September is a fantastic time to get your garden ready for the year ahead. With the right planning, you can enjoy earlier harvests and a more productive growing season. Let’s dive into what you can plant to make the most of this autumnal month.
Vegetables to Plant in September
- Spinach: Enjoy fresh spinach next spring by sowing seeds now. Protect seedlings with fleece during colder months.
- Salad Leaves: Keep your salad bowl brimming with homegrown goodness by sowing quick-growing varieties like mustard leaf, mizuna, and winter lettuces.
- Broad Beans: Get a head start on next year’s crop by sowing broad beans now. They’ll overwinter and produce early beans.
- Peas: Similar to broad beans, hardy pea varieties can be sown in September for an earlier harvest.
- Radishes: Enjoy a quick turnaround with radishes. Sow now for fresh, crisp roots in a few weeks.
- Turnips: Another fast-growing option, turnips are perfect for autumn harvests and add a delightful crunch to your meals.
- Onions: Plant onion sets in September for an earlier harvest the following year.
- Garlic: Get a good head start on garlic growth by planting cloves now.
Flowers to Plant in September
- English Marigold: Brighten up your garden with cheerful English marigolds. Sow now for blooms from the following May.
- Love-in-a-Mist: Add a touch of romance with delicate love-in-a-mist. Sow in autumn for early spring flowers.
- Cornflowers: Enjoy vibrant blue cornflowers by sowing seeds in September.
- Queen Anne’s Lace: Create a stunning display with the lacy white flowers of Queen Anne’s lace.
- Poppies: From opium to field poppies, there’s a poppy for every garden. Sow now for a colourful summer display.
- California Poppy: Bring a burst of sunshine to your garden with cheerful California poppies.
Remember:
- Prepare your soil well before planting.
- Protect seedlings from harsh weather conditions with covers or fleece.
- Choose varieties suitable for your climate.
By taking advantage of the planting opportunities in September, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving garden next year.
