July is a month of colour, growth, and full-on activity in the garden. While the sun is (hopefully) shining and your borders are in full swing, this time of year also brings unique challenges, from hot spells and dry soil to fast-growing weeds and hungry pests.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just pottering at weekends, July offers a perfect window to keep your garden thriving through the heat, prepare for autumn crops, and enjoy the results of all your spring efforts.

Here’s your go-to guide on what to focus on in the garden this month, from planting tips to pest control and everything in between.

Water, Weed and Mulch

Warm weather and long days mean plants are growing fast, but so are the weeds. Regular weeding is a must to prevent competition for moisture and nutrients. Keep on top of borders, paths and veg patches before things get out of hand.

Top tips:

Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
Focus on newly planted shrubs, containers, and anything in full sun.
Apply a thick mulch (compost, bark or well-rotted manure) around plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Raise the blades on your mower if your lawn’s looking stressed, and leave the clippings to act as natural mulch in dry spells.

Prune, Trim, and Deadhead for Continued Colour

Pruning and deadheading help plants channel their energy into fresh growth and more blooms.

Things to do this month:

Deadhead roses, sweet peas, bedding plants, and perennials to encourage ongoing flowering.
Lightly prune shrubs that flowered in early summer, like weigela and philadelphus.
Tie in and support tall perennials and fruit branches before they droop or break under their own weight.

Sow & Grow: Crops You Can Still Plant in July

It’s not too late to sow fast-growing or late-season crops. July is a busy month on the veg patch!

What to plant:

Quick growers: radish, lettuce, spinach, and rocket.
Autumn/winter staples: leeks, spring cabbages, kale, chicory, and fennel.
Keep feeding tomatoes and courgettes with a high-potash fertiliser.
Harvest early potatoes, beans, onions, soft fruit, and salad leaves, and re-sow where you’ve cleared space.

Pest Patrol: Keep an Eye Out

July’s heat can bring pests out in full force, especially with soft fruit and veg on offer.

Watch for:

Aphids on roses and runner beans
Powdery mildew on courgettes and dahlias
Black spot on roses
Red lily beetle on lilies
Vine weevil in containers

Check plants regularly and deal with infestations early using organic or chemical methods depending on your preference.

Propagation & Seed Collection

July is a great time to take cuttings and start planning for next year.

Take softwood cuttings from shrubs like hydrangea, rosemary, and philadelphus.
Collect and dry seeds from annuals like nigella, poppies, and calendula to save for sowing next spring.
Keep seedlings and young cuttings shaded and moist in hot weather.

It’s Not Just About Plants

Use dry spells to take care of jobs you’ve been putting off:

Paint or treat fences, sheds, and wooden furniture.
Clear ponds of blanket weed and algae.
Jet wash patios and tidy up paths or edges.
Check and clean water butts and irrigation systems.

A Quick July Checklist:

✔️ Weed and water regularly
✔️ Mulch borders
✔️ Deadhead flowers
✔️ Prune early-summer shrubs
✔️ Sow fast-growing veg and autumn crops
✔️ Watch for pests
✔️ Take cuttings and collect seeds
✔️ Feed flowering plants and tomatoes
✔️ Maintain garden structures

🌳 Need a Hand in the Garden?

If you're short on time or looking to refresh your outdoor space professionally, our team at Beechwood Trees and Landscapes offers everything from one-off tidy-ups to seasonal maintenance packages — plus expert tree care, pruning, and site clearance.

📞 Call us on 0800 328 7988
📧 office@beechwoodtrees.co.uk
🌐 www.beechwoodtrees.co.uk

Let’s keep your garden in great shape all summer long.

🌿 What to Do in the Garden in July: Your Mid-Summer Gardening Guide