As the weather changes Easter has arrived, the days are becoming shorter, and it’s time to think about what to plant in your vegetable garden for autumn. I’ll list Thirteen of my favorite vegetables to grow in the autumn along with planting instructions in this article.
In the USA, autumn is by far my favorite time of year to spend time in the garden because the weather is just right—not too hot and not too cold. Also, the soil is still nice and warm, which makes for ideal growing conditions for planting out new-season crops!
The optimum time of year to grow citrus fruit plants is typically around Easter. It allows the roots to grow before winter arrives. These will be very fruitful trees if you can take care and give your soil a good injection of fertilizer.
Vegetables thrive in bright light, fertile soil, and protection from chilly winds. To learn how to make the ideal soil for your vegetable garden, read this article. Regular watering (particularly in warm or dry weather) and liquid fertilizer administered every 7–10 days will keep plants developing quickly. Harvest is a good choice for this.
OUR TOP 13 AUTUMN VEGETABLE LIST
- BEETROOT
- BROAD BEANS
- BROCCOLI/BROCCOLI
- BRUSSELS SPROUTS
- CABBAGE
- LEEKS
- KALE
- CAULIFLOWER
- LETTUCE
- ONION
- PEAS
- RADISH
- SPINACH
- CORIANDER
JUMP TO TOPIC
1. BEETROOT
- Beetroots are excellent winter veggies and are simple to cultivate in your backyard garden because they don’t take up a lot of space.
- To harvest in 10 to 12 weeks, direct sow seeds in early autumn. For a tasty crop, maintain vigorous plant growth. When the beetroot is a good size, harvest it. The surface of the soil will show the top of the root.
- Beetroot is always a pleasant addition to my winter garden, whether it’s roasted or added to a salad. Young beetroot leaves are simple to grow and good in salads or steamed like silverbeet.
2. BROAD BEANS
- I’ll agree that broad beans aren’t the most popular plant to plant in the autumn, but they have two uses. Nodes in the soil are excellent nitrogen fixers since they are legumes. Consider growing nitrogen-rich plants in your autumn garden because it is crucial for plant development and growth.
- To harvest in 10 to 12 weeks, direct sow seeds in early autumn.
For a tasty crop, maintain vigorous plant growth. When the beetroot is a good size, harvest it. The surface of the soil will show the top of the root.
3. BROCCOLI/BROCCOLI
- Stunning winter greens everywhere! For the best chance of survival, as the evenings grow cooler, plants are best put outside as seedlings.
Before “hardening off” and putting the seeds into the soil, start the seeds indoors in seed trays. A “beer trap,” which you can learn more about at the end of this post, is my best tip for protecting new seedlings from slugs and snails. - Among all the brassica crops, this one is the easiest to grow. Plant seedlings or seeds throughout the autumn for a harvest in 12 to 16 weeks. The side shoots of broccoli will continue to produce a strong harvest after the giant primary head is removed.
4. BRUSSELS SPROUTS
- Unfortunately, children’s books and television have demonized Brussels sprouts, a nutrient-rich food. Yet, eating these delectable vegetables straight out of your own garden is preferable.
- Plant seedlings in the early autumn for a 16–20 week harvest. Maintain plants well-supported, growing erect, and in firm soil; stake them if required. On the main stem, sprouts grow and mature from the base of the stem upward. Select sprouts that are healthy and firm.
5. CABBAGE
- Cabbage is a fantastic crop for any garden because it is simple to grow and quite hardy. Because of its hardiness and preference for fertile soil and sun or moderate shade, cabbages are easy to grow. Since there are so many different varieties of cabbage, you can plant them at staggered intervals to ensure a continual yield.
- Both varieties of cabbage grow beautifully as winter vegetables when planted in the autumn. In the autumn, plant seeds or seedlings (crops can also be started in spring). Depending on the variety, expect to harvest your cabbages in 8 to 16 weeks, with Chinese cabbage maturing more quickly. When the heads are big and firm, harvest them.
6. CAULIFLOWER
- One of the simplest vegetables to cultivate, cauliflower thrives when planted with relatives like kale, broccoli, and turnips. The ideal temperature for cauliflower, a cool-season vegetable, is between 16 and 18 C. These are therefore the ideal autumn crops for growing in your own garden.
- Plant seedlings in the early autumn for a 14–26-week harvest. While large-headed forms take longer to develop, miniature varieties do so faster.
7. KALE
- One of the most well-liked superfoods, kale, is high in iron and vitamins A and C. In addition to being terrific for your plate, kale is also excellent for your garden. These are incredibly hardy plants that may flourish in a variety of gardens and soils.
- Harvest leaves when the plant is well established, which usually occurs 7-8 weeks after sowing seedlings in the autumn. Choose your favorite kale kind or go with a mixed punnet from the several that are available.
8. LEEKS
- Get your seedlings in the ground in the late summer to make sure they are a fair size by winter. One of the simplest alliums to grow. Ideal to plant as seedlings, but keep an eye out for weeds! If you leave them too long, you could unintentionally remove baby seedlings with the weeds.
