What to Plant in July: Complete UK Monthly Planting Guide
Quick Answer
In July, sow carrots, beetroot, lettuce, turnips, spring cabbage, and French beans for autumn harvests. Keep tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, and peppers well watered and fed. Peg down strawberry runners, harvest summer raspberries, and sow biennials like wallflowers and foxgloves for colour next spring. July is one of the busiest months in the UK garden — the trick is balancing harvesting, maintenance, and those crucial successional sowings that will keep your kitchen stocked well into autumn.
Why July Matters in the UK Garden
July sits at the heart of the UK growing season. Long days, warm soil, and (with any luck) the odd thunderstorm mean your garden is producing at full tilt. But this is not the month to sit back and admire the courgette glut. What you sow and plant now directly determines whether you will still be picking fresh veg in September, October, and beyond.
Successional sowing is the single most important habit in July. Lettuce sown now fills the gap left by spring sowings that have bolted. Carrots and beetroot sown in early July will be ready for lifting before the first frosts. And if you missed the spring window for French beans, you still have time — just.
At the same time, your tender crops need daily attention. Tomatoes need side-shooting and feeding. Courgettes need harvesting every other day before they turn into marrows. And everything, without exception, needs water. If you are new to vegetable growing, our beginner’s guide to starting a vegetable garden covers the fundamentals.
This guide covers exactly what to sow, plant, harvest, and maintain in July, with cultivar recommendations backed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Vegetables to Sow in July
July sowings are all about successional crops and fast-maturing varieties that will produce before the growing season winds down. Soil temperatures are at their peak, so germination is rapid — most of these seeds will be up within a week.
Carrots
Early July is your last realistic window for a maincrop carrot sowing in most of the UK. Choose a fast-maturing cultivar: ‘Nairobi’ (AGM) is an excellent Nantes type that matures in around 12 weeks, or try ‘Flyaway’ (AGM) if carrot fly has been a persistent problem — it has genuine resistance, not just tolerance.
Sow thinly in rows 15 cm apart, and thin seedlings to 5–7 cm spacing once they are large enough to handle. Covering with enviromesh immediately after sowing keeps carrot fly at bay more reliably than any companion planting scheme. If you are growing in a smaller space, carrots do well in deep containers — see our guide to the best vegetables to grow in containers.
Beetroot
Beetroot is one of the most forgiving crops for a July sowing. It tolerates a range of soils, germinates readily in warm conditions, and baby beet can be pulled in as little as seven weeks.
‘Boltardy’ (AGM) is the go-to choice — its bolt resistance is particularly valuable for summer sowings when day length might otherwise trigger flowering. ‘Pablo’ (AGM) is another strong performer with smooth, round roots and excellent flavour.
Sow in rows 25 cm apart. Each beetroot “seed” is actually a cluster of seeds, so thin to one seedling per station when they appear. Water consistently — erratic watering causes woody rings inside the roots.
Lettuce and Salad Leaves
Your spring lettuce will be bolting by now, so a July sowing is essential to maintain a steady supply. The trick is choosing heat-tolerant cultivars and providing some shade during the hottest part of the day.
‘Little Gem’ (AGM) remains the most reliable cos-type lettuce for UK gardens — it is compact, quick to heart up, and handles summer heat better than most. ‘Chatsworth’ (AGM) is a newer butterhead with good bolt resistance. For cut-and-come-again leaves, sow a mixed salad blend every two to three weeks through July.
Turnips
Often overlooked, turnips sown in July produce tender baby roots by early autumn. Sow thinly in rows 23 cm apart and thin to 12 cm. They grow fast and need little attention beyond regular watering. Choose early-maturing varieties like ‘Atlantic’ or ‘Milan Purple Top’.
Spring Cabbage
This is the month to sow spring cabbage in a nursery bed or modules. The seedlings will be transplanted to their final positions in September, overwinter as small plants, and produce tight heads the following March to May. Cultivars such as ‘Durham Early’ and ‘April’ are reliable performers.
Sow in a shaded spot if possible — July heat can cause leggy seedlings. Transplant when they have four or five true leaves, spacing 30 cm apart in rows 45 cm apart.
French Beans
You have until mid-July to direct-sow French beans and still expect a worthwhile crop before the first frost. Dwarf types are the safest bet for late sowings because they mature faster than climbers.
‘Annabel’ (AGM) is a dwarf French bean that crops heavily and reliably. ‘Sprite’ (AGM) is another excellent dwarf choice with slender, stringless pods. If you have a warm, sheltered spot and are feeling confident, climbing ‘Cobra’ (AGM) sown by the first week of July should produce into September.
