FRUIT & VEG TO PLANT THIS AUTUMN Autumn may feel like the end of the growing season, but for fruit and veg growers, it’s just the beginning of a new chapter. As the summer crops fade, autumn is the perfect time to sow, plant and plan for a productive winter and early spring harvest. With the right choices, your plot can stay active and rewarding all year round.
Why grow in autumn and winter?
Growing your own food in the cooler months has many benefits: Maximise your space by keeping beds productive year-round. Enjoy fresh, seasonal produce straight from your garden to your plate. Reduce supermarket reliance , especially for hardy greens and root veg. Get a head start on spring by planting now for early crops.
Top crops to grow now
Garlic One of the easiest crops to grow. Plant individual cloves in autumn for a summer harvest. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and space cloves 15cm apart. Onions & Shallots Autumn-planted sets (like ‘Radar’ or ‘Electric’) establish roots before winter and mature earlier than spring-planted ones. Great for overwintering. Winter Salads Hardy options like lamb’s lettuce, mizuna and winter purslane can be sown under cover or in cold frames for fresh leaves through winter. Spring Cabbage Sow in late summer and plant out in autumn. These will overwinter and provide tender heads in early spring. Carrots Some varieties, like ‘Autumn King’, can be sown in late summer and harvested through winter if protected with fleece or cloches.
Broad Beans Sow in autumn for an earlier crop next spring. Varieties like ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ are especially hardy. Potatoes (for Christmas) Plant second-cropping potatoes in containers in late summer and move them under cover before the first frost for festive new potatoes. Fruit to plant in autumn Autumn is also the ideal time to plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes, as the soil is still warm enough for roots to establish before winter. Apple and pear trees – Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and ensure good drainage. Raspberries and blackberries – Plant canes in rows and support with wires. Currants and gooseberries – Great for small gardens and containers. Strawberries – Plant runners now for a strong crop next summer.
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