Root vegetables and more
AUTUMN IS PLANTING TIME FOR THE NUTRIENT-DENSE VEGETABLES THAT SUSTAIN US THROUGH WINTER AND EARLY SPRING.
When you’re still picking summer’s tomatoes, capsicums and cucurbits, the challenge at this time of year can be finding enough space to plant winter crops. But it’s a good time to start seedlings in containers for transplanting out later. Or grow some herbs and salad greens in containers for a quick autumn crop, although pots will need lots of watering if dry weather persists.
Northern gardeners have plenty of time to plant cabbages and broccoli but in the cooler middle and southern regions these vegetables need planting earlier to make the most of the warm weather and get their roots well established by winter. Brussels sprouts are cool-climate treats well worth growing if your winter is prone to frost, but get them in soon. Meanwhile in the ‘winterless’ north there is still time to sow another batch of summer beans.
March is a good time to plant herbs and leafy greens, including lettuce, rocket, silverbeet and spinach. Carrots, beetroot and other root vegetables are best sown directly into well prepared crumbly garden soil to avoid disturbing their roots with transplanting.
Beetroot is easy to grow from seed sown directly into a sunny patch of garden soil, or a large container filled with planting mix. Try out the different beetroot varieties in different shapes and colours. There are globe shaped beetroot and long cylinder ones. Also yellow beetroot and striped beetroot.
Carrots come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours, with some interesting heritage varieties. To grow carrots in containers look for quick maturing baby carrots and other shorter varieties.
Growing beetroot and carrots in containers is a great way to control the quality of your growing media and raise soil temperature for quicker winter growth. Pay special attention to watering and feed with liquid fertiliser every 2 to 3 weeks. Choose a large container to help retain moisture. It should have adequate drainage and a depth of at least 30cm.
Broad beans and peas
sown in autumn and early winter germinate well in cool soil. Sow directly into well drained compost enriched soil or large containers. As legumes, peas and beans fix their own nitrogen so they don’t need nitrogen rich fertiliser and are a good crop to precede a spring sown root crop or leafy greens. Incorporating spent pea or bean plants into the soil after harvest provides fertiliser for the next crop.
Autumn is also planting time for members of the onion family, with lots of interesting varieties of leeks, multiplying onions, shallots and spring onions to try. Garlic is traditionally planted on the shortest day and harvested on the longest, but it can be planted successfully from April onwards.
Direct sowing
Root vegetables, peas and beans are among those vegetables that grow best when their roots are left undisturbed. The seed is sown straight into position, either in a well prepared garden bed or a large container filled with planting mix.
Start with careful soil preparation in a sunny location. The soil should drain freely and have a loose, even texture. To grow nice straight carrots, make sure there are no lumps of compacted soil and stones. Position support structures for peas and beans before you sow.
Water gently to moisten the soil before sowing. Gently tap fine seeds (e.g carrots) out of the packet as evenly as possible, or place large seeds (e.g peas) at the recommended spacing. To water, use a soft spray hose or watering can to keep the soil moist without flooding.
Thinning
Once carrot or beetroot seedlings are 3-5cm tall it’s time to remove a few seedlings to make room for others to grow. Leave about 2-3cm between each seedling. As the plants grow, thin them some more. You can eat the thinnings.
Florence fennel radish and beetroot thrive when seed is sown directly into well prepared soil or planting mix.
Edible calendula flowers make a great splash of colour in the vegetable garden while attracting beneficial insects.