Creating the Perfect Autumn Vegetable Garden

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Has your inner handyman ever inspired you to think about creating a vegetable garden? While autumn sees a drop in temperature and transformation of trees and gardens, it provides a great opportunity to start growing some tasty treats ready for seasonal harvest.

Choosing the right varieties to plant will mean you could be harvesting your own fresh crops straight from the backyard in just months, so this week we’re looking at preparing your garden bed, what to plant and how to maintain it throughout the colder months.

How do I prepare a vegetable garden?

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• Soil – make sure you choose an area with nutrient rich soil to build your veggie garden. Ensure adequate drainage by fluffing the soil up with a garden fork. Compact soil prevents water moving.
• Raise and retain – a higher bed will achieve better soil profile, resulting in a better harvest. If building on an existing soil base, two sleepers should be high enough.
• Stand-alone structure – if you plan for the bed to be stand-alone, speak to your local Hire A Hubby about building a strong structure. Normally they need to be at least one metre deep.

What vegetables do I plant in autumn?

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Despite shorter days and less sunlight, autumn is still a good time for producing certain vegetables and herbs. With Australia’s diverse climate, identify the climatic zone you live in for the most accurate ideas on what to plant. However, the following vegetables typically thrive during autumn:

• Broad or bush beans (14-16 weeks harvest)
• Beetroot (8-10 weeks)
• Cabbage (4-6 weeks)
• Carrot (10 weeks)
• Cauliflower (10-12 weeks)
• Onion (over 20 weeks)
• Radish (3-6 weeks)
• Silverbeet (3-4 weeks)
• Rocket (pick leaves as plants establish)

Remember to give your plants adequate space – don’t overplant!

How do I maintain a vegetable garden in autumn?

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• Weeding – weeds compete for nutrients, so make sure you keep on top of them.
• Mulching – fallen leaves from deciduous trees around the backyard can be used as great garden mulch, keeping the soil moist, preventing weeds and reducing water requirements. You can either rake them up, or mow over them and use the mix of chopped leaves and grass clippings from the catcher.
• Watering – the amount of water your garden needs depends on the climate you’re in, so get to know your garden by inspecting it regularly.

For more ideas on building and maintaining vegetable gardens, backyards and outdoor areas, speak to your local handyman on 1800 803 339 or request a quote here.