Sensommarvärmen

Late Summer Gardening: Activities, Reflections, and Tips

Late summer, or "sen sensommar" as Ulrika Wiss describes from her garden in Vibbyn, Norrbotten, is a season filled with both satisfaction and anticipation. While the warmest days might already be behind us, this period is bustling with important gardening tasks, quiet reflection, and the subtle shift toward autumn.

Harvesting and Observation

Even though the hoped-for late summer warmth may not have fully arrived, there is an undeniable joy in seeing the slow and steady progress of the kitchen garden. Peas like 'Norrlands Express' and broccoli 'Greenia' are thriving, while others—such as beans and parsnips—remain stubbornly still in the chilly nights and cool days. Chilly evenings often require protective fleece over tender crops like chile peppers, a small nightly ritual that marks the transition of the seasons.

Perhaps most rewarding is the early harvest of pointed cabbage (spetskål). The crisp, conical heads—like the 'Jersey Wakefield' variety—bring delight both in appearance and taste. Even the slugs seem to be more restrained this year, causing only minor trouble.

Seed Collecting and Planning for Next Year

Late summer is quintessential for gathering seeds. Ulrika shares the pleasure of collecting dried seed heads from double columbine (akleja), a tradition that brings both excitement and curiosity about next year's unpredictable offspring—since these "promiscuous" plants often cross-pollinate. Caraway (kummin), which grows wild nearby, also comes ready for harvest, perfect for flavoring snaps at the classic crayfish party.

Collecting your own seeds not only extends the gardening season but also fosters a true sense of continuity and experimentation in your green space. Have you tried saving seeds yourself? The process is simple and deeply satisfying.

Planting and Creating New Features

This season is also favorable for planting perennials and shrubs, as noted in many gardening guides. Even larger projects can find their beginning now. For example, Ulrika decided late in the summer—after some gentle nudging from a friend—to tackle a dry, steep slope by building a rock garden (stenparti). Her approach was practical and gentle on both soil and gardener: she laid newspaper over tough grass to suppress weeds and placed stones on top, minimizing digging and the risk of soil erosion.

Rock gardens are ideal for herbs like oregano, tree onion, and various mints—plants that thrive in well-drained, sunny spots. As the stonework progresses, new spaces can be planted with both relocated perennials and exciting additions from the local nursery. A visit to Bryggmans handels​trädgård in Öjebyn is often just the ticket to complete the new display—because, as every gardener knows, there is always room for one more plant.

Stenpartiet växer fram.

Garden Maintenance and Pest Management

Cleaning up the garden beds, cutting back overgrown perennials, and defining the borders of your planting areas help your garden enter autumn looking its best. Covering open soil with organic materials can suppress weeds and enrich the ground for coming seasons.

Pests generally become less troublesome as cooler nights set in. This year, the cabbage roots have been nearly free of caterpillar damage, and only a handful of cabbage moth larvae have appeared on the broccoli. While black ants diligently farm aphids on root parsley, the larger, troublesome caterpillars stayed away—a small victory worth celebrating as the "pest season" draws to a close.

Looking Forward

Although it is bittersweet to acknowledge that autumn is near, late summer remains a precious time for both results and preparations. Whether you're harvesting cabbage, gathering seeds, or starting a brand-new garden feature, sen sensommar is full of possibilities.

As the nights get cooler and the pace in the garden slows, it's also a natural moment to reflect, plan, and prepare for the next cycle. If you find yourself anticipating the colder months, take inspiration from Ulrika’s reflections and remember that even winter has its own charms—something she explores thoughtfully in Vinter, bestämmer jag.

Spetskål "Jersey Wakefield".

Late summer, with its blend of harvesting, tidying, collecting, and creating, is a celebration of the garden’s rhythms—marking both an ending and a promising new beginning.