July is the month to enjoy the planning and labours of the last few months and to reflect any ameliorations made this year, contemplate future improvements and answers dilemmas such as ‘Do sunflowers really follow the sun?’
However, there is always something in the garden that requires attention. Flowering annuals will benefit from regular deadheading, watering and a good feed to see them through into early autumn.
Generally, most Mediterranean plants such lavender, rosemary and thyme benefit from a hard prune once flowering has finished. 
Lavenders respond particularly well if pruned hard but don’t cut lower than where there are leaves. This prevents them from becoming woody and encourages strong new growth.
In the vegetable garden, the last sowings of carrots and beetroot should be made ideally before the end of the month and leek plants can be planted out to crop in late autumn and over the winter. Keep an eye out for cabbage white caterpillars or their small clusters of orange eggs on any sprouting cabbages.
Share Gardening provides garden maintenance and planting services for individuals and businesses, as well as plant sales all year round. To find out more or to get a quote, contact the gardening team on telephone 020 7924 2949 or email gardening@sharecommunity.org.uk.