This week we will be taking delivery of autumn onion setts and garlic. An advantage of planting these now is that it gives them a longer time to grow and they are ready to crop earlier than spring planted setts. This will give you more room earlier next summer to plant other types of vegetables. Especially useful if like me, your space is limited. Just ensure that the soil that you plant them is well drained and in an open airy place so those wet winter days don’t rot the setts in the ground. Interestingly varieties that do well when planted in autumn are less likely to bolt (when the plant produces a flower instead of an edible bulb) as they are more tolerant of the cold that can cause bolting.

Well it’s certainly starting to feel chillier of an evening now. I have to confess to liking the autumn almost as much as I like the spring. I love the beautiful colours that many deciduous plants turn over the next month or so before they drop their leaves. I’m lucky enough to live near the New forest which means I can enjoy the trees changing hue on nice long walks which inspires me in making plant choices for the centres and my own garden.