July is when a garden really comes into its own. The days are long, the borders are full of colour, and the vegetable patch is finally starting to pay you back for all that spring effort. But mild, often wet summers mean the garden keeps growing fast so July is less about big projects and more about keeping everything healthy, tidy and well fed.
Whether you’re tending a few patio pots or a full back garden, Stakelums Home & Hardware has the tools and products to make the work easier. Here are the July gardening jobs worth doing this month.
July Gardening Checklist
Short on time? Here’s the quick version:
- Water pots, hanging baskets and new plants regularly
- Deadhead faded flowers to keep blooms coming
- Feed hungry plants like roses, tomatoes and dahlias
- Mow little and often, but never too short
- Hoe weeds while they’re small
- Trim hedges and tie in climbing plants
- Watch for aphids, slugs and mildew
- Clean patios and decking ready for summer evenings
How short should I cut my grass in summer?
Your lawn needs a slightly different touch in July. In a mild, damp summer, grass can grow quickly and need regular cutting. In a dry spell, it may slow down and turn pale but don’t panic, established lawns usually bounce back once the rain returns (and in Ireland, it always does).
The golden rule is don’t cut it too short. Scalping the lawn weakens the grass and lets the soil dry out. Raise your mower height slightly and only take off a little at a time. If you’re due an upgrade, browse walk-behind mowers and ride-on mowers at Stakelums.
To repair bare patches, loosen the surface, scatter grass seed from the lawn care range, cover lightly and keep it moist until it establishes. Just avoid sowing during a heatwave new grass struggles if it dries out before rooting.
What to Plant in July: Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers
July isn’t only about maintenance there’s still plenty you can plant for colour and crops later in the season. Pick up everything you need from the seeds range.
- Vegetables and herbs to sow in July:
- Lettuce
- Rocket
- Radishes
- Spring onions
- Beetroot
- Dwarf beans
- Peas
- Spinach
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Basil
- Flowers to plant in July:
- Pansies
- Violas
- Wallflowers
- Foxgloves
- Delphiniums
- Marigolds
- Summer bedding for instant colour
- Perennials to plant in July:
- Rudbeckia
- Agapanthus
- Echinacea
- Alstromeria
- Salvia
- Lobelia
- Shrubs to plant in July:
- Hydrangeas
- Buddleja
- Fuschia
- Hypericum
- Hebe
- Potentilla
How Often Should You Feed and Water Your Garden in July?
Midsummer, many plants have used up a lot of energy flowering and fruiting, so a regular feed keeps them going. Container plants especially need feeding, because nutrients wash out every time you water.
- Feeds for your garden in July:
- Bonemeal for shrubs, roses, vegetables & flowers
- Seaweed for shrubs, roses, vegetables & flowers
- Westland Boost for bedding and perennials
- Miracle Grow for bedding and perennials
Roses, tomatoes, chillies, courgettes, dahlias, hanging baskets and herbs in pots will all thank you for it. A high-potash feed suits flowering and fruiting plants. Stakelums stocks well-known names like Miracle-Gro in its plant food and fertilisers ranges. Bonemeal and seaweed improve soil and add a slow release of nutrients for long lasting healthier blooms.
Watering is the other big July job. Pots and baskets dry out fast on warm days, so water deeply at the base, ideally in the morning or evening. A good hose and fittings set makes the daily round much quicker.
Now is also a great time to give your lawn some love, but wait until after it rains. It’s a good idea to help fertilise your lawn to keep your lawn lush, weed-free and healthy with Westland All-In-One or Westland Lawn Thickener. NOTE: Don’t add these products during a heat wave, as they can damage instead of improve the health of your lawn!
Pruning in July: What to Cut Back and Shape
Plants in full growth, July is a key month for light pruning and deadheading. It keeps the garden tidy, encourages repeat flowering and helps plants hold their shape. Avoid heavy pruning during very hot spells, but don’t shy away from regular trims that keep things healthy.
What to cut back this month:
- Wisteria: prune long, whippy shoots to encourage flowering spurs
- Shrubs: trim summer-flowering shrubs once they’ve bloomed to keep their shape
- Hedges: lightly trim evergreen hedges to keep them neat
- Roses: deadhead spent blooms and remove any diseased or damaged wood
Keep a sharp, clean pair of secateurs to hand you’ll find them in the gardening tools range at Stakelums for bigger hedging jobs, browse the hedge trimmers range.
What Garden Jobs Can You Do in July?
July’s warm, dry spells make it the ideal time for a quick garden refresh or a small midsummer project. Here are some easy ways to get your outdoor space summer-ready:
- Clean your patio and decking: Blast away winter grime in minutes with a pressure washer like Karcher, the go-to brand for the job.
- Protect timber: Treat decking, fences and garden furniture with products from the deck care and woodcare ranges to keep them weatherproof.
- Refresh your borders: Tidy up paths and beds with decorative stones and chippings or add structure with new fencing and sleepers.
- Add colour with containers: Fill pots and planters with vibrant summer flowers for patios and entrances.
- Go low maintenance: Consider artificial grass for a tidy, year-round green space with none of the mowing.
- Keep the lawn in shape: A reliable mower makes all the difference in peak growing season browse walk-behind mowers and ride-on mowers.
- Keep the kids entertained: Make the most of the long evenings with a trampoline or other outdoor play.
- Get Set for BBQ Season: July is BBQ season. Fire up the grill and make the most of your hard work explore the BBQ range, including Weber, for everything from charcoal classics to gas and pizza ovens not sure which to choose? Our guide to gas vs charcoal BBQs breaks down the pros and cons to help you decide
Get Garden-Ready with Stakelums. July is a rewarding month in the garden a chance to enjoy your hard work and plan ahead. Whether you’re planting, pruning or refreshing your space, Stakelums Home & Hardware has the tools, plants and products to help.
Visit us in store or explore the full garden and outdoor range online, with low-cost delivery and free click & collect.
FAQs
1. What should I plant in July in Ireland?
You can still sow quick crops like lettuce, rocket, radishes and beetroot, plus flowers such as pansies, violas and summer bedding for late-season colour.
2. Should I mow my lawn in July?
Mowing is fine this month, just resist the urge to scalp it. A higher cut leaves the grass stronger and better able to handle warm, dry spells, so set the blade up a notch and take off only the tips. When rain is scarce, simply mow less often and let the grass grow a touch longer.
3. Can I repair bare patches in my lawn in July?
Patching up is possible, though success comes down to moisture. Rough up the bare area, scatter seed and water it in, then keep it from drying out as it germinates. During a heatwave it’s worth holding off until things cool down, otherwise the new seedlings rarely survive.
4. What garden pests should I watch for in July?
Warm weather brings out the culprit’s greenfly, slugs, snails and caterpillars along with fungal issues like mildew and black spot-on roses. A quick look over your plants every few days lets you catch trouble early, when it’s far easier to keep under control.