July the busiest month, keep up with growth!

A major month for everything in the garden! Harvests keep you busy and they result in empty spaces.
Soil does not need a rest, so it’s good to keep resowing and replanting. There are many possibilities.
Don’t worry about four year rotation unless your soil is depleted and has soil diseases like clubroot.
Make loads of compost!
Link to my page on Crocus tidd.ly/4489yyu
Harvest second early potatoes, and onions probably later in the month
If it rains a few times there are chances of late bight.
SOW in temperate climates:
1 In the first week sow dwarf beans, beetroot and carrots (direct only).
2 Until mid month sow chicory for radicchio.
3 At any time sow salad onions, chard, lettuce and endive.
4 After mid month sow Florence fennel, coriander, chervil and Chinese cabbage.
Wait until August for spinach and salad rocket.
Transplant leeks, brassicas, salads.
Pest protection against caterpillars, I use mesh for smaller plants and Bacillus thuringiensis when they are larger. In the UK, it's called "Box hedge caterpillar killer".
My three online courses:
No Dig Gardening: www.charlesdowding.co.uk/cour...
Skills for Growing: www.charlesdowding.co.uk/cour...
From Seed to Harvest: www.charlesdowding.co.uk/cour...
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Second plantings
01:05 Ridge cucumber and multisown beetroot
01:20 Carrots
01:51 Onions, downy mildew - early harvest
02:51 Kale, and when to water
03:20 Potatoes - Casablanca variety, grass as mulch
04:46 Multisown leeks
05:12 Lettuce - young transplants
05:27 Celery - lots of water needed
05:46 French bean, planted today
06:31 Garlic harvest, and rust
07:25 Compost - making, the temperature of heaps, stage of decomposition, rain, smaller compost bins
10:54 Interplanting - Brussels with carrots
12:31 Mesh cover
13:03 Compost bay pallet system
14:30 Multisown beetroot from early planting
15:22 Early July sowings - Savoy cabbage, broccoli
15:54 Pests, be wary
16:15 Lettuce under Thermacrop, and bindweed - how to remove
16:42 Protection against rabbits, and foxes
17:09 Removing covers, and the benefits of mesh
17:35 Bird netting, against rabbits and deer
18:04 Polytunnel plants - tomatoes, problems with growth, and deleafing
19:55 Melons looking stronger, need pruning
20:41 Cucumber plants - problems with leaves, slow to fruit
21:51 Melons in the greenhouse - good growth, and tomatoes - not so good
22:39 Propagation - a lot! - some ideas
23:42 Potting on
24:26 Four-year rotation, not necessary
24:38 Outro
My new compost book:
Signed copies available from my website: www.charlesdowding.co.uk/prod...
And direct from publisher DK: geni.us/Compost
Filmed Homeacres 25th June by Edward Dowding.
Music by Rory Dinwoodie, IG: rorydinwoodiemusic
You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members:
/ @charlesdowding1nodig
#nodig #july #nodiggardening #growyourownfood #growyourownveggies

[@justtus]

Please keep showing us the fails along with the successes, almost every failure with the tomatos, cucumbers etc you've had are exactly the same issues I've had, I think it's best we share the fails so we don't beat ourselves up not knowing the other factors/variables effecting everyone too

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Is true!

[@funkytrunkfashion]

I agree! Sometimes I literally have to stop watching gardening videos bc they mess with my mental health bc I feel like I do everything wrong in the garden

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

I've been in hospital for some time so my garden has been quite neglected. A new Charles Dowding video is just what I need to get me back in the garden :) 🙏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@GoingGreenMom]

You've got this. I just hit the 2 month timeline on a broken foot, and should be decently healed although I have a few things in the foot that keep dislocating. It is my first full day without one of the kids being here, and I am hoping to get out and mow a bit. Will be 5 or 10 minutes at a time, but it will be outside and needs done.

[@scotthodge8690]

​@@CharlesDowding1nodig my garlic had a bad spell of rust! And it seems to have spread to my leeks/seedlings, should I just rip em all out? You advice is very much needed and not in the books I've read or throw away crops or keep crops and wait for full maturity?? Please help before I make the wrong move 😅😅

[@aname5267]

Do you ever grow in containers Charles? Carrots are the only things I grow in an old baby bath because I can raise them up from slugs and carrot flies. I appreciate you’d need very big containers!

