At a Glance
- July is a busy month for vegetable plots with regular watering and feeding needed.
- Keep an eye out for pests like blackfly and cabbage white butterfly eggs.
- Maintain garden displays by feeding and deadheading regularly.
- Care tips for indoor plants during hot weather.
- Simple ways to support wildlife with fresh water and safe feeding.
- Maintain ponds by cutting back overgrown plants and improving oxygen levels.
Days to Remember
- Plastic Free July – Reduce single-use plastics.
- 4th July – National Meadows Day
- 7th July – National Chocolate Day
- 25th July to 9th August – National Marine Week
- 28th July – World Nature Conservation Day
On the Plot
July is a busy month on the vegetable plot, with crops growing quickly and needing regular attention. Tomatoes should be fed and watered consistently, as uneven watering can cause fruits to split.
It is also a good time to plant herbs, leeks, and winter brassicas. Continue sowing carrots, radishes, spring onions and beetroot every few weeks to provide a steady harvest throughout the season.
Keep an eye on runner beans for blackfly infestations and pinch out growing tips if needed. Brassica crops should also be checked regularly for cabbage white butterfly eggs beneath the leaves. Removing these before they hatch can prevent serious damage to your crops.
In the Garden
Remember two simple gardening rules this month: feed and deadhead. Regular feeding and removing spent flowers will keep displays looking their best. Prune rambling roses after flowering, trim wisterias and cut back lupins to encourage a second flush of blooms.
Continue planting bedding plants, refresh hanging baskets and tackle lawn weeds where necessary. Spray roses regularly to help control aphids and fungal diseases, and keep tying in new growth on climbing plants.
By the Pond
Warm weather can place extra demands on ponds and water features. Pond plants that have finished flowering or become overgrown should be cut back to maintain a balanced appearance and prevent overcrowding.
Oxygen levels are particularly important during summer. Ensuring there is some splashing or moving water in the pond will help increase oxygen levels for fish and other aquatic life.
About the House
Indoor plants can suffer during hot weather, so check whether any are receiving too much direct sunlight and move them if necessary. Regular watering, feeding and occasional misting will help keep houseplants healthy throughout the summer.
July is also a good time to repot plants that have outgrown their containers. Keep an eye out for pests such as woolly aphids and scale insects.
Family & Friends
Wildlife can benefit from a few simple actions during summer. Keep bird baths topped up with fresh water and clean feeding stations regularly to help prevent disease.
Leave small gaps beneath fences for frogs and hedgehogs, and avoid feeding ducks bread, opting for specialist duck food instead.
Pick of the Month
Terracotta pots lose moisture quickly in warm weather. Dampening the outside of the pot can help keep roots cooler and compost moist for longer.