Best Plants to Grow in Autumn

Some gardeners think that spring is the best time for planting. That is not entirely true, especially when you consider Australia’s seasons — spring is relatively short and summer can be intense.

Autumn is one of the best times to plant because the weather in the country is fair at this time. Plus, if you plant during autumn, you are giving your plants enough time to prepare for the summer heat.

What are the best plants to grow in autumn?

If you live in an area that is not affected by frost, consider sowing flower seeds during autumn. Around spring or summer, all your hard work and efforts will be rewarded once the plants flourish.

Some of the plants that you should consider adding to your garden are alyssum, candytuft, linaria, poppy, marigold, lobelia, snapdragon, sweetpea, daisy, and pansy. You can also consult your local nursery for other flowers that are suited to your specific area’s climate.

If you have been thinking of starting your own vegetable garden, you can do so during autumn. In fact, some veggies thrive during the cooler seasons.

Kale is one vegetable that is best grown during autumn as this vegetable prefers cooler seasons. It has been dubbed as a superfood due to its high content of iron and vitamins.

Mustard greens also fare well during autumn. If you wait until the warmer seasons to set in, this leafy vegetable might succumb to the intense heat.

Other vegetables that you might want to add to your garden include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, shallots, garlic, and bok choy.

New gardeners looking for quick wins might want to consider planting herbs. Herbs are fairly easy to take care of. However, if you live in an area with a cool climate, you may need to look for ample space for these plants inside your home. Some herbs can grow outdoors all year round when planted in areas with temperate climates. You can grow herbs in containers or mix with the other plants in your garden.

Finally, if you want to be ready to plant bulbs during spring, you can make the necessary preparations in your garden during autumn. During autumn, you can add fertilisers, compost, or manure to the soil to make it richer.

Gardeners should watch out for slugs and snails which can thrive during winter and autumn. Inspect your plants regularly and remove these manually.

Finally, adding compost and potash can negate the effects of nutrients leaching out of the soil when the rains start to fall. For more garden and landscaping tips, tune in for more Jim’s Mowing NZ blogs.