[@user-pr9vk3fy1k]

I do hope You are Ok now. I am a fan of our DEAREST Sir Charles DOWDING and I want to encourage you to make you feel happy. We HAVE our DEAREST Sir Charles DOWDING in our hands when you have Wifi on. So You do not need an other person to go in your garden. Take your time whilst sitting in your chair with a good big writing cahier and some multycolours pencils. Write down what you want to do. Draw lines everywhere and take a Good look at your place, what you want to change. Number it. And one day you will begin. But begin always with number one : by making yourself a great veggy and egg dish with a good big cup of Thea. I wish you ALLLLL the strength you need. And number two: always put Your Channel on Our Precious DEAREST Sir CHARLES DOWDING. Listen to him. Indulge in his very soft advice. The softer he Speaks, the Greater the secret is he revealed!!!! Ok. Iam going now. Ps, my name is Saminem 🌺 and Its a pleasure to play like i know how to do the things better. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🌹🌹🌻🌻🐕🐕🐕🐓🐓💎💎💎💎🦆🦆🦆💎💎🥳🥳🥳🌺🌺💯🫕🫕Our HOLY HEAVENLY FATHERGOD JAHWEH BLESS YOU FOREVER 🌹

[@millmallory]

I’m here from Roots and Refuge! Thank you to Jess for suggesting your channel, and thank you to you for sharing!

[@heathershaffer6148]

You and Charles are my favorite youtube gardeners! It was fun to see you meeting each other at the gardening in the midwest thingy.

[@pepperpath]

I’ve been gardening for over 50 years (north America) and was a bit discouraged with weather etc. This was a great pep talk! 🙏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad it helped Leslie 🙂

[@rosee941]

Oooh.... it's a brave gardener who leaves their garden mid summer!!! I can hear those slugs yelling 'bon voyage' and gathering their picnic rugs... 😅

[@maddokmike5760]

He needs some duck buddies for minty, to run slug hunting duty

[@rukniharees6055]

Don't worry, if the july is dry you will nit have slugs.

[@simeonbanner6204]

It all looks great as always. I'm putting in about 4.5 or more hours a day on the allotment. A guy who hardly turns up, family work, says "I wish mine looked like yours". I think people underestimate the effort needed, radically underestimate, even with no dig. It's a lifestyle choice at the end of the day I think. I use it for fitness, growing my own etc.

[@captaintreepig993]

I'm disabled and often struggle to get out and work but my carers and I still manage to grow. It's not always perfect but I'm so grateful for everything I'm able to do. Charles is a wonderful fount of knowledge and understanding. It's so heartening to understand that even such an expert doesn't always get it 100% right.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your perceptive comment! Yes, even with no dig it needs a commitment of time, which feels so worthwhile when the harvests come in. And when your plot looks lovely!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is heartening and thank you for sharing

[@CG-fy9jz]

Looks like you're having a hard time this year just like the rest of us. Thanks Charles for being an inspiration. X

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are welcome 🌱

[@goldenfd475]

I have an allotment in the Welsh valleys but no greenhouse although I have a small plastic one next to my bungalow. This week is the first consistent warm one we have had and although I have managed eventually to get my seeds to germinate once i get them in the ground they go nowhere. Hopefully now the weather has warmed up they will get growing but I have been growing for over 50yrs and this is the oddest growing year I can remember.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's a neat summary and I so hope that your late sowings will make it

[@johncutler1779]

Thank you Charles . I won best plot again this year thanks a large part to your methods. I work full time so the time saved in weeding and digging has contributed to my plot . I have a small problem in that in drier weather the ground opens up wide cracks which tend to harbour slugs. Mainly the potatoes are affected if not harvested promptly. I use a lot of green waste compost on top of farm manure.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Congratulations John, that's a fantastic accolade. I'm delighted that my methods are helping and your compost combination sounds really good. Interesting about those soil cracks!

