July 2021

Winter has well and truly taken a solid grip across much of the country and while those who planted out in late summer and early autumn are reaping harvests of winter classics such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi and carrots, others who missed that window are longing for the warmer days of spring. If this is you, use this time to prepare your beds for spring planting by adding manure, compost and mulch to your patch. Sow quick crops such as radish or mustard greens that will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks, or why not try your hand at growing a green manure crop to regenerate your soil. Use this time over the cooler months of winter to plan your spring and summer garden and get your seeds ordered now to avoid missing out on your favourite varieties. Tropical gardeners you lucky devils, there is still a wonderful selection of vegetables for you to plant out and sow this month. Go forth.

Peas can be sown in all but tropical zones now. They do very well in cold weather, but for best results sow seeds directly into rich fertile soil in a sunny position. A handful of blood and bone or a regular water with seaweed solution will produce great results. Peas love to climb, so ensure netting or fencing is in place when your first plant out, even dwarf or bush peas will benefit from staking to reduce the risk of disease. Massey Gem is a climbing shelling pea that is a constant high performer in our garden each season, or If you want to try something a little different, Nova Leafless is a bush variety that produces a large number of pods amongst a mass of tendrils rather than leaves! – a definite conversation starter.

Turnips, once a staple in any vegetable garden, can be grown in all climate zones this month. Extraordinarily hardy, this easy to grow multipurpose crop deserves a spot in your garden. Sow seed direct and thin young seedlings as appropriate. Young turnips can be eaten raw in salads as you would radish, leaves can be added to soups and stews and mature turnips are delicious roasted or pickled.

If you are after a quick growing crop to fill in the winter gaps, then look no further than Rocket Pronto. This hardy green will grow in most soil types but will thrive with a handful of blood and bone or pelletised chook manure. Very quick to grow, you could be having your first harvests in as little as 3-4 weeks.

Tropical gardeners, zucchini seeds can still be sown this month. Sow direct or in punnets. If using punnets, jiffy pots are a great option as they can be planted out directly into the garden. Germination will be quick and with warm and sunny weather they will be flowering and producing in no time.

Remember, our planting guides are simply guides for optimal planting times and with a little observation on your specific conditions or even some extra protection from the coldest weather, you could still be planting and harvesting from your patch throughout winter.

Happy Gardening

Vegetable, herb and flower seeds to plant July 2021

In Cool Climates

• Broccoli – Sow in punnets undercover or plant out seedlings
• Broad Beans – Sow direct*
• Cauliflower – Sow in punnets undercover* or plant out seedlings
• Kale –  Sow in punnets undercover* or plant out seedlings
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (PFF)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings (PFF)
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct
• Spinach  – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Pollinating flowers – Sweet Alyssum, Sweet pea – Sow direct

PFF – Protect from frost

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Temperate Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Broad beans – Sow direct
• Cabbage – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Cauliflower – Plant out seedlings
• Kohlrabi – Sow direct
• Lettuce – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mizuna – Sow direct (HS)
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct
• Spinach – Sow direct,  in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Herbs – Coriander, – Sow direct
• Pollinating flowers – Alyssum  Sweet pea

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Hot/Arid Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Broad beans – Sow direct
• Broccoli – Sow direct or in punnets
• Cabbage – Sow direct or in punnets
• Cauliflower – Sow direct or in punnets
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Kohlrabi – Plant out seedlings
• Leeks – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Onion – Sow direct or in punnets
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rocket – Sow direct
• Silverbeet – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Swede – Sow direct
• Turnip – Sow direct
• Herbs – Chives sow direct, Basil plant out seedlings*
• Pollinating flowers  – Sweet Alyssum, Sweet pea sow direct or plant out seedlings.

* Last chance to plant or sow

In Tropical Climates

• Asian Greens – Sow direct
• Beans (Snake only) – Sow direct
• Beetroot – Sow direct* or plant out seedlings
• Broccoli –  Plant out seedlings
• Capsicum – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Carrots – Sow direct
• Chilli – Sow in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Corn – Sow direct
• Cucumber – Sow direct
• Eggplant – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings
• Kale – Sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings.
• Luffa – Sow direct
• Mustard Greens – Sow direct
• Mizuna – Sow direct
• Okra – Sow direct
• Radish – Sow direct
• Rosella – Sow direct
• Malabar Spinach – Sow direct
• Tomato – Sow direct or  in punnets
• Zucchini – Sow direct or in punnets
• Herbs –  Basil and can be sown direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings and Thyme – plant out seedlings
• Pollinating Flowers  –  Marigolds or Zinnia sow direct, in punnets or plant out seedlings. Sunflower or Calendula – Sow direct

* Last chance to plant or sow