Food Forest
Growing

Which Seeds to Sow in September

By Kiran Dhall, in collaboration with Vital Seeds

September is a crucial time to sow seeds if you want to make the most of the winter and early spring months. Whether you’re preparing your garden for a bountiful winter harvest or planning a guerrilla gardening mission to bring neglected urban spaces to life, you won’t only be preparing for a flourishing garden next year but also contributing to a healthier, more vibrant environment for both you and local wildlife.

We teamed up with our friends at Vital Seeds to explore the best seeds to plant this September across the UK and Northern Hemisphere. With their expert advice and high-quality seeds, you’ll be ready to make an impact. Whether you’re growing flowers to beautify the city or vegetables for your table, these seed suggestions are your go-to guide. Feel free to click the links to shop for seeds from Vital Seeds and start your gardening adventure.

Flower Seeds to Sow in September

Even as the days get shorter, many hardy flower varieties can be sown in September to provide a splash of colour come spring and summer. Here’s what we recommend for your guerrilla gardening project:

Calendula

Bright, bold, and easy to grow, Calendula is a great choice for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Known for its brilliant orange and yellow blooms, it’s perfect for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Even better, it’s edible, with petals that can be used in salads, and it thrives in poor soil. Scatter the seeds in open, sunny areas, and watch them spread joy throughout your neighborhood.

California Poppy

This drought-tolerant flower is ideal for guerrilla gardeners looking to add a touch of the West Coast to their local streets. California poppies bring vivid orange blooms that are both resilient and easy to maintain, perfect for neglected spaces. Their low-maintenance beauty makes them a natural choice for brightening up roadside verges or forgotten corners of your town.

Cornflower

Cornflowers are a staple of any wildflower garden, offering striking blue petals that attract bees and other pollinators. Hardy and adaptable, they’ll thrive in rough, disturbed soils, making them ideal for guerrilla gardening projects. Plant them in abandoned lots or along railway tracks for a burst of color come spring.

Nigella

With its delicate, feathery foliage and sky-blue flowers, Nigella adds an ethereal touch to any guerrilla garden. Also known as “Love-in-a-Mist,” this plant is easy to grow, self-seeding, and thrives even in neglected areas. Scatter Nigella seeds in any sunny spot and prepare for beautiful blooms that look like they’re floating in a misty cloud.

Poppy Seeds

If you want to make a bold statement, you can’t go wrong with poppies. Known for their vibrant red petals, these flowers are a symbol of remembrance and resilience. Poppies grow well in poor soil and will come back year after year, making them a fantastic addition to any guerrilla gardening project. Sprinkle them in the cracks of city pavements or across vacant land and let their beauty do the talking.

Vegetable Seeds to Sow in September

September is also the perfect time to sow vegetables that will thrive through autumn and winter. These crops can provide you with fresh produce in the colder months or be harvested in the early spring. Here’s what to plant:

Asian Greens

Fast-growing and packed with nutrients, Asian greens like pak choi, mustard greens, and mizuna are perfect for cooler weather. Sow them now, and you’ll enjoy a continuous supply of tender leaves for salads, stir-fries, and soups throughout autumn.

Broad Beans

Broad beans are a hardy crop that can be planted in September for an early harvest next spring. They tolerate the colder months well, making them ideal for overwintering. Plant them in well-drained soil, and they’ll reward you with a delicious, protein-rich harvest as the days begin to warm.

Lambs Lettuce

Also known as mache or corn salad, Lamb’s lettuce is a winter-hardy green that can be grown through the colder months. Its tender, nutty-flavored leaves are a wonderful addition to salads and grow well in containers or raised beds.

Lettuce

You can still sow certain varieties of lettuce in September to enjoy a fresh supply of leafy greens well into autumn. Opt for winter-hardy varieties like ‘Winter Gem’ or ‘Arctic King,’ which can withstand colder temperatures and keep your salad bowl full through the frosty months.

Peas

Peas can be sown in September for an early harvest next spring. Choose a winter-hardy variety and plant them in well-prepared soil. As they climb, peas will brighten up your garden or any vertical urban space, all while providing you with sweet, delicious pods in the spring.

Onions

September is the ideal time to plant onions for overwintering. Varieties like ‘Senshyu Yellow’ and ‘Radar’ can be sown now and will develop over the winter for a harvest next summer. Onions are resilient and easy to grow, making them perfect for guerrilla gardening in urban allotments or neglected plots.

Why Sow in September?

Sowing seeds in September is a strategic move. Many thrive when planted in the cooler months. The earlier you get them in the ground, the stronger and more resilient they’ll be. By planting now, you’re setting the stage for a flourishing, healthy ecosystem that supports pollinators and wildlife… while also creating a beautiful environment for people to enjoy!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, Earthed’s free video classes are taught by world nature leaders. They’ll help you create biodiverse gardens, thriving vegetable patches, and sustainable communities. With expert guidance and a community of fellow gardeners, you’ll have everything you need to grow and make a lasting impact.

Learn more and become a member at Earthed.co to start your journey.