Two ‘unmissable’ plants to grow now for harvests ‘in three to four weeks’

There is a standard misconception that sun and warmth are indispensable to plants, though many species thrive in cooler temperatures and need no more than two months to mature.

Thankfully, experts have used their social media platforms to discuss these varieties, which are both edible and aesthetically pleasing.

According to Irish gardening enthusiast Niall McCauley (@niallgardens), one of the plants that are ideal to grow in autumn months due to its love of cool and damp conditions is spinach.

“If it gets too much sun it will bolt – where it produces flowers and seeds very quickly, rather than those large lush green leaves that we’re looking for,” explained the gardener.

“You can start spinach now in modules to plant out in a few week’s time, or you can direct sow it,” added McCauley. “It is such a simple crop to grow, yet at the same time baby spinach in the supermarket, Since it’s quick growing and takes up little room, it makes it the ideal food to grow at home.”

Ruby Streaks

Liz Zorab, who runs the YouTube channel By The Farm, named Ruby streaks as another “unmissable plant to grow” in September. 

She explained: “Whilst I don’t use an awful lot of mustards in a salad or in cooking there is one I really like and this is it, it’s ruby streaks, which I sometimes call oriental ruby streaks.”

“It’s very quick to germinate and you can have a harvest within three to four weeks.”

According to Zorab, the baby leaves are the best tasting as they give off a caramel taste and aren’t peppery. The more you chew, however, the more peppery they become.

“As the leaves […] get larger, the heat in them becomes more intense and gets […] quite fiery,” added the gardener, noting that you don’t need many seeds for an abundant harvest.

“One small packet of seeds goes a long way with these mustards so don’t be too tempted to sow all of it at once,” she said. “If you sow it at fortnightly intervals you’ll continue to get a harvest right through until the first frosts.”

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