Vegetable Seeds to Sow in July

Broad Beans

July is a good time to sow broad beans for a spring harvest next year. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and plant seeds about 5 cm deep and 20 cm apart. Water them regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. These beans will establish over the winter months, providing an early crop in the spring. Broad beans are nutritious and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to stews or simply steamed and served as a side. By planting now, you’ll ensure a satisfying, productive start to your gardening year.

Dwarf French Beans

Even in July, sowing dwarf French beans offers a quick and rewarding crop. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil, and sow seeds about 5 cm apart. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, to maintain soil moisture. Dwarf varieties need no staking, making them perfect for smaller gardens or pots. Harvest the tender pods once they reach about 12 cm. These beans are perfect for stir-fries, steaming, or as a simple sauté, adding fresh, crisp flavours to your summer meals.

Beetroot

July is an excellent month to sow beetroot for a smooth, autumn harvest. Opt for a sunny location with loose, well-drained soil. Sow seeds 2 cm deep and space them about 10 cm apart. Water consistently to encourage even growth. Beetroot matures quickly and offers a sweet, earthy flavour that’s perfect for salads, roasting, or pickling. The greens are equally edible, providing added nutrition similar to spinach. By sowing now, you secure a versatile crop, enhancing your meals with vibrant colour and taste.

Cabbage Spring

Sow spring cabbage in July to prepare for early-season produce next year. Rich, well-drained soil in a sunny spot suits them best. Sow seeds thinly in rows, thinning seedlings to 30 cm apart as they grow. Regular watering supports their development through late summer into autumn. Spring cabbages mature after winter, providing fresh, crisp leaves ideal for salads, coleslaw, and steamed dishes. Their resilience makes them a gardener’s staple, turning hard work into rewarding harvests that extend seasonal menus.

Cabbage Chinese

Chinese cabbage sown in July ensures a fresh and crunchy crop in early autumn. Choose a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds thinly in rows and cover them lightly. Water regularly, ensuring the soil stays consistently moist, and space plants to around 20 cm apart. This fast-growing vegetable develops crisp leaves often used in salads, stir-fries, or pickled for kimchi. Regular harvesting encourages new growth, providing you with a steady supply of these versatile greens.

Carrot

July is ideal for sowing carrots for a late autumn harvest. Select a sunny area with sandy, well-drained soil. Clear it of stones to prevent misshapen roots, and sow seeds thinly in rows about 15 cm apart. Water consistently to support germination and root development. Carrots sown now enhance your meals with crisp texture and sweet flavour well into autumn. They are perfect for snacking, adding to stews, or roasting as a hearty side dish.

Chicory

Begin sowing chicory in July for a robust winter harvest. This hardy plant thrives in sunny or lightly shaded spots with well-drained soil. Sow seeds thinly in rows 30 cm apart for best results. Water regularly to maintain soil moisture. Chicory develops a distinctive slightly bitter flavour, perfect for adding complexity to salads or roasting as a side dish. Its versatility enriches your garden and table, providing a fresh touch to wintry meals.

Corn Salad

Corn salad, also known as lamb’s lettuce, thrives with July sowing, ensuring fresh greens into autumn and winter. Select a sheltered spot with well-drained soil and sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows 10 cm apart. Water regularly to keep the soil moist. This salad crop provides tender, mild leaves ideal for winter salads or as a garnish. Its hardiness against frosts means your garden stays productive when other crops diminish, keeping your table filled with nutritious greens.

Endive

July is great for planting endive, setting you up for a crisp autumn harvest. Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot with rich, well-drained soil. Sow seeds thinly in rows spaced 30 cm apart and water consistently. As leaves develop, blanch them by tying outer leaves together or covering with pots to reduce bitterness. Endive’s slight tang adds depth to salads and also works well sautéed as a side. By starting now, you’ll gather fresh, nutritious greens ready to enhance any meal.

Kohl Rabi

Plant kohl rabi seeds in July to enjoy crunchy, fresh bulbs in autumn. Opt for a sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil, and sow seeds 1 cm deep and 25 cm apart. Regular watering helps prevent woody growth and ensures the bulbs maintain their tender texture. Kohl rabi’s mild, sweet flavour is best appreciated when harvested young. Enjoy it raw in salads, slawed, or cooked in a variety of dishes, adding versatility to your culinary options.

Leaf Beet

Sow leaf beet, or Swiss chard, in July for greens that last into autumn. This plant thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas with rich, well-drained soil. Sow seeds 2 cm deep, spacing about 30 cm apart, and keep the soil moist with regular watering. Harvest outer leaves as needed for continual growth. Swiss chard offers a range of uses from fresh salads to sautés, introducing rich colour and flavour to your meals even as the season cools.

Lettuce – Summer

Plant summer lettuce seeds in July to extend the season’s supply of fresh, crunchy leaves. Choose a spot with fertile, well-drained soil, and sow seeds thinly 20 cm apart. Regular watering supports leaf development and prevents bolting. Harvest leaves young for tender salads, or let some plants mature for fresh sandwich toppings. Lettuce thrives with little effort, delivering a nutritious, low-calorie addition to your garden harvests well into the warmer months.

Parsley

July is ideal for sowing parsley seeds for harvests into late autumn. Select a sunny or partially shaded location with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, and soak seeds overnight to speed up germination. Sow them thinly in rows 25 cm apart. Consistent watering aids growth. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves encourages further growth. Parsley’s fresh, aromatic flavour is essential for a range of culinary uses, from garnishes to salads and sauces. It’s a staple herb that enriches every gardener’s plot.

Pak Choi

Sow pak choi in July for a late summer crop. This fast-growing leafy green thrives in sunny or partially shaded areas with well-drained soil. Sow seeds thinly, covering lightly with soil, and space about 20 cm apart. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil moist. Harvest young leaves for salads or mature heads for stir-fries. Pak choi’s crisp texture and mild flavour make it an adaptable choice for various dishes, perfect for fresh, home-grown meals.

Radicchio

Plant radicchio in July and enjoy vibrant red leaves into autumn. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, sow seeds thinly about 30 cm apart, and keep the soil consistently moist with regular watering. Harvest when heads are mature and firm for the best flavour. Radicchio adds a distinct, slightly bitter taste to salads, grills, or as a cooked ingredient, offering bold colours and flavours to boost your culinary adventures and presentations.

Radish

Radishes thrive with July sowing, quickly rewarding you with crunchy, peppery roots. Select a sunny position with well-drained soil, sow seeds thinly, and water frequently. Harvest them when small and young for maximum tenderness. Consider sowing in successive batches every few weeks for a continuous supply. Their vibrant colours and unique taste make them a standout addition to fresh salads and snacks, providing a crisp bite and refreshing zest to summer dining.

Spinach

Sow spinach in July for a nutritious crop ready by late summer. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds thinly, cover lightly, and space rows about 30 cm apart. Keep the soil moist with regular watering. Harvest outer leaves first to encourage new growth. Use spinach in salads, stir-fries, or as braised greens, enjoying both its versatility and nutritional benefits as a garden staple through and beyond the summer months.

Turnip

Sow turnips in July for quick-growing, versatile roots by autumn. These hardy vegetables prefer sunny spots with fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds thinly in rows and maintain moisture with regular watering. Harvest young turnips for tender, sweet roots ideal for roasting, mashing, or stews. Their nutritious leafy tops are also edible and can be added to salads or sautéed. Turnips provide a robust addition to your garden, offering flavour and nourishment when needed.

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