Gardeners' World has shared a list of six fast-growing vegetables to plant now in the UK while temperatures are elevated for a 'delicious' harvest this autumn. With summer in full swing, elevated air and soil temperatures make this an excellent period for sowing seeds.
Gardeners' World explains: "The long, warm days with good light levels speed up the germination process, helping you to extend your season of cropping in the vegetable patch and boost stocks of perennials, biennials and indoor exotics in the ornamental garden and cuttings patch. Bear in mind, however, that the water table is lower at this time of year and so extra watering may be needed."
Fast-Growing Vegetables to Plant Now
According to Gardeners' World experts, a wide variety of vegetable seeds can be sown now, including tasty and fast-growing crops such as carrots, radishes, soybeans, French beans, and turnips. It is also an ideal time to plant out young seedlings grown in previous months, and it could be the final opportunity of the year to plant young courgettes, sweetcorn and squashes, as acting promptly gives them the 'best chance of cropping before the first of the autumn frosts'.
Carrots
For carrots, this is essentially the final window to sow seeds for a strong autumn crop. Gardeners' World recommends sowing 'directly and thinly' into shallow drills of 'well-prepared soil' or 'pots of soil-based compost'. The experts advise against thinning seedlings to avoid carrot fly. The ideal time to harvest carrots is between May and November.
Turnips
Regarding turnips, the guidance is: "Often forgotten, turnips can provide you with two harvests from one plant - the delicately sweet taproot can be eaten, as can the leaves or 'greens'. Eat them soon after harvesting as turnips don't store well. Sow directly in shallow drills, for a delicious winter crop." The optimal harvest period is May through December.
Radishes
Radishes are best harvested between May and December. They are quick to mature, virtually pest-free and straightforward to grow. They can be cultivated as 'companion plants' alongside a wide range of other crops, delivering a fresh and peppery kick to salads.
Dwarf French Beans
Dwarf French beans can be planted now, giving pods time to ripen before the first autumn frosts. Gardeners' World advises sowing dwarf varieties directly in the ground or in containers, keeping them well-watered. The harvesting period runs from July through October.
Winter Cabbage and Swiss Chard
Gardeners' World also recommends planting out Winter Cabbage for a healthy, well-developed autumn crop that can withstand dropping temperatures and frost, alongside Swiss Chard for an autumn and early spring yield. For winter cabbage, expert guidance states: "Plant 45cm apart, leaving 60cm between rows. Firm in gently and water well. You may need to use netting to protect your cabbages from cabbage white caterpillars and pigeons." To grow Swiss Chard: "Sow seed in a drill 1.5cm deep and 20cm apart. Cover the seed lightly with compost and water. Thin seedlings to 20cm apart to give the plants room to grow."
