IN THE GARDEN

What to plant in September

September weather facts

Average high temperature: 30°C Average low temperature: 25°C Average rainfall: 327.6mm Average rainfall days: 14.7 days

September heralds not only the long-awaited back-to-school season, but also the return to the grindstone for all you gardeners. Leave the kids to their technology devices and don loose-fitting attire and get your hands dirty.

Summer in Hong Kong swelters on, with temperatures ranging between 25ºC and 31ºC. It’s also the height of typhoon season and unpredictable weather, rain or shine, presents an extra challenge to the intrepid gardener. Just about anything is possible, so come prepared for all eventualities.

The heat this month makes it the ideal time to plant out your tomatoes, some much-needed colour amidst these dreary summer storms. Meanwhile, celery should be transplanted from seed pans into carefullymade nurse beds, which provide excellent drainage and will protect your seedlings from pesky bugs and slugs.

Seeds of the following may be sown: Chinese spinach, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese green and white cabbage, radish, cauliflower, and carrot – all delightful vegetables. Mustard and cress may also be planted now, although one may prefer instead to plant these in October in less inclement weather.

To plan ahead for next month’s gardening, obtain a good quantity of brinjal seeds for sowing, and towards the end of September make sure to manure the beds for the bulk of the winter crops. A prepared gardener is a perfect gardener, as I always say, although my partner informs me I may need a catchy slogan.

By William James Tutcher F.L.S. (1867-1920)

Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens. Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.