July - this is what you can sow and cultivate

In July, both the air and the ground are warm in most places in the country, and you can sow and plant most things this month, except for plants that require cold to germinate and plants that take so long to develop that they need to be pre-cultivated earlier in the year.

In July, you can also sow many of the early spring plants again, so that you can harvest again in a while. Try for example with mustard greens, dill, and Asian vegetables, they grow quickly and extend the harvest. Fast-growing summer flowers are still nice to sow in the open field in July. And you can also think about next summer now, by sowing perennials and biennial plants.

If you have sown and pre-cultivated plants indoors, they can be planted outside in the ground as you harvest and make space. Maybe you have small plants of broccoli, beets, kale, or leeks waiting to be planted out?

July is also a great month to acquire more plants of the ones you already have. For example, you can divide the strawberry plants and take cuttings of other plants you want more of.

Some early vegetables, berries, and herbs are ready for harvesting in July. In the warmest parts of the country, even garlic can be ready by the end of the month. Now you can build up a supply for the fall and winter while also making sure to fill in the gaps that occur when you harvest. Some herb plants benefit from being trimmed regularly, so they do not flower. If they do flower, they often lose some of their flavor. Different herbs are harvested in different ways. Basil will grow larger and bushier if you clip the tops just above a pair of leaves, as two new shoots will grow where there was previously only one. Rosemary, on the other hand, should be harvested from the bottom. Find out how you should harvest from the plants you have chosen, so you can increase the yield in the long run. Check out our plant guides for good advice. If you live in a warm part of the country or cultivate in a greenhouse, you may be lucky enough to have ripe tomatoes already in July. Remember that tall tomato varieties need to be pruned, which means picking off the small shoots growing in the leaf axils. These shoots unnecessarily steal a lot of energy from the plants.

In July, you can pick plenty of lovely bouquets. Many flowering plants, such as sunflowers, marigolds, dahlias, and pansies, often come with new flowers if you pinch off the old ones or prune the entire plant. This also applies to many flowering perennials, such as catmint, geraniums, bellflowers, and lavender.

July can be a hot and dry month, so water regularly and continue to feed the plants that need it, such as tomatoes, chili, and cucumbers. Feel free to put grass clippings from the lawn around the plants, as it provides nutrients and also protects the plants from drying out.

The high season of summer is definitely July, so enjoy the harvest and all the greenery, spend time among the flowers in the garden and seize the opportunity to just be in the moment!