Top Plants to Grow in July and How to Care for Your Garden This Month

July is a wonderful time in the garden. The days are long, temperatures are warm, and flowers, vegetables, and fruit are in abundance. It’s the perfect time to enjoy your garden and to sow or plant for the months ahead. Here’s a guide to making the most of your garden in July:

Top Plants to Grow in July

Late-summer flowers
Add colour and vibrancy to your garden with summer bloomers like:

• Dahlias – ideal for borders and pots.
• Rudbeckia – a long-flowering, pollinator-friendly plant.
• Penstemon – a great choice for attracting bees.

2. Veggies for late summer and autumn
It’s not too late to sow or plant quick-growing vegetables:

• Radishes and lettuces for speedy harvests.
• Beetroot and carrots for autumn cropping.
• Kale and chard for leafy greens well into the cooler months.

3. Herbs for summer and beyond

• Basil, coriander, and parsley can still be sown in July for summer and autumn harvests.

4. Biennials and perennials

• Sow foxgloves, hollyhocks, and sweet william now for flowers next year.

From Garden to Table: What to Cook in July

The best part about growing your own vegetables and herbs is enjoying them fresh from the garden. Here are a few ideas:

• Radishes & Lettuce: Toss into a crisp summer salad with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.
• Beetroot & Carrots: Roast with olive oil, garlic, and fresh thyme for a delicious side dish.
• Kale & Chard: Sauté with olive oil and garlic for a quick, nutritious greens dish.
• Basil & Coriander: Blend into homemade pestos or chop into summer salsas for a fresh, aromatic flavour.

Garden Care in July

Watering wisely

• Water early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation. 
• Focus on deep watering rather than a quick sprinkle, especially for vegetables and potted plants.

Feeding and deadheading

• Feed container plants every couple of weeks with a balanced liquid feed.
• Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms throughout summer.

Weed control

• Stay on top of weeds by hoeing regularly. In warm weather, weeds can quickly take over!

Support tall plants

• Stake tall flowers like gladioli and sunflowers to protect them from wind damage.

Look out for pests and disease

• Check plants for pests like aphids and treat them early.
• Remove any diseased leaves promptly to prevent the spread.