Your July Garden: Watering, Growing and Harvesting
By Alicia Wheeler - Gardenscape Sales Team/RHS Level 3 Horticulturalist
The end of June and the beginning of July have brought plenty of hot, sunny days and very little rain. As we reach the height of summer, gardens are bursting with growth, with fragrant lavender, honeysuckle, and lilies all in bloom. While the dry weather can create challenging drought conditions, the sunshine is also ideal for ripening crops and improving yields when plants are watered carefully. Read on for tips on what to do this month, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Water management is essential this time of year. With hosepipe bans currently in place in many areas, it’s worth remembering that you can still water your garden using a watering can. However, watering wisely benefits both the environment and plant health. The best time to water is usually early in the morning, when plant roots can absorb moisture throughout the day. Cooler morning temperatures also reduce evaporation, helping the soil retain moisture for longer. Install a water butt to collect rainwater. During longer dry spells, watering in the evening as well as the morning can help keep plants healthy. July is also an excellent time to install a water butt to collect rainwater.
High temperatures can cause plants to experience heat stress. Common signs include crispy leaf margins, wilting, and yellowing leaves. If your plants are showing these signs, move them to a shadier, cool location if in pots or containers. For plants growing in the ground, apply a thick layer of bark mulch to help keep the soil cool and retain moisture. Until the end of July, we’re offering a 15 % discount on selected bulk bags, including our range of mulches. Simply use the code SUMMER26 at checkout.
July is one of the most rewarding months in the vegetable garden, with many being ready for harvest. Harvest tomatoes as they ripen and continue removing side shoots from cordon varieties so the plant can direct its energy into producing fruit. Consistent watering is important to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit splitting. If you’re growing courgettes, pick them before they develop into marrows. Early potato varieties will also be ready for harvesting this month. When the flowers on the potato plant are open, it’s usually time to harvest.
Now is the perfect time to sow brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale for autumn and winter harvests. Start seeds in trays or pots using a quality seed compost, such as our peat free seedling mix or peat-based Seed and Cutting compost. If you already know where they’ll be planted later in the season, prepare the area now. Mushroom compost is an excellent choice for brassicas thanks to its slightly alkaline pH, which prevents clubroot disease. Applying it as a mulch now allows soil organisms time to incorporate it into the soil, improving the soil structure and gradually releasing nutrients.
Finally, deadhead any fading flowers from containers, hanging baskets, and bedding plants to encourage new flowers. Feed flowering plants every one to two weeks to support healthy growth and abundant flowers. As plants continue to grow, check that climbers and tall plants are tied in and have enough support.
Happy gardening!