Grow your own: what to plant in autumn
Just because the days are getting shorter doesn't mean the time for planting in your veg patch or allotment is over for the year. Many varieties of onion, and some shallots, can be planted in autumn as sets (immature bulbs) and left to develop slowly over winter. Growth will speed up in spring, with mature bulbs ready to be harvested in the summer. Most types of garlic are best planted in late autumn or early winter, as they benefit from being exposed to a period of cold. Break up the garlic bulb and plant individual cloves. Each clove will become a new bulb of garlic by summer!
You can also sow some varieties of broad bean in autumn, the best time being around late October or early November to allow short young plants to develop just before the shortest days of the year are upon us. In spring the young plants will romp away and are often well on their way to fruiting before the dreaded blackfly can move in.
Garlic bulbs, onion and shallot sets and broad bean seeds are all in stock at Riverside now. Ask our friendly staff if you need further advice on growing these or anything else!
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