As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to cool, many gardeners believe their planting season is over. However, early fall is an excellent time to plant a variety of unique or forgotten vegetables that not only thrive in cooler weather but can also be harvested well into winter. If you’re looking to try something new in your garden this September, consider these five unusual vegetables that you might not have thought to plant.
1. Mâche (Corn Salad): A Delicate Green with a Cold-Weather Twist
Mâche, also known as corn salad, is a tender leafy green that is surprisingly hardy in cold weather. This vegetable is often overlooked in favor of more common greens like lettuce or spinach, but it has a mild, nutty flavor that adds a unique touch to salads and sandwiches. Mâche can be planted in early September, and it thrives in cool, moist conditions. Best of all, it is one of the few greens that can withstand frost, allowing for harvests well into late fall or even early winter.
2. Salsify: The Forgotten Root Vegetable
Salsify is an old-fashioned root vegetable that deserves a comeback in the modern garden. With a flavor reminiscent of oysters or artichokes, salsify is a versatile addition to soups, stews, and roasts. Plant salsify seeds in September for a fall harvest next year, as this vegetable requires a long growing season. It is cold-hardy and can even survive light frosts, making it a reliable crop for overwintering in milder climates. If you’ve never tried this unusual root, now is the perfect time to experiment. The plant also produces beautiful, daisy-like purple flowers that can add a touch of color to your garden in the spring.
3. Claytonia (Miner’s Lettuce): A Cool-Weather Delight
Claytonia, or miner’s lettuce, is another cold-hardy vegetable that is perfect for fall planting. Named after the California gold miners who relied on it for nutrition, Claytonia has a crisp texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor. It grows quickly and can be harvested as baby greens or allowed to mature for larger leaves. This hardy plant thrives in cool, damp weather and can produce leaves throughout the fall and into early winter. Its unique, spoon-shaped leaves also make it a visually interesting addition to any garden.
4. Mizuna: The Spicy Green That Loves the Cold
Mizuna, a Japanese mustard green, is a fast-growing vegetable with a peppery flavor that brings a kick to salads, stir-fries, and soups. Its feathery, serrated leaves are incredibly cold-hardy, making it an ideal candidate for September planting. Mizuna can tolerate frost and continues to produce fresh greens well into winter, providing a continuous harvest when other greens might struggle. Plant mizuna in a sunny spot, and you’ll enjoy a vibrant addition to your fall garden that thrives in cooler temperatures.
5. Kohlrabi: The Space-Age Vegetable for Fall Gardens
Kohlrabi is not necessarily rare, but it is often underappreciated compared to other fall crops like kale or broccoli. This bulbous vegetable, which looks like something out of a science fiction novel, has a mild, sweet taste similar to that of broccoli stems or cabbage hearts. Kohlrabi is perfect for fall planting because it thrives in cooler temperatures and develops its best flavor after a light frost. Plant it in September, and enjoy its crisp texture in salads, slaws, or roasted vegetable dishes throughout the fall and early winter.
Plant Something New This September
If you’re looking to shake things up in your garden this fall, these five vegetables offer unique flavors, textures, and growing experiences that go beyond the ordinary. By planting these varieties in September, you can extend your growing season, diversify your garden’s offerings, and perhaps even discover a new favorite crop that thrives in cooler weather. So, grab your gardening gloves and give these overlooked vegetables a try – you might just be surprised by what grows!
