Huw Richards, who has a popular YouTube channel, says there are still plenty of crops that can be sown in September, including salad crops, leafy greens and beans
Huw has plenty of fresh ideas for your garden this month(Image: YouTube/HuwRichards)
September marks harvest time for countless gardeners reaping the rewards of their year-long efforts. However, according to expert Huw Richards, it’s equally crucial for sowing fresh crops.
In his comprehensive guide to vital 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.”
He outlines 14 varieties that could nourish you and your household in the months ahead, featuring salad options, leafy vegetables and legumes. “The first crop to sow in September,” he explains. “This is the last chance for your summer radishes outside but you can also sow your winter radishes.”
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Huw has plenty of fresh ideas for yoru garden this month(Image: YouTube/HuwRichards)
He suggests Daikon, an elongated white Asian variety boasting a crisp consistency similar to an oversized white carrot or parsnip, plus Spanish black round winter types – which deliver a sharp, spicy kick when eaten fresh in salads, whilst also working brilliantly in casseroles, stir-fries, and roasted dishes.
This season also represents, Huw notes, the perfect moment for sowing Asian greens like pak choi and mizuna, reports the Express. Numerous varieties can be harvested using a “cut and come again” approach, enabling you to pluck individual leaves whilst keeping the plant thriving in the ground.
He explains: “They are so, so tasty, and they grow so well,” he says. “When you start them off in, say, early summer they often tend to bolt or run to seed.
“However, if you start them off at this time of year, they grow really fast and love these conditions, and they’re something that you can enjoy later on in autumn.”
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Huw grows his crops from seed(Image: YouTube/HuwRichards)
Huw emphasises that a cold frame, polytunnel or even basic garden fleece can genuinely boost your plot’s productivity as winter’s first frosts arrive. He also mentions that cultivating cover crops, like mustards, will shield the soil whilst bringing a touch of welcome heat to your winter meals.
He adds: “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.”
That’s precisely why, he notes, you can cultivate field beans as a proper crop, not merely for ground cover: “Now is the time to sow them, so take advantage of any openings in your garden.”
Additional crops worth considering this month, according to Huw, include rocket, spinach, lettuce, peas, kale, cabbage and coriander. As a trial run, he’s also testing out an Asian green called wa wa cai choi. These speedy and scrumptious greens are just the ticket to keep your garden productive during the late summer, autumn, winter, and the notorious “hungry gap” from March to May.
This period is known for a dip in homegrown produce across the UK: winter crops have ended, and new spring crops haven’t quite reached harvesting time.
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