[@smas3256]

Keep praying for what you need. We've been fortunate. Zone 6b. We had two tornado watches plus a fast moving storm went through our state. We and garden Tomatoes and 11 different kinds of veggie and herbs. are all good. .... Planted from seeds under lights and cared for mostly by my hubby. ... I thinned carrots yesterday. It took me three tries at planting them this spring. I also planted Sorrel for the first time after watching you and yours. Really good. Thank you Charles. Enjoy your visit to the states. Safe travels.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's a good tip, and I'm so happy you miss the storms

[@suepowlesland8541]

I love that the tomatoes got a "Sorry guys"😁 I thought I was the only one who apologized to my neglected plants!

[@juliehartley3652]

I talk to my plants too. 🙂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@johnbutterworth89]

😂

[@chezelleconroy2951]

Just wonderful as always, Charles! Here in Australia it’s so refreshing to see a full summer garden when our world is cold and grey. Thank you! Keep ‘em coming!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it Chezelle 🙂

[@gafairbanks2434]

Here & subscribed from Jess @Roots & Refuge ! You so remind me of my beautiful grandmother who, with patience & and love, taught me all I know and use to this day in the garden. Nature is by bestest friend in life. Giggle alot when rabbits, birds, and my peacocks take their share of newly sprouted plants, so must plant extra for them to appreciate also. I have named my garden " GUARDIANS GARDEN " in dedication to all those who have shared their teachings with me and the precious time I spend daily out there is my share back and with thoughtful memories of them all. Your Homestead is gorgeous! I realize that Mother Earth is taking back what's hers, so we all have to find resources to work with her. With patience, may we all learn to work together.

[@patjoyce7247]

Thank you Charles for still generously sharing your experience and knowledge. I appreciate you are a very busy man with your finger in many pies and you surely must have an ever expanding business, but you still put out these great vids, packed with down to earth tips. Thank you and please keep doing it Best regards Pat

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for your kind words Pat, and it is my pleasure 🌱

[@JohnSmith-pu4jg]

The carrot situation is ridiculous, I've sown 9,000 seed in batches of 3,000, starting at the end of march and I've got no carrots 😭 Nematodes deployed, night time murder sprees, upside down pots and beer traps for collecting them, the slugs just keep pouring into my garden! They have even started nibbling my ONIONS after they ate all my carrot seedlings, I've never seen anything like it.

[@Grow-all-year]

Check out @gardenlikeaviking ultimate slug solution video

[@amandar7719]

I’ve got one huuuge yellow slug that sleeps under the lid of one of my water butts. Every morning I give him a flying lesson into a distant hedgerow. Not sure what he eats at night but he’s back under that lid every morning. 😁

[@JohnSmith-pu4jg]

@@amandar7719 hahaha sounds like he needs a nice relaxing salt bath!

[@amandar7719]

@@JohnSmith-pu4jg I need a bigger bath!! 😆

[@BK-uz1lx]

When you grow food and deal with all the elements then you wonder what all those perfect vegetables at grocery stores are..😢

[@craigdawson7632]

People need to remember to hit the like button 1,447 views, 179 likes. It's free and really helps with the reach on you tube

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚 👍

[@tinad6812]

I think KZbin suppresses the likes.

[@jaspercaelan4998]

I got one of those compost thermometers recently. It's interesting to stick it in different areas and depths and see what's going on. Mine is up to around 55~60C but that's mostly in the upper area where there's more greens. The lower area is cooler.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😊 great

[@amandar7719]

Whatever your issues you highlight, which is of such great and much appreciated benefit to your viewers, your garden always looks beautiful and healthy. 😍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for your kind words Amanda 😍

[@sharongarrett4356]

Truly. I watch the 1st time to hear the advice, then a 2nd time just to enjoy the beauty.

[@amandar7719]

@@sharongarrett4356 same!!! 😄 And I often rewatch past videos on specific topics.

[@catwoman7462]

I've got a dalek composter and it breaks everything down beautifully, but it doesn't get hot enough to kill seeds, so I get hundreds of tomatoes germinating!

[@patriciagonzalo3607]

How wonderful your vegetable garden Charles ! I remember when I was a child and helping my paternal grandfather make garlic braids ( Ristra de ajos ) .

