As the summer season fades, many gardeners assume it’s time to stop planting until spring. However, September can be one of the most productive months of the year for sowing, with opportunity for certain crops to thrive in cooler conditions. For those wanting to keep their gardens active, this transitional period is perfect to prepare for a more productive year ahead.
John Collins, nursery manager at Ashridge, stressed that it might actually be a mistake to stop planting too early, explaining: “Most people stop planting once August is out of the way, but that’s actually when some vegetables do their best. They really like the cooler nights and gentler weather. If you get them in now, you’ll stretch out your growing season and end up with harvests later this year – plus a head start next spring.”
The best vegetables to plant in September
1. Garlic
It’s one of the easiest to get into the soil now, needing little maintenance once planted. With the benefit of autumn and winter to develop strong root systems, bulbs planted now produce bigger results by the following summer.
“Split the bulb into cloves and plant each one pointed side up, a couple of centimetres below the surface,” John advised. “Space them around 15cm apart, with rows about 30cm apart.”
2. Spinach
This leafy green is another rewarding choice for September sowing. It thrives in cooler conditions, provides tender leaves within weeks, and, in milder regions, continues producing throughout winter.
“Spinach needs constant moisture but hates being waterlogged,” John explained, recommending regular sowing in small batches to avoid gluts.
Harvesting outer leaves encourages continuous growth, making it a reliable cut-and-come-again crop.
3. Broad beans
They offer one of the strongest payoffs for forward planning. By planting varieties such as ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ in autumn, gardeners can expect earlier and heavier yields than spring sowings.
“Plant seeds about 5cm deep, leaving 20cm between plants and 60cm between rows,” John noted, adding that protection from strong winds is key.
Pinching out growing tips not only strengthens plants but also helps fend off pests like black fly.