Organic Vegetable growing tips July

July,
this is the month that we should all be reaping what we have sown. It
is now hot enough for all our vegetables to be actively growing and
fruiting. However, July is also a time we need to keep on top of
things. It is vital that we harvest regularly because as soon as a pod,
seed or fruit ripens, it sends a message to the plant to stop growing.
This means even picking off courgettes, broad beans, peas or runner
beans for example and giving them away, freezing or composting them.
Doing this will ensure regular cropping through to the end of the
season. So keep picking!

Weeds
can also be a real problem now and your best friend is the garden hoe,
doing this once a week will ensure that the weeds never become
established. Remember they are competing for space, light, food and
water with your prize plants. They also harbour pests and diseases!

What to plant now: varieties in brackets, mod = plant in modules, sd = sow direct, pl = plant from modules or seed beds.

Remember,
not too deeply. When you sow, about twice the depth of the seed itself.
In dry weather make a shallow furrow and water this FIRST, then sow the
seed and cover.

Beetroot (bolthardy) mod, sow these in short rows to aviod gluts a two weekly intervals

Broccoli
heading types, (fiesta or belstar), sd. When the plants are big enough,
cover with mesh, fleece or netting to protect against pests.

Carrots,
sd. Sow early varieties until the end of this month (parmex, kundulus,
early nantes, sugar snax). Again cover the seedlings once emerged, with
a protective cover against carrot root fly.

French
beans, sd. Sow normal varieties until the end of the month. Then sow
some dwarf varieties and cover with mesh or fleece for a late crop.
(slenderette, tendergreen)

Leeks, transplant them now.

Peas, sd try (hurst green shaft, or kelvedon wonder)

Swiss
chard, sd. A real must for any garden. does not bolt like spinach and
bags of flavour. Sow now and you will still be picking in the new year.
(swiss chard, rainbow chard).

Turnip, sd (purple top milan).

Kale,
sprouts, early and late purple sprouting broccoli - if you have any of
this in a seed bed or module now is the time to put them out. With
these remember to firm the soil before planting. Also cover the plants
as they will be irresistible to cabbage white caterpillars!

Key Veg Plot Chores

Pinch out side shoots on tomato plants

Finish digging new potatoes

Stop cutting asparagus

Harvest herbs and dry them out by hanging upside down in a dry place

Peg down strawberry runners to make new plants.

Thin out; apples, pears, plums. Too much fruit per cluster will do more harm
than good. Cook the thinnings for jams, chutneys etc.

If you have a glut give the surplus away or try recipes like summer
piccallili, courgette cake and bread. I can let you have recipes if you
like.

If you are off on holiday don't forget to ask someone to water your plants!

If you have a bare patch of soil, consider sowing a green manure such as phacelia. This plant is also great for attracting insects too! After two - three months this can be dug in to enrich the soil.

Cut mint back to ground level to encourage a second crop for late summer.

If you have any comfrey or nettles in your garden, then harvest them, place in a string bag in water and leave for two weeks. When ready, compost the plants and the resultant liqour is a brilliant if smelly natural fertiliser. This should be diluted to the colour of weak tea and used as a foliar spray.

If you have any garlic that has past its sell by date - boil up in water for 20 minutes. Water this around your plants as a natural slug and snail deterrent - it really works.

So please let me know if this is useful or if you want any additions or changes to the format, or have any gardening questions.

Good growing, Neil