What to do in July

In July, the garden is in full summer swing, with plants in full bloom, fruits ripening and vegetables ready for harvest. It’s a month of maintaining your garden's health, keep on top of watering and feeding and make sure plants continue to thrive in the warmer temperatures:

Things to do in July:

Make sure the birds have water in dry spells.
Keep new young plants well-watered and feed and water plants in containers regularly.
Continue deadheading flowers as they fade.
Prune shrubs that flowered in early summer and take semi-ripe cuttings from them.
Trim conifer hedges and take cuttings from them.
Summer-prune wisteria.
Divide bearded irises and layer and take cuttings of carnations and pinks.
Plant autumn flowering bulbs.
Transplant seedlings of biennials sown earlier.
Lift new potatoes, onions and garlic and pinch out runner beans at the top of the canes.
Pinch out outdoor tomatoes when four trusses have formed and remove all side shoots.
Pick raspberries and currents and harvest herbs.
Damp down and ventilate the greenhouse.

Last Chance:

Fill any gaps in beds and borders with bedding.
Sow the last vegetables for harvesting in autumn and plant our all winter brassicas.

Getting Ahead:

Plan to have you garden cared for if you are away.
Order spring-flowering bulbs.
Prepare the ground for new lawns in autumn.
Sow salad under cover for autumn and winter and prepare new strawberry beds.

The Weather

One of the warmest months, with some hot spells. Average day time temperatures typically ranging from 21°C to 24°C and night time temperatures between 12°C and 14°C.
Heat waves are possible, pushing temperatures above 30°C, but these are typically short-lived.
Rainfall is lower but can occur in the form of summer storms.
One of the sunniest months with long, bright days.

Here’s a detailed checklist of what to do in the garden during July, broken down into categories for clarity. July is full-on summer month, with lots of growth, harvesting and moisture management.

General Tasks

Weeding:	Continue weeding garden beds and borders regularly. Weeds thrive in summer, so removing them early prevents them from going to seed and spreading.
Watering:	Water deeply and consistently, especially during dry spells. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise evaporation and prevent fungal diseases. Prioritise newly planted items, containers and thirsty plants like vegetables and fruit.
Mulching:	Refresh mulch around plants, trees and shrubs to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. Apply a layer of organic mulch such as bark, wood chips or compost.
Pest control:	Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids, slugs, snails and caterpillars. Hand-pick larger pests or use organic pesticides like neem oil to control infestations.
Prune and tidy-up	Deadhead spent flowers, cut back dead growth and tidy up plants that are looking tired to encourage continued blooming and maintain a neat garden.

Vegetables & Herbs

Harvesting:	Start harvesting early crops such as lettuce, radishes, peas, broad beans and early potatoes. Regular harvesting encourages more production.
Sowing:	Continue to sow fast-growing crops like radishes, lettuce, spinach and rocket for a second harvest in late summer or autumn.
Prune tomatoes:	If you're growing tomatoes, pinch out any side shoots and remove any dead or yellowing leaves to keep the plants healthy and encourage fruiting.
Harvest herbs:	Pick herbs like basil, mint and thyme regularly to prevent them from flowering and to encourage fresh growth. You can dry or freeze extra herbs to preserve them for later use.
Support climbing plants:	Check that beans, peas and cucumbers are well-supported. Tie in new growth to keep plants upright and prevent damage from wind or rain.

Fruit

Harvesting:	Harvest fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, cherries and currants. Don’t wait too long, as overripe fruit can attract pests and diseases.
Thin fruit on trees	For trees like apples and pears, thin out excess fruit to ensure the remaining fruit grows to full size. Be sure to remove any diseased or damaged fruit.
Supports:	Heavily laden branches may need supporting to prevent them from breaking.
Watering:	Keep fruiting plants well-watered, particularly during dry spells. Mulch around fruit bushes and trees to help retain moisture.
Pruning:	Soft fruit bushes can have new growth cut back to five leaves to allow sunlight in.
Raspberries:	After harvesting, cut back summer-fruiting raspberries to ground level, leaving new canes to produce fruit for next year.
Pests:	Keep an eye on fruit trees and bushes for pests like aphids, plum curculio or caterpillars. Take action early to prevent damage to the fruit crop.

