Summer is in full swing, and for many gardeners, that means spending more time enjoying the warm weather outside. But it’s also the perfect time to plant a vegetable garden. July’s sunshine will do most of the work for you, allowing you to relax and enjoy your garden while watching your vegetables grow quickly.
Gardening expert Dan Cooper, known as The Frustrated Gardener, encourages gardeners to take a more relaxed approach in July. He says, “There is plenty to be done in the garden, but in much less of a hurry than in March, April, May or June. This leaves time for relaxation, contemplation, planning and entertaining. It’s so important that we take time out to enjoy our outdoor spaces, otherwise, why should we bother?”
This month is ideal for growing many salad vegetables thanks to the warm soil and extended daylight hours, which allow them to germinate faster and grow quickly. Cooper recommends, “Continue sowing salad crops in small quantities until late summer. Unless you have a lot of mouths to feed, a pinch of seed of each variety sown every three to four weeks will be enough to keep your kitchen well supplied.”
July also brings fewer weeds, making maintaining your vegetable garden much easier than earlier in the season. Here are four vegetables that are easy to grow in July and require minimal effort:
1. Salad Leaves
Salad leaves are a rewarding crop to grow in July, often ready to harvest within four to six weeks. Simply ensure your soil is well-drained, moist, and enriched with compost to promote quick growth. With numerous varieties like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard, you can enjoy a fresh, crisp salad straight from your garden in no time.
2. French Beans
French beans are a breeze to sow in summer. Unlike other bean plants, they don’t need support structures and mature quickly. Directly plant them in the soil and provide them with regular deep watering and at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily. Choose the right variety, and your French beans will be ready to harvest in just seven to eight weeks.
3. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi, often called a German turnip, is a delightful addition to stews, soups, and curries, offering a subtly sweet and peppery flavor. It boasts a short growing period, requiring only 50 to 60 days from planting to harvest. Plant kohlrabi seeds in well-draining, consistently moist soil and ensure they receive at least six hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth.
4. Dill, Coriander, and Parsley
Growing certain herbs in summer is incredibly simple. Simply plant them in a container and place them in a sunny spot in your garden. Make sure the containers drain well and retain moisture, and you’ll have a bountiful supply of herbs in no time. Dill and coriander typically take four to six weeks to harvest, while parsley requires a slightly longer time, usually eight to 12 weeks to mature.