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Beautiful memories for you Patricia 💚

[@Johnv950]

Would you be able to show how you create your row covers? What you use for support, how deep the support goes into the ground, how tall to make them above ground, etc. What has worked well and what has not? I’ve seen where the supports cross diagonally on top of the cover in addition to direct across under cover in order to provide more stability. I would love to see how you make yours ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A good thought thanks and I shall see what we can do

[@lavamindia]

Actually really appreciate you show the bad ones too, my tomatoes and cucumbers are also far behind and that made me feel less bad about it

[@CG-fy9jz]

I think I've chose the worst year to try these. My sprouts are looking magnificent though x

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@eternalsphereoflight9004]

That corn gives me hope. Mine was completely eradicated. I will now try to precultivate it and see of anything survives. The tomatoes go well without anything, but thats likely because the slugs don't harm established plants. In the meanwhile any young zucchini I try to put outside disappears over night.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Challenging! Keep going as you are

[@cherylbootsveld1620]

Thanks to Jess from R&R I now started enjoying your videos. 👍👍👍🇨🇦

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to have you here Cheryl, welcome

[@travisgraal6437]

The downs and ups of gardening Nailed it, hope you have a great holiday abroad. Minty the master huntress, garden guardian, made me smile ❤ you left the place in purrrrrrrfect paws

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 lovely!

[@captaintreepig993]

Thank you for such an encouraging video Charles. I was recently registered disabled and gardening, especially your videos, has truly helped me come to terms with my diagnosis. No dig gardening is something that can be forgiving when you dont always have it in you. It really helped me to learn to pace myself and not do so much that i suffered a horrible flare up. I really believe that if more people in my position took up gardening they might benefit from it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well done you for finding this positive and I'm so pleased that no dig is helping you

[@KK-FL]

I’ve never heard anyone call powdery mildew “bright & cheerful” 😂😂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 comparatively!

[@sharongarrett4356]

Such a positive outlook!

[@maudschoenaker5109]

How interesting to see it all with your difficult growing season. And just love the saying: grow more than you think you need. I will remember that for our spring & summer, thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you found it helpful Maud 🙂

[@onamactavish9352]

Considering the chaotic weather, cold temperatures and lack of summer light your plants look healthy. The warmth loving plants i put out a couple of weeks ago and i feel sad looking at them, they need heat and bright sunshine. Ive also noticed a lack of flowers on my tomatoes and had to cut down 2nd early potatoes which got dreaded blight. Oh the joys of it all. Ive also noticed the poor bees are having a challenging time with the weather im not seeing many compared to previous years. Enjoy the successes and put down the failures to the weather, theres always next year😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear this Iona. You can still plant some kale and leeks, and I hope you have harvest in autumn and winter

[@onamactavish9352]

@CharlesDowding1nodig yes I've got plenty to put out, followed your advice on sowing plenty variety. Brussels sprouts put in a few days ago and space for winter crops, it's not all bad. Thanks Charles for all these valuable videos, they really help keep us focused.

[@HoneyLodge1]

Wow I wish my melons were as far on as yours Charles. I was late getting them away though, probably was late April early May but they are about a metre high with 2 small fruit on. 1st time grower of them so quite excited to have any in all fairness. Cucumbers also a bit behind but I think thats because we were so cold so late into June. Great to see your garden though and have a lovely time across the pond ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I hope they grow fast now! And thanks, it's good over here

[@lauramarfil8887]

Hola Charles! Aqui.en Argentina comenzamos el invierno y, ayer coseché un ají. Mi huerta está en un espacio con reparo pero el clima está raro y un día está muy templado y al otro tenemos temperaturas bajo cero. Me encanta su forma de plantar y de no siempre seguir las reglas de lo que se supone se debería hacer. La experiencia vale mucho. Saludos desde🇦🇷

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hola Laura Es un placer saber de usted y gracias por compartir esto sobre el clima. ¡Todo se está poniendo extraño y espero que disfrutes no seguirnos a todos!

[@midwestribeye7820]

Listening to you as I head to Murrayfest to hear you speak!

[@SuperWiiGuru]

Same!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear 🙂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@naomi2646]

Wish I was yoo

[@sharongarrett4356]

NICE!!

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

Thanks for sharing the lows as well as the highs. Gardening is as heartbreaking as it is joyful. Gratefully with no dig it's no longer backbreaking😊. Safe travels.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome!

