Attention, attention! The autumn temperatures have recently introduced new vegetable varieties, bidding farewell to zucchinis and tomatoes and welcoming less cold-sensitive vegetables! As we approach winter, the range of plants to cultivate decreases as most prefer warm weather. But this won't stop our green thumbs! The garden still has many rewards to offer.
The October garden is still in full swing, and let's see which varieties are in vogue this month, both for sowing and transplanting.
But first, as always, let's see how to take care of your garden this month.
Autumn garden operations and activities you should know
Despite being a transitional month, leading us from summer to the cold season, October offers fixed appointments with garden care for those who don't want to put their green thumb into hibernation.
Before starting to cultivate: is there anything left in the garden? Harvest!
Harvesting is one of the most satisfying tasks, as it condenses all the results of the care given in the previous months. Some vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, and zucchinis provide their last products.
The same goes for aromatic herbs, which should be used in the kitchen, dried, or frozen if there's an excess. This allows you to have them on hand to add an extra touch to your dishes. Without this operation, you risk losing the perfect moment and making the herbs unusable.
Now, let's move on to autumn cleaning!
After harvesting the fruits and vegetables from plants that have completed their seasonal life cycle, it's time to clean up weeds, leaves, and dried stems that have accumulated during the past cultivation. These can be a source of pests that, under favorable conditions, can lead to diseases.
If you are cultivating in pots, the fastest option is to empty the entire contents of the pot into a biodegradable trash bag or transform the exhausted substrate into compost, using composters and other organic waste to let it rest for the next cultivation.
Search for Agronomic Resources
All plants need love, but that's not enough. It's necessary to supply agronomic resources. Here's the shopping list:
- Coco coir substrate, to provide strength and support to the seedlings, must be changed every six months at most. If you want to know the benefits of this product, you can read: "Why Choose Coconut Fiber as a Substrate?"
- Nutrients must never be lacking; they are the plants' fuel and protect them from diseases. What are the most suitable nutrients for the urban garden? To find out the best solutions, you can continue reading: "How to Choose Fertilizer for the Urban Garden?"
- Seasonal seedlings and seeds: vegetables and herbs particularly resistant to cold, which can bravely face winter while remaining in the garden. We will see the most suitable ones shortly.
Remember water, but don't overdo it! The season starts to become moderately rainy and colder, so if you have automatic irrigation, reduce the frequency and duration of water supply for the plants.
And now let's talk about the easiest species to cultivate in October, starting from seedlings already formed and ready to be transplanted into larger pots. This will ensure that the plants in the development phase don't have to deal with temperatures that are too low or even below zero.
What are the 5 easiest varieties to cultivate in October?
1) Fennel
Fennel is a plant that fears extremes, both if temperatures are too high, above 30 degrees, and if they are below zero. Planting fennel in October ensures a harvest before the winter frosts. At this point, regarding sowing, it may be too late.
2) Onions
Onions are bulbous plants highly resistant to cold, so much so that they can be planted in autumn and spend the winter in pots. They are autonomous and undemanding: sunny areas, little water, and friable soil. There is no shortage of onion types to grow, from golden to white onions, passing through the famous flat Red onions and Fiascona, and ending with fresh green onions.
3) Cabbage
Cabbage's hardiness allows it to be grown almost anywhere. It does not require high temperatures to develop, so it is associated with the autumn-winter garden. At this point, you can grow the cabbage you want, including red and white cabbage, Tuscan cabbage, and Chinese cabbage.
4) Spinach
Spinach is a leafy vegetable highly resistant to cold climates and tolerant to attacks from pests. It guarantees a dense foliage even in semi-shaded spaces where many other plants cannot be placed, bringing many nutrients to the table even in the coldest months.
5) Perennial aromatic herbs
Perennial aromatic herbs are inseparable balcony plants because they keep us company all year round. They are undoubtedly the best choice if you are just starting to cultivate because they require little attention: a sunny position, occasional watering, and a pinch of love.
It's really a piece of cake, costs nothing, and fills your kitchen with fresh and nutritious products. You can fill your balcony with the following perennial stars: thyme, sage, rosemary, and marjoram.
For all the tips about transplantation we suggest you to read our dedicated article: 4 Easy tips for transplanting plants in your garden
If you have extra space on the balcony and want to indulge in other perfect varieties for October, you can certainly welcome:.
Have you seen how many varieties can be cultivated in October? Not only is it possible, but it's also easy thanks to their cold resistance and the little care they require, you'll have many satisfactions with minimal effort.
Happy gardening!