With the cost of living crisis hitting everyone’s wallets, and with autumn fast approaching, many people are turning to things they can do that will reduce their outgoings.
Growing your own vegetables is a fantastic way of producing healthy, tasty food for your family and bringing down the cost of your weekly shop. And you don’t have to wait until spring to get growing. There are plenty of vegetables to plant in autumn that will keep you going through winter and provide you and your family with tasty meals for less.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite (and easy to grow) vegetables to plant in autumn that will make your winter plates full of vitality and vitamins and ease the pressure on your wallet.
Turnips
Turnips are one of the best vegetables to plant in autumn because they’re really easy to grow and they grow quickly which means that by winter you’ll have a plentiful crop ready to whip up into some meals.
The RHS says you can even grow them in large outdoor containers and harvest them when they’re small. So if you have a balcony that gets some sun you can have a go at growing turnips too.
They don’t require a huge amount of maintenance, just a good water especially in dry conditions and they should take care of themselves (just give them plenty of space from each other so they have room to grow).
Turnips are perfect in hearty stews and casseroles or you can roast it as a perfect accompaniment to your Sunday roast.
Carrots
Another root vegetable that’s a staple on most people’s plates. Carrots will do really well if you plant them in autumn and keep them covered with a polytunnel – you’ll have a crop ready to eat by winter. Carrots are hardy and easy to grow – much like turnips. Just keep them protected and watered and that’s really all you need to do.
Thompson Morgan has a great growing guide for carrots and, just like turnips, says that carrots grow really well in containers. So if you’re pushed for space, you can still harvest a great crop for your winter table. If you’re growing in a container, just be mindful of planting them too close together.
They suggest taking a moment to prep your soil with the right mix of organic matter. Carrots make great additions to stir-fries, casseroles and make fantastic bases for soups. They’re hands-down one of the best vegetables to plant in autumn.
Spinach
Spinach sometimes gets a bad rap but it is perfect for salads, soups, quiches and so much more – plus, it’s packed full of vitamins.
Sowing spinach seeds in autumn will give you a plentiful winter crop and it’s really easy to look after. You can protect it with cloches during the colder winter months but you should still see plenty of growth which you can pick and it will simply re-grow.
Like turnips and carrots, you can grow spinach in large containers so if your outside space is small you can still grow it ono patios and balconies. Spinach is one of the best vegetables to plant in autumn because it has plentiful growth – meaning that your plates will be full throughout the winter months.
Potatoes
We think potatoes are one of the best vegetables to plant in autumn. Slightly trickier to look after, but well worth the effort, are certain varieties of potatoes. If you plant them now, then by Christmas you’ll be tucking into a roast dinner full of your home grown spuds.
You can grow them outside in the ground or in containers inside (if you have the space) or in a greenhouse. You’ll need to take care that they don’t get exposed to frost which can damage their growth – this makes them a little harder to maintain than other winter vegetables.
The RHS has a handy guide for choosing your varieties and looking after your newly planted potatoes but if you get it right then you’ll have the perfect base for soulful soups, roast dinners, homemade chips and heart-warming sausage and mash to see you through the winter months.
If you need any advice on what to grow and how to grow it, then we’re always here to help. Call us on 07961 234448 or email [email protected]