Autumn is an incredibly rewarding season for vegetable gardening. With cooler temperatures and less intense sunlight, many vegetables not only survive but thrive during this time of year. Today, I’ll walk you through some essential jobs that need doing over the next few months and share my top picks for autumn vegetable planting.
Preparing Your Garden Beds
Before you even think about what vegetables to plant, your first job is preparing your garden beds. This task is all about setting up a healthy environment for your new plants to grow in.
Start by removing any remaining summer crops as they finish their lifecycle and compost them if they’re disease-free. Next, enrich your soil with organic matter like well-rotted manure or compost – this will replenish nutrients that have been used up during the summer growing season.
Once you’ve added organic matter, give your soil a good turn over with a garden fork or tiller. This helps mix in the organic matter and also breaks up any compacted soil which can hinder root growth.
Choosing Your Autumn Vegetables
Now comes the fun part – deciding what veggies you want gracing your dinner table this autumn! Here are some favourites:
Broccoli
Broccoli loves cooler weather and can handle light frost making it an excellent choice for autumn planting.
Kale
This superfood grows well in colder temperatures too and actually becomes sweeter after a touch of frost!
Spinach
Spinach germinates quickly and grows well during cool weather. Plus, it’s packed full of nutrients – Popeye had the right idea!
Beetroot
Beetroot is another quick-grower that can be harvested before winter sets in fully.
Leeks
Leeks require a longer growing period but planted now; they’ll be ready for those hearty winter soups when the cold really hits!
Planting Your Seedlings
Once you’ve selected your veggies, it’s time to get planting! Remember always to follow the guidelines on seed packets regarding depth and spacing – overcrowding can lead to disease spread and reduced yields.
Water your newly planted seedlings thoroughly but gently so as not disrupt their placement within the soil. A watering wand is perfect for this job as it provides a gentle shower-like effect rather than a harsh stream.
Ongoing Maintenance
Throughout autumn, keep an eye out for pests such as slugs which love damp conditions and can decimate young seedlings overnight! Consider using organic pest control methods such as beer traps or copper tape around pots if slugs become an issue.
Remember also that while autumn generally brings more rainfall than summer, there may still be periods of dry weather where supplemental watering is needed so keep an eye on soil moisture levels too.
Lastly, enjoy watching your hard work pay off as those tiny seedlings grow into healthy plants laden with delicious home-grown vegetables!
I hope this guide has given you some inspiration for your own autumn vegetable garden – remember that at Formby Gardener we’re always here to help with advice or hands-on assistance should you need it.
