September’s Finest: Seasonal Planting, Foraging, Picking and Eating

It’s that time of year again, when some of our most loved British fruits and vegetables can take centre stage.

Seasonable vegetables to buy and eat in September 

Eating seasonal produce is a great way to ensure we’re eating the freshest, and most environmentally friendly food we can at any time of the year. You might think that eating local vegetables during the colder months might limit us to potatoes and parsnips (not that we’ve got anything against them), but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Here’s our top pick of what September has to offer us in the UK:

• Courgettes 
• Aubergines
• Globe artichokes 
• Leeks
• Chicory
• Carrots
• Broccoli 
• Butternut squash 
• Peppers
• Winter cabbage
• Watercress
• Rocket 
• Kale
• Spinach

Fruits to forage on walks this month 

Foraging can be a great way to source fresh berries and nuts at the same time as getting out of the house for some crisp, early autumn air and is a great (free) activity to do with little ones. It’s important to only take as much you need, and remember that these are also what your local wildlife will be eating this month too. 

Let’s start with this month’s big hitter, the juicy blackberry. You’ll find them growing from brambles in woods, hedgerows and in heathlands. They’re not only delicious berries to us,  but also to the blackbirds, thrushes and robins that nest there too. So be sure to take care when picking.

You’ll also be able to find: 

• Raspberries
• Wild strawberries 
• Elderberries – to make a zingy elderberry cordial. 
• Sloes – great for sloe gin.
• Plums 
• Bramley apples
• Hazelnuts 
• Walnuts 
• Sweet chestnuts – for apricot and chestnut stuffing

Be sure to correctly identify what you’re picking with a field guide like this before you tuck in. There’s also more advice on how to forage responsibly here.

Herbs available 

There are few things better than having access to a few fresh herbs in the garden, or on your kitchen windowsill. They mostly live throughout the year, but some of our autumnal favourites for roasts and hearty, salads are:

• Fennel
• Marjoram 
• Tarragon
• Thyme
• Rosemary 
• Winter Savoury
• Sage

Seasonal recipe ideas 

Wondering how to highlight your autumnal produce? We’ve picked out five of our favourite recipes for when the nights are drawing in.

This aubergine and pepper stew is Val’s take on a Moroccan tagine, packed full with harissa, dates carrots and cinnamon. 

What about a warming bowl of creamy cauliflower soup with crispy sage from the garden, and foraged hazelnuts?

We think you’ll love Joey’s golden sesame satay, which will champion your seasonal cabbage, broccoli and butternut squash

Next up is our tasty pumpkin ravioli. We think it’s perfect for a cosy night in.

If you can find enough wild strawberries responsibly, then we think the whole family will love our strawberry galette for pudding this week. 

What to avoid buying this month 

Fruits like cherries, rhubarb, cranberries and quince aren’t in season in the UK at this time of year, and if you see them in the supermarkets, they’re probably been flown in from quite a distance. The same goes for sweet potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli, spring greens, new potatoes, asparagus and Brussels sprouts. 

Vegetable seeds to sow in September

This is a great time to get planting for crops ready to pick in early spring. Gardeners’ world recommend leafy greens, like spinach and salad plants. Radishes, broad beans, peas and turnips, along with bulbs of onions, shallots and garlic. 

Let us know your favourite September produce in the comments.