One of the most exciting parts of preparing for autumn is getting to plan your autumn vegetable garden. The soil is still warm from the tail-end of summer, so contrary to popular assumptions, this is the ideal time to sow those vegetables and reap the benefits come harvest time.

Whether it’s for the delicious soups on your cool-weather cooking list, delectable roasts for those cosy family weekend meals, or simply having an endless supply of home-grown basics like leafy greens for whenever spontaneity strikes – we have you covered with our autumn vegetable planting guide for gardeners.

Here, we share the vegetables to plant in autumn, as well as tips for companion planting. 

Leafy legends

Start with spinach – both English and Swiss chard varieties. 

These hardy greens thrive in our autumn conditions and will keep producing leaves throughout the season. Plant them in well-composted soil and ensure it stays healthy with less frequent, deep watering. 

Lettuce is another autumn vegetable garden winner, and, in addition to spinach, is one of the autumn vegetables to grow in shade. 

Top tip: try loose-leaf varieties that allow you to harvest outer leaves while the plant continues growing.

Brassica brigade

Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are autumn favourites that deserve prime spots in your autumn vegetable planting list. 

These nutrient-rich vegetables need about 60 to 90 days to mature, so getting them in the ground now means you’ll have fresh produce during the winter months. Don’t forget to space them properly – these guys need room to grow!

Root for you

Carrots and beetroot are the perfect vegetables to plant in autumn. 

Our soils can be quite heavy, so work in plenty of compost and ensure the soil is loose to a depth of at least 30 centimetres. 

Top tip: Plant radishes between your carrots – they’ll be ready to harvest in just 4 to 6 weeks, marking rows and breaking up the soil for their slower-growing neighbours.

Allium army

The makings of a marvellous soup should all go in the ground now to be ready for the heart of winter. Onions, garlic and leeks planted now will be ready for harvest in late winter or early spring. 

These kitchen staples are relatively low maintenance. A bonus is that they help deter pests from your other vegetables. Plus, there’s nothing quite like pulling your own garlic from the ground!

All together now: Companion plants

Celery, radishes and other leafy greens like coriander make great companion plants for spinach, so when planning your vegetable garden beds for autumn, consider planting these veggie friends together.

Basil, sage, dill and thyme make ideal herby companions to both broccoli and cabbage, while cabbage and cauliflower can easily get along with celery and beetroot in your veggie patch.

Onions and sage work well alongside both beetroot and carrot plants, while lettuce, spinach and peas keep radishes in good company. 

Autumn vegetable planting tips

To increase your odds of getting your autumn vegetables growing strong, we suggest helping them along with these easy tips:

Soil preparation

Prepare your soil thoroughly before planting. 

Our intense summer sun can deplete soil nutrients, so rejuvenate your kitchen garden beds with plenty of compost and well-rotted manure.

Mulch

Mulch well after planting. Not sure what type of mulch is ideal for your vegetable garden? Browse our range of mulch products in-store.

Alternatively, a layer of straw or autumn leaves helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature as the weather changes.

Thyme to get growing

At your local Stodels Garden Centre, you’ll find everything – and we mean everything – you need to start planning and planting your autumn vegetable garden. Seeds, seedlings, spades, watering cans, mulch… not to mention gardening experts available to guide you on your kitchen gardening journey.

Start small, learn from your successes and failures, and most importantly, enjoy the process of growing your own food.