mind the gap

As summer marches on, harvesting early crops can leave bare earth in the vegetable patch. Here, Ryton gardener Jules Duncan shares her favourite ways to fill the gaps

After months of sowing and harvesting, you could be forgiven for thinking the growing season is grinding to a halt. Once the seedsowing frenzy of spring is over, it can be easy to assume there’s little to grow – but that’s definitely not the case.

Whether you have gaps to fill, or you’ve just taken on a new garden or allotment, there are plenty of vegetables to sow now that you can enjoy before the first frosts. Not only will this provide you with nutrient-rich greens and a pop of colour, but it will also save you money buying shop-bought produce.

In fact, there are many benefits to sowing now: the soil is warm, light levels are good and there’s no danger of frost. For some crops, late sowing also helps when it comes to managing pests. Radishes, for example, are far less likely to be attacked by flea beetle when sown in July and August compared with spring-sown plants.

Pick Your Spot

Use bare spaces where crops have already been harvested to sow quick-maturing crops direct, such as radishes and salads. It’s also an ideal time to slot a few speedy seeds between existing rows.

You may be able to succession sow many crops too. This means sowing another row as the first germinates to provide you with fresh pickings through later summer and into autumn. Recently vacated containers are also a great option. Consider the final size of the plant to ensure there’s enough room for the crop to mature if you’re not picking baby leaves. Plants in containers depend on you for their food, so give a weekly liquid feed, such as seaweed. Alternatively, if you’re lucky enough to be able to make your own comfrey ‘tea’, then that works wonders too. Head to gardenorganic.org.uk/ comfrey to find out how.

Overcoming Watering Challenges

With temperatures still high, watering is important –particularly if you’re going away on holiday. Mulching around plants with well-rotted compost helps improve the moisture-retaining ability of your soil.

As you take a crop out, consider filling the gap with a green manure. Good ones to sow now include winter tares, crimson clover or mustard. These suppress weeds, shade the soil, improve the structure when dug in and can add nutrients. For containers, add large saucers or trays under pots, or watering bulbs to capture and conserve water. You could also try a simple irrigation system, which attaches to a water butt or outside tap, with a timer.

Good husbandry is crucial for young seedlings, so look out for aphid, slug and caterpillar attack. The birds’ spring feeding frenzy will have slowed now their young have fledged, so less will be eaten. However, you can also handpick slugs and caterpillars and pop them on the bird table. Create a balanced garden and you’ll encourage ladybird larvae, birds and hedgehogs that will all help mop up aphids, and more.

Greenhouse Gap Fillers

The protection of a greenhouse, cold frame or tunnel can help you extend your season even further.

• Succession-sow salad leaves and winter lettuce into spent compost used by your other crops, or try some baby carrots in larger containers.

• Continue to sow parsley and coriander.

• Potatoes can also be planted in bags or trugs for a Christmas crop.

JULES’S FAVOURITE GAP-FILLERS

Radishes

Sow until the end of August, either directly in the ground or in a container and cover with a sprinkling of soil. Thin out the seedlings when they emerge. Most varieties will be ready to harvest in six weeks, when they are around 2cms across. Pickled radishes store well, adding a touch of summer spice to your dinner plate – even in the depths of winter.

Best varieties for summer sowing: French Breakfast, Long Scarlet.

Dwarf French beans

Sow until late July. Sowing in blocks or double rows ensures the plants support each other. Push beans into the soil until they are covered by double their depth of soil. If you find you have a glut, dry the seeds and store in an airtight jar ready to be added to soups and stews throughout the winter. With dwarf French beans, it’s best to remove the pods from the plants to dry, as being so close to the ground can cause them to rot.

Best varieties for summer sowing: Cannellino, Faraday, Safari.

Spinach

Always choose a summer variety that can withstand the heat. Sow in a shallow, moist drill, in between rows of taller veg, such as peas, or in a container. Cover with 1.5cm soil. Harvest after 10 weeks for a mature plant, but baby leaves will be much quicker.

Best varieties for summer sowing: Perpetual, Palco.

Herbs

Fast-growing annual herbs will grow quickly in the warm soil, and while you enjoy the leaves, their fragrant flowers have the added benefit of attracting insects. Later, their seeds will make lovely natural food for birds.

Best varieties for summer sowing: Dill, coriander, parsley.

Salad greens

Quick-growing greens, such as salad leaves, rocket, mizuna and pak choi, will survive well into the autumn provided you cover them with fleece or a cloche to prevent frost damage. Some are pretty enough for the border or containers, including red orache, mizuna –green and purple varieties – or speckled mustard leaves. Ensure the ground is weed-free and sow thinly in rows, covering with a thin layer of soil. Harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut lettuce heads with a knife so the root regrows for a second flush. It’s not too late to sow nasturtiums for edible flowers, leaves and seeds.

Best varieties for summer sowing: Red Orache, Mustard Giant Red, Tom Thumb. Our Heritage Seed Library lettuce Northern Queen can be sown as late as September.