Autumn is a great time to get your garden ready for the colder months ahead. With the right plants, you can create a lush and vibrant outdoor space that can be enjoyed all year round.
In this blog, we’ll explore eight plants that are perfect for sowing in autumn. From flowering shrubs to hardy vegetables, you’ll find plenty of options for creating a beautiful autumn garden. We’ll also provide tips on how to care for your plants and ensure they thrive in the colder months.
So, if you’re looking for a way to make your garden look great this autumn, read on to discover our top eight plants to sow in autumn.
Benefits of sowing plants in autumn
Autumn is arguably the best season for sowing plants, and there are many benefits that come with doing so. With summer slowly turning into winter, autumn provides the perfect temperatures and days that offer enough cool nights and sunny days to give plants the support and protection they need to establish themselves. As a UK garden expert, I can recommend eight plants to sow this autumn for maximum impact later in the year.
Of course, the plants you choose depend on what kind of garden you want to create – whether it’s a colourful bed, or a wild hedge – but here are some key options for those who want some easy-care, abundant flowers (or foliage). First up, perennial wallflowers will fill your garden with long-lasting colour from April to June.
They can be sowed directly into the soil in late summer, and love a sheltered, sunny spot. Other favourites are forget-me-nots, which can be grown from seeds sown in autumn and will give your garden an elegant and bright display. If you’re after an exotic look, have a go at sowing perennial lilies, which will produce tall and elegant flowers that bloom in late summer.
Other plants to consider include hardy carnations and delphiniums, which both require some well-drained, fertile soil and plenty of sunshine. Sweet William and wild mushroom are great for adding texture to the garden, and Alpine Forget-Me-Nots are ideal for creating tiny little flowery meadows in your garden.
Finally, for a bright, vibrant look, why not sow some California poppies?These eight plants will add plenty of colour and texture to your garden with minimal effort, making autumn sowing an easy and rewarding decision. With their hardy nature and long-lasting displays, these plants make autumn sowing the way to go!
Eight plants to sow in autumn
As the cold weather approaches, it’s the perfect time to think about planting some new flowers and vegetables in your garden or vegetable patch. Autumn is a great time to sow a variety of plants that will not just provide a beautiful array of colour in the garden, but also result in a bumper crop of blooms in the summer!
Here are eight plants to sow in autumn that are sure to thrive in the cooler, wetter season. Firstly, pansies are a great option for autumn. Hardy, colourful, and easy to grow, they thrive from sowing in autumn, and you’ll likely get a full bloom of flowers in the winter and early spring.
Wallflowers and sweet William are also great options, with their sweet scents and their vivid colours. Both of them are extremely hardy and easy to grow, and you’ll get beautiful flowers in the spring that will last for months. Other plants to sow in autumn include biennials and perennials.
Foxgloves and hollyhocks are two examples of biennials that flower in the summer, while roses, daylilies and lavender are types of perennials. If you’re looking to fill your garden with a burst of colour, these are all great options.
You could also choose to sow some underrated but delightful annuals such as alyssum, cleome, and marigold – all of which will provide long-lasting colour in the garden. Lastly, why not consider sowing some vegetables in the autumn?
Cooler temperatures, moisture, and generally wetter ground mean that there are plenty of vegetables suitable for autumn sowing. Lettuce, celery, kale, chard, parsnips, turnips, parsley, and radishes are all great options for autumn, and will provide you with a great harvest in spring. So get ready to get your hands dirty and start planting!
Tips for planting in autumn
Autumn is the perfect time for planting many plants in the UK, as the soil and climate conditions are much more accommodating and milder compared to spring or summer. Planting in autumn also ensures that your garden won’t be neglected as the chillier weather settles in.
Whether you’re looking to spruce up your garden with some autumn colour or you want to catch a glimpse of fruit and vegetables growing, there are plenty of plant varieties that thrive in the cooler temperatures of autumn. Hardy shrubs, trees and vegetables are particularly suitable for autumn planting. Some of the best plants to sow in the autumn are veg like spinach and radish, root vegetables such as garlic and onions, delicious fruit like strawberries and blueberries, and hardy annuals like lupin.
These plants will take a few months to germinate, but come spring your garden will be exploding with potential. Climbing plants like roses, clematis and honeysuckle are also a great addition to any garden as they can provide privacy and colour year-round.
