WHAT’S INSIDE THE JULY GROW KIT
July is one of the most rewarding months in the garden. Summer crops are flourishing, harvest baskets are filling up and there’s still plenty of time to sow fresh vegetables for late summer and early autumn. This month’s Grow Kit features Chinese Cabbage, Beetroot and Butterhead Lettuce a trio selected for their fast growth, fresh flavours and reliable harvests.
This week, we're shining the spotlight on Chinese Cabbage, a crisp, leafy vegetable that's as productive as it is versatile. Quick to mature and easy to grow, it's an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Whether you're growing in raised beds, containers or a traditional vegetable patch, Chinese cabbage thrives with regular watering and a sunny or lightly shaded spot.
With its tender leaves and crunchy stems, Chinese cabbage is perfect for fresh salads, homemade slaws, stir-fries and soups, making it a fantastic crop to take straight from the garden to your plate.
CHINESE CABBAGE
Chinese Cabbage is a wonderfully versatile leafy crop that brings freshness, crunch and fast rewards to your growing space. Known for its tender leaves, crisp stems and mild, slightly sweet flavour, it’s a fantastic addition to summer growing and thrives beautifully when sown in July.
Quick to establish and easy to grow, Chinese Cabbage is ideal for gardeners of all experience levels. It performs well in raised beds, containers and traditional vegetable plots, making it a great option whether you’re growing in a large garden or a smaller outdoor space. With regular watering and consistent care, it grows rapidly and can be ready to harvest in just a matter of weeks.
Its flavour is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Enjoy it raw in salads and slaws for a refreshing crunch, or cook it in stir-fries, soups and noodle dishes where its tender texture shines. Harvest young for baby leaves or allow heads to fully develop for larger harvests.
Reliable, productive and packed with nutrients, Chinese Cabbage is a brilliant crop for keeping your growing momentum strong through summer while providing fresh, flavourful harvests well into the season ahead.
HOW TO SOW AND GROW CHINESE CABBAGE
Step 1: Choose the Right Spot
Chinese cabbage grows best in a sunny position, although it will also tolerate light shade during the hottest part of the day. Choose fertile, well drained soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil
Before sowing, loosen the soil and mix in plenty of compost or well rotted organic matter. This improves drainage, adds nutrients and helps the soil retain moisture for healthy growth or add your soil to a pot with good drainage.
Step 3: Sow Your Seeds
Sow seeds directly into the soil around 1cm deep, spacing rows approximately 30–40cm apart. Sow seeds thinly and lightly cover with soil before watering gently.
Step 4: Thin the Seedlings
Once seedlings have developed a few true leaves, thin them to leave 25–30cm between each plant. Giving them enough space encourages healthy heads to develop and improves airflow around the plants.
Step 5: Water Regularly
Chinese cabbage grows quickly and needs consistent moisture. Water regularly, especially during warm or dry weather, keeping the soil evenly moist to prevent the plants from bolting or splitting.
Step 6: Care for Your Crop
Keep the area free from weeds and consider protecting young plants with insect mesh if cabbage white butterflies or other pests are common in your garden.
Step 7: Harvest
Chinese cabbage is usually ready to harvest in 8–10 weeks. Cut whole heads at the base once they feel firm, or pick outer leaves as needed for a cut-and-come-again harvest. Enjoy fresh in salads, stir-fries, soups or slaws for the very best flavour.
With regular sowing throughout summer, you'll enjoy a continuous supply of crisp, homegrown Chinese cabbage well into autumn.
Charred Chinese Cabbage with Crispy Chilli Oil
This simple Asian-inspired side dish is packed with flavour while being naturally low in calories and rich in nutrients. Chinese leaf (also known as Napa cabbage) is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and fibre. Pan-frying brings out its natural sweetness, while garlic, sesame oil, lime, and crispy chilli oil add savoury, spicy, and fresh flavours. It's the perfect accompaniment to salmon, sea bass, chicken, or tofu.
CLICK THROUGH TO THE FULL RECIPE
Grab your monthly grow kit delivered straight to your door each month
You can purchase the July Grow Kit as a one-off or subscribe monthly or bi-monthly to enjoy discounted prices and exclusive access to our Grow Line via WhatsApp for personalised support whenever you need it. Choose from Small, Medium, or Large to suit your space, whether you’re sowing on a sunny windowsill, nurturing seedlings in a greenhouse or planting directly into garden beds.
Join our community on Facebook in Let’s Grow Together: From Seed To Plate or reach out to us anytime across our socials on Instagram (@seedfolkco) and Facebook (@seedfolkco)
Let’s Grow Together: One Seed at a Time.
Sign up for our newsletter
Don't forget to sign up for THE GROW DOWN weekly newsletter
Seed of the Week: Spotlighting what to grow each week
Pot to Plate: Fresh ideas to turn your harvest into delicious meals
Growing Tips: Monthly practical advice to help your garden thrive
Join The Grow Down for weekly seed growing info, recipes and garden tips sent straight to your email
