July

Written by Camellia Taylor

July Greenhouse Growing Guide – Camellia Taylor

July in the greenhouse and garden is a time of quiet abundance, and this July Growing Guide shares what to focus on to keep plants thriving.

The rush of spring sowing has passed and now it’s about nurturing what’s already growing. I water deeply, feed regularly and enjoy the slow swell of ripening fruit, especially the tomatoes and cucumbers.

The tomatoes form a backdrop to the greenhouse, hanging heavy on the vine, while cucumbers twist and climb through the space and pots. The warm air is filled with the scent of herbs and I find myself pausing to notice everything, both inside the greenhouse and just beyond it. The seeds that once felt so tiny and started out in the greenhouse are now producing food: fruits and vegetables slowly maturing in the garden.

With everything growing fast, the focus now is on tending: tying in stems, pinching out the side shoots and keeping on top of watering. In this July Growing Guide, we’ll cover greenhouse care, garden jobs and seasonal planting.

Greenhouse Tasks for July

Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers

To support strong fruiting, feed your tomatoes, cucumbers & peppers weekly throughout the season. Avoid split fruit by maintaining consistent soil moisture — greenhouse watering systems such as a rainwater diverter are ideal for steady, even hydration. Finally, ensure good ventilation on hot days to prevent overheating.

Aubergines and chillies

Pinch out the growing tips once plants reach 30–40cm to encourage bushier growth with more branches, which means more flowers and a heavier crop later in summer. In a still greenhouse, natural pollinators may not always get inside, so hand-pollinate by tapping flowers or using a cotton bud to transfer pollen.

Herbs

Harvest herbs regularly to trigger fresh growth, basil, parsley and coriander respond especially well to frequent picking in July’s long days. Always water at the base in the morning; damp leaves left overnight create the perfect conditions for mildew in warm, humid greenhouses.

Salad leaves

Sow quick crops like rocket, mizuna and mustard now for harvests in just a few weeks. Warm July conditions speed germination, but leaves turn bitter if stressed by drought, so regular watering is essential. Shallow trays or pots work well for quick cut-and-come-again pickings.

Biennials and hardy annuals

Sow foxgloves, wallflowers and honesty now for strong plants that will establish foliage this year and flower the following spring. Thin out seedlings as they grow and plant them out in autumn to overwinter in the ground.

Softwood cuttings

Take softwood or semi-ripe cuttings from pelargoniums, salvias or scented-leaved herbs. In July’s warm, bright conditions, cuttings root quickly without extra heat. Starting now means you’ll have strong young plants ready to overwinter and fill gaps next spring.

Seed saving

Let a few annuals or herbs like basil, coriander or nigella go to seed. Save them for next year, or let them self-sow if you have the space.

Pests and disease

Keep an eye out for common greenhouse pets in july, like, red spider mites and aphids, which thrive in dry, warm conditions. Ventilate daily, damp down greenhouse floors, and remove yellowing leaves to improve airflow. Watch for signs of tomato or potato blight outdoors, especially after humid weather.

General care

Damp down the floor on hot days to raise humidity and cool the air. Tie in and support climbing crops and try to use shad to prevent scorching. Clear fallen leaves or overripe fruit to avoid attracting pests.

Time to move them on

By July, seedlings sown in early summer may be starting to outgrow their trays or modules. Once you see those first true leaves, it’s a sign they’re ready for more space.

Ease them out carefully, I always hold them by a leaf rather than the stem and pot them into a 9cm pot with fresh compost. This gives them the best chance to establish strong roots. Keep them shaded for a day or two after transplanting and water well.

In the Garden

By July, the garden feels full, a tapestry of plants that, only a few months ago, were seeds in trays in the greenhouse.

The tomatoes and cucumbers that were moved outside (I grow both inside and out) are now climbing in their outdoor spots, with fruit beginning to swell. Courgettes are in full swing, throwing out flowers and young fruit almost daily. Beans stretch up their frames, twisting and flowering as they go.

In the borders, cosmos, scabious and ammi are flowering. Their stems are just long enough for picking and the more you cut, the more they give. I love being able to bring a few bunches indoors to enjoy.

Soft fruits like raspberries are at their peak too and perfect for grabbing as you pass. Keep harvesting regularly to encourage more and water deeply in dry spells to stop everything rushing to seed.

This is the moment when the garden starts to offer back everything you’ve given it and it’s pure joy.

Thinking About Water

After weeks of heat, water becomes something you notice more how quickly it disappears, and how essential it is to keep things growing.

My greenhouse has a small water reservoir that collects rainwater from the roof and I find it so important to use what’s been gathered. It’s a good reminder that even small systems can make a difference, especially in dry spells.

July is a great time to think ahead: could you install a water butt, add a gutter to your greenhouse or shed, or redirect runoff.

Mulching beds, watering in the early morning or evening and prioritising crops like courgettes, tomatoes and beans are small shifts that help make the most of what you’ve got and help the garden take care of itself, even in the heat.

Composting and soil care

As early crops are cleared, it’s a good time to refresh pots and greenhouse beds with well-rotted compost. Mulch around thirsty outdoor crops to retain moisture and suppress weeds, especially helpful during heatwaves.

Looking ahead

Now’s a good time to start thinking about late-summer sowing and autumn planting. Consider ordering spring-flowering bulbs and make a note of where you might want colour or structure next year. You can also prepare to sow spinach, kale and chard in early August for autumn harvests.

Jobs at a Glance

– Feed fruiting crops weekly
– Water deeply and ventilate greenhouses
– Sow quick-growing salads and biennials
– Pot on seedlings and thin out crowded trays
– Harvest fruit, flowers and herbs regularly
– Take softwood cuttings
– Save seed from herbs and self-sowers
– Watch for blight, aphids and red spider mite
– Mulch and compost as you clear spent crops
– Start planning for autumn and spring

About the author

Camellia Taylor is a garden designer, soon-to-be landscape architect and founder of The Garden Taylor, a studio rooted in thoughtful, people-focused design.

With a background in psychology, Camellia brings a unique perspective to her work, creating gardens and landscapes that are not only beautiful but emotionally restorative. Her practice spans private gardens, community spaces and therapeutic landscapes, with a focus on connecting people to nature in meaningful ways.

Her design ethos is rooted in empathy and seasonality, with a belief that gardens can offer beauty, purpose and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Where to find out more

thegardentaylor.com
Instagram: @thegardentaylor