Don’t forget the classic autumnal hues of marigolds, dahlias and asters, which perform well in the colder seasons. Whatever plants you decide to grow in autumn, it’s important to stay on top of maintenance, weeding, pruning and watering consistently. With the right care and attention, your autumn garden will benefit you with beautiful blooms and fresh, seasonal eats.
Benefits of sowing plants in autumn
As a UK garden expert, I understand the importance of being prepared for the colder months while still taking full advantage of the mild temperatures of autumn. One of the best ways to get ahead is to take advantage of autumn by planting several seasonal plants.
Not only do these plants offer beautiful blooms and foliage, but they also provide functional benefits such as providing food and habitats for insects, birds and other wildlife. Here, I’ll share eight plants to sow in autumn and the benefits they bring to your gardens. One of the best autumn planting options is herbaceous perennials.
A particularly popular perennial variety is the foxglove, which is known for its graceful, purple blossoms. Planting these in autumn will allow them to become well-established before the bloom in early summer and offer a source of nectar for pollinators. Another beautiful perennial plant is the Virgin’s Bower.
Famous for its small, white clusters of fragrant and delicate flowers, this species needs to be planted in autumn to ensure it blooms properly come summer. Grasses are also some of the best plants to sow in autumn.
For instance, the Sporobolus heterolepis is a great addition for dry and sunny areas offering year-long accents both in colour and texture. For a more low-maintenance option, fescues are a great choice. Deer-tolerant and requiring little-to-no fertilising, they are a great option for autumn sowing.
Finally, autumn is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs in your garden. For example, one of the best trees to call your garden home is the hazelnut tree.
This beauty not only has a sturdy trunk, but it produces clusters of gorgeous yellow blooms in spring and delicious nuts in autumn. A great shrub variety to plant in autumn is the elderberry. These are excellent for providing edible fruits and as a natural compost activator. Planting these eight plants in autumn will not only provide your garden with a fresh look, but also offer more functional benefits such as attracting pollinators and offering food sources. As a UK garden expert, I highly recommend sowing these plants in autumn to make sure your gardens thrive through the colder months.
Eight plants to sow in autumn
Fall is the perfect time of year to start thinking about sowing plants. Whether it’s vegetables, ornamental crops, grasses or herbs, autumn is the ideal time to plant many kinds of plants and get them off to the best possible start before winter sets in.
There are a variety of plants that you can sow in autumn for a wonderfully lush garden come springtime. Here are eight staples to consider sowing this autumn. Kale is a hardy and prolific winter crop, which is ideal for autumn sowings.
It thrives with a little help from frost and prefers cooler temperatures. It’s easy to look after and can be grown in beds, containers or borders. Kale is incredibly nutritious too and can be cooked in many different dishes.
Peas are great to sow in autumn because they can take advantage of milder winter temperatures. Winter peas are better adapted than spring varieties and will tolerate cooler temperatures better.
Peas are especially good for autumn sowing because they do not require a lot of fertilizer to thrive. They’ll also be ready to harvest in the spring.
Radishes are a perfect autumn sowing as they can tolerate cooler temperatures better than summer varieties. They’re a hardy and quick-growing crop that won’t take over valuable space in your garden. Radishes can be ready to harvest in as little as a month, which makes them a great option for impatient green thumbs!
Onions are another autumn sowing that, if done properly, can be harvested the following summer. In milder regions, onions can grow through the winter, making them ideal for those with a need for a steady supply of fresh onions. Garlic is a great plant to sow in autumn and is best planted during the cold months. Garlic likes colder temperatures and freezing winters, so in warmer and milder regions, it’s important to cover them to protect them from frost. The payoff, however, is a large crop of garlic the following summer. Brussel sprouts are a classic autumn sowing and are best planted in late summer and autumn. If given enough time, they can easily perform in the colder months. The key is to give the sprouts enough time to grow and thrive in the cold temperatures before harvesting in the spring. Mustard is another plant to sow in the autumn months and will happily grow in colder temperatures. It’s a hardy crop that does not require much attention and, once harvested, makes for terrific salads and a tasty addition to any meal. Finally, cabbage is ideal for an autumn sowing, particularly hardier varieties such as Savoy and January King. These types of cabbage love cool temperatures and will produce great heads of cabbage in mid-winter, just in time for Christmas. Overall, autumn is an excellent time to start sowing plants as they’ll be given enough time to establish roots before winter sets in. Whether it’s vegetables, herbs, flowering plants or grasses, there are a wide variety of plants that you can sow in this season. Kale, peas, radishes, onions, garlic, brussel sprouts, mustard and cabbage all make for great autumn sowings and will ensure you have a beautiful and bountiful garden come springtime.
