Late Summer Sowing Tips
TylerFeatures of this stage of the season:
Night temperatures are upDay length good
Everything grows quickly but very dry so watering paramount
Ensure protection from the wind
Can still experience extremes in southern/inland zones
Good time to sow annual and perennial flowers, culinary herbs and most vegetables.
Vegetables - extensive list of varieties that can be sown in late summer (see below):
Greens - Asian Greens, Amaranth, Water Spinach, Komatsuna, Mustard, Arugula, Rocket, Beet, Lettuce, Mesclun, Cress, Watercress (goes to seed naturally at this time of the year, good time to resow)
Root Crops – Beetroot, Carrot, Celeriac, Florence Fennel, Kohlrabi, Mini Onions (short keepers, not larger long keeping types), Parsnip, Radish, Salsify/Scorzonera, Turnip
Vines – Caigua, Cucumber, Malabar Spinach
Other – Soybean, Celery, Leeks, Beans, Asparagus Pea
NB:
Too warm for peas.
Too late for watermelons, melons, pumpkin and squash but OK for cucumber.
Excellent time for heat loving Asian greens especially Water Spinach and Amaranth.
Sow perennial vegetables now to get them going for next year – Rhubarb, Asparagus and Artichokes.
Annual Flowers – will take 50 to 60 days to flower by end March/early April.
Agastache, Alyssum, Antirrhinum, Aster, Calendula, Celosia, Cornflower, Cosmos, Dianthus, Flax, Forget-me-not, Gaillardia, Larkspur, Livingstone Daisy, Marigold, Mignonette, Nasturtium, Nemophila, Nigella, Nepeta, Orlaya, Petunia, Phacelia, Portulaca, California Poppy, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Statice, Stock, Sunflower, Ursinia, Viola, Viscaria, Zinnia.
NB:
Too warm for Sweet Peas – sow early autumn for pre-winter colour. If sown late autumn will over-winter but not flower until spring.
Perennial Flowers – still time to establish a crown or base plant for next year.
Achillea, Aquilegia, Asclepias Butterfly Blend, Astilbe, Baptisia, Bellis, Commelina, Echinacea, Eryngium, Gaura, Gypsophila, Irish Moss, Knautia, Lilies, Monarda, Nepeta, Penstemon, Snail Vine, Tweedia, Verbascum.
Culinary Herbs – most edible herbs are annuals and the majority can still be sown late summer for harvest before winter.
Basil, Anise, Borage, Caraway, Celery for Cutting, Chamomile, Chervil, Chives, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Salad Burnet, Sorrel, Stevia, Tarragon, Thyme, Wormwood.
