The seeds you should be sowing this October

You might not think it, with cooler weather on the horizon, but October is the perfect month to begin sowing a variety of vegetables – and just like any other time of the year, it’s important to be well prepared the growing season ahead. So, check out our guide to the best – and most wholesome –veggies to sow this month for a successful autumn harvest!

A great leaf option to sow during the cooler months is winter lettuce, as seeds can withstand the frost. Whilst hardy varieties such as ‘winter king’, ‘radicchio’ and ‘frisée’ make a great addition to a salad, the crunchy and bitter leaves also work well with melted cheese – why not give it a go?

For extra protection during frostier spells, a fleece or cloche can be used to encourage a healthy harvest.

Broad beans can be sown from October time onwards, and they’re usually ready for harvest by May. This versatile veg can be used in hearty dishes such as soups, casseroles and stews, and are packed with nutrients which boost the immune system.

This hardy and resilient onion variety can be planted during October and should bulb around a month earlier than other onions! Japanese onions can grow outdoors whilst remaining uncovered, producing large and crispy bulbs at the end of the following spring. They’re a brilliant variety to grow during winter as they require less light that other onions, so will grow through the short days of winter and early spring.

Nothing beats fresh garlic from the garden – especially when roasted, made into aioli or tasty garlic bread! As autumn varieties of garlic such as Solent Wight and Caulk Wight require a cold spell for successful growth, now is the perfect time to start planting your cloves outside as the roots should establish well ahead of the winter season. Garlic is also super easy to care for and brilliant for the immune system.

Believe it or not, the dwarf cauliflower variety can be grown all year round – surprisingly! October is the best month to start sowing seeds in cold frames for overwintering, and, unlike other cauliflower types which can be quite challenging to grow, dwarf varieties of cauliflower grows quite easily in containers – perfect for those with smaller gardens too.

Whilst October is set to welcome chilly weather, it’s important to remember that new vegetable seedlings should be protected from adverse weather conditions such as excessive rain or frost. To prevent this, keep new seedlings inside a greenhouse or in a cold frame.

If you’d like more Autumn growing inspiration or want to keep up with our other gardening top tips, head over to our social channels - where you can find out more of George’s gardening tips and tricks.