Planning ahead for autumn’s arrival

If all runs to plan, September can be an excellent month for vegetable growing, The combination of still-warm-from-summer soil and cooler air temperatures is ideal for many vegetable crops.

Broad beans: For an early spring crop you can sow broad beans directly into the ground or start them off under cover, planting the seedlings out after six weeks. You’ll need to cover the plants with fleece to protect from freezing weather.

Cabbage: Plant out cabbage seedlings that were started inside. Cabbages grow best in firm, moist, alkaline soil and take around four to six months to mature.

Chinese broccoli: Fast growing and perfect for stir-fries, you can sow Chinese broccoli directly into the ground or in pots, keep the soil moist and it’ll be ready to harvest in 6-8 weeks.

Garlic: You can plant garlic outside in September, the plants will overwinter and put out new green shoots in spring. You can also sow garlic into the ground or in raised beds. 

Onions: Choose onion sets that are suitable for planting in autumn and plant now for an early crop.

Pak Choi: This easy-to-grow plant can be sown in large pots, raised beds or into the ground and should germinate quickly.

Radishes: Super quick and easy to grow, you can sow radishes into September. Sow seeds directly into the soil and you’ll be rewarded with juicy radishes a few weeks later.

Rocket: Plant rocket seeds into the ground or in pots. September is the last month for growing rocket outside but you can continue to grow this delicious leafy green inside during the cooler months. Rocket will also flourish in pots

Salad leaves: You can still enjoy fresh salad into autumn. Sow seeds into pots in a sheltered, sunny outdoor spot or you can grow them in the greenhouse or your kitchen.

Spinach: Spinach sown now will be ready to harvest in the spring. You can sow seeds into the soil or in pots. The plants will need to be covered from October if planted outside.

Turnips: You can sow turnip seeds directly into the soil and harvest the baby turnips in 6 weeks or so.