Autumn gardening: essential tips for planting, pruning, and harvesting

As autumn approaches, gardeners are advised to transition their maintenance routines to prepare for winter and future growing seasons. Key activities include pruning, sowing, and harvesting.

For vegetable gardeners, planting fast-growing crops like carrots, potatoes, and turnips now can provide a fresh harvest for the Christmas season. Experts suggest preparing soil with compost and using tools like the broadfork to aerate without overturning the earth. When harvesting squash, checking the stem is vital; a dry, hard stem ensures long-term storage, whereas a soft stem indicates rapid rot.

Lawn care and plant health are also priorities. September is considered an ideal time for reseeding lawns due to warm soil and increasing moisture. For specific plants, such as oleander, careful pruning is required to preserve next year's blooms, while hydrangeas and chrysanthemums require specific light and watering adjustments to prevent browning. Additionally, gardeners should be cautious with organic additives like coffee grounds, which can benefit acid-loving plants but may harm Mediterranean species by altering soil acidity.