Whilst it might be too late to get some flowers to bloom and vegetable crops to grow this summer, a gardening expert has revealed there is still time left to sew certain seeds this month in time for an autumn harvest.
Charles Dowding, an organic gardener with 40 years of experience and 15 books to his name, has taken to TikTok to share his latest piece of horticultural wisdom. “It’s the second half of June coming up but there are examples of seeds you can sew at different points in June,” he began in a video.
Charles showcased several large seed trays in which the seedlings of lettuces had sprouted just one week after he’d sewn them. “You can sew seeds in smaller ones filling them with standard potting mix – I don’t use special seed compost as they can often be very weak in nutrients,” he explained.
Charles moved on to celery, which he’d sewn in the past fortnight. “There’s still time to grow this too,” he enthused. “And you can still sew beetroot,” Charles added, which again he had planted in the past week.
“You can also plant carrots outdoors [as opposed to in a greenhouse] or in fact any brassica,” he revealed. “What I like to do is always have more plants than I think I have got room for – because you will find space – and you will be able to keep your garden full in the months ahead.”
Charles also explained that he’s an advocate of interplanting – a gardening technique whereby two or more crops are planted simultaneously in the same area to maximise the efficiency of your space. In doing so, he encouraged others to implement this technique just as he has done – with carrots and Brussels sprouts.
“It’s about thinking where you are going to put these plants, but if you want to keep the garden fuller at this time of year, you kind of don’t want to delay,” Charles reiterated.
Writing in response, one TikTok user hailed the expert: “I think I’ve started following someone who knows their stuff.” A second praised: “Brilliant advice.”
Whilst a third asked for further tips for the remainder of the year, asking Charles: “What winter veg are you sowing now?” He duly pointed them in the direction of his sewing timeline, which lists his recommendations for each month.
In July, Charles recommends: “Sow under cover by the end of the first week: kohlrabi, beetroot and Savoy cabbage. Before mid-month, sow lettuce, leaf beet, chard, endive, chicory. After mid month, sow bulb/Florence fennel, chervil, coriander, land cress, wild rocket, and Chinese cabbage.
“At month’s end in cool areas, spinach, mustards, pak choi, salad rocket, turnips. Sow outside same as under cover, and carrots until mid-July.”
Whilst for August, the expert adds: “Sow under cover: Claytonia, Oriental leaves, salad rocket, turnips multisown, and true spinach. August is fantastic for sowing salad rocket, Oriental leaves and spinach.
“Before mid-August, sow chervil, coriander, dill, parsley and land cress, for autumn and winter cropping outside. After mid-August, sow salads to grow outside through winter. Also spring onions and spring cabbage, for harvests in spring. Sow outside same as under cover but approximately a week earlier.”