Summer is a productive time for UK vegetable gardens and allotments, with plenty still to sow and plant between June and August. As early crops finish, the space they leave behind can be used for fresh vegetables, autumn harvests and crops that will grow through winter.
This guide covers what to plant each month, when to start preparing for autumn and how to keep your growing space productive.
Summer Planting at a Glance
Summer planting changes as the season progresses. Use this table as a quick overview, then check the monthly sections below for more detail.
| Month | Main Focus | Sow / Plant | Main Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | Establish summer crops | French beans, runner beans, carrots, beetroot, lettuce and radish | Plant out tender crops, fill early gaps and water new sowings |
| July | Start autumn crops | Turnips, spring cabbage, pak choi, Chinese cabbage and autumn salads | Clear harvested beds, plant out winter brassicas and sow follow-on crops |
| August | Prepare for autumn and winter | Turnips, oriental greens, chicory, autumn salads and overwintering onions | Prioritise quick crops, maintain moisture and establish overwintering vegetables |
Timing varies across the UK. Southern and sheltered gardens generally have longer sowing windows, while northern and exposed sites may need earlier sowing or additional protection. Always consider the variety, weather and remaining growing season.
What Can You Plant Right Now?
Not sure what you can sow this week? Check the free UK Vegetable Planting Calendar for crops suited to the current time of year and your region.
What to Sow and Plant in June UK
June is ideal for establishing summer vegetables and filling gaps left by early harvests. Warm soil allows many crops to germinate outdoors, while tender plants raised indoors can move into their final positions once conditions are suitable.
Sow into prepared, moist soil and water regularly until seedlings establish. Beans need sufficiently warm soil, while courgettes are best sown outdoors in early June, particularly in milder areas. Avoid sowing into dry seedbeds.
Plant out tender vegetables once frost risk has passed and nights are sufficiently warm. Harden off indoor-grown plants first, provide supports where needed and water thoroughly after planting. Plant sweetcorn in blocks rather than single rows to improve wind pollination.
Sow smaller batches every few weeks to spread out harvesting. Choose suitable summer varieties, keep the seedbed moist and provide light shade for heat-sensitive salads when necessary. Rocket and coriander may bolt quickly in hot, dry weather.
Wondering what’s ready to pick? See our What to Harvest in June UK guide for vegetables, fruit and herbs you can harvest this month.
What to Sow and Plant in July UK
July is an important month for replacing finished crops. Early potatoes, peas and spring salads often leave growing space that can be reused for autumn and winter vegetables. The key is choosing crops suited to the remaining growing season.
Sow suitable varieties into prepared soil for autumn harvesting. Oriental greens and Chinese cabbage often establish better as temperatures begin to ease, so avoid sowing during intense heat. Keep seedlings moist and protect brassicas from flea beetles and caterpillars.
Plant out established leeks and winter brassicas if not already done, allowing enough space for mature growth. Water thoroughly after transplanting and protect brassicas from pigeons and cabbage white butterflies. These crops should have been started earlier in the year.
Sow spring cabbage in a seedbed or modules for planting out later in summer. These plants establish before winter and produce their main harvest the following spring. Choose a suitable variety and allow enough time for plants to develop before temperatures fall.
Wondering what’s ready to pick? See our What to Harvest in July UK guide for vegetables and fruit producing this month.
What to Sow and Plant in August UK
August marks the transition towards autumn growing. Warm soil can still help seeds establish, but shortening days reduce the time available for crops to mature. Focus on quick-growing vegetables and varieties suited to cooler conditions.
Choose quick-maturing varieties and sow into moist soil for autumn harvesting. Radishes and salad leaves offer the quickest returns. Baby beetroot is best sown in early August, particularly in milder areas where enough growing time remains. Later sowings may need protection as temperatures fall.
Sow suitable autumn varieties for harvesting as the weather cools. Keep seedbeds moist and avoid sowing heat-sensitive crops during very hot spells. Some leafy vegetables can continue producing into winter with fleece, cloches or greenhouse protection.
Suitable overwintering onions can be sown from seed in August, particularly in milder areas. Early August sowings of spring cabbage can establish before winter, while hardy spinach is generally better sown towards late August or September as temperatures cool. Check the variety and local growing conditions.
Wondering what’s ready to pick? See our What to Harvest in August UK guide for vegetables, fruit and herbs at their summer peak.
Succession Planting for Steady Harvests
Summer is a useful time to replant beds after early vegetables finish. Rather than leaving growing space empty, sow smaller batches of suitable crops to keep fresh produce coming into autumn.
Best Crops for Succession Sowing
How to Keep Harvests Coming
Sow small batches every few weeks, adjusting the timing to the crop and growing conditions. Replace finished peas, early potatoes and salad crops with vegetables suited to the remaining season. As summer progresses, move towards autumn salads and hardy crops rather than starting more long-season vegetables.
Use the UK Planting Calendar to check suitable sowing windows, then plan follow-on crops with the free Allotment Planner.
Managing Summer Heat, Watering and Bolting
Warm weather encourages growth, but prolonged heat and dry soil can make summer sowing difficult. A few adjustments help seeds germinate and young plants establish.
Watering New Sowings
Newly sown seeds need consistently moist soil to germinate. Water the seedbed before sowing and check it regularly during dry weather.
Once plants establish deeper roots, water more thoroughly so moisture reaches below the surface rather than repeatedly wetting only the top layer.
Protecting Plants During Hot Weather
Mulch around established plants to reduce evaporation and keep soil conditions more stable. Temporary shade can help protect young transplants and leafy vegetables during severe heat.
Water newly planted vegetables thoroughly and avoid disturbing their roots during hot, dry spells.
Preventing Premature Bolting
Lettuce, spinach, rocket and coriander can flower prematurely, known as bolting, especially when stressed by heat or dry soil. This can leave crops bitter or reduce their useful harvesting period.
Choose suitable summer varieties, keep soil moisture consistent and consider delaying heat-sensitive sowings until cooler weather arrives. Harvest salad leaves while young.
FAQs: Summer Vegetable Planting UK
June is suitable for sowing French beans, runner beans, carrots, beetroot and radishes. Courgettes and squash can also be sown early in the month where conditions are warm enough. Tender plants raised indoors can be planted out once frost risk has passed.
No. July is a useful month for sowing turnips, Chinese cabbage, pak choi, chicory and autumn salads. Established leeks and winter brassicas can also be planted out. Late bean sowings may succeed in southern England, although the remaining harvesting window is shorter.
August sowing options include turnips, radishes, mizuna, mustard greens, suitable autumn salads and spring cabbage. Overwintering onions can also be started from seed in milder areas. Choose varieties suited to late sowing and consider how much growing time remains.
Radishes and many salad leaves are among the quickest vegetables to harvest, sometimes producing usable crops within a few weeks. Baby turnips and suitable fast-growing leafy vegetables are also useful. Actual maturity depends on the variety, soil moisture and temperature.
Yes. Hardy salad greens, overwintering onions and spring cabbage can be started in summer for later cropping, although spring cabbage is generally harvested the following spring. Other winter vegetables, including leeks and Brussels sprouts, usually need to be started earlier and planted out during summer.
