Rekindled

I’m afraid to say, summer is well and truly gone.  My tomato plants have given up the ghost and the strawberries and peppers are soon to join the compost pile.  Does this mean that I am turning my back on the garden for the winter?  No way!  This year I am going to try and grow some form of edible plant all year round.

So what can you grow when it gets cold and rainy?  If in doubt head down to your local garden centre and see what vegetable seedlings they have for sale.  If they are selling it now, it is safe to assume that you can plant it now!  This is fantastic if you are a bit disorganised like me and didn’t think to start planting these seeds in the summer.  These are some of the types of seedlings you are likely to find at the moment:

• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Kale and chard (a bit like spinach)
• Leeks
• Winter salad

I have planted some purple sprouting broccoli which I will leave over the winter and harvest in the spring, and while the plants are still tiny I have interplanted with spinach which can be harvested in as little as 4 – 8 weeks.  I am also going to plant some of the garlic that I grew last year which is currently hanging in the shed, but that probably won’t go in the ground until November at the earliest.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Autumn is also a great time to start preparing for next year.  The easiest way to do this is by applying a mulch like compost or well-rotted manure – just spread a nice thick layer over the soil and let the worms and the rain do their thing.  You can put mulch around trees and perennial plants, or just put it all over any empty beds you’ve been using for annual plants.  I’m using my first batch of homemade compost this year – it looks compost-y so I think it’s ready to use!  You will also need to keep on top of the weeds unless you want to be faced with a jungle next spring.

So don’t despair, autumn’s arrival does not mean months of wistfully staring out of the window at an empty garden!  There is still plenty to keep you busy.