Sow 5 cm deep, 15 cm apart for dwarf types or 20 cm apart for climbers. French beans are tender, so if your region typically sees early autumn frosts, have fleece ready for September evenings. They also perform brilliantly in grow bags on a warm patio.
Other Vegetables Worth Sowing in July
| Crop | Sowing method | Time to harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach (‘Lazio’ AGM, ‘Medania’ AGM) | Direct sow | 6–8 weeks (baby leaf) | Bolt-resistant cultivars essential for summer sowing |
| Radish | Direct sow | 4–6 weeks | Fastest crop in the garden; sow every 2 weeks |
| Pak choi | Direct sow or modules | 6–8 weeks | Prefers partial shade in high summer; cover against flea beetle |
| Endive | Direct sow or modules | 8–10 weeks | More heat-tolerant than lettuce; blanch hearts for milder flavour |
| Kale | Modules (transplant Aug–Sep) | 12+ weeks | Sow now for winter harvesting; incredibly hardy |
Tender Crops to Harvest and Maintain
Your spring-sown tender crops are now in full production. July is about keeping them healthy, well-fed, and harvesting regularly to encourage continuous cropping.
Tomatoes
By July, cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes should be in full flower and setting fruit on the lower trusses. Your key jobs this month:
- Remove side shoots weekly — pinch out the shoots that grow in the leaf axils (between the main stem and a branch). This concentrates the plant’s energy into fruit production rather than foliage.
- Feed fortnightly with a high-potash liquid feed (tomato feed) once the first truss has set.
- Water consistently — irregular watering causes blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Aim for the same amount at the same time each day, especially for container-grown plants.
- Remove lower leaves below the first ripening truss to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of blight.
‘Sungold’ (AGM) is the benchmark cherry tomato — intensely sweet, incredibly productive, and reliable outdoors in sheltered spots. ‘Shirley’ (AGM) is a classic greenhouse variety with good disease resistance. For a full walkthrough on growing from seed, see our guide to growing tomatoes from seed.
Cucumbers
Greenhouse cucumbers should be producing heavily by now. Keep on top of harvesting — leaving mature fruit on the plant signals it to slow down production. Train the main stem up a support and pinch out side shoots after two leaves.
Outdoor ridge cucumbers like ‘Marketmore’ (AGM) are tougher and more forgiving. Water at the base rather than overhead to reduce powdery mildew risk. Feed weekly with a balanced liquid fertiliser once fruits start forming.
Peppers and Chillies
Peppers need warmth, so greenhouse or sunny windowsill growing is essential for most of the UK. ‘Mohawk’ (AGM) is a compact sweet pepper that performs well in pots on a warm patio or in an unheated greenhouse.
Pinch out the growing tip when the plant reaches about 20 cm to encourage bushier growth and more fruit. Feed with tomato fertiliser every fortnight once the first fruits set.
Courgettes
A single healthy courgette plant can produce 20–30 fruits over the season. The trick is harvesting when they are 10–15 cm long — check every other day, because a courgette can double in size in 48 hours. ‘Defender’ (AGM) has good virus resistance and consistent cropping.
Water at the base to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of grey mould. If plants are producing lots of male flowers but no female ones (the ones with a small swelling behind the flower), be patient — female flowers usually follow within a week or two.
Herbs in July
July is prime time for herb harvesting, and you can still make several sowings to keep your supply going through autumn.
Basil
Basil loves the warmth of July. Sow ‘Aroma 2’ (AGM) in pots on a sunny windowsill or in a warm greenhouse. It is one of the most reliable cultivars for UK conditions, with strong fragrance and good vigour. Pinch out flower spikes as they appear to keep the plant producing leaves.
Coriander
Coriander bolts rapidly in hot weather, so sow little and often — a small pinch of seed every two weeks in a partially shaded spot. Water consistently. Slow-bolt varieties like ‘Confetti’ or ‘Leisure’ give you a better window before they run to seed.
Parsley
A July sowing of parsley will provide fresh leaves through autumn and into winter (it is biennial and surprisingly hardy). ‘Bravour’ (AGM) is a flat-leaf type with excellent flavour, while ‘Moss Curled’ (AGM) is the classic curly-leaf choice. Sow in modules or direct — germination can take two to three weeks, so be patient.
