8 Vegetables to Sow in Late July for an Autumn Harvest — UK Guide

7 min read · Updated July 27, 2026 · By Alex Green

Late July is a funny time in the veg plot. Your early crops are coming out — the garlic's been lifted, the broad beans are done, and you're staring at empty patches of soil wondering what to do next. The answer is plenty. There's still a solid 8-10 weeks of decent growing weather before the first frosts, and some vegetables actually prefer maturing in the cooler conditions of early autumn. Here are 8 vegetables you can sow right now for a rewarding autumn harvest.

1. Kale

Kale is the undisputed champion of autumn and winter veg. It shrugs off frost, keeps producing for months, and tastes sweeter after a cold snap. Sow kale seeds directly into well-prepared soil in late July, and you'll be picking leaves from September right through March.

Choose curly varieties like Reflex F1 or the hardy Kale Duo Mix from Thompson & Morgan for the best cold tolerance. Space plants about 45cm apart and keep them well-watered while they establish. The main thing to watch for is cabbage white butterflies — cover with fine mesh netting supported on bamboo canes to stop them laying eggs on your plants.

Pro tip: pick the younger, tender leaves from the top and leave the lower leaves to keep the plant producing. One kale plant can give you months of harvests.

2. Pak Choi

Pak choi is surprisingly fast — you can go from seed to harvest in as little as 30 days. It thrives in the shorter days of late summer and early autumn, and it's far less likely to bolt (run to seed) than if you tried growing it in spring.

Sow direct in rows 30cm apart and thin to 20cm between plants. Water generously — pak choi gets stressed and bolts if it dries out. Harvest whole heads or take outer leaves for a cut-and-come-again approach. The tender white stems and dark green leaves are brilliant in stir-fries and salads. A good quality multipurpose compost mixed into the planting area gives them the rich soil they love.

3. Turnips

Turnips are one of the most underrated late-summer crops. They grow fast (ready in 6-8 weeks), and you get two harvests from one sowing — the roots and the leafy tops. Young turnips are sweet and tender, nothing like the woody supermarket versions.

Sow directly into shallow drills about 1cm deep, spacing rows 25cm apart. Thin to 10cm between plants once they're big enough to handle. Varieties like Snowball or Purple Top Milan are perfect for autumn harvesting. Water regularly to keep the roots swelling without getting tough. Feed with a balanced fertiliser like Growmore every couple of weeks for the best results.

4. Radish

Radishes are the speed champions of the veg world. Summer varieties like French Breakfast can go from seed to plate in just 3-4 weeks. Late July sowings will be ready before the end of August, making them perfect for filling gaps as you clear other crops.

The trick with radishes is to sow little and often — a short row every 10 days gives you a continuous supply rather than a glut. They're not fussy about soil but they do need consistent moisture. Dry conditions make them woody and overly hot. Sow direct, 1cm deep, and thin to 2-3cm apart. Try a mixed seed collection to get several varieties in one go.

5. Spring Cabbage

It feels odd sowing a crop in July that you won't harvest until March, but spring cabbages need the long growing window. Sown now, they'll make strong plants before winter, sit dormant through the cold months, and surge into growth in early spring.

Sow in a seedbed or module trays, then transplant to final positions about 45cm apart in September. Varieties like Durham Early or Spring Hero are reliable UK performers. The same pest protection rules apply — bamboo canes with fine netting are your best defence against cabbage white butterflies that are still active in late summer.

6. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a workhorse veg that keeps producing for months. The colourful stems (bright red, yellow, white) look great on the plot and the leaves can be used like spinach. Sow in late July and you'll be picking from early autumn right through winter.

Chard seeds are actually clusters of several seeds, so you'll need to thin to 30cm apart once they're up. The plants are surprisingly frost-tolerant and will keep growing whenever there's a mild spell. Pick outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth from the centre. Water during dry spells — a good watering can with a fine rose makes this job much easier on gentle seedlings.

7. Oriental Greens (Mizuna, Mibuna, Mustard)

Oriental greens are the secret weapon of the autumn veg plot. Mizuna, mibuna, and mustard greens are incredibly fast-growing, bolt-resistant, and happy in the shorter days of late summer. They add a peppery kick to salads and stir-fries.

Sow direct in shallow drills, 1cm deep, and thin to 15cm apart. You can also grow them as cut-and-come-again — sow more densely and harvest with scissors when the leaves are about 10cm tall. They'll regrow for several cuts. Keep the soil moist and protect from slugs. A consistent watering system takes the guesswork out of keeping them hydrated.

8. Winter Lettuce

Most people think lettuce is a summer crop, but winter-hardy varieties like Winter Gem, Arctic King, and Valdor are bred to cope with cold conditions. Sown in late July, they'll produce hearts from October through to December, and often into January if protected with a cloche.

Sow direct or in modules, spacing 25cm apart. Winter lettuce needs less water than summer sowings, but don't let them dry out completely while establishing. The slower growth in cooler weather actually produces sweeter, crisper leaves. A slow-release feed mixed into the soil at planting time gives them steady nutrition without the need for weekly liquid feeds.