I've just finished preparing my last bit of garden in my 'zone one' kitchen garden.... However it's getting a bit late in the season. What can I sow now that is likely to give me some sort of crop? We don't get early frosts, but nothing much grows after the end of September as it gets too dark and windy after the equinox. It isn't hot here either - outside I'm lucky to get above 15 degrees Celsius (about 60 Fahrenheit) even in summer, and it's generally moist too. So I'm looking for a cool season, quick growing crop or other ground cover.
I'm assuming you might already be doing chard or kale....? They sometimes have a bit of a hard time getting going, but in your climate would still produce into at least the early winter if not through the winter. I just transplanted some kale from starting flats last night. I would sow seeds, but the flea beetles here just hammer emerging kale/Brassica seedlings so we have better success transplanting older plants.
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Thanks for the ideas - I do have chard and (perennial) kale, but I wonder if some other brassica might be worth a try - possibly some overwintering ones might work for me. Radish is a good idea too - I did have some seed left, I wonder whether I stil have it (I'm hoping to use some seed I already have rather than buying more!). I did plant peas and (runner) beans this week, it's getting a bit late for seed saving, but I hope for green beans and peas. Common beans will need a bit more heat - I'm thinking of trying some in the polytunnel though.
Turnips are worth a go for your conditions, they're fast and actually prefer it cool. Mustard greens too if you don't mind the heat. Land cress is another one that handles low light surprisingly well and keeps going past the equinox when most other things give up.
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In addition to what's been mentioned, I would try things like arugula, dill, cilantro, parsley, chervil, collards, chicories, endive, broccoli rabe, lettuces, beets, onions (for spring onion type harvets), asian greens like bok choy or choy sum.
Nancy Reading
steward and tree herder
Posts: 13768
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. Nearly 70 inches rain a year
I've sorted out some seeds I think are worth a try - some peas and beans for inside the tunnel, and various veg for outside. I think I'm going to sow quite a bit of rye seed too. I think I can overwinter it and get a heavier crop next year. Last year I sowed it in spring and got a good yeild from a little seed, but it's too late for it to crop this year now. It will double up as a cover crop over winter, which is something I have been struggling with a bit, so it will be interesting to see how this might work for me.