Gardening Tips for Successful Planting This Autumn Season

As the autumn planting season approaches, gardeners are encouraged to prepare their gardens effectively to ensure a productive yield. Key tasks include managing soil conditions and selecting the right crops for optimal growth.

Soil Preparation and Green Manure

Before sowing seeds, it is essential to prepare the soil properly. Green manure crops, such as mustard and oats, should be dug into the top 15 cm of soil. This depth is crucial because the organisms converting green manure to humus are most abundant in the upper soil layers. Gardeners should avoid digging when the soil is wet, particularly with heavier clay varieties, as this can lead to compaction and poor drainage.

For those with root vegetables still in the ground, such as swedes, carrots, parsnips, and leeks, lifting them and heeling them in a corner of the garden will free up space for new seeds. Notably, parsnips require a longer growing season; planting can occur anytime from now until the first week of October 2023 to ensure they have adequate time to mature.

To improve poorly drained soil, adding about 1 cm of sand to the bottom of seed drills is advisable, followed by covering the seeds with more sand. It is important to avoid sowing parsnips in ground that has recently been manured, as this can lead to forked roots. Additionally, adding 30 g/sq m of garden lime and a dusting of superphosphate before sowing will enhance soil quality. It is recommended to purchase fresh parsnip seeds each year, as they lose vitality quickly.

Planting and Caring for Vegetables and Flowers

For herbs, parsley should be sown in accessible locations and prefers rich, organic, and slightly acidic soil. Tender crops such as French beans, sweet corn, and various salad plants can be started under cloches or old windows. Covering them for at least three weeks warms the soil, allowing for earlier planting of cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuce, and silverbeet.

“Little and often gives pea crops over a longer period,”

a gardening expert advises. This method not only optimizes yield but also minimizes waste, as peas can be sown in small quantities at intervals. Silverbeet from autumn sowings will thrive with a weekly application of liquid manure and a fortnightly dose of sulphate of ammonia.

In warmer regions, hardy annuals can be sown directly where they are to flower. After seedlings emerge, thinning them is necessary to prevent overcrowding. Reliable options include alyssum, calendula, and California poppy. Nasturtiums are another excellent choice, thriving in full sun or partial shade but should not be planted until the frost danger has passed.

For those looking to cultivate perennials from seed, options include dahlia, delphinium, and lupin. These should be started in seedraising trays and transplanted to the garden once they have established growth, making them ready for blooming within a year.

Tackling Pests and Diseases

Gardeners should be vigilant about pests, particularly the peach tree leaf curl, which affects peach, nectarine, and almond trees. This disease is most damaging in late spring and summer. Fungus spores overwinter in buds and can distort leaves when they emerge. An early spring fungicidal spray is recommended to manage this issue. Options include using a 1:30 mixture of limesulphur or a Bordeaux mixture, applied just before buds open. Alternatives like copper oxychloride can also be effective, with a recommended mix of 25 g of powder to 5 litres of water.

Timing is critical when applying sprays; they should not be used on hot, sunny days to avoid scorching the plants. These measures will help gardeners ensure a healthy crop as they transition into the cooler months.

With careful planning and preparation, autumn can be a rewarding time for gardeners looking to maximize their yields and maintain vibrant gardens.