What's in Season in the UK This July (and What to Ferment With It)?

One of the simplest ways to improve your fermentation is to start with ingredients that are in season.

July is one of the most exciting months for home fermenters. Markets are bursting with colourful vegetables, herbs are thriving, and soft fruits are at their absolute peak. Seasonal produce is often fresher, more flavourful and more affordable, making it ideal for filling your fermentation jars.

Why Seasonal Produce Matters

When produce is harvested at the right time of year, it tends to contain more flavour and natural sugars, which help create vibrant, successful ferments. Buying locally grown vegetables also means they spend less time travelling, so they arrive fresher and retain more of their nutrients.

Seasonal shopping is also a great way to reduce food waste and support local farmers.

July Vegetables:

These vegetables are fantastic for fermentation:

• Cabbage

• Carrots

• Cucumbers

• Beetroot

• Courgettes

• Green beans

• Radishes

• Spring onions

• Lettuce

• Spinach

• Rocket

• Sweetcorn

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

Fermentation Ideas

Cabbage
The perfect time to make classic sauerkraut or experiment with seasonal herbs.

Cucumbers
Nothing beats homemade lacto-fermented pickles with garlic and fresh dill.

Carrots
Slice into sticks or grate with ginger, turmeric or chilli for a colourful ferment.

Beetroot
Create a vibrant beetroot ferment or make traditional beet kvass.

Tomatoes
Try fermenting cherry tomatoes or make a naturally fermented salsa that's packed with flavour.

Where to Buy Seasonal Produce

Look out for:

• Local farmers' markets

• Farm shops

• Pick-your-own farms

• Community-supported agriculture (CSA) boxes

• Greengrocers stocking British-grown produce

You'll often find fresher ingredients than in supermarkets, and you'll be supporting local agriculture at the same time.

My July Fermentation Bucket List

This month I'll be making:

• Classic sauerkraut

• Garlic and dill pickles

• Ginger fermented carrots

• Beetroot kvass

• Fermented tomato salsa

• Raspberry shrub

• Blueberry water kefir

Every season brings new opportunities to experiment, and July offers some of the best produce of the year. Whether you're making your very first ferment or adding to an already full pantry, choosing seasonal ingredients is the easiest way to create delicious, vibrant and nutrient-rich ferments.

Happy fermenting!

— Pip, Vinegar + Salt