In the vegetable garden at the end of June, there is a real moment of what shall I do next? Some of the early and leafy vegetable harvests have finished, garlic has been dug up and it’s time to clear the plants. But what do I plant next?

End of June to July is the perfect month to think about your options for what to sow next and even pivot to a new way of thinking.

Here’s the Raised Bed I need to clear

Shallots – The Shallots leaves are lying flat and going brown which is the sign to harvest by digging them up and drying in the sun.

The elephant garlic down the centre of the bed has yellowing leaves, so is also ready to dig up, as is the normal garlic down the side of the bed.

The cauliflower didn’t do very well with the early heat and went to seed as it was too hot.

The summer cabbage has been uncovered since March but the cabbage white butterflies are ever increasing in numbers so I’ve decided to harvest it now.

The question is What do I Sow or Plant Next?

Here are a few options I consider at this type of crossroads in thoughts.

1. Is there anything I didn’t get round to sowing this year that I wanted to grow? For me I didn’t have time to sow sweetcorn but we absolutely love it here, so there is the option the buy plug plants to plant straight in the bed after adding more compost.
2. Do I want to start sowing autumn and winter vegetables? It’s always worth sowing the staples vegetables like autumn carrots, beetroot, Chard, winter lettuce, spinach and a last crop of peas.
3. Do you want to grow Brassica’s for cabbage, kale, swede, cauliflower throughout autumn and winter? In July, you can sow Calabrese until Late July to kick start a raised bed that needs to be netted all winter. Then theres spring cabbage, winter cabbage (sow until end July), cauliflower, kale to enjoy in the depths of winter.
4. Do you want to grow more onions and garlic? If so leave some room for autumn planting onions and garlic, to plant in September to Mid December.
5. Do you want to try growing something different? Try colourful winter radish, chicory and sow colourful chard with them for a rainbow winter vegetable bed.

What’s Next to Grow – The Options

My other raised bed is also due to be cleared End July.

I am waiting for the onions leaves to lay flat and go brown which may be up to a month yet at the end of July. Carrots are being harvested and beetroot may have to stay in a while because there were sowed in May.

What am I going to plant next?

Raised Bed 1 – Sweetcorn and Squash plug plants.

Raised Bed 2 – Brassica’s – Kale, spring cabbage, cauliflower. (Netted).

Where do I buy my plants from?

I have always buy my plug plants from Rocket Gardens. Subscribe to their newsletter for plant discounts at the end of each season.

Steps to do before Planting

1. Remove all plant material including dead leaves & weeds,

2. Prepare Raised Beds for Planting with compost,

3. Layout your plants, sit them on the soil if in pots to check the spacing on raised beds.

4. Dig a hole, water the bottom of it, plant your plug plants., fill the hole with compost and water well.

5. If planting brassica plants, buy some hoops and netting. See my guide to netting here.

6. Check on your seedlings for signs of wilting, they may need water or are feeling the heat. If they look a little sad, check after a few days and they should have perked up and settled into their new soil. They might have had transplant shock.

Transplant Shock

Read More

How to sow Autumn & Winter vegetables.

Challenge Brassica – The best time to grow Brassicas is Winter

Growing Vegetables in Winter Series

Join The Grow Veg Club