We have put together a list of crops that you can plant NOW for a autumn harvest. Whether you're new to growing food, or a professional edible gardener we want to help you succeed, make growing easier, more fun and more productive! 

Fall is a beautiful time of year, and isn't far off now, so lets get the garden ready. There is so much to grow in autumn gardens, so don't give up after your summer harvests are bare - there's much more to explore here. 

What to grow for a autumn harvest

Most plants that you grow for autumn harvests are brassicas, as they do exceptionally well this time of year; with maturing them into the frost making them sweeter. 

Remember at this time of the year, with brassicas being your main crop in the garden, you will need to ensure that you are watering regularly; as brassicas are thirsty plants. 

Don't forget, timing is important as you have less sun and shorter days at this time of year. Calculate your first frost date, which is dependant on your area and work out how many days you have left before the frost comes. This is your rule of thumb of what you can grow. 

Remember these key factors:

The rule of thumb

Our rule of thumb is to calculate your first frost estimate based on your area, here in Derbyshire we estimate this to be the end of November. It could be earlier or later but it's a good start. Not count backwards to todays date, which at the time of writing this blog is 90 days. We believe that if it's not planted it will not grow, so if from seed to maturity of the plant is less than 90 days then we will be planting it! 

• Days to maturity from seed 
• How long is the harvest period?
• First frost date

An example here for you: Carrots

Carrots tend to have a 70 to 80 days maturity timescale, with a harvest period of days in the summer periods; but a harvest period of weeks in the colder months. (You can leave the carrots in the ground until you're ready to use them, as they won't bolt). In our region on average first frost date is the end of November, so at the time of writing this we have circa 90 days before winter is here. 

Timing within the seasons

Always remember that plants will grow faster in the best conditions, therefore your plants will mature quicker with the optimal light, soil conditions and type, water etc. than without. If you're planting later into the season you will need to bear in mind that the estimated time to maturity will be longer - we tend to add 10%. You may get less yield during the later months, or smaller plants, but you can still feed yourself off the land right until the last minute.

Maturity days

As a rule days to maturity is always an estimate, due to many factors affecting this figure. However, it's a good start. Days to maturity is the amount of time it takes from planting a seed into the soil to the harvesting of the mature plant.

What can I plant?

Realistically, you can plant anything! But we've put together some suggestions of what you can plant.

Kale

Not many people are a fan of kale due to it's nutty earthy flavour, but it's a great crop to grow. If you can't even stand it as kale chips, in a smoothie, or massaged kale salad then you can always grow it for your chickens as they love it; and after all feeding the chickens is great for the garden also! 

Spinach / Chard / Mustard

Spinach, mustard and chard do well towards the end of the year they are quick growing greens that can withstand a bit of the cold, come up early and make great greens for salads and stir-fries. 

Lettuce

You can be planting lettuce now to last you up until the winter. Harvested as a micro green size you can be harvesting within 20 days and can give you a raw / fresh variety to your dinners when your summer crops are done and gone. 

Broccoli / Cauliflower

Broccoli/cauliflower are vegetables that prefers this time of year, as they do better in the colder months. Most people struggle growing this food staple due to caterpillars, white fly and bolting, but if planted now then you will have no issues with either of these - butterfly season is ending and it's not hot enough for bolting! So get planting your broccoli now.  

Tips & Tricks

Remember nitrogen is cauliflower / broccoli's friend, and they grow up to 24" in diameter so make sure you space your plants accordingly.

 

Brussels

Brussels are a brilliant veg, especially with your Christmas dinner! They will grow well at this time of year, and taste better if harvested in the cold - so don't be too impatient. 

Tips & Tricks

Remove the lower leaves to make sure the plant focus' it's energy on the brussels sprouts themselves rather than the foliage. 

Cabbage

A brilliant vegetable to grow at this time of year, very easy to look after with little extra care needed they will grow very well in the colder months and provide you with a nutritious green when it's too cold for your salads. 

Asian cabbages

Asian cabbages such as bok choy, napa cabbage and yau choy grow very well during this season, and very hardy crops. They have a very thick main stem which can hold up to heat stress and cold weather so will work well basically all year round. 

Tips & Tricks

Cabbage months are your biggest pest here, so make so that you cover them until they're established to reduce stress.

Turnip / Beets / Radish

Turnips, beets and radish are as easy to grow, although can vary in sizes depending on varieties so watch your spacing. They are a good crop for this time of year as you can eat the greens and the root - they grow well in the colder months and store very well in the winter. 

  

Carrots

Carrots grow well in the colder months, as they focus on the tap root rather than the foliage; where as in the hotter months they will climb to the sun and in turn you will get smaller roots. 

 

Tips & Tricks

Phosphorous is needed for root veg, so don't forget to amend your soil. Root vegetables need softer soil to allow their roots to grow into a crop; so try and avoid stony soils. 

Peas / Beans / Broad beans

Peas and beans are more spring vegetables, but you can get a crop out of them in the autumn if planted early. Most varieties will climb up and create very attractive height varieties to the garden and work well to add a bit of variety in the autumn, when the majority of your crop are brassicas. 

Peas tend to be ok growing through the frost, unlike beans which won't survive a frost - so you could have a variety that'll last you. Bush beans are great this time of year. 

 

 To grow for early spring harvest

Don't forget that there are also lots of crops you can plant now for an overwintered spring harvest!

• Garlic
• Onions
• Parsnips