July on the Allotment: Peak Summer, Peak Growth

July is the allotment at full throttle—lush, abundant, sometimes overwhelming, but always rewarding. Everything is growing at speed, including the weeds, and the rewards of spring’s hard graft are finally being realised. This is the month when you can truly taste the difference: crisp cucumbers, earthy new potatoes, and sweet, sun-ripened fruit straight from the plant. Bliss.

Bumper Harvests

The sheer variety of things to pick this month is a real joy. Among the regular harvests you might find:

  • Courgettes – Pick them small and often to encourage more. If you spot a marrow forming, harvest it before it takes over!

  • New potatoes – Gently dig with a fork or your hands to avoid damaging the tubers. They’re best eaten fresh and simply cooked.

  • French and runner beans – Keep harvesting to prevent the plants from going to seed. Even small daily pickings make a big difference.

  • Peas and mangetout – Sweet and juicy. These are best picked early in the day when the sugars are at their peak.

  • Carrots, beetroot, and turnips – Start thinning them if you haven’t already, and pull the biggest ones to eat now.

  • Garlic and onions – Once the leaves begin to yellow and flop, stop watering. Allow them to dry before harvesting and curing.

  • Soft fruit – Raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, and gooseberries are all ripening fast. Net them if you’re sharing too much with the birds.

Jobs for July: Nurture, Tidy, Enjoy

July is about balancing care and control. A few key tasks this month:

1. Water Wisely

  • Prioritise thirsty crops like courgettes, pumpkins, sweetcorn, and anything in containers or growbags.

  • Use a soaker hose or watering can at the base of plants—avoid overhead watering if possible.

  • Early morning or late evening watering is best to reduce evaporation and stress to plants.

2. Feed Fruitfully

  • Use liquid seaweed or comfrey tea as a nutrient boost for fruiting plants.

  • Feed tomatoes weekly with a tomato feed once fruits begin to set.

  • Brassicas may benefit from a high-nitrogen feed if they’re looking a bit tired.

3. Keep On Top of Weeds

  • Weeds are fierce in July. Regular hoeing on dry days helps control them and disturbs the topsoil to keep it aerated.

4. Mulch for Moisture

  • Lay down grass clippings, compost, or straw around crops to lock in moisture and keep weeds at bay. Bonus: it improves soil health, too.

Sow Now for Later

Don’t forget that July is a great time to sow for autumn and winter cropping:

  • Fast-growing salad: Rocket, mustard, mizuna, and land cress can go in now for late summer pickings.

  • Autumn carrots: Choose a quick-maturing variety and sow them where early crops have come out.

  • Winter brassicas: Plant out kale, sprouting broccoli, winter cabbage, and leeks if they’re ready.

  • Florence fennel, pak choi, and swiss chard can still be sown now for late-season eating.

Wildlife and Pollinators

The allotment is buzzing with life—literally. July is peak time for:

  • Bees and butterflies, especially around flowering herbs like lavender, thyme, and oregano.

  • Ladybirds and hoverflies, which are brilliant allies in the fight against aphids.

  • Frogs and toads in damp corners or under pots—great slug control!

  • Consider planting sunflowers, cosmos, borage, or calendula to attract more pollinators and add colour.

A small wildlife pond or water dish helps birds, insects, and even hedgehogs during hot weather. Top it up regularly.

Plot TLC and Planning

  • Prune tomato sideshoots (if they’re cordon varieties) and tie in main stems.

  • Pinch out broad bean tops if you spot blackfly.

  • Support tall crops like sweetcorn and sunflowers as they grow.

  • Begin thinking about green manures if parts of your plot will be left empty later in the season.

Moments to Savour

Beyond the jobs and harvests, July is a beautiful time to pause and enjoy your space:

  • Eat lunch in the shade of a bean arch.

  • Watch the butterflies as you shell peas.

  • Take home a bunch of homegrown flowers for the kitchen table.

  • Let a courgette or sunflower grow enormous—just for fun.

The work is never quite done, but July is when the allotment gives back in abundance. Take the time to enjoy every bite, every bloom, and every bee.