I always think of July as a transition time in the veg plot. It’s when the period of seed-sowing which started back in April generally comes to an end, and the focus shifts towards tending, and more importantly, eating the harvest.
The amazingly warm summer weather we’ve been experiencing has meant super-fast growth on the veg plot. And veg that can be a bit temperamental grown outside in Britain – like tomatoes, chillies and basil, are doing brilliantly.
Interestingly our mange tout peas have been the most prolific crop. By getting seeds sown early they established deep roots before the dry weather arrived, and have now reached a whopping 6ft tall, giving us more peas that we can eat.
Conditions are also ideal for garlic - a cold wet winter, and a scorching summer
It's important to remember that the end of summer doesn't mean the end of the veg growing season. The majority of vegetables will carry on producing food until october when the frosts arrive, and many will keep going right through the winter with no need for protection, to give you a bountiful harvest in the spring.
Make your final sowings of all the key fast growing salad vegetables to harvest later this year. Even if you've got these coming along already, try and sow some more of the following now so you've got fresh plants ready to replace the ones you're about to harvest:
Purple-sprouting broccoli’s the tastiest spring vegetable you can get your hands on. It takes a bit of effort to get going, but it's well worth it.
July is also the perfect time to sow oriental salad leaves. Sown earlier in the year they're prone to bolting (running up to flower) and the nibblings of flea beetles which pepper the leaves with tiny holes. Cooler temperatures when they’re reaching maturity from late August onwards will stop plants bolting and see off the last of the flea beetles. My personal favourites are:
Make sure you get some more sowing done now, and enjoy a year round harvest!
Peter
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