Published: 25 September 2024

As we move through September, it can begin to feel that the gardening year is reaching its end. You’ve a few squash and gourds left to harvest, but everything else is dying back and the soil is beginning to feel wet. But if you know what to plant, autumn and winter needn’t be quiet months in the garden. In fact, they can be really quite fruitful.

7 Crops to Plant in Your Garden Now

Autumn onions and shallots

While most people associate onions and shallots with summer, some varieties can be planted out now. In fact, if you have well-drained soil, the sets can be planted any time up until the end of November. So, prep your soil, adding in some drainage materials and well-rotted manure. Place the sets in rows, about 30cm apart, pressing the rounded end into the soil. And cover with fleece to protect from birds. After that, you should just be able to leave them be until they are ready to harvest next July. Just remember to weed as the weather grows warmer.

Garlic

Garlic can be planted from October until January. And you can follow the same process as you would with onions. The only difference is that garlic needs to be planted a little deeper – around 2.5cm below the surface.

Pak choi

If you’re looking for some greens, pak choi and bok choi are both brilliant options to plant now. It thrives in cooler conditions and seeds can be directly sown outside. And you can sow right until the end of October. The plants are very quick to grow, so you should be able to harvest them in 30 to 50 days. Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep and 6 inches apart. And keep the area well weeded.

Peas

Peas are another summer vegetable that can be sown now. In fact, winter sown peas are often sweeter than their summer counterparts. They can be planted directly into the soil or into pots. The main priority should be to find a sunny spot with good drainage. Sow them approximately 2.5cm deep and 10cm apart. And if in pots, try to find somewhere that the mice won’t get them!

Asparagus

Asparagus is one of those special, seasonal treats. And homegrown simply can’t be beaten. But it takes patience. As a perennial vegetable, it takes a couple of years to become established. In fact, in most cases, you won’t get an edible harvest for about three years. But when you do, it will be very much worth the wait. While you can plant asparagus in spring, it actually does better when planted in October. Choose a sunny, well-drained site and dig a trench about 20cm deep. Place your crowns about 35cm apart, and cover lightly. As with potatoes, you can then earth up the crowns as they begin to shoot.

Broad beans

You can sow broad beans in spring. But the benefit of getting in early and planting in October or November is that you get an earlier crop. It can also help the plants to avoid pests in the early stages of development. Sow your seeds directly, about 5cm deep and 20cm apart. If you use a grid formation rather than rows, the plants can help to support each other as they mature.

Rhubarb

Autumn and winter are great times for planting new rhubarb crowns. Simply prepare your soil by digging in some manure or compost, and removing any stones or other obstructions. The tip of the crown should be just above the surface level – slightly higher in heavy soil. The only other thing to remember is that it’s not a good idea to harvest rhubarb in its first year. Leave it to establish and the plant will become healthier.

While autumn and winter are generally quieter times in the garden, there is still plenty to do. You can collect fallen leaves to create leaf mould or mulch. You can take cuttings, clear your annuals, divide herbs, cut back your berries, and clean your shed and greenhouse. At Holker Hall gardens, the team is still busy, mulching, harvesting, and tidying for the still months ahead. But they’re also planning and planting for the spring that is waiting just around the corner.

Holker Hall Gardens are open to visitors Wednesday-Sunday throughout the autumn.