With the UK experiencing high summer temperatures, Gardeners' World has highlighted six fast-growing vegetables to sow now for a tasty autumn harvest. The gardening experts note that warm soil and air temperatures speed up germination, allowing gardeners to extend their cropping season.
According to Gardeners' World: "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."
Rapid-growing vegetables to plant now
Gardeners' World specialists recommend several vegetable seeds for this period, including carrots, turnips, radishes, dwarf French beans, winter cabbage, and Swiss chard. This is also the final opportunity to transplant young courgettes, sweetcorn, and squashes to give them the best chance of cropping before autumn frosts.
Carrots and Turnips
For carrots, this is the last window to sow seeds for an autumn harvest. Gardeners' World advises sowing 'directly and thinly' into shallow drills of 'well-prepared soil' or 'pots of soil-based compost' and recommends against thinning to deter carrot fly. Harvesting period runs from May to November.
Turnips offer two harvests: the taproot and leaves. Gardeners' World says: "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." Prime harvest time is May to December.
Radishes and Dwarf French Beans
Radishes are quick to mature, pest-free, and can be grown as companion plants. They are ideal for autumn salads, with a harvest window from May to December.
Dwarf French beans can be planted now for pods to ripen before frost. Gardeners' World advises sowing directly in ground or containers with plenty of water, with harvesting from July to October.
Winter Cabbage and Swiss Chard
Winter cabbage should be planted now for a robust autumn crop. Gardeners' World recommends planting 45cm apart with 60cm between rows, firming in gently, and using netting to protect against caterpillars and pigeons.
Swiss Chard for autumn and early spring yield: sow seed in a drill 1.5cm deep and 20cm apart, cover lightly, and thin seedlings to 20cm apart.
