Monty Don has shared his essential September gardening tasks, highlighting one hardy vegetable—kale—that gardeners can plant now to secure fresh winter crops through to spring.
Why September Is Ideal for Hardy Vegetables
On his website, Monty explained that September represents the ideal window for planting hardy vegetables including kale, spinach and Cavelo Nero. These are "hardy" crops that thrive "best in mild weather" and will "quickly germinate and establish if sown in early September, to provide young leaves in Autumn."
If planted this week, kale will mature into an overwintering crop, ready for picking from autumn through to late spring—by which point the spring-sown kale variety will have had ample time to establish as well.
Planting Steps and Spacing
Monty said you should sow seeds half an inch (1 cm to 1.3 cm) deep either in a dedicated seed bed or in small pots or trays. Move the young plants into their final growing positions when they are a few inches tall and have 6 to 8 strong leaves, spacing them about 18 inches (45 cm) apart so they have room to mature.
When putting young kale plants in the ground, press the soil firmly around the base and compact it underfoot. Monty advises that this step, while it may appear unusual, keeps the plants stable and well-anchored against harsh winter winds.
Varieties and Protection
For a reliable, low-maintenance option, "Cavalo Nero," "Jagallo Nero," and "Red Russian" are the varieties that flourish throughout cold spells and continue to yield fresh harvests well into spring. Regardless of how hardy the variety, it's essential to cover plants with fine mesh netting to safeguard them from pigeons and cabbage white butterflies.
Monty said: "To keep the succession of vegetables going... [plant] out kale 'Jagallo Nero'... That way [you] will have an ample supply of fresh greens throughout the winter and on into next spring." The Red Russian variety in particular offers both visual appeal and exceptional value. Monty said: "These young plants, all raised from seed, will look good all winter long and provide delicious harvests in spring."
