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Late to the Garden Party?
You Can Sow These Veggies
NOW!
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For gardeners in the northern tier of the country, the customary time to plant vegetables is May. How this tradition began is anyone's guess, but we say "phooey!" Planting vegetables in summer--even
late summer--is brilliant. Come September, you'll be picking
Lettuce,
Beans,
Carrots,
Peas,
Beets and little
Summer Squash. In October, you'll be dining on
Asian Greens,
Kohlrabi,
Frisee and
Radishes. In November, you'll be eating fresh
Scallions,
Arugula,
Broccoli,
Cauliflower,
Baby Cabbage,
Mache,
Spinach,
Broccoli Raab,
Kale,
Salad Greens and
Swiss Chard.
Fall brings cool days in the garden and cool evenings in the kitchen, with the time and energy to satisfy autumn cravings for deep green vegetables and sweet root crops.
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Direct-Sowing in 5 Easy Steps
1. Get the timing right. The most important thing to consider when direct-sowing seeds is timing. For most crops, wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area.
2. Prepare the soil. Choose the spot where you'll be sowing your seeds, considering sun exposure, soil, and the ultimate size of the plant. Turn the soil over with a spade or fork, breaking up large clumps and removing any stones. Smooth the soil and tamp it gently.
3. Sow the seeds. Read the seed packet carefully, noting spacing and planting depth. Follow the instructions carefully. Cover the seeds with soil and tamp the area firmly.
4. Water regularly. Keep the seeded area uniformly moist until the seedlings emerge. Water gently to avoid dislodging the seeds and young seedlings from the soil.
5. Thin the seedlings. Once the seedlings have emerged and have at least a couple of sets of leaves, pluck out any extras until the strongest remaining seedlings are at their recommended spacing.
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It's Never Too Late to Grow Your Own Vegetables
These are lots of vegetables that can be sown in mid- to late summer for late summer and fall harvest. Here are just a few of our very favorites.
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Veggies to Sow in Early to Mid-Summer for Late Summer Harvest:
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Beans are the mainstay of the kitchen garden: both easy and rewarding. Store-bought can't compare with home-grown; modest toil and small Bean patches yield large returns.
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Young, tender Beets make the best eating whether they are grated raw in salads, steamed, or roasted. Beet greens are good too; they ensure a dinner rich in vitamins and minerals.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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A Beet family relative, Swiss Chard is easy to grow, delicious and so beautiful. It fits in everywhere: the kitchen garden, ornamental beds and mixed containers.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Today, sweet, crisp-tender Carrots come in all sizes, shapes and colors. They're a snap to grow and can fit into any bare, sunny garden space.
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Batavian Lettuces are more tolerant of heat than most other Lettuces, so you can you can extend your salad season into the hotter months.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Summer Squash are summer grilling staples! Brush them with olive oil, salt and pepper and toss them on with your burgers for a healthy side dish.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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About 90% water, Cucumbers are rich in Vitamin C, beta-carotene and manganese, and yield antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. They're prolific and easy to grow.
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Squash is simple to grow and transforms easily into nutritious, heart-warming soups, gratins or sumptuous Thai or Indian curries. Give these vigorous vines plenty of elbow room.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Collard Greens are wonderfully tolerant of summer heat. An heirloom favorite with a delicious flavor, Morris Heading has broad, waxy, blue-green leaves with light green veins.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Veggies to Sow in Late Summer for Fall Harvest:
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Arugula's uniquely stimulating, tangy taste is perfect in mixed garden salads with softer-flavored greens like Mache, Endive and Lettuces. Sow every two weeks through fall.
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Radishes grow easily and rapidly in the cool weather of fall. The key to crisp, mild Radishes is regular watering and weeding. Harvest small for mildest flavor and crispy texture.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Kale is easily grown. Direct-sow or raise transplants in late summer for fall and winter harvest since Kale becomes sweet and tender after being hit by a couple of frosts.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Memories of eating Peas straight from the vine has no doubt led many of us down the gardening path. Peas prefer cool weather, so they're great for spring and fall.
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Fresh salads from your garden aren't just for spring! Sow a fall crop, too, and you'll harvest well into the colder months. Choose from Looseleaf, Romaine and Heading Lettuces.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Most Asian Greens are quick and easily grown. Many types thrive practically year round but, like all Brassicas, prefer cool temperatures and evenly moist soil. Perfect for fall.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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They may be the Plain Jane of the kitchen garden, but homegrown Turnips are wonderful when enjoyed small, 3" maximum. Turnip greens are delicious too!
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Spinach loves cool, sunny weather, which makes it perfect for fall.
Direct-sow in late summer for fall harvest. Spinach adores rich soil: amend the Spinach bed well.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Yes, Swiss Chard can be sown in late summer, too!
We like Swiss Chard added to sauteed pancetta in olive oil, braised in broth, and sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and grated Pecorino.
SHOP FOR SEEDS HERE.
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Connect with us on our social media pages, where you'll find inspiring
photos, fascinating articles, and delicious recipe ideas!
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We share our best-of-the-best
recipes
in our online cookbook so you can feed your family and friends well without feeling frenzied, and practical, hands-on
Horticultural Tips
to demystify gardening with seeds. It's not tricky or difficult: it's more like easy magic.
If you need help with anything, our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can email us at
[email protected]
or call us at (860) 567-6086. Lance Frazon, our seed specialist, is happy to help you in any way possible. He loves to talk seeds.
23 Tulip Drive * PO Box 638 * Bantam, CT 06750
Phone: (860) 567-6086 * Fax: (860) 567-5323
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