[@MissouriCrookedBarnHomestead]

I very much wish I had known you were in Iowa, Charles! We moved from Cheyenne WY to northern Missouri a couple of months ago. I was Cheyenne Wyoming Urban Gardener before and now we're on 7 acres in Missouri. It would have been amazing to have met you in person, though I am sure you were inundated, likely overwhelmed with folks. Still, I'm sad that I did not know about this. I was so busy with gardening and establishing our new homestead. Everything is looking beautiful. My Tango celery is catching up to the size of yours.

[@1isaM111er]

Thank you for coming to America! What a treat!

[@brians1001]

Loads of tips. I loved this. You dropped little hints here and there about multi-sowing and planting follow on crops. My weakness, thinking ahead about what needs to get started for next plantings. What's getting planted now is great. Please more about looking ahead and timing future next plantings to think about. Timings. Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

These are good points and thank you. I would check out this video which outlines the whole year of sowings, month by month kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3nXc4Ccl6-SpLs

[@itusmedia4830]

I wonder if @Charles Dowding do gardening course? I am aware he has a book but a practical no dig course? Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You can find online courses and courses I do at Homeacres and events on these pages www.charlesdowding.co.uk/education/online-courses and www.charlesdowding.co.uk/events

[@nickhammersonrocks]

WE LOVE WHEN SIR CHARLES PROBES INTO A COMPOST BIN !!!!! THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF OUR NECK STANDS STRAIGHT UP WITH ANTICIPATION AS TO WHAT AMAZING WORLDS WILL BE UNEARTHED !!!!!! 🪱🌏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😅

[@stevendowden2579]

enjoyable video charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you enjoyed it Steven 🙂

[@naomi2646]

Thank you for the Texas tip. It's 106 today. Tomatoes are quiting.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh no!!

[@SadieCM]

What! Charles Dowding was in the USA and I missed it!!!! Please come back for a USA "tour" sometime soon!

[@Neenerella333]

Also, I told you I used that old white fitted sheet for frost protection on my pvc hoops, but Ive kept it over my broccoli, lettuce and chard for midday shade and it also reduced the number of white moth caterpillars!!

[@beatrizsilvia3888]

Charles siempre aprendo cosas nuevas,me encantan tus videos tu invernadero es hermoso🎉

[@radarlove462]

I finally got some of the trays - 16s and 8s - LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Enjoy your trip to the 🇺🇸 and thank you for doing you sir 💕 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you like them and thank you 🙂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much!

[@kristinbaker8495]

Hello. Your videos were recommended by Jess on Roots and Refugee. I looked forward to watching and learning more from you.

[@chompers11]

The year it started being really hard to grow food everywhere 😅

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Charles! It is a sign of a good teacher when they can answer your questions. I always have a mountain of questions in my mind and with every video, that mountain is depleted. Take care my learned friend!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely, thanks Craig. I hope your winter is warming, in fact, it's still warmer than July here!

[@LePensky77]

One of the things I love about this channel is the honesty. Knowing that the weather has contributed to even Charles' tomatoes hesitating to grow, is very reassuring. I have had a very poor season so far, and while it can be disheartening to see so little gain for a lot of effort, I will hopefully grow (unlike my onions!) from the experience and do better next year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I appreciate that! And hope springs eternal :)

[@maidamasoud776]

Finally a new video 🎉🎉. I've been rewatching the old videos all week 😂. Thank you sir 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hope you enjoyed it! I have been very committed elsewhere :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Enjoy 🙌

[@Pat6648]

Picture perfect, Charles. Love all the new fruit trees.

[@Gybe1132]

I blame the freezing cold April particularly brutal in Northumberland for all my woes. I think the roots on so many of my plants were hammered and it’s reflected in the leaves

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That sounds bad!

[@juliehartley3652]

Thank you Charles for another great video. Your melons look better than mine but this is my first year of growing them and I live up north so on balance it's not too bad, I'll see how they do.

[@Neenerella333]

This is my first attempt at leeks. I did start some indoors and some direct sown in April. The direct sown did WAY better. I'm 7a, 6900 feet. I'm going to start direct sowing everything but tomatoes and eggplant(aubergine), like I used to in my old low desert 10. The cold of April doesn't seem to do any harm to the greens, roots and bulbs. But the heat and dryness of Northern New Mexico of the later months really take a toll on them. I'm going to overwinter the Solanums this year too. Because they are just too small to put in by mid May.