Tips for planting in autumn
As the last of the summer sun fades away and the temperatures start to drop, the autumn months offer an array of options for gardeners looking to start sowing. With so many plants to choose from and each with their own unique characteristics, it’s difficult to narrow down the options. To make things a little easier, I’m here to provide eight plants that are perfect for sowing in the autumn months and beyond.
The first plant on our list is winter lettuce. As its name suggests, this type of lettuce thrives in the colder temperatures and offers gardeners a crunchy and nutritious option for the winter months.
Planting in mid-late autumn, the lettuce seedlings can be left uncovered until severe weather hits, at which time you should spread a layer of mulch to keep them warm. Another great choice for sowing in autumn is broad beans. Broad beans thrive in cold temperatures and can be sown in late autumn/winter if you live in a milder climate.
To ensure a tasty crop, mix some compost into the soil before sowing and protect newly sprouted plants with a layer of mulch. The third plant on our list is kale.
Kale is a hardy leafy green that yields sweet, nutritious leaves throughout the winter months. Planting in autumn will ensure a full crop as temperatures start to drop.
To get the best results sow in seed trays indoors and then transfer once the seedlings are strong enough. Keep going the fourth plant on our list is spinach. Spinach is a low maintenance vegetable that thrives in cold climates and can be sown in autumn for larger crops next spring.
To get the best results, use a cold frame to give the spinach protection from stronger winds and chillier temperatures. The fifth plant to enjoy from autumn planting is parsnips. Parsnips take longer to mature so you should sow them in the late summer/early autumn months. To enjoy bigger and sweeter flavorful vegetables, mix some bone meal into the soil when planting the seedlings. Next on our list are winter radishes. These easy-to-grow vegetables can be sown in autumn, so that you can harvest them by the middle of Spring. Plant in fertile soil and keep the roots moist but not wet to ensure a successful harvest of crunchy, nutritious winter radishes. Turnips are another great choice for autumn planting. They are frost tolerant and can be sown in mid-late autumn in colder climates. To get a sweeter tasting turnips, mix some nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the soil before sowing. Finally, the last but certainly not least is brussel sprouts. These delicious vegetables thrive in the cooler temperatures and can be planted in mid- late autumn for a winter crop. Plant the seeds in well-drained soil and keep them consistently moist for best results. So there you have it – eight plants that are perfect for planting in the autumn months. With a little bit of knowledge and planning, you can enjoy a winter of bountiful harvests. Happy gardening!
Our video recommendation
Final Touch
Autumn is the perfect time to sow a variety of plants. This season offers a wide range of options for gardeners, from colourful flowering plants to leafy vegetables. Popular autumn plants include kale, chicory, mizuna, spinach, swiss chard, turnips, radishes, and lettuce.
Planting these in autumn will give you a head start on the spring growing season. With a little preparation and planning, you can enjoy a beautiful and bountiful garden this autumn.
FAQ
What are the benefits of sowing plants in autumn?
The benefits of sowing plants in autumn include increased seed germination due to cooler temperatures, improved soil fertility from decaying organic matter, and a longer growing season for certain types of plants. Additionally, sowing in autumn can help protect plants from frost damage and reduce the risk of disease.
What are the best plants to sow in autumn?
Some of the best plants to sow in autumn include kale, radishes, spinach, turnips, lettuce, and arugula.
What is the ideal soil temperature for sowing plants in autumn?
The ideal soil temperature for sowing plants in autumn is around 10-15°C (50-59°F).
What is the best time to sow plants in autumn?
The best time to sow plants in autumn is typically late August to early October.
What are the best methods for sowing plants in autumn?
The best methods for sowing plants in autumn are to start them indoors and then transplant them outdoors when the weather is milder. Additionally, it is important to choose plants that are suited to the cooler temperatures of autumn and to ensure that the soil is well-drained and nutrient-rich.
What are the most common mistakes when sowing plants in autumn?
The most common mistakes when sowing plants in autumn are planting too late, planting in cold soil, not providing enough water, and not providing enough light.
