As September rolls in, the days start to shorten, and there’s a crispness in the air signalling the transition from summer to autumn. But even as the season changes, our allotments can remain productive and vibrant. This month, we’re focusing on sowing a selection of hardy crops that will continue to thrive through the cooler months, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce well into winter. Here’s a closer look at what Vegetables to sow in September on our UK allotment.

What I’m Sowing in September

All Year Round Lettuce

To keep our salads going throughout the year, we’re sowing ‘All Year Round’ lettuce from seed. This variety is incredibly versatile, thriving in a range of conditions. It’s perfect for autumn sowing, ensuring we have crisp, fresh leaves to harvest even as the weather cools down. Be sure to provide some protection during colder nights to extend the growing season.
Buy All year round lettuce (Amazon)

Rocket

Rocket is a quick-growing, peppery leaf that adds a spicy kick to salads and sandwiches. Sowing rocket in September ensures a fresh supply of greens that can withstand cooler temperatures. Regular harvesting will encourage new growth, providing a continuous crop of these zesty leaves.
Buy Rocket (Amazon)

Black Nero Kale

Black Nero kale, with its dark, textured leaves and rich flavour, is a must-have for the cooler months. Sowing it in September ensures a robust crop that will continue to provide nutritious leaves throughout autumn and winter. This hardy kale variety is perfect for soups, stews, and even kale chips, making it a versatile addition to the garden.
Buy Nero Kale (Amazon)

Beetroot

Sowing beetroot from seed this month allows us to enjoy this sweet, earthy root vegetable well into the winter. Varieties like ‘Bolt hardy’ are particularly suited for autumn sowing, providing reliable crops that are perfect for roasting, pickling, or adding to salads. Be sure to thin the seedlings once they’ve established to give each root plenty of space to grow.
Buy Beetroot (Amazon)

French Radish

French radishes are a fast-growing crop ideal for September sowing. Varieties like ‘French Breakfast’ will produce crisp, spicy radishes in just a few weeks, making them perfect for salads and snacks. These radishes thrive in cooler conditions, making them a reliable crop as the temperatures begin to drop.
Buy French Radish (Amazon)

Bright Lights Chard

‘Bright Lights’ chard is a vibrant, colourful addition to our autumn garden. This variety is not only beautiful but also incredibly hardy, thriving even as the days grow shorter. Sowing chard in September will provide a steady supply of tender leaves and stems that can be used in salads, sautés, and as a spinach substitute.
Buy Chard (Amazon)

Ruby Streak Mustard

Ruby Streak mustard, with its stunning purple leaves and spicy flavour, is an excellent choice for autumn sowing. It adds both colour and a peppery bite to salads and dishes. This fast-growing mustard will be ready for harvesting in just a few weeks, making it a quick and rewarding crop for the cooler months.
Buy Ruby Mustard (Amazon)

Spinach

Spinach is a cold-hardy green that thrives in autumn. Sowing spinach in September will ensure a continuous supply of tender, nutritious leaves that are perfect for salads, soups, and sautés. This leafy green prefers well-drained soil and benefits from regular watering, especially during dry spells.
Buy Spinach (Amazon)

Spring Onions

Spring onions are a versatile and easy-to-grow crop that’s perfect for autumn sowing. Varieties like ‘White Lisbon’ are ideal for September planting, providing crisp, flavourful stems that can be harvested in just a few weeks. Spring onions are perfect for salads, garnishes, and adding a mild onion flavour to dishes.
Buy Spring Onions (Amazon)