Sowing and Planting
- Repeat sow salad vegetables that mature quickly.
- Sow spring cabbage, especially in the northern half of the country.
- Plant out Savoy cabbage and other winter varieties, including cauliflower, if not already done.
- Make late sowings of Chinese leaves, lettuce, radishes, peas, and carrots.
Watering and Feeding
- Water peas, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage if the soil is dry.
- Be cautious when watering carrots, as they can split if given too much water after a dry spell.
Weed Control
- Maintain weed control in the vegetable garden to prevent weeds from going to seed and causing future problems.
Pruning and Training
- Begin summer pruning of young fruit trees that are overly vigorous and trained trees, removing some young shoots and shortening others over several weeks.
Pest and Disease Control
- Spray apple trees for apple scab, and pears for pear scab, if necessary and only during long periods when the foliage is wet.
- Monitor potatoes for blight, especially for maincrop varieties, and spray if needed.
Harvesting
- Pick herbs as they reach readiness and remove flowers to encourage new growth.
- Harvest herbs for winter use by drying or freezing.
- Use vegetables as soon as they are large enough to avoid gluts.
- Remove overgrown or unusable vegetables to make space for new sowings.
By following these tips for fruit, vegetable, and herb care in July, you can ensure a healthy and productive garden throughout the growing season. Proper sowing, planting, watering, and weed control will help your plants thrive, while timely pruning, pest control, and harvesting will keep your garden looking its best.
