As the summer sun starts to wane, garden enthusiasts know that the growing season is far from over. Late August and early September present a golden opportunity to extend the abundance of fresh produce. While the summer harvest may be tapering off, strategic late-summer sowings promise a delightful array of fast-maturing exotics and hearty winter crops, ensuring your plates remain vibrant well into fall and winter.
The 7 Vegetables to Sow Now for Weeks of Tasty Harvest:
1. Red Orache: A feast for the eyes and the taste buds, red orache is both decorative and nutritious. Easily adaptable to various growing conditions, thin seedlings to 25cm and anticipate a harvest of vibrant, prickly leaves. Enjoy them raw in salads when young or incorporate them into soups, quiches, and pies as they mature.
2. Purple Kohlrabi: For those seeking the unusual, purple kohlrabi is a visually intriguing addition to late-summer plantings. Sow directly in well-drained soil, maintain spacing at 25cm, and harvest when young to avoid woody textures. Expand your brassica horizons and relish in the unique flavors of this captivating vegetable.
3. Asian Vegetables: Embrace the diverse world of Asian salads with options like Chinese cabbage, choy sum, mizuna, and more. Perfect for late-summer sowings, these leafy greens germinate in warm soil, thrive in autumn’s wet conditions, and offer a palette of colors and textures to elevate your dishes.
4. Swiss Chard: A visual and nutritional delight, Swiss chard is a versatile addition to floral borders or containers. Sow once, harvest for months, and relish the young leaves raw or incorporate established ones into stir-fries, stews, and soups. Varieties like ‘Bright Lights’ and ‘Fordhook Giant’ add cheerful hues to your garden.
5. Parsley: An herb garden essential, parsley comes in various forms like curly-leaved or flat-leaved varieties. Sow seeds indoors from August to March for a prolonged harvest. With patience, this versatile herb will thrive, enhancing a myriad of culinary creations with its distinctive flavor.
6. Leeks: August marks the ideal time to plant leeks in their final positions. Developed from sowings started in April-May, these vitamin A-rich leeks offer a lush and sweet treat. Transplant them when the thickness reaches that of a pencil, ensuring two-thirds are underground and one-third above ground.
7. Claytonia: Known as miners’ lettuce or winter purslane, Claytonia perfoliata is a fast-growing, sweet option rich in vitamin C. Thriving in poor, light soils, it’s a go-to choice for fall salads. Sow in succession for crisp harvests over several months and relish the robust resilience of this forager’s favorite.
Conclusion: As summer bids farewell, usher in a season of late-sown treasures that promise weeks of delectable harvests. Share your thoughts on this list and recommend your favorite vegetables to keep the autumn vegetable garden thriving. Your opinions are valued as we collectively savor the delights of autumn’s bounty.
