Allotment jobs for July

The weather in July can be fickle. If there's a drought, you'll need to prioritise which crops to water, and if it's damp, you'll need to watch out for tomato blight.

• What to plant in July

Here are some jobs you can be getting on with on the allotment in July.

Harvest crops

First early and second early potatoes should be ready to dig up this month – they don't store well, so enjoy them straightaway. Globe artichokes and climbing beans will be ready to pick this month. Harvest garlic and onions when their tops have gone yellow and leave them to ripen in a dry, sunny spot. Strawberries and raspberries can be enjoyed this month, too - if birds are a problem, cover them with netting.

• Need inspiration to find the perfect trug, colander or basket? See our buyers guide

Sow crops

Now is the time to sow veg to harvest during the winter months, including kale, winter cabbage, spinach and radicchio. It's a good time to sow carrots to avoid carrot fly, as well as continuing with radishes, beetroot, lettuce and runner beans. If you fancy growing potatoes for Christmas, now is the time to plant some - buy seasonal spuds from Suttons.

• Buy a selection of vegetables that you can sow now and harvest over the autumn and winter from Suttons

Watch out for blight

In warm, damp weather, watch out for potato blight - in particular, dark edges on the leaves. Tomatoes grown outside are also susceptible to tomato blight.

Pinch out tomatoes

Pinch out the sideshoots of cordon tomatoes - this will encourage the plants to put their energies into producing flowers, and therefore fruits. Remove the growing tip once four flower trusses have formed.

Water

In very hot weather, it pays to prioritise certain plants. Water flowering and fruiting tomatoes and cucumbers every day or two. Be generous with water on leafy crops such as lettuce, rocket, chard, coriander and spinach, which are prone to bolting if they dry out. Water strawberries, courgettes and runner beans frequently, along with veg that prefers cool conditions, such as cauliflower and cabbage. Also prioritise crops growing in pots.

Looking for a hose? We've tested the best hose reels and spray guns, or perhaps a watering can is what you need? Pick your favourite from our round-up. If you have space, why not install a water butt, too? We've picked the latest styles in our buyers guide.