5 Fantastic Fillers You Still Have Time To Sow
I love this time of year. I really do. It’s amazing to look around the garden and see how everything is growing. But it also fills me with a sense of dread. Did I plant enough? I see a bare spot over there. Oh, and a hole here. But I don’t have to stress because it’s not too late to plant these quick growers that are perfect for filling in around the garden.
Viola are typically thought of as spring bloomers because they go dormant during the warmest months. If you cut back your spring plants in late summer, you can encourage them to bloom again in the fall. And if you plant them around now, you are likely to have blooms through the fall.
Lettuce is fast growing and makes a great ground cover. Choosing a heat tolerant, slow to blot, variety like Grand Rapids, Simpson Elite, or Marvel of Four Seasons is best for this time of year. Lettuce doesn’t like to be overly crowded. So, thin as necessary. Plant in a shady area (especially afternoon shade) or provide a shade cloth to protect your seedlings. Lettuce’s low growth habit can help retain soil moisture too!
Herbs like Basil, Thyme, Cilantro, and Parsley are fast and easy to grow and perfect for filling in around your vegetables. Plus, when your vegetables are ready, you’ll have fresh herbs to season them with!
Magic Carpet Dwarf Snapdragons make a beautiful addition around plants and along borders! Snapdragons peak growing seasons are April to June and August to October. While spring may be the best time to plant them, the next best time is now! Snapdragons can be susceptible to ethylene gas, so some ripe fruits and veggies may shorten their blooming period. Plant them instead along with your other ethylene sensitive plants like leafy greens, crucifers, gourd vegetable and herbs.
Marigolds really are a hero of the garden. They bring a golden vibrancy to your beds while attracting pollinators and repelling pests. Opting for a petit French variety (Tagetes patula) like Lemon Drop, Brocade Mixed Colors, or Petite Mixed colors is a great choice for this time of year and their compact size makes them an ideal companion plant.
Maybe you’re like me and feeling frustrated with everything you didn’t get done this spring. Take heart, knowing that there is still time left in the season to sow seeds like these reliable favorites. Now is also a great time to start thinking about what cold crops, leafy greens, and root vegetables you’d like to sow for a fantastic fall harvest! Check back next month as we dig into growing cool season crops.
