Summer Vegetable Garden: What to Grow and When

As the long, warm days of summer arrive, it's the perfect time to harvest your early crops and sow new ones for a bountiful late-summer and autumn harvest. This guide covers the essentials for growing a productive summer vegetable patch, focusing on what to plant now and how to care for it using tried-and-tested UK methods.

What to Sow Now

Mid-June to July plantings

• Courgettes & Marrows: Sow directly in situ after the last frost (usually late May/early June), but July sowings will yield smaller crops for late summer.
• Beans (Runner & French): Sow directly into well-prepared soil; they thrive in warm, sheltered spots.
• Lettuce & Spinach: Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous picking; choose heat-tolerant varieties like 'Oakleaf'.
• Radishes & Beetroot: Quick-growing roots perfect for summer harvests; sow in partial shade to prevent bolting.

Key Care Tasks

Watering & Weeding

• Water deeply but less frequently in the evening to reduce evaporation (UK summer showers can be unreliable).
• Mulch generously with straw or well-rotted garden compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Weed regularly before they compete with young plants for nutrients and water.

Pest & Disease Watch

Common UK summer threats

• Slugs & Snails: Check plants at dusk; use beer traps or copper tape around beds (avoid chemical pellets if possible).
• Aphids: Spray affected plants with a strong jet of water or use natural predators like ladybirds.
• Tomato Blight: Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering and remove lower leaves if humidity is high.

Harvesting Tips

Timing for best flavour

• Courgettes: Pick when small (10-15cm long) for tender flesh; leave larger ones to mature if needed.
• Beans: Pick regularly when pods are firm and slender to encourage more growth.
• Tomatoes: Harvest when fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch; avoid picking green ones.

Planning for Late Summer

Succession planting

• Sow fast-growing crops like radishes or salad leaves in late July for a September harvest.
• Plant hardy greens (e.g., winter lettuce, spinach) in late August for autumn picking.
• Prepare beds for autumn crops by adding compost after harvesting early vegetables.

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