Many gardeners after digging up onions leave the beds empty until autumn. And in vain. July and the beginning of August still allow growing quite a few crops that develop quickly and will manage to delight with a fresh harvest before the first colds.
Why exactly after onions?
Onions leave behind loose soil without a large number of weeds. If you remove plant residues, slightly loosen the ground and add humus or compost, the bed will be ready for new plantings in literally a few hours.
Before sowing thoroughly water the soil, because in the middle of summer the ground dries out quickly.
What can be planted
- Radish. Summer varieties ripen in approximately three to four weeks. The main thing is to water regularly so that the roots are not bitter.
- Arugula, lettuce and spinach. These crops quickly grow greens and are excellent for repeated sowings. Already in a few weeks you can cut the first leaves.
- Dill. If you provide enough moisture, the greens will be juicy and aromatic. For faster germination the seeds can be soaked for a day in warm water.
- Chinese (napa) cabbage. Exactly the second half of summer is considered one of the best periods for growing it. The plant suffers less from bolting and forms dense heads.
- Leaf mustard. Grows very quickly and will become an excellent addition to summer salads.
How to get a good result
- After sowing mulch the bed with a thin layer of humus or mown dried grass — this way the ground will retain moisture longer.
- On hot days water in the evening or early in the morning, not allowing the top layer of soil to dry out.
- If there is strong heat, for the first few days you can cover the sowings with light agrotextile. This will help the seeds germinate faster.
Do not lose the opportunity
One and the same bed can bring a harvest twice in a season. While others leave the ground empty, you can get fresh greens, radish or even Chinese cabbage already this autumn.
Do not hurry to finish the garden season after harvesting onions — a few packets of seeds and a little care can gift another generous harvest.