What to Plant in July: A UK Gardener's Guide
July is a pivotal month for UK gardeners, offering opportunities to sow autumn and winter crops, prepare for next year's blooms, and refresh those summer containers.
As July rolls around, the garden is in full swing, yet there's always room for a bit more. This month, we're focusing on setting up your autumn and winter success, giving next year's blooms a head start, and keeping those summer containers looking their best. Let's explore what's worth planting this month across the UK.
Autumn and Winter Crop Sowing
July is the perfect time to sow those leafy greens that will carry you into the cooler months. Lettuce, chard, and spinach can all be sown under cover now. These fast-growing crops will thrive and provide you with tender leaves well into autumn. If you're new to sowing under cover, consider using cloches or cold frames to give your seeds a warm, protected environment to germinate.
Don't overlook the potential of oriental vegetables such as pak choi, Chinese cabbage, and Chinese broccoli. These can also be sown in July and will reward you with a satisfying harvest as the days grow shorter.
Biennials for Next Year
If you're dreaming of a sea of colour come next spring, July is your golden window for sowing biennials. Foxgloves, with their iconic spires of blooms, are a classic choice. These can be sown now and will establish themselves over the winter, ready to burst into flower when the warmer weather returns. The Common Foxglove stands out with its stunning presence and is a reliable performer in any British garden.
Wallflowers are another biennial to consider. Sow them in multi-celled trays or small pots, and you'll be greeted with vibrant orange and yellow blooms early next year. This is truly a case of patience paying off with show-stopping results.
Mid-Summer Container Top-Ups
Summer containers may start to look a bit tired come July, but a few thoughtful additions can rejuvenate them swiftly. Cosmos is a brilliant choice for a splash of lasting colour; these easy-to-grow flowers will keep blooming until the first frosts. For a more structured look, consider introducing some salvias. A mid-summer trim is beneficial for many salvias, like the Salvia nemorosa Caradonna, encouraging a second flush of blooms.
Speaking of salvias, now's the time to cut back herbaceous varieties such as Salvia nemorosa and S. × sylvestris after their first flowering to encourage more growth. If you're growing semi-evergreen shrubby salvias like Salvia Hot Lips or Salvia Amistad, a gentle prune will keep them compact and flowering well into autumn.
The Reality of Watering and Deadheading
July can be a deceptively dry month, and your plants will need consistent watering to thrive. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for watering, reducing evaporation and ensuring the roots absorb as much moisture as possible. A good soak once or twice a week is often more beneficial than a daily sprinkle.
Equally important is deadheading, which encourages many plants to produce more flowers. Spend a few minutes each week snipping off spent blooms, and your plants will reward you with prolonged displays.
July might seem like a mid-summer month where the garden simply carries on, but there's plenty of opportunity to plan ahead and tweak your current displays. Whether you're sowing for the future, refreshing your summer containers, or simply nurturing what's already planted, there's always something to do.
If you're looking to expand your garden with some of the plants mentioned, why not pop over to ComparePlants and see what's available? It's a great way to find the best value across a range of nurseries without leaving your armchair.