[@tinad6812]

Thank you for the tips. Your garden looks abundant and beautiful 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you and you are welcome Tina

[@laurieinjapan]

I just got my own allotment a week ago and I'm excited to get started! It's the rainy season here. Very warm and very wet. I cut down all the weeds and stacked them up. My first challenge is compost!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Exciting! Great to hear Laurie 🌱

[@lew381]

Great to watch especially for the composting I think I enjoy this part the best weirdly... I think its twofold because you know homemade is better than ANY bought and its very satisfying when it gets really hot!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear and I think it's not weird at all! I hope your compost goes well

[@paulnjackson]

Thank you Charles. These timely tours with tips and suggestions are extraordinarily useful. This one prompted me to harvest my garlic, and it was just about OK - much better than last year's miserable walnut-sized crop (terrible rust completely obliterating green leaf). This year I did things differently - planted on 6 March to try and minimise time outside, and doubled the spacings. One or both of those helped. I'm in SW France and have no inside growing space. The garlic is Rose de Lautrec (hardneck), and I was not on top of removing the scapes. Will try a February planting next year. Charlotte potatoes gathered in too - best yield yet: they must have liked the cool wet Spring.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I used to grow that lovely garlic when we lived in France and I'm glad that you are working things out

[@nicolasykes6637]

I had work done in my garden to help with the drainage and wasn’t able to get planting, so this year everything has gone in late and because of the slugs, I’ve lost all my lettuces, so my plan is to go over my bed and then plant again, as I’ve figured all being well I should be able to grow something. My tomatoes and cucumbers have only just started to germinate, and in the end I had to buy 2 tomato plants. Carrots are doing well but I’ve planted them in big container. This year I’ve also planted runner beans, peas, board beans, parsnips, swede, winter cabbage and broccoli and all doing well.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This sounds promising Nicholas, despite everything!

[@sharongarrett4356]

Hope you have a safe trip & a nice time in the US, Charles!

[@maddokmike5760]

great video. I've had this same problem with my garlic, where the outer skin splits. I've notices that birds digging for worms around my garlic can cause them damage. Your tip of peeling before drying was amazing. Much cleaner and quicker to get them kitchen ready

[@dennisscribner9949]

Place looks amazing Charles. We are supposed to hit 117 degrees F in a few days here, northern California..

[@mattbaker1683]

Fantastic thanks Charles. You need to do some black garlic in those hot compost beds, just needs a good thick jar and some good garlic

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and I tried it once but did not use the jar, and that was not a success! I shall have another go.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great idea thanks

[@sunroom7]

Love your honesty in gardening. Here in Southern Ireland very slow in Pollytunnel. 7 degrees most mornings....also we get 20 degree swings in temperature in a day. And lots of heavy grey clouds....some days our skies are criss crossed with geoengineering chemtrails. Hard on plants and creatures.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This sounds incredibly difficult for growing. Thanks for sharing, I hope it improves. You have more trails than here, I wonder why

[@Bfamreef]

Always nice to see your cat join you in the garden. Seems to make it in all the videos now.😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I know, she is quite the companion

[@ValeriaVincentSancisi]

Great ! For the first time thanks to all your great tips, I am managing to harvest still in my community garden plot some broccoli florets, parsley and pinch some basil, enjoy the marigolds and gobs of curly kale while waiting for the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zinnias and one vertical zucchini to fruit.. I am just planting my beans (romano) as the sweet peas were just too gorgeous! I am worried though that our Indian summer keeps the warm weather plants going well into Fall that it is hard to put in the cool weather plants in soon enough( space challenges!) .. especially how much room the tomatoes take and they do take eventually 75% of the plot.. last year I put leeks under the tomatoes and they loved it .. will try some other cool weather plants in August.. see what happens..( Northern California, Bay Area)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am happy to see this and for awhile I was amazed how well you are doing until I realised you're in Northern California! We could do with some of your warmth

[@henrydunne3051]

