"September is dressing herself in showy dahlias"

What seeds to sow in September 

No doubt you are busy as I am, gathering in the fruitfulness of our labours. Still there is time and space appearing where we can sow winter hardy vegetables and flowers for next spring.

Vegetable seeds to sow in September

I have made a late sowing of kale, turnips and spinach. You could also sow spring cabbage, chard, fast growing mizuna, mustards, perpetual spinach, winter hardy spring onion and winter salads. These might include  winter lettuce, endive, claytonia, chervil and salad rocket, lambs lettuce (corn salad) or land cress a pungent alternative to watercress.  

Though these can be direct sown, starting seeds off in modules enables better care of the seedlings before planting out or potting on under some protection. 

Not forgetting autumn Japanese onion varieties too.

 

Flower seeds to sow in September

Good ones to sow this month are perennials that need stratification, a period of cold to induce germination. Select varieties such as primroses and primulas, foxgloves and many wildflowers. Sowing now mimics their natural cycle. Seeds sown between August and October often germinate quicker and flower earlier next spring. Other suitable varieties to consider include asters, lupins, alliums and aquilegia.

If you haven't much space outdoors then cyclamen, pelargoniums and schizanthus can be started off indoors. 

Hardy annuals such as calendula, cornflowers or  nigella sown in trays can be left in a sheltered spot ready for planting out in the spring.

Plant spring bulbs in pots or in borders.. 

Sow green manures

If you don't intend sowing any more veg or flower seeds, then fill gaps with green manure. Covering bare soil will to prevent weed growth while the ground isn't in use and improve soil fertility and nutrients. White mustard, phacelia or field beans and peas sown now will grow and then die off in the winter. Left to rot they will be integrated into the soil by natural processes, there is no need to dig in.. Or cover bare soil with mulch

* More on green manures and mulches, types and uses later this month  

"September is dressing herself in showy dahlias, and splendid marigolds and starry zinnias " Oliver Wendell Holmes