July can feel like the growing season is winding down, but that is not the case at all. With the right crops, you can keep your plot productive well into autumn and even through winter. The key is knowing what to sow now and being decisive about it.
Sow Direct in July
- Kale – one of the most productive winter crops you can grow. Sow now for harvests from October through to March.
- Spring cabbages – sow in a seedbed in late July to transplant in September for a spring harvest.
- Winter lettuce – choose cold-hardy varieties like 'Winter Gem' or 'Valdor' for autumn and winter salads.
- Beetroot – still time for one more sowing. These will be ready in the autumn.
- Turnips – fast-growing and versatile. Sow now for an autumn harvest of roots and winter greens.
- Pak choi and oriental greens – quick-growing and ideal for filling gaps in late summer.
- Peas – an early July sowing of a fast-maturing variety can give you a late-summer harvest.
- French beans – early July is the last reliable sowing in most parts of the UK.
Plant Out in July
- Leeks – if not done already, transplant leek seedlings now for a winter harvest.
- Brassicas – kale, purple sprouting broccoli, and Brussels sprouts started earlier in the season can still be planted out if they have not been already.
- Courgettes and squash – if you have young plants still to go out, get them in the ground as soon as possible to maximise their growing time.
July Maintenance
- Water consistently – July can bring dry spells. Water at the base of plants in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
- Harvest regularly – picking courgettes, beans, and peas frequently encourages the plant to keep producing. Leave them too long and the plant will stop cropping.
- Feed tomatoes weekly – use a high-potash liquid feed once the first truss starts to set.
- Earth up potatoes – if you are growing maincrop potatoes, keep the tubers covered to prevent greening.
- Net brassicas – cabbage white butterflies are at their peak. Net your brassica bed if you have not done so already.
What to Harvest in July
July is one of the most productive harvest months of the year:
- Courgettes (check daily)
- French and runner beans
- Peas
- Tomatoes (early varieties)
- Cucumbers
- Broad beans (final picking)
- Garlic and onions
- New potatoes
- Beetroot
- Lettuce and salad
- Herbs: basil, parsley, chives, mint
- Soft fruit: raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries
Think Ahead to Autumn
July is the month to plan for a productive autumn. Sow now and you will have winter greens, salads, and roots keeping your plot busy long after the summer crops are done. A productive allotment in October beats a bare plot any day.
No plot yet? Find a garden space to rent on AllotMe and make the most of the growing season while it is still here. Or browse our growing guides for more crop-by-crop advice.