Sow winter leaves now
I’M a really keen cook, and just because the nights are getting chillier it doesn’t mean that my living larder of veg should be compromised.
I love making creamy watercress soup, and sea bass fillet on a bed of wilted spinach and rocket pesto potatoes, so if you’re equally passionate about your food then let’s ensure our kitchen inspiration doesn’t wane at the same rate as the day length.
In early September the soil is still warm, and so with a little rainfall (or irrigation if the skies are dry), germination and growth can be rapid. Leafy crops such as kale, mustard, turnip tops, komatsuna, rocket, land cress, chard and spinach are ideal for such sowings, all being winter-hardy and quick to bulk up. You can either sow them outside or, if you have a cold frame or greenhouse, sow batches into deep trays, growing bags or directly into the earth within these.
The covers will afford them protection should nights get chilly, giving you more certainty of a bumper harvest. Another option if greenhouse tomatoes are still in full swing is to sow into modular trays for transplanting later. Devoid of a greenhouse, I’m sowing into sunny beds on the south side of my veg plot. I’ll cover rows with tunnel cloches. Sow in the usual way in short drills, but be sure to water drills thoroughly first if your soil is still dry from summer heat. Then just fire the cooker up and continue to create your culinary masterpieces!