Grow Your Own - July Jobs

July is a great time of year for anyone looking to Grow their Own! With the longer days and warmer temperatures, now is the perfect time to get out in the garden and start planting. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned green-fingered pro, there are plenty of jobs to be done in the garden in July, including sowing, weeding, harvesting and much more. So, if you're looking to Grow Your Own fruit and vegetables this summer, read on for a list of essential jobs to do in July!

What to Sow & Plant in July
July is a great time to start thinking about your autumn and winter vegetable harvest. Here are some options for what to sow and plant this month:
- Spring cabbage
- Oriental vegetables (such as pak choi, tatsoi, and Chinese cabbage)
- Autumn/winter salads

You can also continue to sow carrots this month, but be sure to protect them from carrot fly when thinning existing seedlings. This can be done through netting or other forms of protection.

If you're in the south of England, July is your last chance to sow French beans and runner beans for the year.

Remember, if you have an allotment or garden, it's always a good idea to plan ahead and make the most of your space. And as always, keep an eye on your garden for any pests or diseases that may threaten your harvest. Happy planting!

What is ready to harvest in July
In July, your hard work in the garden pays off as many delicious fruits and vegetables are ready to be harvested. Here is a list of what you can look forward to harvesting in July:
- Apricots, peaches, and nectarines
- Peas and beans
- Carrots, potatoes, and beets
- Globe artichokes
- Spring-planted garlic and onions

Make sure to keep a close eye on your crops as they ripen, as timing is crucial for the best flavor and texture. Don't forget to celebrate your bountiful harvest and enjoy the fresh, homegrown flavors that July brings. Whether you decide to enjoy your harvest straight from the garden, preserve it for later use, or share it with friends and family, your efforts will be rewarded with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Plants to Prune and Train in July
July is an important month for pruning and training your fruit trees and bushes. Here are some of the plants that need special attention in July:

• Fan-trained trees: If you have fan-trained trees, July is the time to train them. You should remove any shoots that are not needed and tie in the new growth to the supports.
• Cherries: Cherries should be pruned straight after harvest. This will encourage new fruiting spurs and prevent the tree from becoming too congested.
• Gooseberries, redcurrants, and white currants: These plants should be summer pruned to encourage more fruiting wood and keep them in good shape. Simply remove any unwanted shoots, and cut back the main stems to the desired length.
• Kiwi fruit: If you didn't summer prune your kiwi fruit last month, do it now. Cut back the new growth to 5-6 leaves, leaving the fruiting shoots intact.
• Indoor melons: To ensure that your indoor melons produce the best possible fruit, you should remove the lower sideshoots up to a height of 30cm (12in). This will encourage the plant to focus its energy on producing bigger and better fruit.

Remember, pruning and training is an essential part of fruit growing. By doing it properly, you can ensure that your plants are healthy, productive, and attractive.

Garden Problems, Pests & Diseases
Keeping your garden healthy and thriving requires constant vigilance against potential problems, pests, and diseases. Here are a few things to watch out for in July:

1. Aphids: Check your plants regularly for aphids, small insects that can cause damage by sucking sap from leaves and stems. Look for clusters of these pests and use insecticidal soap or a strong jet of water to remove them.
2. Potato and Tomato Blight: Watch out for blight, a fungal disease that affects both potatoes and tomatoes. Keep an eye on the leaves for dark, watery patches, and remove any affected foliage immediately to prevent the spread of the disease.
3. Asparagus Beetle: Look out for the asparagus beetle, a common pest that feeds on asparagus plants. Handpick any adult beetles or larvae you see and dispose of them.
4. Blossom End Rot: Keep an early eye out for the sunken brown patches of blossom end rot on tomatoes. This condition is caused by a lack of calcium in the fruit and can be prevented by maintaining consistent watering and providing adequate calcium to the plants.
5. Woolly Aphid, Plum Rust, Pear Leaf Blister Mite, and Pear Rust: Deal with these specific issues as they arise, following appropriate treatment methods recommended for each.

By being proactive and addressing these potential garden problems, pests, and diseases, you can ensure that your vegetable and fruit garden stays healthy and productive throughout the summer. Remember to consult gardening resources or seek advice from local experts for specific treatment options.

General care

• Check tree ties as trunk girth increases
• Water cranberries, lingonberries, and blueberries regularly with rainwater
• Complete summer pruning of gooseberries and red/white currants
• Pollinate female indoor melon flowers, then pinch out 2cm (0.75in) beyond flower
• Pinch out growing point twice at four-week intervals for outdoor melons
• Water and feed outdoor melons regularly once established
• Pull off suckers appearing around base of fruit trees
• Keep heavily-laden branches upright with a stake or prop
• Do not let fruit become drought stressed, especially in containers, against a wall, or newly planted
• Give all vegetables a regular, consistent supply of water
• Hoe off weeds in dry weather
• Stop cordon tomatoes by removing main shoot
• Give regular liquid feeds to plants growing in containers

It is important to take good care of your fruit and vegetables during the summer months. Checking tree ties is essential as the trunk girth increases. Cranberries, lingonberries, and blueberries need regular watering with rainwater. Summer pruning of gooseberries and red/white currants should be completed. Indoor melon flowers need to be pollinated, and the growing point should be pinched out twice at four-week intervals for outdoor melons. Outdoor melons should be watered and fed regularly once established. Suckers appearing around the base of fruit trees should be pulled off, and heavily-laden branches should be kept upright with a stake or prop. Vegetables need a consistent supply of water and hoeing off weeds in dry weather is essential. Cordon tomatoes should be stopped by removing the main shoot. Finally, plants growing in containers should be given regular liquid feeds.