Gardening in July –

The Heart of Winter

July might be chilly, but it’s no time for the green thumbs of New Zealand to go into hibernation!

While the days are shorter and the ground might be a bit frosty, there’s still plenty happening in the garden if you know where to look (and dig).

Whether you’re harvesting hardy winter crops, prepping for spring, or brightening things up with some brave blooms, July gardening is all about patience, planning, and a splash of playfulness.

🌿 Think you’re a backyard genius or just winging it with your watering can?
Click the button below to take our Super Duper July Quiz — it’s like a compost heap for your brain, but without the smell!

Jump ahead to your Favorite section

Vegetables

🥕 Vegetable Gardening in July

✅ What Vegetables Can You Plant in July?

Even though it’s cold, some vegetables love the cool weather. Now’s a great time to sow or plant:

  • Broad beans

  • Garlic

  • Shallots

  • Peas

  • Spinach & silverbeet

  • Onions

👉 Boost early growth and support cold-stressed soil by applying DCT Garden when planting — it’ll help young roots get off to a stronger start and support overall soil vitality through winter.

🧺 What Vegetables Are Ready to Harvest?

Harvest your hard-working winter champions:

  • Brussels sprouts

  • Broccoli

  • Cabbage & kale

  • Carrots

  • Leeks & parsnips

After harvesting, give your soil a little love with DCT Lazerhume to replenish and prepare it for the next round of planting. A healthy garden starts with healthy soil, even in winter.

🌿 Great Tips for Gardening in July

  • Start planning spring – dream big!

  • Use cloches or cold frames for warmth.

  • Feed your soil – July is perfect for a mid-winter DCT Lazerhume application to enrich soil biology.

  • Mulch up – keep roots snug and weeds down.

  • Tool time – sharpen, oil, and sort.

⚠️ What to Look Out for in July

  • Frost damage – cover what you can.

  • Slugs and snails – especially in vege beds.

  • Water woes – soggy roots are sad roots. Water only when needed.

Flowers

🌸 Flower Gardening in July

🌼 A Mid-Winter Floral Moment

With the right choices, your garden doesn’t have to sleep through winter. From winter blooms to prepping for spring explosions, July offers lots of quiet opportunities in the flower garden.

🌱 Flowers to Plant in July

  • Sweet peas

  • Poppies

  • Calendula

  • Primulas and polyanthus

  • Delphiniums & foxgloves

  • Bare-root roses

    🌼 For a floral head start, apply DCT Garden when planting — it helps roots establish faster and supports overall plant health through the cold season.

🌷 Great Tips for Flower Gardening in July

  • Deadhead spent blooms to tidy up.

  • Divide and conquer – great time to split perennials.

  • Pot up with colour – winter flowers near the door lift spirits.

  • Apply DCT Garden around established winter bloomers to keep them looking lush and perky despite the cold.

🌷 Great Tips for Flower Gardening in July

  • Deadhead spent blooms to tidy up.

  • Divide and conquer – great time to split perennials.

  • Pot up with colour – winter flowers near the door lift spirits.

  • Apply DCT Garden around established winter bloomers to keep them looking lush and perky despite the cold.

⚠️ Flower Gardening Precautions

  • Avoid boggy soil – ensure containers and garden beds drain well.

  • Shield tender plants with covers or fleece if frost is on the way.

  • Wait to prune until risk of frost has passed, especially for roses.

🌼 What to Look Out for in the Flower Garden

  • Bulbs rising – daffodil and tulip tips popping up.

  • Winter weeds – they sneak in slowly.

  • Black spot and mildew – tidy fallen leaves and space plants for airflow.

Lawns

🌿 Lawn Guide for July

🌾 Lawn Care Tips

  • Mow gently – only if the grass is growing.

  • Rake up leaves to let light in.

  • Aerate compacted patches with a fork. (Lazerhume works well in the soil to break up compaction and allow the natural aeration)

  • Apply DCT Lawn – even in winter, this can help maintain colour, strengthen root health, and support your lawn’s resilience heading into spring.

⚠️ Common Lawn Problems in Winter

  • Mossy patches – usually from poor drainage or compaction.

  • Bare spots – reseed later, but mark them now.

  • Patchy colour – a mid-winter dose of DCT Lawn can help even things out.

🎉 Fun Lawn Activities in July

  • Lawn scavenger hunts – hunt for textures, seeds, or critters.

  • Design your dream lawn – sketch out edges, features or shapes.

  • Bird spotting – throw out some wild bird seed and enjoy the visitors

🧪 Bonus: Weed Control Boost

If you’re gearing up for some winter weed warfare, supercharge your spray with DCT Weed Spray Enhance. It gives your mix a serious upgrade — think of it like adding a secret weapon to your garden utility belt.

But here’s the kicker: while it helps knock back the pesky weeds, it also shows some love to your soil and the tiny underground ecosystem that calls it home. You get results without waging war on nature.

🦔 Think of it as the weed-slaying sidekick that doesn’t scare off the hedgehogs or upset the worm workforce. Your backyard bees and beneficial bugs will thank you — possibly with tiny air high-fives.

So go ahead: blast those weeds, save the soil, and keep the biodiversity party rolling.

Recipe

🥣 Winter Garden Veggie & Herb Soup with Cheesy Herb Dumplings

“Hugs in a bowl” for July days

This rustic, soul-warming soup celebrates what’s in season — think leeks, carrots, parsnips, kale, and Brussels sprouts — and wraps it all up with fluffy dumplings that soak up every drop.

🌾 Ingredients

For the Soup:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 leeks, sliced

  • 2 carrots, chopped

  • 1 parsnip, chopped

  • 1 cup shredded kale or silverbeet

  • 6–8 Brussels sprouts, halved

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

  • 1 litre vegetable stock (or chicken stock if you prefer)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Optional: A splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream at the end for extra luxury

For the Cheesy Herb Dumplings:

  • 1 cup self-raising flour

  • 50g grated cheddar (or your favourite melty cheese)

  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley or thyme

  • 50g cold butter, cubed

  • 5–6 tbsp milk

🥕 Method

  1. Start the Soup:
    In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic, sauté until soft and fragrant (about 3 minutes).

  2. Add the Veggies:
    Toss in carrots, parsnip, Brussels sprouts, and thyme. Stir for a few minutes, then pour in the stock. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until veggies are soft.

  3. Meanwhile, Make the Dumplings:
    In a bowl, rub the cold butter into the flour with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in cheese and herbs. Add milk gradually, mixing until you get a soft dough. Form into small balls (golf ball size is good).

  4. Drop in the Dumplings:
    Carefully place the dumplings on top of the simmering soup. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for another 15 minutes — don’t peek! This steams the dumplings until they’re puffed and perfect.

  5. Final Touch:
    Stir in the kale or silverbeet in the last 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. If you're feeling fancy, finish with a swirl of cream

🧤 To Serve

Ladle into big bowls, top with fresh herbs, and serve with buttered toast or crusty bread. Great for cold nights, rainy weekends, or when you need something wholesome after a day in the garden.

🐑 Bonus Twist

Toss in some leftover roast lamb or shredded chicken if you want a meaty version — but honestly, this dish doesn’t need it!