What to Sow in July: The Best Vegetables, Herbs & Flowers This Month

? Introduction: Sowing Success in the Heat of Summer

July may be the height of summer in the UK, but that doesn’t mean the sowing season is over. In fact, this warm and productive month is packed with opportunities to grow quick-maturing crops, establish hardy autumn and winter vegetables, and plant flowers that will extend colour into late summer and early autumn.

Whether you’re growing in an allotment, a kitchen garden, containers, or raised beds, this guide will help you make the most of your space. Below, we’ll explore exactly what to sow in July — from fast-growing salad leaves to hardy brassicas — with essential tips to ensure your crops thrive.

? What Vegetables Can You Sow in July?

July is perfect for sowing vegetables that mature quickly or overwinter well. Here are the best vegetable seeds to sow now:

1. Beetroot

Best varieties: Boltardy, Detroit 2
Why sow in July: Beetroot sown now will mature in late summer and early autumn. Perfect for harvesting before the first frost.

2. Carrots (Fast-Growing Varieties)

Best varieties: Amsterdam Forcing, Early Nantes
Sowing tip: Sow thinly in loose, stone-free soil. Ideal for container growing too.

3. Lettuce & Salad Leaves

Best varieties: Little Gem, Lollo Rosso, Rocket, Mizuna
Sowing cycle: Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. Use partial shade to avoid bolting.

4. French Beans (Dwarf Varieties)

Why now?: Still time for one last sowing in early July. They’ll crop by September.
Growing tip: Keep well-watered and protect from slugs.

5. Kale

Best varieties: Nero di Toscana, Dwarf Green Curled
Why sow in July: Perfect timing for an autumn and winter harvest. A hardy staple for colder months.

6. Pak Choi

Why it works: Grows fast and loves the longer daylight hours. Choose bolt-resistant types.
Harvest: In as little as 30 days.

7. Spring Onions

Best varieties: White Lisbon, Ishikura
Tip: Ideal for sowing in-between other crops or in small pots.

8. Swiss Chard

Why grow it: Vibrant, colourful, and can be picked for months.
Sow now: To harvest young leaves through summer and mature leaves through autumn.

9. Turnips

Quick return: Fast-growing and great for successional sowing.
Best varieties: Tokyo Cross, Purple Top Milan

10. Radishes

Fast harvest: Ready in 3–4 weeks.
July sowing tip: Water well to avoid woody roots and spicy flavour.

? Herbs to Sow in July

Some herbs thrive in the July warmth, while others are best started now for autumn or indoor use.

1. Coriander

Tip: Sow little and often. Loves partial shade and regular watering.
Harvest: Use fresh leaves quickly to avoid bolting.

2. Basil

Growing indoors or in greenhouses: Needs warmth, light, and moisture.
Harvest: Pinch off tops regularly to promote bushy growth.

3. Dill

Grows fast: Ideal for sowing in July for a late summer harvest.
Tip: Avoid transplanting – sow directly where it will grow.

4. Parsley

Best for autumn: Start now for autumn and winter use.
Slow to germinate: Soak seeds overnight to speed things up.

5. Chervil

Ideal for shade: Prefers cooler conditions in July’s heat.
Use: Delicate flavour perfect for salads and garnishes.

? What Flowers Can You Sow in July?

July isn’t just about veg — it’s a great month to sow hardy annuals and biennials that bloom later this year or next spring.

1. Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Biennial: Sow in July for flowers next year.
Wildlife tip: Loved by pollinators and great for shady areas.

2. Wallflowers

Timing: Sow now for spring displays.
Tip: Transplant into final positions in autumn.

3. Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Quick blooms: Sow now for flowers in late summer.
Pollinator-friendly: Bees and hoverflies love them.

4. Cornflowers

Sow now: For late-season colour or let them overwinter for spring flowering.
Tip: Deadhead regularly for more blooms.

5. Sweet Williams

Biennials: Sow in July to bloom the following spring and summer.
Great for cutting: Long-lasting in vases.

6. Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)

Fast grower: Late sowings can still produce blooms this year.
Adds texture: Great for cottage gardens and naturalistic borders.

? July Gardening Tips for Sowing Success

✅ Watering Wisely

July sun can dry out soil quickly. Water early in the morning or late evening, using a watering can at the base of plants to avoid leaf scorch and mildew.

✅ Shade Seedlings

Use shade netting or old net curtains to protect young seedlings from intense midday heat.

✅ Successional Sowing

Sow little and often, especially salad crops, to avoid gluts and extend your harvest.

✅ Pest Protection

Net crops like brassicas against cabbage white butterflies, and use beer traps or wool pellets to deter slugs.

✅ Use Space Efficiently

Fill gaps from early crops with new sowings. No patch of soil should go to waste in July!

? Planning Ahead: Crops for Autumn & Winter

If you want to keep harvesting right through the cooler months, now’s the time to plan ahead. July is ideal for starting:

Autumn cabbages
Overwintering leeks
Hardy spinach
Winter salads under cover
Land cress
Mustard greens

Use cloches or fleece as the weather turns, and you can enjoy fresh produce well into November or even December.

? Top 10 Questions About Sowing in July (with Answers)

1. Can you still sow seeds in July in the UK?
Yes! July is great for fast-maturing crops and hardy autumn/winter vegetables.

2. What vegetables grow quickly if sown in July?
Radishes, lettuce, spring onions, and pak choi all grow fast and are perfect for July sowing.

3. Is it too late to sow carrots in July?
No — choose fast-growing varieties and sow in early July for an autumn harvest.

4. What can I plant in my greenhouse in July?
Basil, coriander, dwarf French beans, and salads all thrive in a July greenhouse.

5. Can I grow herbs in pots in July?
Absolutely! Basil, parsley, and dill do really well in pots during July.

6. What flowers can I sow now for next year?
Foxgloves, wallflowers, and sweet Williams are ideal biennials to sow in July.

7. How can I stop my lettuce from bolting in July?
Grow in partial shade, water regularly, and choose bolt-resistant varieties.

8. Should I fertilise in July?
Yes – feed fruiting crops like tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers weekly with a tomato feed.

9. Can I sow kale in July?
Yes – kale sown in July will give you a strong crop in autumn and winter.

10. What’s the best way to water in hot weather?
Water deeply at the base of plants early in the day or late evening to minimise evaporation.

? Conclusion: Keep Growing Through July

July is bursting with potential. With long days, warm soil, and fast-growing crops, your garden or allotment can stay productive and colourful all summer long. By choosing the right seeds, watering well, and protecting young plants from pests and extreme heat, you can enjoy harvests now — and sow the seeds of success for the months ahead.

Whether you’re growing lettuce in pots, kale in beds, or wallflowers for next spring, July is a month to dig in and make the most of your growing space.