Summer can pass by in the blink of an eye, and before we know it we’re well on the way to autumn. As the crops you planted in spring bear fruit and the flowers begin to wilt by the end of July, what can you plant in their place? To ensure a steady supply of fresh produce and blooms from late summer and beyond, try planting the following into your borders or beds.
Vegetables for late summer
Late autumn frosts
If you live in a part of the country where frost is highly unlikely until late autumn, you can begin broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and celery in the greenhouse, with the aim of planting these during late September to early October. If your climate is cooler, then frost protection may be required for these vegetables before harvest time.
Mid-autumn frosts
Where frost is expected during mid-autumn, you have time to plant further crops. Check seed packets carefully to see how many days it should take for the vegetables to mature, and add around ten days to compensate for the days becoming shorter. Opt for quick-maturing crops that will be harvested before frost, or those that can cope with colder conditions.
Second crops
Beets, carrots, beans, spinach, greens and lettuce can be sown in late summer, and seeds will often germinate rapidly because the soil is so warm. If there isn’t enough time to grow from seed, you could use plug plants from your local garden centre instead. If the weather is very hot, keep crops well-watered and shaded where possible.
Flowers for late summer
Verbena
Tall blooming plants can add colour to the back of borders, or can be planted to fill gaps between shrubs. Verbenas have become increasingly popular during recent years, and their small purple flowers are similar in colour to lavender. Verbenas bloom from late July, peaking in August and continuing into the next season. As the flowers are fairly small, verbenas are best planted in groups to add colour, structure and movement.
Crocosmia
A crocosmia is another tall plant, featuring bright red, orange or yellow flowers. The attractive, blade-like foliage makes a pleasant display in its own right before bursting into bloom in late summer, when trumpet shaped flowers appear on each plant.
Japanese anemone
Japanese anemones are more subtle, yet very reliable. Their simple, elegant blooms look best planted as sizeable drifts within borders, and they come in pretty shades of mauve, pink or pure white.
Sedum
Another suitable hardy perennial comes in the form of sedums – otherwise known ice plants, stonecrop or hylotelephium. Bees love them and they grow well in sunny spots. An added bonus is that you can leave the flowers in place after blooming, as they will still look lovely during winter.
Helenium
Helenium are for those who love sunshine colours. Sometimes known as sneezeweed, the daisy-shaped flowers are bright yellow and orange, and they’re another bloom the local bee population will thank you for. Once they’ve flowered, the remaining seed-heads look great too.