- Continue piling leeks up as they expand to safeguard the roots and maintain their upright position.
9. LETTUCE
- One of the most well-liked superfoods, kale, is high in iron and vitamins A and C. In addition to being terrific for your plate, kale is also excellent for your garden. These are incredibly hardy plants that may flourish in a variety of gardens and soils.
- Harvest leaves when the plant is well-established, which usually occurs 7-8 weeks after sowing seedlings in the autumn. Choose your favorite kale kind or go with a mixed punnet from the several that are available.
10. PEAS
- We are all aware of how delicious and healthy peas are, as well as how simple they are to raise. You may cultivate a wide range of peas, from ones that require shelling to those with edible pods. All of them are delectable and just require a minimal amount of care to be planted and grown for a fruitful harvest.
- Peas are a very satisfying crop to produce in the autumn and winter, with springtime harvests possible. For support, tall growers must use bush varieties. Grow snow peas for a quicker harvest or harvest when the pods are fully grown.
11. RADISH
- Have you ever tried roasting radishes? They are often a summer vegetable added to a salad. The bitterness is eliminated after roasting, leaving them sweeter and more juicy.
Radishes are fantastic since it only takes around 5 weeks for them to mature from seed to harvest. If you don’t have much room, you can also successfully grow radishes in pots. - You may sow these quick-growing vegetables in the autumn. In just 6 to 8 weeks after direct sowing in the autumn and spring, you can harvest the little red radishes. The roots have a more peppery flavor if they are left too long or are allowed to get strained.
12. SPINACH
- Before the cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to plant some excellent greens. Spinach and/or silverbeet are perennials in my garden in the fall. In my garden, silverbeet self-seeds all through the year, so it’s always expanding. I simply transfer it to the desired location, and it leaves a very hardy crop that is simple to grow. Spinach is a crop that is also simple to grow and does well in containers. In the garden, there are also a lot of fantastic spinach companion plant choices.
- English spinach is a green vegetable with a delicate flavor that grows best in the winter. Throughout the autumn, plant seedlings or seeds. At about 8 weeks, harvest the larger leaves as they mature.
13. CORIANDER
- Many herbs are useful to have on hand all year, but coriander is a terrific one to think about when deciding what to plant in the autumn. It’s a challenging herb to grow over the summer because if it gets too hot, it bolts and goes to seed. Coriander is a lovely plant to grow in your garden or in containers during the chilly fall days.
Harvest
Collect seeds from the summer’s crops, ensuring they are thoroughly dried and properly stored for the upcoming year.
Gather the final harvest of any remaining fruits and vegetables from the summer season. Consider methods to preserve or freeze them to minimize waste. This year, we had an overabundance of plums and beetroot, prompting us to unleash our creativity. Here’s what we undertook, with the hope of inspiring those facing a surplus of produce this spring/summer:
- Balsamic Roasted Beetroot: We roasted a staggering seven trays of beetroot, subsequently bagging and freezing them. Notably, the utilization of innovative freezer bags maximized freezer space efficiency.
- Prepared Tomatoes: After subjecting the tomatoes to boiling water for skin removal, we chopped and froze them for later use.
- Stewed Plum, Apple & Rhubarb: Ideal for fruit crumbles or enhancing your breakfast cereal, this mixture was frozen and preserved.
- Frozen Green Peppers: Our technique involved halving the peppers, allowing them to flow freely in the freezer, followed by bagging and refreezing.
- Passionfruit Puree: By converting passionfruit into ice cubes, we successfully preserved its freshness and flavor.
- Honey and Thyme Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes: Over a span of two hours, we slow-roasted cherry tomatoes with honey and thyme, resulting in a delectable treat.
- Basil Pesto: An exquisite companion to the cherry tomatoes when tossed through pasta, our homemade basil pesto provides a burst of flavor.
- Preserved Pear Halves: Through parboiling in sugar syrup and subsequent preservation in jars, we captured the essence of pear halves.
Feel free to draw inspiration from these endeavors, and adapt them to your own surplus of produce.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As we delve into the realm of autumn planting, the insights shared in this article offer a heartfelt guide to selecting the perfect crops for the season. The author’s personal touch is evident as they present their top 13 recommendations, demonstrating a deep understanding of the nuances of autumn gardening. Each suggestion is carefully curated, reflecting both the author’s expertise and their passion for cultivating a thriving garden.
The article not only provides a comprehensive list of plants suitable for autumn planting but also imparts practical advice on how to nurture these crops to their fullest potential. The inclusion of personal insights and potential uses for the harvested produce adds a genuine and relatable dimension to the content.
Readers are sure to appreciate the author’s emphasis on embracing the unique opportunities that autumn presents for gardening. The final thoughts of the article encapsulate the essence of the changing seasons and the beauty of sowing seeds in preparation for the next cycle of growth. With its combination of informed recommendations and an authentic voice, this article serves as an invaluable companion for anyone eager to make the most of their autumn planting endeavors.