Vegetables from your own garden are simply the best—not just in summer! Some species are ideal for later cultivation and can replace one or more of the harvested summer vegetables as part of crop rotation. Now is the perfect time to sow tasty leafy vegetables in your prepared bed. Below, we’ll outline which vegetables you can plant in September and what to consider during sowing.
Tip for Successful Germination
To ensure that the seeds germinate and the vegetables grow well, always lightly press down your seedlings and water them thoroughly. During cultivation, maintain evenly moist soil.
1. Spinach
Real spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is easy to grow and, with its nutrient-packed leaves, is definitely worth sowing in September. You can plant seeds until the middle of the month to enjoy this fresh vegetable in autumn and winter. Choose spinach varieties suited for the season, such as ‘Matador’ or ‘Monnopa’.
How to Sow:
- Create rows about 20 centimeters apart in the bed.
- Plant the seeds about three centimeters deep.
- Harvest can usually begin six to eight weeks later.
Tip: Protect wintering varieties from frost with fleece.
2. Pak Choi
In a crunchy salad or a spicy wok dish, Pak Choi is a vitamin-rich cabbage from the Far East. Its mild and spicy flavor enriches menus here. The longest and hottest days of the year must be behind you to prevent rapid growth. While most seeds are planted in early August, varieties like ‘Tatsoi’ or ‘White Celery Mustard’ can still be sown in early September.
How to Sow:
- Sow Pak Choi about two centimeters deep with spacing of 30 x 20 centimeters. If harvesting as an Asian salad, you can reduce the distance.
- Leaves can be harvested once they reach ten centimeters, usually seven to nine weeks after sowing.
Tip: Young leaves have a particularly delicate taste!
3. Lamb’s Lettuce
The leaves of lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta) are nutrient-dense and provide fresh greenery with a nutty flavor during the cold season. To harvest from November to January, sow lamb’s lettuce seeds between early and mid-September. Choose robust varieties for best results.
How to Sow:
- Make furrows in the bed at least ten centimeters apart.
- Place the fine seeds in the soil at a maximum depth of one centimeter.
- Allow the plants to grow about ten centimeters apart.
With these tips, your September sowing can lead to a bountiful harvest!
