Composting, pickling, and what to plant now.
It’s time to say goodbye to summer produce and clean up garden beds.
If you haven’t already, it’s time bid farewell to your withering summer crops. Compost zucchini, pumpkin and cucumber leaves. If you still have green tomatoes on the vine, pull them out (roots and all) and hang them upside down in a cool, shady spot away from the elements, such as a shed, to hasten the ripening of fruit. If you don’t have the space, there’s always Sally Wise’s green tomato chutney and kasoundi to be had.
Late autumn provides us an abundance of materials to feed our garden. Give making your own compost a go or practice chopping and dropping to provide your beds with much needed sustenance and mulch.
It’s also a good time to spend time on the lawn. If you have cool-season grasses, such as perennial ryegrass, or lawn alternatives, such as clover, now is a great time to sow over empty patches and give everything a good feed. If you’ve always dreamed of naturalising bulbs in a low-mow garden, it’s a great time to plant bulbs, such as daffodils, grape hyacinths and snowdrops for a spring meadow. Plant bulbs, such as ranunculi and tulips, in moist, free draining soil for spring cut flowers.
If you’re winding down indoors, take a look around your pot plants for signs of insect activity. Begin to reduce watering indoor plants to avoid pests and diseases, such as root rot and fungus gnats.
What to plant now
Sow direct: Daikon radish, garlic gloves, green manure, broad beans, peas for pea shoots.
Transplant: Broccolini, Asian greens, coriander, dill, shallots, onions.
