately the work in the garden does not let up just because the sun is high and our minds wander to the so called lazy days of summer.

Having said that, make sure you find time to sit with that cup of tea or coffee (or something a little stronger) and admire and enjoy your garden.

Tomatoes

Continue to feed your tomatoes but do not overfeed with high potash feeds.

If you are growing your tomatoes by the cordon method (taking out or pinching out the side shoots) stop them by removing the main shoot. To do this look for the leaf that is above the fourth truss and cut which should ensure that all the fruits ripen by the end of the season. Keep on top of a good watering regime otherwise once the top is removed and there is a burst of energy and nutrients to the rest of the plant this is the time when fruits may split.

Leave bush grown tomatoes unless they are outgrowing their allotted space.

Runner Beans and French Beans

If you are gardening in the warmer geographical areas there is still time for another sowing.

Beans need sufficient watering to help the seed pods set.

If climbing beans reach the top of their supports they can be stopped by taking off their growing shoot. This will also help to maximise the crop.

Remember to pick your beans as they mature otherwise they will become tough and stringy later in the summer. They do seem to have the habit of cropping heaviest when you are away on holiday so see if you can enlist a family member, friend or kind neighbour to do the picking for you.

Herbs

Harvest regularly to keep the young shoots coming throughout the summer. Dry any excess for use throughout the year.

Courgettes

Keep a very close eye on your courgettes, one day they are courgettes excellent for ratatouille, the next day you are looking for marrow recipes.

Cauliflowers

In hot summers cauliflowers may need shading to prevent the curds scorching in bright sun.

Celery

Celery cultivars that are not self blanching need earthing up and the stems should be protected with a collar of paper between the stems and the soil.

Leeks

Plant out leeks for delicious winter meals.

Brassicas

Plant out your Brassicas for a winter supply.

Crops to Harvest in July

Plenty to harvest in July including:

Spinach
Peas
Beets
Carrots
Variety of Salads
Potatoes
Globe Artichokes
Shallots
Spring planted Garlic
Greenhouse grown Tomatoes
Greenhouse grown Cucumbers
Over wintered Onions

Spring Cabbage

Sow Spring Cabbage now, something to look forward to!

Carrots

You can still mange a crop from carrot seed sown now. The carrot fly has not gone away on holiday so take care when thinning or pulling a matured crop close to your later sown bed.

Turnips

Sow your first or second crop of turnips.

Other Crops to Sow in July

Oriental Vegetables
Lamb’s Lettuce and similar autumn and winter
Chicory
Fennel

Endive

Blanche by covering with an up-turned pot with the drainage holes blocked and filled with straw to exclude the light. Blanching makes endive sweeter and more tender.

General Vegetable Garden Maintenance for July

Ensure all vegetables get a regular, consistent supply of water to help development, avoid diseases and bolting.

Continue to hoe off weeds in dry weather.

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