Your growing guide for the month

July Growing guide

Fill any gaps with catch crops of quick-growing salad leaves, or prepare for winter veg

Sow indoors Plant/sow outdoors Harvest

Key crops for July

Beetroot

Just as much a food superhero as kale; the darker the colour, the richer in protective, goodfor-you compounds. Juice, grate, steam or roast. Tips Dig in plenty of garden compost before sowing to enrich the soil. Water regularly to help the roots swell. Sow 2.5cm deep Final spacing 15cm apart 23-30cm between rows

Calabrese

This one’s quick to grow, but is loaded with healthy phytochemicals including kaempferol, which has anti-inflammatory benefits. Tips Use fine-mesh netting to protect these brassicas from cabbage butterflies. After harvesting, water to encourage a second crop. Sow 2cm deep Final spacing 45cm apart 45cm between rows

Chinese cabbages

Supplying soluble and insoluble fibre to maintain digestive health, these low-calorie leaves are a useful source of healthy phytonutrients. Tips The roots are shallow, so water little and often. Harvest the head but leave the stump and another smaller cabbage should form. Sow 2cm deep Final spacing 30cm apart 45cm between rows

Coriander

Rich in potassium, folate and vitamin C, coriander partners well with fish, meat and vegetables. Add towards the end of cooking for best flavour. Tips Coriander likes free-draining but moist soil. Sow small batches every few weeks for fresh leaves all summer. Harvest the seeds too. Sow 1cm deep Final spacing 15cm apart 30cm between rows

Corn salad (lamb’s lettuce)

Packed with beta-carotene, which the body uses to support immunity, promote eye health and help maintain a youthful complexion. Tips Sow every few weeks for a continuous supply all year round. Cover with fleece or cloches to keep plants cropping over winter. Sow 1cm deep Final spacing 10cm apart 15cm between rows

Florence fennel

With edible leaves, bulb and stalks, fennel adds flavour to dishes and is full of bone-friendly nutrients like potassium and calcium. Tips If you sow seeds now, rather than in spring, the plants are less likely to bolt. Earth up soil around the bulbs as they develop. Sow 3cm deep Final spacing 30cm apart 30cm between rows

French beans – dwarf

Providing carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, levels increase when beans are cooked. Serve with butter or oil. Tips Support with twiggy sticks. Lay a thick layer of garden compost around plants to suppress weeds and hold moisture in the soil. Sow 5cm deep Final spacing 15cm apart 23cm between double rows

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Spinach

High in protective antioxidants and polyphenols, spinach may benefit the liver, especially when eaten raw. Serve as a salad or side. Tips Keep plants well watered in hot weather to prevent bolting. Cover with fine netting to protect leaves from insects and birds. Sow 2.5cm deep Final spacing 20cm apart 45cm between rows

Swiss chard

Vitamin C and magnesium are found in the leaves, whilst the stems are high in potassium. Enjoy raw in a salad, lightly steam or sauté. Tips Sow in moist, well-drained soil and keep plants well watered in summer. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage more to grow. Sow 2.5cm deep Final spacing 30cm apart 45cm between rows

Turnips

A source of flavonoids: these protective plant compounds, including quercetin, guard against UV damage and act as natural antihistamines. Tips Sow in partial shade and keep the soil moist to encourage germination. Start harvesting baby roots when 5cm in diameter. Sow 2cm deep Final spacing 25cm apart 30cm between rows

VISIT GardenersWorld.com/what-to-do-now for more advice on the best crops to sow and plant this month, and how to do it.

offer

LET TUCE ALFRESCO MIXED

Lettuce Alfresco Mixed contains a mix of red and green lettuce, rocket, endive, and radicchio. These ‘cut and come again’ varieties can be picked as young leaves every 2 to 3 weeks to make delicious and colourful salads or to use in sandwich fillings 20 peat-free plug plants £10.29 £6.99 SAVE £3.30 KC1865) Call 0844 573 6054* Go to thompson-morgan.com/TM_GW89 Please add £5.99 P&P

Items despatched from July. Offer closes 15/08/22. Contract for supply of goods is with Thompson & Morgan. Offer subject to availability. Full growing instructions included. We reserve the right to substitute varieties if necessary. Regretfully we are unable to ship live plants to the following areas: HS, IV41-IV49, IV51, IV55-56, KW15-KW17, PA34, PA41-48, PA60-PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR25, ZE1-ZE3. We are also unable to ship seeds or plants to EU countries and Northern Ireland. *Calls cost 7p/minute plus your network access charge.