October 23, 2009, Newsletter Issue #416: Vegetables, Cover Crops To Plant In September

Tip of the Week

While it is true what you can plant this month is limited, there are still quite a few options for your vegetable garden. Prepare cold frames and frost covers just in case you need them. Remember you can make a cold frame from four bales of straw and an old window. This will protect young seedlings as well as older plants from chilly nights or unexpected frost.


In September you can direct sow argula, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive, lettuce, mache, mustard, parsley, peas, radish, sorrel, spinach and turnips. You can transplant Chinese cabbage starts into the garden if you have any. Remember to keep your seeds and seedlings well watered. Getting your plants to grow well right now is the key to keeping them alive longer. Cool weather plants that are fully grown can be stored and harvested directly in the garden if they are given adequate protection from frost and fridgid weather.


If you are looking to plant cover crops over part of your garden, September is the time to plant alfalfa, buckwheat, hairy vetch, mustard, oats, radish, winter rye and winter wheat.


If there are other cool weather crops that you like, feel free to experiment. Look for crops that have short harvest seasons and can take cool weather such as those suited to start in early spring before the last frost.


Remember that using cold frames can help you extend the harvest time of warm weather crops such as peppers, tomatoes and eggplants.

About LifeTips

Now one of the top on-line publishers in the world, LifeTips offers tips to millions of monthly visitors. Our mission mission is to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Expert writers earn dough for what they know. And exclusive sponsors in each niche topic help us make-it-all happen.