Im growing in an old commercial greenhouse in an area that has quite a few panes of glass missing and have noticed exactly the same situation as in your polytunnel, our tomatoes and cucumbers are very poor. I have noticed a difference between melons. The cantaloupe are growing very well but the watermelons have not liked the cold at all. They have some browning on the leaves and arent setting fruit. It just shows you can do everything right but when the weather is so chargeable it cant be helped.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing this henri and good luck going forwards. I don't foresee any significant heat this summer but it's hard to predict

[@samanthahoos9827]

❤Thank you for this video and reminding me that I need to start seeds for succession planting. We’re just coming out of a 2 week heatwave where everything struggled, even me, so I’m looking forward to getting back into the garden more often. 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are so welcome Samantha

[@megmcginnis239]

Thank you for these videos focusing on the month to come in the garden. Very helpful and good 😊. Interesting how the challenges change year to year..

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you find them helpful Meg 🙂

[@susanoyler7409]

I hope you have a great time in Iowa!! I live in central Illinois about 6 hours from where you will be. I wish I could have been there to meet you. You have inspired me and helped me become a better gardener!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for your kind words Susan

[@rororosie1987]

I just love watching these videos, thank you so much! I’ve been really getting into my allotment this year & have been taking tons of inspiration from you. Picked my first French beans today and sorted out my compost heap, need to sow some more beetroot before it’s too late!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful to hear!

[@franksinatra1070]

Thanks for the garden tour Charles! Funny how different it's been over here in my area where we have had very early heat wave in mid June followed by some up and down temperatures this past week but barely any rain in over two weeks now. I'm so tired of watering. But I'm keeping most everything alive and producing with my diligence. If you're around the Philly area when you're in the States I'd love to have you stop by and see my mini operation. Let me know and I'll give you my address. Otherwise have a good trip!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for the invite and I suddenly have no spare time! I'm only in Iowa but I'm meeting people from all over the states which is lovely. And I arrived in a thunderstorm!

[@a4000t]

Thanks for the Texas mention,its 100f everyday here for the next months.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow! Here its mid sixties in a cool July!

[@lucybarnard3954]

I multi sowed my beetroot in your trays they are great. Loads of my crops are bolting, I spoke to others on the allotment and it’s happening to all of us because of the weather. I have had some lovely snack cucumbers and strawberries, spinach which is now bolting and my potatoes are looking good. I’m not sure about my tomatoes, flowers but not much fruit x

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Lucy. Spinach will always Bolt at this time of year, that's normal and you can re-sow in early August for autumn harvests

[@nrstooge]

You were in my state! Hope you enjoyed Iowa.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Still am thanks!

[@Johnv950]

My sister Jaclyn will be volunteering at your event in Iowa :)

[@SuperWiiGuru]

I'm going there now!

[@Sue-ec6un]

I have decided this year that fabric pots are the way to go, after all of my early sowings got eaten by some little critter just as I was ready to harvest! I was so mad...and so it's pots, and I am testing a new electric netting system to see if it works on these particular critters...so far so good. I still just use manure compost mixed with leaf compost and so far so good...and now I'll try those cold weather crops again. Wish me luck!

[@naomi2646]

Lots of luck with pots, mine dried out quickly and seemed like more expense

[@TheStwat]

That cat is just gorgeous.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@naomi2646]

Absolutely beautiful there! Enjoyed the visit

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@Agui007]

Hi Charles, yes this weather is a drag. Hopefully sunshine will appear! 🤞🏻☀️ I also noticed that you have a Hotbin...wow! And I noticed with your greenhouse tomatoes you have the potato leaf variety! Mine is the Russian Oxheart and the same leaf type.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and sadly I'm not impressed with the hotbin, somewhat anaerobic. Interesting about the tomatoes because I may have mislabelled the seed, they were supposed to be Berner Rose, which is not potato leaf! But I do like oxhearts.

[@Agui007]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Yes the Hotbin does need more volume.

[@Hicklety]

You look great, Charles! (I have been looking for that collarless shirt for a while!)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much. The shirt is from original fibres

[@TheJonesy555]

Here in west Ireland the average June temperature is over 3 deg Celsius cooler than June 2023. This time last year I had buckets of red tomatoes, only a few per day this year. Even my Ailsa Craig are slow in the polytunnel. Starting to harvest cucumbers today. July also good month to propagate strawberries from runners.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

And no warmer in July! Good tip on strawberries

[@rhiannejones3815]

Loving Charles bemoaning his tomatoes and cucumbers when they’re much much bigger than mine 😭

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh wow, maybe yours have the quality!

