July is a surprisingly good month for sowing — especially if you’re thinking ahead to autumn and winter harvests.

What to plant in July

• Start sowing overwintering crops such as spring cabbage, kales, chicory and spinach beet. These will establish now and stand well into the colder months.
• Sow main‑crop carrots — this later sowing helps avoid the worst of the carrot fly season.
• Continue sowing lettuce, radish, spring onions and beetroot for a steady supply of salads.
• Runner beans and French beans can still be sown; they’ll crop later but often very generously.

What to do in July

• Keep weeds under control — they grow rapidly in warm weather and compete for water.
• Lift first and second early potatoes; they should be ready now. Enjoy them fresh — they don’t store long.
• Watch for potato blight. Early signs include dark, greasy patches on leaves. Remove affected foliage promptly.
• Protect fruit with netting to keep birds off ripening berries and soft fruit.
• Water thoughtfully:
  • Leafy crops need more water or they’ll bolt.
  • Runner and French beans appreciate frequent watering, especially in dry spells.
  • Courgettes and marrows also need consistent moisture to avoid tough skins.
• Give your lawn a summer feed to keep it green through dry spells.
• Deadhead bedding plants and repeat‑flowering perennials to keep them blooming for longer.
• Pick courgettes while they’re small — they taste better and it stops them turning into marrows overnight