Gardening Jobs for July

July is pivotal in the gardening calendar, bridging the gap between early summer abundance and autumn preparation. This month presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As we delve into the essential gardening tasks for July, we'll explore how to maintain your garden's vitality, maximise your harvest, and lay the groundwork for the seasons ahead.

General Maintenance: The Foundation of a Thriving July Garden

Maintaining your garden in July requires a combination of vigilance and care. The summer heat can take its toll on your plants, making regular maintenance crucial for their health and productivity.

Watering Wisely

In the heat of July, proper watering becomes paramount. Aim to water deeply but less frequently, encouraging roots to grow deeper and become more drought-resistant. Early morning is the ideal time for watering, allowing plants to absorb moisture before the day's heat sets in. For lawns, ensure they receive at least one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

Weed Management

Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients and water, making their removal essential. Regular weeding sessions, especially after rainfall when the soil is soft, can keep your garden beds tidy and your plants thriving. Consider using mulch, such as homemade compost, to suppress weed growth and retain soil moisture.

Mulching Matters

July is an excellent time to replenish or add mulch to your garden beds. Adding a layer around plants helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Aim for a 2–3-inch layer, keeping it away from plant stems to prevent rot.

Planting Suggestions: What to Grow in July

July offers opportunities to plant a variety of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that will thrive in the summer heat and provide harvests well into autumn.

Flowers for Late Summer Colour

  • Delphiniums: Great for attracting bees, it’s the last chance to sow these beautiful flowers.
  • Pansies: Perfect for adding a vibrant colour display.
  • Iris: Suitable for July planting, bringing beautiful blooms to your garden.

Vegetables for a Late Summer Harvest

  • Beetroot and Carrots: These root vegetables grow quickly and are frost-hardy.
  • Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower: Transplant these cool-season vegetables, using shade cloth to protect them from heat stress.
  • Brussels Sprouts: Plant now for an autumn and winter harvest.

For more vegetable growing advice, see our guide to growing vegetables.

Herbs to Spice Up Your Garden

  • Basil: A fast-growing herb that thrives in summer warmth.
  • Coriander: Another quick-growing herb perfect for warm weather.
  • Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary, Chives, Dill, Sage, and Thyme: All suitable for July planting, either from seeds or young plants.

Harvesting Guide: Reaping the Rewards of Your Labour

July is a bountiful month in the garden, with many crops ready for harvest. Knowing when and how to harvest ensures you get the best flavour and quality from your produce.

Vegetable Harvesting Tips

  • Tomatoes: Harvest when fully red (or the appropriate colour for the variety) and slightly soft to the touch.
  • Cucumbers: Pick when firm and appropriately sized for the variety.
  • Aubergines: Harvest when glossy and firm.
  • Carrots: Ready when roots are 1-2 inches in diameter.

Fruit Harvesting Techniques

  • Strawberries: Pick when fully red and slightly soft.
  • Blueberries: Harvest when deep blue with a slight greyish hue.

Herb Harvesting Methods

For most herbs, harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. Use scissors or pointed pruning snips to cut stems a few inches above the base, allowing for regrowth. Basil should be harvested before flowering for the best flavour.

Pruning and Deadheading: Maintaining Plant Health and Aesthetics

Pruning and deadheading are crucial July tasks that promote plant health, encourage new growth, and maintain your garden's appearance.

The Importance of Pruning

Pruning in July serves multiple purposes:

  • Stimulates new growth by removing dead or overcrowded branches.
  • Improves air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
  • Enhances light penetration to inner parts of plants.
  • Shapes plants to maintain desired size and form.

Deadheading for Prolonged Blooms

Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, is essential for:

  • Prolonging the blooming season by encouraging plants to produce more flowers.
  • Preventing disease by removing potential harbours for pests.
  • Redirecting plant energy from seed production to new growth and flower formation.

Many plants that require summer pruning and deadheading, like roses and climbers, grow too tall making it difficult to reach higher branches. To safely prune and deadhead the taller areas of these plants you need a stable ladder suitable for uneven ground. The Henchman Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder is the best ladder for the job. With three adjustable legs, you can stay level on uneven ground.

Lawn Care: Maintaining a Lush Green Carpet

A well-maintained lawn enhances the overall appearance of your garden. In July, focus on these key aspects of lawn care:

Mowing Practices

  • Mow regularly, about twice a week if growth conditions are good.
  • Adjust the mower blades higher to avoid stressing the grass.
  • During dry spells, reduce mowing frequency to prevent additional stress.

Watering Techniques

  • Ensure your lawn receives at least one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.
  • Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper root growth.
  • Consider using water from a water butt for a more sustainable approach.

Summer Lawn Treatments

  • Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal issues.
  • Consider feeding your lawn to strengthen it against summer stresses.

Pest and Disease Control: Protecting Your Garden's Health

July can bring a host of pests and diseases to your garden. Stay vigilant and act at the first sign of trouble.

Common July Pests

  • Aphids: Spray plants with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
  • Slugs and Snails: Use wildlife-friendly pellets around plants.

July Plant Diseases

  • Tomato Blight: Rotate crops, ensure proper spacing, and remove affected plant material.
  • Powdery Mildew: Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Embracing the July Garden

July is a month of both reward and preparation in the garden. As you harvest the fruits of your spring labours, you're also laying the groundwork for the seasons to come. By following these guidelines for maintenance, planting, harvesting, and care, you'll ensure your garden remains vibrant and productive throughout the summer and beyond.

To complete all these gardening jobs, you need the right set of tools. Check out our Garden Tools Checklist to get find out which essential gardening tools you could be missing from your shed.

We'd love to hear about your July gardening experiences! Share your successes, challenges, and tips in the comments below. And for more seasonal gardening advice, check out our other gardening guides including our guides on pruning and vegetable growing.