Share

Vegetable calendar for September

accreditation
Uie, wortels en kool
Uie, wortels en kool
Spring heralds the start of a new growing season. But don’t be in too much of a hurry; the ground is still cold, and one last frost is expected before it warms up. Stagger your sowing, keep harvesting winter veggies and water more often as the days get warmer.

Sowing plan for spring

Early September Sow beetroot, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, peas, spinach and Swiss chard which germinate at cooler soil temperatures.

Sowing tip For fine carrot seed such as ‘Cape Market’ (developed specifically for South African conditions), sow row by row, using a funnel made from a sheet of paper to help distribute the seeds more evenly.

Mid-September Sow bush and runner beans, and bush squash.

Sowing tip Green beans germinate best when two or three beans are sown together in a hole. Make a bean teepee by tying three canes together (or string for training upwards) and sow the heirloom runner bean ‘Lazy Housewife’ at the base to climb upwards. The kids will love it.

End September Sow tomato, brinjal, chilli, sweet pepper, mealie, pumpkin, melon and other trailing squash.

Sowing tip Water seed beds and seedlings every day. Use a watering can with a fine nozzle that will not wash away the seedlings.

Try this!

Grow bite-sized cherry tomatoes in a 35–40cm diameter pot using good quality potting soil with homemade compost and an organic fertiliser. Water daily in summer and feed once a month with a liquid fertiliser. Don’t let pots dry out.

 Runner beans
Runner beans

Did you know?
Lettuce, spinach, bush beans, baby marrow, and tomatoes are regarded as the most costeffective veggies to grow. The leafy crops are fast growers, bush beans are prolific producers and home-grown tomatoes are tastier.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()