The Flower Garden

Deadhead flowers:	Regularly deadhead spent flowers from plants like roses, lavender and bedding plants to encourage further blooming and improve the plant's appearance.
Stake tall plants:	Ensure tall plants like sunflowers, hollyhocks and delphiniums are well-staked and supported to prevent them from falling over in the wind.
Prune summer-flowering shrubs:	Prune or trim back spent blooms on shrubs like buddleia, jasmine and lavender to encourage more flowers and shape.
Pests:	Watch out for common pests like aphids, slugs and caterpillars on flowers, particularly roses and dahlias. Remove by hand or use organic treatments as needed.
Watering:	Be diligent with watering flowering plants, especially those in containers and hanging baskets. Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

The Greenhouse

harvesting:	Begin harvesting crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers as they ripen. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production.
Pinch-out side shoots:	Pinch out any side shoots on tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to maintain the central stem and encourage fruiting.
Ventilation:	Ensure that the greenhouse is well-ventilated on warm days. Open the vents and doors to keep temperatures comfortable for plants and reduce humidity.
Watering:	Greenhouse plants, especially tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, need consistent watering. Water them deeply, but avoid waterlogging by ensuring good drainage.
Feeding:	Continue to feed crops like tomatoes and cucumbers with a balanced liquid fertiliser to ensure strong growth and fruiting.

Containers

Watering:	Containers dry out much faster than plants in the ground, so ensure they are watered regularly, especially in hot weather.
Feeding:	Use a liquid feed or slow-release fertiliser to provide nutrients to plants in containers. Regular feeding promotes healthy growth and vibrant flowers.
Deadhead container plants:	Deadhead annuals and perennials in containers to encourage continued blooming. Remove spent flowers and faded foliage to keep the plants looking tidy.
Check drainage:	Ensure containers have proper drainage to prevent waterlogging, especially during periods of heavy rain.

Trees & Shrubs

Pruning:	Continue to prune summer-flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, buddleia and lavenders after they have finished flowering. This encourages fresh growth and better flowering next season.
Watering:	Keep newly planted and young trees well-watered throughout the summer. Mature trees may need watering during dry spells, especially in areas with sandy soil.
Mulch around trees:	Apply a layer of mulch around trees and shrubs to help retain moisture in the soil and keep the roots cool.
Pests:	Monitor trees and shrubs for pests such as aphids, caterpillars or scale insects. Early intervention can prevent widespread damage.

Hedges

Trim hedges:	Trim hedges, especially those made of fast-growing plants like privet, boxwood and leylandii, to maintain a neat appearance and encourage dense growth.
Water newly planted hedges:	Keep newly planted hedges watered and mulched, especially during hot, dry periods, to help them establish strong roots.
Pests:	Inspect hedges for pests like aphids, spider mites or caterpillars and treat them promptly to avoid damage to the plants.

The Lawn

Mowing:	Continue mowing the lawn to keep it neat and encourage healthy growth. Keep the grass slightly longer during hot weather to reduce stress on the grass.
Watering:	Water the lawn deeply, particularly if the weather is dry. Avoid light watering, which can promote shallow root growth.
Feeding:	Apply a summer lawn feed with a higher potassium content to help the grass resist disease and stress from the heat.
Control weeds:	Keep an eye on weeds and spot treat them as necessary. You can hand-pull weeds or use a selective herbicide if needed.

Wildlife and the Pond

Check water levels:	Ensure that the water levels in the pond remain adequate, particularly during hot spells. Top up if necessary, using rainwater or dechlorinated tap water.
Clear debris:	Remove any fallen leaves, twigs and other debris from the pond to maintain water quality and reduce algae growth.
Control algae:	If you notice an algae bloom, remove excess algae manually or use an appropriate algae treatment. Adding oxygenating plants can also help keep algae in check.
Wildlife:	Keep an eye out for wildlife like frogs, dragonflies and pond skaters which thrive in the summer months. Make sure the pond has easy access points for amphibians and other creatures. Consider adding floating plants like water lilies or providing shade for the pond to help maintain a stable temperature and reduce evaporation.

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