Onions sets and garlic
“You look at it for three years,” he says, laughing,“and hope that after that you may be able to cut some.”
These are among the easiest veg to grow, even if you want to grow them in containers, he says.
Malvern Autumn Show runs from Sep 27-29 at Three Counties Showground, Malvern,Worcestershire.
“Just be wary if you have wet soil, especially with garlic. I’m lucky as I live in a very dry part of the country, but if you live in a wet area you might be better off waiting until spring. “Alternatively, take a gamble with some (in autumn), putting gravel underneath the sets to aid drainage over the winter months.”
Quick-return crops
“In September, there’s still a lot of warmth in the soil, there’s plenty of moisture, and we are still having warm days. So quite a few quick return crops like salad leaves and radishes will turn around quickly. The way that things have changed so much gives us opportunity.”
Bare-root fruit
Fruit trees and shrubs can be ordered to arrive while they are dormant and planted out.
“If you buy autumn raspberries and put them in over the winter, next autumn you are very likely to get a crop.They like reasonable garden soil, some of them don’t need full sun. I also have thornless blackberries tied to my fence in patterns, which work very well.”
Asparagus
Add some asparagus to your garden,he suggests.Traditionally the crowns are planted in spring, but you can actually plant them at any point from autumn to spring. It is a perennial, so needs a permanent place in the garden and plenty of space. “I place my orders in September or October and then it arrives after Christmas, (the crowns) looking like big spiders,” he explains. Dig a trench and add some gravel or grit for good drainage and plenty of well-rotted manure or compost in the base. Then backfill the excavated soil into a ridge in the middle of the trench, which will support the roots and aid drainage. Place the crowns on top of the ridge, at ground level, gently positioning the roots over the edges, covering the crowns with soil and watering in. Preparation is key. They need a sunny spot, shelter from strong winds and well-prepared soil that ideally has had lots of manure or compost added in the previous autumn.
You have to be patient. Don’t harvest anything for the first two years while the crowns gain strength and energy.
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