July — Zone 5a Garden Journal

To do now

• Sow a fall crop of greens and root vegetables now for a cool-weather harvest.
• Water deeply in the morning rather than little-and-often, and mulch to keep roots cool.
• Harvest often — picking beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and herbs keeps them producing.
• Check leaf undersides for aphids and other pests; treat early with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Succession-sow quick crops like lettuce, radishes, and bush beans for a steady supply.