Brian Minter: Now is the perfect time to plant for late summer colour and harvests

Sunflowers, of any size, add brightness to the garden, and bees love them, too. Photo by Minter Country Garden

Article content

This is one of the most important times in our gardens for many reasons. With our consistent warm weather, virtually everything can be planted out now, even if starting from seed, and still mature for late summer harvests.

Article content

Root crops in particular can be planted now, not only for late summer enjoyment but, when left in the ground, they are perfect for fall and even winter harvests. Carrots, beets, kohlrabi, turnips and parsnips will all germinate nicely with these warmer temperatures to stretch your food resources and help your budget. Seed potatoes can still go in for an amazing flush of mid-sized gems in September.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Here on the West Coast, sweet potatoes are gaining in popularity and either Georgia Jet or Reliance are two of the best.

Article content

Article content

Brassicas, too, can be planted now and will provide fresh cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli well into fall. It’s an ideal time to plant Brussels sprouts for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Hardy kale varieties, set out now, will mature and last through the winter.

Article content

It is the perfect time to plant winter squash. If kept cool and dry after harvesting, these can last through the winter and into spring.

Article content

Acorn squash now come in so many varieties they can diversify your autumn meals. From the dark Green Acorn to the pure white Cream of the Crop, their distinct flavours provide unique dining experiences.

Article content

Cream-coloured Butternut, Butter Baby, and Honeynut varieties also have wonderfully diverse flavours, as do the delicious Kabocha and Buttercup types. They are all great keepers, just like the mini and mid-sized Hubbards, which are better suited size wise to the average garden.

Article content

Grow then for food or grow them for fun but, either way, pumpkins are a joy to have in the garden. Photo by Minter Country Garden

Article content

It’s also the perfect time for Halloween pumpkins to go in. Although still popular because of their vibrant orange colours and assortment of sizes, the average pumpkin has given way to a vast array of designer pumpkins. Today’s wide selection of varieties is amazing and a lot of fun, with colours ranging from soft lemon yellows to almost black, and many bicolours.

Article content

Article content

White varieties also rule. Available in many sizes from the tiny Snowball to the huge Crystal Star, there is a huge selection of shapes and sizes. Make sure you get the pure white types, which will look crisp in your displays.

Article content

Article content

Unique varieties like Rouge Vif d’Etampes, Fairytale, and Cinderella’s Carriage, as well as many others, are delightful in autumn baking.

Article content

Even some squash varieties are getting into the designer act. Grey Ghost, Autumn Frost and Galeux d’Eysines are delicious varieties, but all make exquisite decor statements, too.

Article content

They all need to be planted as soon as possible to enjoy their fall magic.

Article content

Basil, in all its many varieties and forms, thrives in hot weather. They are, by far, the most popular summer herb and can still be started from seed or transplanted as seedlings. The fragrance in your garden or patio is always so refreshing.

Article content

Basil does not thrive in cool weather but, now that the heat is on, it can safely go into your garden. Photo by Minter Country Garden.

Article content

This is also dill time, to coincide with your pickling cucumber crops which now come in smaller sizes to utilize small garden spaces and containers. Nothing quite matches the perfume of blooming dill, even in cut flower bouquets.