[@timflatus]

I still have outdoor spaces due to the diligent efforts of my slugs and snails. I have limited space for raising seedlings, so I need to sow a little every month, more beetroot and kohlrabi could work. I'm trying to grow flowers, but they take much longer than vegetables, taking up propagation space longer. Everything's constantly on the move, which I guess is how it should be. I have just found a really convenient source for palettes so I want to rebuild my composting area at the same time as turning it. This will be my first year of full production in my square rod of growing space, so I'm accepting the challenge of keeping it productive through the winter! These monthly updates are so useful, thank you so much and have fun in Ohio!

[@chompers11]

Native flowers are great for native bees and other pollinators so still very worth taking up space. Grow different shapes, enjoy bigger harvests

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to hear Tim, you're going in the right direction. I am in Iowa in fact, arrived in a thunderstorm!

[@susanoswalt1169]

Enoyed you video Jess with Roots and Refuge has always talked about you.thought i would check you out.great suggestion from Jess.will be watching regularly.God Bless ♥️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you enjoyed it and welcome 🙂

[@homegardens7682]

Lovely video as normal Charles. Its all looking great.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you

[@janeenshean4255]

Love your set up

[@ryanbeck1338]

I for one am shocked 😮 he did not pet the kitty 🐈 @1:40.

[@alice_rabbit8345]

Oh those are nice potatoes!! I’m growing sweet potatoes in pots this year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice!

[@woodsiastudio]

Thank you Charles. I love you are writing to me in wisconsin from iowa!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes amazing!!

[@doras.allotment]

Compost inspiration!! Great video and tips as ALWAYS, thanks Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are welcome Dora

[@warriorbeta]

I wish i had known you were going to be in Iowa :( if i wasnt working I would stop by and say hello! Your methods have inspired us to no till farm and have been instrumental in the development of our operation

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and sorry to miss you. I guess I've mentioned it more on other platforms than here in long form video

[@williamguilloteau7563]

Merci pour tout encore une fois

[@cpoco]

I do wonder how much of companion planting being helpful is the roots of each plant helping keep the soil more aerated, allowing for better/easier flow of water and nutrients between them?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm sure those are factors which make a difference

[@brianmcguigan5881]

Same here with tomato and cucumber 😢 and there’s no charge in the forecast for the rest of July. SW Donegal

[@BrainBuG1981]

Sorry to say it, but it is nice to hear you experiencing the same problems 😬 It's hard to stay motivated with all the pests this year. Thanks for another great motivational video Charles! My tomatoes seem to be doing the same. Lots of leafs, not a lot of fruit. Also flowers that don't seem to grow into fruits even though i'm smacking the hell out of them (gently). Will have to check my onions, coz i've been seeing yellow leaves on them as well. Just harvested most of my potatoes coz of potato blight. Also got some in my tomatoes, but i'm hoping their pulling through. Really love your tips about interplanting. So keep on mentioning when you plant what first and 2nd with planting dates. Those a really helpfull! Making compost like crazy, so hopefully i can improve my bare sandy soil a bit next year. It's really hard. Either is too wet, but after a few hot days it's just powdery dry and need to water again. Must say i prefer the clay in my own backyard.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Well done for staying motivated. Yes, many difficulties this year, but also some things are good like potatoes, until they get blight! Mine have not yet, but it's close I reckon

[@tonyhirst3628]

Berne Rose tomatoes are amazing, hope they come good.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😊 thanks

[@tonyhirst3628]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig the flavour is something else.

[@rickthelian2215]

Enjoy your trip to Iowa in USA 😁🇦🇺

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Rick

[@9172Nee]

Thank you for all advice, keep learning so many things, we just had some lovely brokkoli and our own potatoes for lunch😊, very tasty and I am so happy it worked out so well following your advice. I love it even if I still keep forgetting to sow at the right time, it is getting better 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear of your success 🙂

[@daved2403]

Safe travels to the U.S.! Hope you can make it down to South Carolina someday.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and you never know!

[@denesestanley7011]

Thank you for sharing ❤.