Things to do in July

 

Things to do in July

We are now well into the summer and it will soon be July. There are many jobs that can be done around the garden to make sure you are getting the best from your plants and enjoying your outdoor area. Here you will find a few ideas of things that need to be done in July.

A good idea when you are working in the garden is to complete a photo diary, not only does this help you to see your progress but it can also show where your bulbs come through at different times of the year and where to avoid disturbing the soil around bulbs that are dormant when you are planting.

Take a look around your garden, where you have tall plants and climbers that have put on lots of soft stems they may be a little delicate and susceptible to wind and heavy rain. It is important  to support them by staking, tying into trellis.

Keep on top of watering too, late evening is better to prevent evaporation.

Pruning. 

Climbing Wisteria should be pruned in July, take back long stems to 5 or 6 leaves and reducing these to 3 strong buds in January or February next year.

Deadheading the plants should also be ongoing when the heads start to fade. This will encourage new growth and more flowers as well as ensuring the plant is not directing energy to spent flower heads turning to seed which in turn will result in stronger new growth. They will look much better too! 

Take Semi ripe cuttings - Ever greens, ground cover plants and climbers. 

Vegetables 

Lettuce and other salad leaves can be grown from March through to September and many varieties are easy to grow. You can even grow these in pots so you do not have to have a massive garden to enjoy home grown vegetables. Please keep in mind that the weather is warm so they will need regular watering. (late evening is better to prevent evaporation)

Radish is also a great vegetable to grow because it is almost pest free and quick to mature. 

July is also the last month to sow carrot seeds, growing carrots can be quite tricky due to the pests and the condition or depth of the soil.  They do like to have good quality soft soil that is free from stones making them ideal to be grown in deep boxes or pots. 

Flowering plants

July can be the ideal time to sow biennial flower seeds for next year, a garden favourite are Forget-me-nots with their delicate blue petals they can brighten up your garden and self seed readily. 

It is also an ideal time to sow Pansy seeds for a colourful spring display.

Pansies are also the perfect plant to put in pots which can brighten up any area and should be ready to plant out in late autumn. 

Other considerations for seed sowing in July are Foxgloves, Sweet Williams and Wall flowers.