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What to Plant in July: Mid-Summer Sowing Guide for UK Gardens

ByAllotment Kitchen

July is the heart of summer in the UK garden, and while much of the early planting is behind us, there is still plenty to sow and grow. Whether you’re succession sowing or looking to fill in gaps left by harvested crops, July offers opportunities to keep your plot productive well into autumn and beyond.

Fast-Growing Crops to Sow Now

1. Salad Leaves

Lettuce, rocket, mizuna, mustard greens, and land cress can all be sown now for quick cropping. Choose cut-and-come-again varieties for multiple harvests.

  • Tip: Provide a bit of shade or sow in the evening to help with germination during hot spells.

2. Radishes

Perfect for quick returns, radishes can be ready in just 4 weeks.

  • Tip: Keep well watered to avoid woody roots and bitter flavour.

3. Spring Onions

Still time to sow these for autumn harvest. Choose white Lisbon or North Holland Blood Red.

Veg for Autumn and Winter

4. Kale and Spring Greens

Sow in modules now and transplant later for nutritious, hardy greens that will see you through winter.

5. Turnips

Fast-growing and versatile, turnips can be harvested young for salads or left to mature for roasting.

6. Beetroot

Read more
What to Grow in June (UK) – Veg, Herbs & Tips for Success

Still time for a second sowing. Choose bolt-resistant varieties like Boltardy.

Herbs to Sow in July

7. Parsley

A biennial herb that will grow through winter if protected. Sow in partial shade and keep moist.

8. Dill & Coriander

Both do well with July warmth. Use fresh in salads or preserve by freezing in ice cubes.

Direct Sowing vs Modules

Some crops do best when sown directly into well-prepared beds (radishes, salad), while others benefit from the protection and root development of module sowing (kale, spring greens). Use this time to also sow green manures if you have space to rest.

July Planting Tips

  • Water newly sown seeds regularly, especially during hot spells.
  • Use shade netting or cloches to help germination.
  • Harvest early crops (peas, garlic, broad beans) to make space.
  • Keep sowing every 2 weeks for a continued supply of salad crops.

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Final Thought: Don’t think of July as the end of the growing season. With a little effort, you can extend your harvest well into the cooler months and even set the stage for overwintering crops. Grab your trowel and keep growing!

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