July is a peak month in the garden. Everything’s in full swing – flowers are blooming, vegetables are ripening, and wildlife is buzzing. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to sit back and relax completely. If you're wondering what to do in the garden in July, we’ve pulled together the top jobs to keep your outdoor space looking lush and productive.
Whether you're growing fruit and veg, tending flower beds, or simply keeping things ticking over, here are your must-do gardening tasks for July in the UK.
🌸 1. Deadhead for Longer Flowering
Keep your bedding plants and perennials blooming by regularly deadheading spent flowers. Removing faded blooms helps direct the plant’s energy into new growth, so you’ll enjoy colour well into late summer.
💧 2. Clear Algae & Blanket Weed from Ponds
If you’ve got a pond, now’s the time to clear any build-up of algae or blanket weed. A little maintenance in July can help keep your pond healthy, oxygenated, and wildlife-friendly through the warmer months.
🥕 3. Harvest Veg While It’s Young & Tender
Don’t wait too long to pick your vegetables! Courgettes, beans, carrots, and peas are at their best when harvested young. Picking regularly also encourages your plants to keep producing.
🌱 4. Save Runner Bean Seeds for Next Year
Fancy growing your own runner beans again next year? Leave a few beans on the plant to dry out and split naturally. Once dry, you can collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place ready for sowing next spring.
🍑 5. Harvest Summer Fruits & Thin Fruit Trees
It’s harvest time for apricots, peaches, and nectarines! You can also help your apple, pear, and plum trees by thinning out overcrowded or damaged fruit. This gives the remaining fruit more space and nutrients to ripen properly.
✂️ 6. Prune Stone Fruit Trees (Plum, Cherry, etc.)
July is the ideal month to prune stone fruit trees like plum and cherry. Remove any crossing or overcrowded branches to improve airflow and shape. Always prune in dry weather to reduce the risk of disease.
🌿 A Thriving Garden Starts with Small Jobs
Doing a little and often can make all the difference at this time of year. July is about maintenance, harvesting, and planning ahead – and your garden will thank you for it.
Need tools, fertilisers or expert advice? Pop into Kings Garden & Leisure in Exmouth or Sidmouth – we’ve got everything you need to make the most of your garden this summer.