Best 5 Crops to Sow in July!

Best 5 Crops to Sow in July and Keep Your Garden Thriving

Midsummer marks the peak of the growing season, but we often get so caught up in weeding, watering, and harvesting that we forget to start new plants. Smart gardeners know that sowing seeds now can ensure a continuous harvest with second or even third crops. Here, I’ll share my tried-and-true selection of plants to keep your garden productive for months to come, along with tips on how to grow them to perfection.

Kale: A Leafy Green Favorite

Kale is one of my favorite leafy greens. While I sowed some earlier in the spring, sowing kale in the summer is a savvy idea. Kale thrives in the coolness of autumn and faces fewer pests during that time of year. Many varieties of kale, including my chosen types, can continue to grow well into the winter.

Since I don’t have much space in my garden beds right now, I’m starting my kale in plug trays. This method allows for overlapping crops, ensuring young plants are ready to go out as soon as older crops finish. Today, I’m sowing two types of kale: ‘Red Russian,’ a pink-purple stem variety, and a crinkle-leaf type. Both are perfect for salads when young and can grow into larger leaves for cooking.

Steps for Sowing Kale:

Fill plug trays with soil and make small depressions with your fingertips.
Place seeds in the depressions, cover lightly with soil, and water them well.
Label the trays and set them aside.

If there isn’t room in the garden by the time the seedlings are ready, they can be transplanted into larger plugs or pots. When planting, space them about 16 inches (40 cm) apart in all directions, firm them in, and water thoroughly. You should get some pickings in the autumn before winter, with a resurgence in the spring before they eventually flower.

Peas and Beans: Last Call for Planting

As midsummer progresses, it’s the final opportunity to sow peas and beans. If planted too late, pods may not form before the first frost. Early in the month is ideal for bush or dwarf beans, or a quick sowing of peas.

Steps for Sowing Peas:

Water the seeds altogether to kickstart germination.
Sow seeds about 2 inches (5 cm) apart in rows, with a similar depth.
Water the seeds completely to kickstart germinatio
Provide support, such as hazel sticks, as peas grow to about 60 cm tall.
Keep the soil moist, especially during hot weather, and consider netting to protect from birds.

These peas should be ready for harvest within about 12 weeks, providing fresh produce into autumn.

Endive: A Luscious Addition

Endive, particularly frisée and escarole types, is a fantastic addition to any garden. These leafy greens have a slightly bitter taste that pairs well with smoother leaves like lettuce and spinach.

Steps for Sowing Endive:

Fill a pot with an all-purpose potting mix, smoothing the surface.
Sprinkle a squeeze of seeds over the surface, cover softly with soil, and water well.
Once seedlings are established, transfer them to plug trays.
When plugs are filled, plant the seedlings out, spacing them about 9 inches (23 cm) apart.

Choose a slow-bolt variety to ensure the plants thrive, even if temperatures rise. Keep the soil well-watered to encourage lush growth.

Carrots: Sweet and Tender Roots

Carrots are a must-have in any garden, offering great character and flavor. As summer quickly walks on, it’s time for the final sowing of quick-growing assortments. If you’re not sure which types of carrots mature quickly, here’s a list of some fast-maturing varieties to consider:

– ‘Early Nantes’
– ‘Amsterdam Forcing’
– ‘Adelaide’

– ‘Chantenay Red Cored’

Even if there’s not enough time for your carrots to grow into big, chunky roots, you can still enjoy a bonus crop of sweet and tender baby carrots through autumn and possibly into early winter.

Steps for Sowing Carrots:

1. Mark out rows about 10 inches (25 cm) apart.
2. Water the rows to create a cool, moist cushion for the seeds.
3. Sow a pinch of seeds, aiming for about 1 cm (½ inch) apart.
4. Cover the seeds lightly with soil.
5. If it gets very hot, cover the area with a plank of wood to shade it until the seedlings emerge.

Carrots can also be grown in containers, which is a great option if you’re short on ground space. They don’t require very rich compost so you can recycle potting mix from previous plants, like potatoes.

Steps for Container Carrots:

Fill a container with potting mix.
Broadcast sow seeds evenly over the surface.
Cover with a thin layer of potting mix.
Water thoroughly.

Bok Choy and Other Asian Greens: Crisp and Delicate Flavors

Bok choy is a fantastic choice for late summer sowing, along with other Asian greens like mizuna, tatsoi, and Chinese cabbage. Bok Choy’s crisp, delicate leaves are delicious briefly fried with oil, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce.

Steps for Sowing Bok Choy:

Sow seeds into plug trays to protect them from slugs.
Place two seeds in each plug; thin out the weaker seedlings once they germinate.
Keep the seedlings well-watered and cool, growing them in a dotted shady spot.

Once the seedlings are ready, plant them out about 8 inches apart, and protect them from slugs by setting traps. Bok choy and other Asian greens don’t like hot weather, so if you experience sweltering summers, it might be best to wait until later in the season to sow them.

Final Thoughts

By planning your midsummer garden thoughtfully and incorporating these resilient, quick-growing plants, you can enjoy a continuous and bountiful harvest well into the cooler months. Kale, peas, beans, endive, carrots, and bok choy are all excellent choices to extend your growing season and make the most of your garden space. Remember, the key to success is to keep your soil moist, protect young plants from pests, and ensure proper spacing to allow for healthy growth. Happy gardening, and may your garden continue to thrive and produce delicious, fresh produce for you and your loved ones!

The post Best 5 Crops to Sow in July! appeared first on Be A Gardener.