July is a fantastic month for sowing seeds as both soil and air temperatures are high. The long, warm days with good lighting speed up germination and help to extend the growing season in the vegetable patch and increase the population of perennial, biennial and exotic plants in the ornamental garden and cuttings patch. However, remember that the water table is lower at this time of year and therefore you may need to water more. What can you plant in July? Read on to find out!
What can you plant in July: Vegetables
July is also a good month for planting young plants grown from seeds in previous months. It's the last month to plant young zucchini, pumpkins and sweetcorn - plant them early in the month so they have the best chance of maturing before the first fall frosts. Now is also the best time to plant winter cabbages grown from seed in April and May so they are ready in time for Christmas and beyond.
Sow lettuce from March to September
Lettuce and other leafy lettuces are quick and easy to grow - sow seeds continuously from March to September for a year's worth of fresh lettuce. Thin the seedlings to 12 inches if you want to grow lettuces, and harvest the young leaves as needed if you want to grow lettuce varieties that you can use over and over again.
Sow carrots thinly in the garden
July is considered the last month for theSowing carrotsfor an autumn harvest. Sow directly and thinly in the garden with well-prepared soil or in pots with soil-based compost. Avoid thinning seedlings to avoid carrot fly.
What to plant in July: Beets
The often forgotten turnip produces two harvests from one plant: the tender, sweet taproot can be eaten as well as the leaves or greens. Eat them soon after harvesting, as beets do not store well.
Radishes are perfect for summer salads
Radishes ripen quickly, are easy to grow and virtually pest-free, and add a peppery note to salads. They can also be grown as companion plants to other crops.
Sowing dwarf beans in summer
Like with the carrotsis Julythe last month for sowing runner beans so that the pods can ripen before the first frosts in autumn. Sow dwarf varieties in the ground or in pots and keep them well watered.
The best time for winter cabbage
Now is the best time to plant winter cabbage so it has enough time to mature before temperatures drop in the fall. Plant the cabbage 45cm apart, leaving 60cm between rows. Press lightly and water well. You may need to protect your cabbage plants from cabbage white caterpillars and pigeons with netting.
Not too late for pumpkin
If youPumpkins for baking, for fall decoration or for carving, now is the time to get your seeds in the ground. If you're short on space, opt for compact varieties, although pumpkins still require about 6 to 8 square feet to grow.
Plant a few pumpkin seeds in each hole and keep them well watered, especially when flowers and fruit are forming.
Flowers to plant in July
It's not too late yet,Flowers in the gardenand plant in pots. Here are some of the most suitable flowers for sowing in July.
The popular garden flower delphinium
July is the last month for sowing these popular garden plants that will bloom next summer. Many delphiniums also make excellent bee plants.
Sow Strelitzias throughout the summer
Would you like to sow something completely different? Strelitzias (Birds of Paradise) are vibrant, perennial greenhouse or house plants that can be sown throughout the summer. The spectacular flowers are also ideal as cut flowers.
What can you plant in July: Forget-me-nots
Forget-me-not (Myosotis) can be sown from May to September to mimic the natural process of seed dispersal and germination after spring flowering. Scatter the seeds in gaps in the flower bed or in seed trays to plant later.
Sow pansies early in the month
Sowing pansies now will give them plenty of time to develop before they bloom before planting out in the fall. Sow seeds early in the month to ensure they bloom in spring.
Sow wallflowers for spring bloom now
Sown in summer and planted out in autumn, the wallflowers bloom in early spring. Sow them now in multi-cell trays or small pots for orange or yellow flowers early next year.
Sow lush foxgloves in summer
Ifthe thimbleSowing in July will give it enough time to mature and bloom the following summer. Scatter the fine seeds on the surface of moist, peat-free sowing soil and later cover them with a fine layer of vermiculite.
Moss rose blooms all summer long
Also called purslane, these hardy, low-growing succulents tolerate heat and drought. They bloom all summer until the first frost and look fantastic in hanging baskets or beds.
Zinnia for a colorful garden
These sturdy onesannual plantsBring new life to a faded garden in bold reds, oranges, whites, salmon and pinks. Zinnias bloom and thrive without you having to care because they are very heat and drought tolerant.
Bright marigold for the garden or pot
These tough annuals stay happy until the first frost. In bright shades of yellow, gold, orange and even creamy white, marigolds look great in any garden and add a bright pop of color to pots or beds.