Other Herbs to Harvest and Maintain
Mint is at its most vigorous now — harvest freely and keep it contained in pots to prevent it colonising your entire plot. Our guide to growing mint in pots has everything you need. Rosemary benefits from a light trim after flowering to keep it bushy; see our container rosemary guide for more detail.
Harvest herbs in the morning after the dew has dried but before the midday sun — this is when the essential oil concentration is highest.
Fruit in July
Strawberry Runners
Established strawberry plants produce runners freely in July. If you want to propagate new plants, select the strongest runner from each parent plant, peg it down into a small pot of compost sunk into the ground beside the parent, and sever it once it has rooted (usually three to four weeks).
If you do not want new plants, remove runners as they appear — they divert energy from fruit production. ‘Cambridge Favourite’ (AGM) is the classic all-rounder, while ‘Malling Centenary’ (AGM) produces large, sweet berries and has good disease resistance. For growing in containers, see our guide to growing strawberries in pots.
Summer Raspberries
July is peak harvest month for summer-fruiting raspberries. Pick every two to three days when the berries are fully coloured and pull away from the plug easily. ‘Glen Ample’ (AGM) is a spine-free, heavy-cropping variety that makes picking much more pleasant.
After harvesting, cut fruited canes down to ground level — summer raspberries fruit on the previous year’s growth, so the canes that have just cropped will not produce again. Tie in the new green canes that are growing up from the base; these will carry next year’s fruit.
Blueberries
Blueberries ripen over several weeks, so pick individually as each berry turns fully blue. Do not rush — berries left on the bush for a few days after turning blue develop a deeper sweetness. ‘Duke’ (AGM) is an early-season variety that crops well in the UK climate, and ‘Spartan’ (AGM) follows a week or two later with excellent flavour.
Blueberries require ericaceous (acidic) compost and rainwater rather than tap water (which is often alkaline). Feed with an ericaceous fertiliser in spring. In July, the main job is netting the bushes against birds — blackbirds and starlings are particularly fond of blueberries.
Other Fruit Jobs in July
- Summer-prune trained fruit trees (cordons, espaliers, fans) — cut back new side shoots to three leaves above the basal cluster. This encourages fruit bud formation for the following year.
- Thin apple and pear fruitlets if the tree has set heavily. Remove the smallest fruit from each cluster, leaving two per cluster. This gives you fewer but larger, better-quality fruit.
- Water newly planted fruit trees and bushes deeply during dry spells. A thorough soaking once or twice a week is far more effective than a daily sprinkle.
Flowers to Sow and Plant in July
July is the month for sowing biennials — plants that grow foliage this year and flower next year. It is also a good time for filling gaps in borders with late-flowering perennials from garden centres.
Biennials to Sow Now
- Wallflowers (Erysimum) — sow in a nursery bed or modules for transplanting in autumn. They will flower from March to May next year, filling the gap before summer perennials kick in.
- Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) — sow on the surface of moist compost; the seed needs light to germinate. These are essential for cottage garden style and beloved by bees. Note: all parts of foxgloves are toxic if ingested. Wear gloves when handling and keep away from children and pets.
- Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) — sow in rows and transplant in autumn. Wonderfully fragrant cut flowers.
- Honesty (Lunaria annua) — sow now for flowers next spring and those iconic translucent seed pods in late summer.
- Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) — sow in a seed tray and pot on. A traditional cottage garden favourite.
Perennials from Seed
Many hardy perennials germinate readily from a July sowing and will establish strong root systems before winter. Aquilegia, echinacea, and rudbeckia all sow well now. Pot seedlings on into individual containers and overwinter in a cold frame or sheltered spot.
Maintaining Summer Bedding
Deadhead dahlias, roses, sweet peas, and cosmos regularly to extend their flowering season. With sweet peas in particular, pick them every few days — the more you cut, the more they produce. If you stop picking, they set seed and stop flowering.
July Gardening Tasks Checklist
Watering
- Water containers every day in hot weather — pots dry out far faster than open ground. Use the right compost for containers to improve water retention.
- Water in the evening to reduce evaporation (the RHS recommends this approach during dry spells).
- Prioritise newly planted trees, shrubs, and anything fruiting or flowering — established shrubs and perennials can usually cope.
- Mulch borders with a 5–7 cm layer of garden compost, bark chips, or well-rotted manure to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Feeding
- Feed tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and aubergines with a high-potash liquid feed every one to two weeks.
- Give container-grown flowers a balanced liquid feed fortnightly.
- Side-dress brassicas and sweetcorn with a nitrogen-rich feed (such as pelleted chicken manure) to fuel leafy growth.
