The Vegetable Plot - September

Where the mistress is the master, parsley grows the faster

Just one of many old wives’ tales and superstitions associated with growing parsley, some with dire warnings such as never transplant it. But where would we be without parsley in many culinary dishes?

One solution is to grow it in pots and then move it to the cold frame or greenhouse before the frosts. You can, however, without fear move spring cabbage sown in Mid-July to the plot where they will mature – the plot where you have just lifted onions or potatoes is ideal, so go ahead and lift, along with carrots and maincrop beetroot.

Thin out vegetable seedlings, winter spinach, lettuce, endive and spinach beet. Pick tomatoes to ripen on the windowsill and later use green ones that don’t ripen to make into chutney. If you have a heated greenhouse sow some French beans for forcing and take advantage of September sunshine to stand squashes and pumpkins in the sun to harden.

• Plant autumn onion sets between now and November
• Plant rooted strawberry runners where they are to fruit
• Freeze peas, beans, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and sweet corn
• Bag potatoes in paper bags or hessian, but not in plastic bags, store in a dark, frost-proof  place 
• Lift and store onions in boxes in a cool, dry, frost-free place or plait with raffia and hang in the shed or garage