Bad weather has ruined my plans to plant fruit and vegetables in a new plot this summer. Are there any early harvesting varieties I can plant in the coming weeks? Áine F, Dublin
Congratulations on the opening of your new plot! There's nothing better than nurturing your own productive land and enjoying the diverse wildlife that shares it and the bounty it produces. It's also comforting to know that you're not the only one whose carefully laid gardening plans have been ruined by prolonged bad weather. A recent report from the Irish Met Office stated that 2023 was the wettest year in Irish history, but this year's overcast and wet spring (the sixth wettest on record) wasn't much better, leaving the ground badly waterlogged and unarable in many parts of the country. Thankfully, conditions have improved since then, and the current combination of sunshine and rain is very suitable for plant growth.
But you're right to think that the main planting season is over. Most home garden crops need to be planted no later than early June to be fully productive. That being said, there are still some fast-growing, productive seeds that can be sown or transplanted as seedlings this month. Examples include beets (try the variety known as “Pablo” for a tasty seedling), turnips, lettuce, kohlrabi, radishes and spring onions, all of which are worth sowing or transplanting as seedlings grown in modules. As well as Swiss chard and oriental leafy greens such as mizuna, mustard, arugula and pak choi. Other edible crops that are suitable for transplanting as seedlings grown in containers include Florence fennel, winter cabbage, kale, calabrese and Chinese cabbage. Make sure to prepare the soil well before planting and mulch bare areas where possible to prevent problems with weed germination.
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You could also consider sowing green manure in temporarily unused areas as a way of suppressing weed growth, keeping the soil healthy and increasing fertility for future crops. Examples of green manure crops that can be sown at this time include crimson or red clover, mustard, phacelia, trefoil, winter tares and buckwheat (sources include fruithillfarm.com, mrmiddleton.com and quickcrop.ie). It's also worth taking the time to draw up a planting plan for your plot. This could include perennial varieties of fruit, herbs and vegetables, as well as cut flowers (many of which can be planted this autumn). But be sure to consider a crop rotation schedule to reduce the risk of pest and disease build-up.
