September is a busy time for gardeners, and there's still plenty of time to get sowing with these 14 recommended crops. According to expert Huw Richards, it's also an opportune moment to sow a variety of new produce.
In a roundup of essential September gardening tasks on his YouTube channel, Huw explains: "I thought I'd share with you 14 crops that I sow every single September - it's not over yet, there's a lot of things that we can still grow both outside and undercover."
Radishes and oriental greens
The first crop to sow in September, he notes, is radishes. "This is the last chance for your summer radishes outside but you can also sow your winter radishes."
He recommends Daikon, a long white Asian radish with a satisfying crunch similar to a large white carrot or parsnip, alongside Spanish black round winter radishes, which deliver a punchy, peppery flavour when served raw in salads, while also lending themselves well to stews, stir-fries and roasts.
This period is also, Huw advises, the perfect time to cultivate oriental greens, such as pak choi and mizuna. A number of these plants lend themselves to a "cut and come again" approach, enabling you to harvest individual leaves while the plant continues to flourish in the ground.
Cover crops and field beans
Huw emphasises that a cold frame, polytunnel or even a basic garden fleece can make a significant difference to your garden's yield as the first winter frosts begin to set in.
Huw notes that cultivating cover crops, such as mustards, will help protect the soil while also adding a welcome touch of warmth to your winter meals.
"Field beans are really hardy at overwintering," he adds. "Last September we sowed some as a cover crop and they ended up growing to between two and two-and-a-half metres high, and we harvested a huge amount the following May and June."
Additional crops to consider
Additional crops worth considering this month, according to Huw, include rocket, spinach, lettuce, peas, kale, cabbage and coriander. As an experiment, he's also trying out an oriental vegetable called wa wa cai choi.
These speedy and delicious greens can help keep your plot productive throughout late summer, autumn, winter and the so-called "hungry gap" between March and May, when there is a natural lull in homegrown produce across the UK: winter crops have come to an end, while new spring crops are not yet ready to be harvested.
