July Gardening Tips

July is a wonderful month for gardening, all of our plants are now growing big and strong and starting to flower and produce fruit. As some of our crops can be harvested we need to plant more and fill the space. In the intense heat take care of yourself and keep hydrated, wear sun cream and take breaks in the shade.

• Plant beetroot, spinach, lettuce, radishes, leeks, chard, pak choi.
• Compost- keep your compost aerated and moist as the sun dries it out, compost needs a balance of wet and dry material (Carbon and Nitrogen/ browns and greens) and works best when there is the perfect balance of the two.

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• Keep on top of the weeds as they soon grow big roots and take up vital space and nutrition from your soil.
• Take cuttings from your strawberry plants by cutting of the runners and replanting them.
• Pick your early gooseberries and thin out some of the branches to ensure you have a bumper harvest of sweeter dessert berries
• Mulch your plants to help the soil retain its moisture, use dried grass cuttings, compost or biodegradable sheet mulch for the best results. Not only does mulch retain moisture but also keeps the weeds down.

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• Water your plants regularly in the hot weather of July, the best times to water are in the morning and in the evening, on the very hot days plants appreciate a watering in the morning and evening. Remember that tomatoes like water from the top and bottom.
• Feed your plants with an organic fertilizer (seaweed, comfrey and nettles etc.) These can be made for the effort it takes to collect them and soak them in water.
• Harvest runner beans, tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, lettuce, raspberries and radishes. Remember that you do not have to kill lettuces, spinach and chard just pick the leaves you need and leave the plant to grow back.
• Sit back and relax whilst enjoying your wonderful garden