Garden expert says 'you must plant these seeds' within next 10 days
Gardeners are being encouraged to sow specific seeds this September for an ample harvest in the colder months. Benedict Vanheems from the GrowVeg YouTube channel suggests that now is the time to plant if you want your vegetable patch brimming in winter. However, he adds that prompt action is necessary.
Title-dropped as 'You must sow these seeds in September', Benedict's latest video highlights a selection of Asian greens that may be challenging to cultivate but are intricately flavoured and textured, perfect for pepping up winter dishes.
Mizuna, mibuna, komatsuna, and mustards are among his top picks for September planting. "The great thing about these leafy lovelies is that they don't mind being sown at this slightly cooler time of the year," explains Benedict. He expects them to germinate rapidly and be ready for harvesting within months.
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The horticulture expert details that these Asian greens can all be planted similarly. Benedict starts with lining a tray with newspaper, topping it with a fine layer of multipurpose potting mix, then presses in several divots for the seeds.
He precisely places a few seeds into each depression. With plans to grow four different varieties in one tray, Benedict emphasises the importance of labelling each section: "Because I'm going to be sowing four different types of leaves into this one tray, it's going to be super important to label as I go."
He suggests that these plants could do with a bit of protection from frost. If you're fortunate enough to own a greenhouse, you can place your trays in there ensuring you leave ample space between the seedlings for them to receive plenty of sunlight as they grow.
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If you're planting outdoors, you'll need to shield the plants from frost effectively. Position your vegetable patch in the warmest, sunniest part of the garden, ideally against a south-facing wall.
If you anticipate an overnight frost, safeguard your seedlings with a layer of old newspaper, horticultural fleece, or a garden cloth or tarpaulin.
Benedict also mentions that some greens are robust enough to withstand even quite cold weather. Lamb's Lettuce, American cress and claytonia, sometimes referred to as winter purslane, can endure even fairly chilly temperatures.
He reveals a hidden perk to claytonia, stating: "When the tiny, ever-so-delicate white flowers appear in spring, you can eat those too."