September Seed Sowing: A Guide for Hardy Annuals and Winter Vegetables
Introduction
September is the perfect time to start planning your garden for next year. By sowing seeds now, you can enjoy a vibrant display of flowers and a bountiful harvest of vegetables in the months to come.
Growing Hardy Annuals for Earlier Blooms
Hardy annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. They’re a great way to add color and interest to your garden early in the year. Some popular hardy annuals include snapdragons, love-in-a-mist, and poached egg plants.
To sow hardy annuals in September, simply scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover them with a thin layer of compost. Water the seeds gently and keep them moist until they germinate. Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, you can thin them out to the desired spacing.
Sowing Winter Vegetables
September is also a great time to sow winter vegetables. These vegetables will grow throughout the winter and can be harvested in the spring. Some popular winter vegetables include spinach, broad beans, peas, and turnips.
To sow winter vegetables, prepare the soil by removing any weeds and debris. Then, sow the seeds according to the instructions on the seed packet. Water the seeds gently and keep them moist until they germinate. Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, you can thin them out to the desired spacing.
Specific Growing Tips
Here are some specific growing tips for some of the plants mentioned in this article:
- Land cress: Land cress is a biennial winter salad leaf that prefers moist conditions. Sow seeds directly into the soil in full sun or partial shade.
- Endive: Endive is a relative of chicory that can be grown for both its leaves and its roots. Sow seeds in early September for a winter crop or any time during the month for cut-and-come-again salad leaves.
- Dill: Dill is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes. Sow seeds in large pots or in situ, as transplanting seedlings can cause plants to flower prematurely.
- Sweet cicely: Sweet cicely is an attractive umbellifer with white flowerheads and divided foliage with an aniseed flavor. Sow seeds in autumn or spring in rich, moist soil.
- Snapdragons: Snapdragons are charismatic flowers with flamboyant colors and miniature dragon mouths. Sow seeds thinly in peat-free compost in trays or modules and place them on a sunny windowsill or in a propagator.
- Love-in-a-mist: Love-in-a-mist is a beautiful flower that looks wonderful planted along the front of borders. Sow seeds directly into the soil and cover them with a fine layer of soil.
- Poached egg plant: Poached egg plants are cheerful yellow and white hardy annuals that are a great way to attract pollinating insects to the garden. Prepare the ground by weeding and raking an area of well-drained soil in full sun and scatter seeds for a naturalistic look or sow in rows.
- Greater quaking grass: Greater quaking grass is a beautiful ornamental grass that forms an airy backdrop in many container displays. Sow seeds this month in well-drained soil in a sunny spot and cover them with a fine layer of soil.
- Umbellifers: Umbellifers are a family of plants that includes Ammi majus and Ammi visnaga. These plants can be sown in September to produce delightful umbels of white flowers next summer.
Conclusion
September is a busy time in the garden, but it’s also a rewarding one. By sowing seeds now, you can enjoy a beautiful and bountiful garden next year.
