Job assignments for September available
As the days grow shorter and the weather cools, September is an ideal time for gardeners to prepare for future harvests and ensure a bountiful supply of fresh produce throughout the winter and early spring. Here's a roundup of the best crops to plant and seeds to sow during this month.
**Crops to Plant in September**
1. **Lettuce and Other Salad Leaves**: These quick-maturing crops are perfect for continuous planting throughout September. They can withstand light frosts and, with proper protection, can provide fresh salads even in the depths of winter[2][5].
2. **Spinach**: Hardy spinach varieties, such as 'Giant Winter', are ideal for September planting. They will enter dormancy during the winter but will regrow in the spring, providing a fresh harvest[2][5].
3. **Kale and Cabbage**: Brassicas like kale and cabbage are ideal for fall planting. They develop better flavour after experiencing light frost[3].
4. **Broccoli and Cauliflower**: Fast-maturing varieties of these can be planted in September in zones with mild fall weather. They require consistent moisture and cooler temperatures[1][3].
5. **Brussels Sprouts**: Although they require an earlier start, you might still plant them in early September in warmer zones. They improve in flavour after a frost and can survive harsh weather[1][3].
6. **Alliums**: Garlic and overwintering onions are best planted in September. They establish themselves during the cold months and grow vigorously in the spring[1].
**Recommended Vegetable Seeds for Winter and Early Spring Pickings**
For winter and early spring harvests, consider the following:
- **Hardy Spinach Varieties**: Like 'Giant Winter', these are ideal for September planting and will regrow in the spring[2]. - **Mizuna and Mustard Leaf**: These salad crops can provide winter pickings under cover and will resume growth in the spring[2]. - **Lambs' Lettuce**: Another hardy leafy green that can be grown for winter salads[2]. - **Overwintering Lettuce**: Looseleaf types are versatile and can be grown through the winter under protection[5].
When planting for winter and early spring, ensure the soil is well-prepared, and consider using covers like fleece or cloches to protect the plants from frost[2].
**Preparing Your Garden for Winter**
September is also a time for preparing your garden for the colder months. Green manure can be sown over any earth that will be left bare over winter to suppress weeds and add nutrients when dug into the soil in spring. Examples of green manure seeds include grazing rye and phacelia[4].
Remember to pick fruits as soon as they are ripe to minimize damage from wasps. Keeping birds away from crops such as apples and pears can help avoid attracting wasps[4].
Watering is necessary due to the warm weather. Check for hosepipe restrictions in your area before use[1]. Guides are available on the best Hoses, Hose Spray Guns, Water Butts, and Watering Cans to help you manage your water usage effectively[4].
As always, happy gardening!
[1] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/guides-to-growing-plants/vegetables/what-to-sow-now-in-september [2] https://www.gardenersworld.com/howto/what-to-do-in-your-vegetable-plot-in-september/ [3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/howto/vegetables/september_vegetables [4] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/guides-to-growing-plants/fruit/apples-and-pears-what-to-do-now [5] https://www.gardenersworld.com/howto/what-to-do-in-your-vegetable-plot-in-september/what-to-sow-now-in-september/
- For those who appreciate a home-and-garden lifestyle, September offers the perfect opportunity to expand the home-garden by planting lettuce, kale, cabbage, and other salad leaves, which can thrive in the cooler weather and provide fresh produce even during winter months.
- A well-planned garden during this season can also include the sowing of hardy spinach varieties or mizuna, both of which can provide winter salads under cover and regrow in the spring, thereby enhancing the home-and-garden lifestyle and home-gardening endeavors.
