RIGHT now the soil is warm and, with due watering, many seeds will germinate and grow vigorously. Of course, we can’t sow all those crops we would at the start of the year. There’s not enough time for many to grow before the frosts return. Yet while some crops won’t make prize-winners in the cooling autumn months, they will make mini carrots, beetroot, turnips, spring onions and even new potatoes.
Eminently suitable are leaf crops, particularly kales, and salad leaves such as rocket, chard, loose-leaf lettuce, mustard, spinach and ‘stir-fry greens,’ especially pakchoi. Many, if not most, of these can be sown thickly as they crop rapidly and can be continually picked and thinned right into the colder months. Obviously, with a greenhouse or polytunnel the number and variety can be even greater and growth can go on a little longer.
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters
