Our Simple Guide to Growing Autumn Vegetables

Growing vegetables in the Autumn in the UK can be a bit challenging due to the cooler temperatures and reduced sunlight hours. However, there are still several vegetables that can thrive in these conditions. Here are some vegetables that you can consider growing during the colder months.

Winter Salad Greens

Lettuce varieties: Look for cold-tolerant varieties such as Winter Gem, Arctic King, or Winter Density.

Rocket: This peppery green does well in cooler weather.

Brassicas

Kale: Kale, the toughest brassica of them all, is cold tolerant and can be harvested well into the Winter season.

Cabbage: Late maturing varieties are the best option at this time of year.

Cauliflower: Due to its hardiness, cauliflower can be planted in Autumn for an early Spring harvest.

Root Vegetables

Carrots: Look for late maturing varieties and you can have a successful harvest of carrots.

Turnips: Turnips can withstand colder temperatures.

Herbs

Parsley, chives and coriander: These herbs will continue to grow well into Autumn. Great for adding flavour to your Autumn/Winter warming recipes.

Garlic

Plant garlic cloves in Autumn for a Summer harvest. Garlic can be frozen in ice cube trays, just grate, slice or chop the garlic, put approximately a teaspoon in each tray cube and top with oil. Just pop out what you need as and when you need it for all year round usage.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial that lives for many years, and thrives even through the colder months. It will need some space though, as it will form a large clump (around 5ft wide). Rhubarb plants can be planted from mid-Autumn to early Spring. Make warming desserts such as rhubarb crumble for those chilly evening.

To maximise your success, you could consider a cloche for protection against frosts. Raised beds also provide more protection, and if covered with mulch can help to keep the temperature of the soil warmer. With some care and attention, your vegetables can still thrive during the colder months and provide you with healthy, organic and tasty produce that you can be proud to say you have grown yourself.

Once you have harvested your vegetables, there are so many tasty, healthy meals you can put together. Left over roasted vegetables can be made in to a tasty soup just by adding some stock and blending to the consistency you like. Hearty casseroles, vegetable curries and chilli are also classic winter warming dishes, and during the colder months the extra benefit of all this goodness can help give your immune system a welcome boost. Here are some recipes you may like to try.