Vegetable Farming in September: Seed Selection, Preparation, and Complete Guidance

Nowadays, due to polyhouse and controlled environment technologies, almost every vegetable is available year-round, but vegetables grown in the off-season are more prone to pests and diseases, which require dependence on chemicals for control. Vegetables produced with excessive chemicals can be harmful to health.
The biggest advantage of cultivating seasonal vegetables is that they have fewer pest and disease attacks and reduce dependency on chemicals. That is why farmers are advised to cultivate crops that are suitable for the particular season.
Regarding vegetable farming in September, Professor (Dr.) S.K. Singh, Head of the Post Graduate Department of Plant Pathology and Nematology at RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, has given special advice–

September: The Most Suitable Month for Vegetables

As we see, the month of August is about to end, and September is approaching. In North India, the average temperature during this time remains 25–30°C. The monsoon also gradually comes to an end. This environment is suitable for preparing nurseries and transplanting most vegetables.
During this season, farmers can sow/transplant crops like cabbage, cauliflower, capsicum, chili, brinjal, tomato, carrot, radish, beetroot, fenugreek, spinach, lettuce, bottle gourd, and bitter gourd.

How to manage the nursery?

Nursery beds should be raised at least 6 inches above the surface.
If possible, cover the bed with bamboo sticks and transparent polythene to create a low-cost poly tunnel.
As the monsoon has not completely ended, it is necessary to protect the nursery from excess moisture and diseases.
If seedlings start rotting and falling, prepare a solution of Ridomil Gold (2g/liter of water) and drench the nursery soil. This will control damping-off disease.

Which vegetables can be cultivated?

1: Cabbage

India is the second-largest producer of cabbage in the world. Major producing states are West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, and Gujarat.
Recommended varieties: Copenhagen Market, Pride of India, Golden Acre, Pusa Synthetic, Summer Queen, Pusa Drumhead, Pusa Ageti, Pusa Mukta.
Early varieties are ready within 70–80 days after transplanting, while late varieties take 100–120 days.

2: Cauliflower

Cauliflower is cultivated in almost all states of India.
Sowing time:

Early: Till mid-July–August
Main season: August–September
Late: September–October
Recommended varieties: Early Kunwari, Pant Gobhi-2, Pusa Synthetic, Pusa Snowball-1, Pusa Snowball-2.

3: Capsicum and Chili

Capsicum is a good source of Vitamin A and beta-carotene. It starts fruiting within 70–80 days.
Recommended varieties: California Wonder, Arka Gaurav, Pusa Deepti, etc.
Recommended chili varieties: Pusa Jwala, Kashi Anuj, Arka Harsh.

4: Brinjal (Eggplant)

Brinjal is also called the "King of Vegetables" in India.
Sowing time: July to September.
Recommended varieties: Kashi Prakash, Pusa Uttam, Pant Rituraj, Thar Rachit.

5: Tomato

Tomato is one of the most important vegetables in the world.
Sowing time: In North India, July–August and spring season.
Recommended varieties: Pusa Rohini, Pusa Hybrid-1, Arka Meghali, Kashi Aman.

6: Carrot

It is a winter root crop, rich in carotene and iron.
Sowing time: August to November.
Recommended varieties: Pusa Yamdagni, Pusa Kesar, Pusa Nayanjyoti.

7: Radish

It is a fast-growing winter vegetable.
Sowing time: August to January.
Recommended varieties: Pusa Chetki, Pusa Desi, Pusa Reshmi, Japanese White.

8: Other Vegetables

Beetroot: A winter crop, sown till October.
Fenugreek: Suitable for leafy greens, ensure seed germination test before sowing.
Lettuce: Useful in sandwiches and salads, can also be grown in pots.
Spinach: A rich source of iron, first harvest in 25–30 days.
Bottle gourd: Suitable for both rainy and winter seasons, varieties: Pusa Naveen, Pusa Meghdoot.
Bitter gourd: Rich in medicinal properties, varieties: Pusa Do Mausami, Kashi Urvashi.

Special Suggestions for Farmers

Soil Preparation: Plough the field thoroughly and mix with farmyard manure.
Balanced Fertilizer Use: Apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash in balanced amounts.
Irrigation Management: Irrigate crops timely as per their requirements.
Crop Protection: Give priority to biological and mechanical methods.
Take Advice: For more information, contact the nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or agriculture department.