Pest and Disease Control
- Check brassicas for caterpillars of cabbage white butterflies — pick off by hand or use enviromesh netting.
- Look for signs of tomato blight, especially after warm, humid weather. Remove affected leaves immediately and improve ventilation in greenhouses.
- Inspect roses for blackspot and aphids. A strong jet of water dislodges aphids; blackspot-affected leaves should be removed and binned (not composted).
- Slug and snail activity remains high, especially in wet spells. Beer traps, nematode biological controls, and copper tape are all effective organic options.
- Inspect soft fruit netting for holes — birds are highly motivated when berries are ripe.
Deadheading and Pruning
- Deadhead roses, dahlias, cosmos, and sweet peas at least twice a week.
- Trim lavender lightly after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second flush and maintain a compact shape.
- Cut back hardy geraniums (cranesbills) to the ground after flowering — they will produce fresh foliage and often a second flush of blooms.
- Prune wisteria: cut back the whippy summer growth to five or six leaves from the main branch framework.
Planning for Autumn and Beyond
- Order spring-flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, alliums) now for the best cultivar selection. You will plant them in October and November.
- Start thinking about what worked and what did not this season. Jot down notes while your memory is fresh.
- If you are planning a new border or raised bed for next year, now is the time to sheet-mulch with cardboard and compost — it will be weed-free and ready for planting by spring.
- Check what you planted in earlier months — our April, May, and June planting guides may remind you of crops that need attention now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to plant vegetables in July?
Not at all. July is perfect for successional sowings of fast-maturing crops like lettuce, radish, beetroot, and French beans. You can also sow carrots (early July), turnips, spinach, and spring cabbage. The key is choosing quick-maturing cultivars that will produce before the first autumn frosts, typically in late October for most of England and Wales.
Can I still sow carrots in July in the UK?
Yes, but sow by early to mid-July at the latest. Choose a fast-maturing cultivar like ‘Nairobi’ (AGM) or ‘Flyaway’ (AGM), which reach usable size in around 12 weeks. This gives them time to mature before the soil cools significantly in October. Cover with enviromesh to protect against carrot fly, which has its second generation peak in July and August.
How often should I water my vegetable garden in July?
Container-grown vegetables need watering daily in hot weather, sometimes twice a day for small pots. Plants in open ground typically need a thorough soaking (about 10 litres per square metre) two to three times a week during dry spells, rather than a light daily sprinkle. Water in the evening to minimise evaporation. Mulching with compost or bark reduces watering frequency significantly.
What flowers can I sow in July for next year?
July is the ideal time to sow biennials, which grow foliage this year and flower the next. Sow wallflowers, foxgloves, sweet William, honesty, and Canterbury bells. You can also sow many hardy perennials — aquilegia, echinacea, and rudbeckia all germinate well from a July sowing and will flower the following summer.
Should I remove tomato side shoots in July?
Yes, if you are growing cordon (indeterminate) tomatoes. Pinch out the side shoots that grow in the angle between the main stem and leaf branches every week. This directs the plant’s energy into producing and ripening fruit rather than excess foliage. Bush (determinate) tomatoes should not be side-shooted — they naturally grow as a compact bush.
When should I cut down summer raspberry canes?
Cut the fruited canes down to ground level immediately after you have finished harvesting — for most summer-fruiting varieties, this is in July or August. Leave the new green canes that have grown up from the base this year; tie them into your support framework, spacing them about 10 cm apart. These will carry next year’s crop. Autumn-fruiting raspberries are different — do not cut those back until late winter.
What to Do Next
July is a month where consistent, steady effort pays off more than any single dramatic action. Here is your priority list:
- Sow successional crops this week. Lettuce, beetroot, carrots, and French beans sown now will fill your kitchen through autumn. Every week you delay narrows the harvest window.
- Get on top of watering. Set up a routine — containers in the evening, borders when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Mulch everything you have not already mulched.
- Feed your fruiting crops. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes are producing heavily and need regular high-potash feeds to keep going.
- Harvest, harvest, harvest. Picking regularly encourages more production, whether it is courgettes, French beans, sweet peas, or raspberries.
- Sow biennials for next year. Wallflowers and foxgloves sown this month will give you a head start on colour next spring.
If you are just getting started with growing your own, our beginner’s guide to starting a vegetable garden walks you through everything from choosing a site to making your first sowing. And for a reminder of what you should have planted earlier this year, check our April, May, and June planting guides.
Remember to take time to sit in the garden occasionally. You have earned it.
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