IN THE GARDEN

What to plant in July

July weather facts

Average high temperature: 31.4°C Average low temperature: 26.8°C Average rainfall days: 17.6 days Average sea temperature of 29.1°C

As Hong Kong hikes to its hottest month of the year, July continues what the past month started: increasingly heated weather, unrelenting rain and the warning of summer thunderstorms. But in spite of this uprootedness comes growth, especially in our gardens where life begins anew.

Key practice this month will be to use disinfectant fluid to keep pests like caterpillars from damaging your seedlings. Plants in shrubberies and creepers, will want prudent pruning to avoid overcrowding and container plants are to be brought indoors as strong winds and heavy rain will continue to persist in the months to follow.

Your first batch of dahlias may be potted this month and cuttings of crotons may be put in. Around the middle ofJuly, cuttings of heliotrope may be put in.

Seeds of the following may be sown: mustard and cress, Chinese spinach, cucumber, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese short beans, celery, Chinese white and green cabbage.

‘Rain or shine’ is this month’s motto. Expect the heavy barrages of rainfall but also the beautiful gleaming beams of sunshine in your garden. Nevertheless, don’t lose heart for July will test your convictions for gardening and more.

By William James Tutcher

F.L.S. (1867-1920)

Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens. Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.