Open up your garden to autumn planting. Make the most of warmer soil and good light conditions by sowing in October.
Here's a list of five vegetables that thrive when sown during this month:
- Spinach
- Radish
- Carrots
- Mâche (lamb's lettuce)
- Lettuce
Spinach
Begin with a plot in full sun that is rich in humus. Sow your seeds and cover them with about three centimeters of soil. Gently compress the soil with the back of a rake and provide a fine mist of water. Once your seedlings have developed four leaves, thin them to a spacing of 10-15 cm.
Radish
If your soil conditions are warm enough, it's time to sow radish. You can select from traditional varieties or have fun with a mix of round, different colored ones. Start by preparing your field – remove straw, clean the area, and loosen the top few centimeters of soil. Make sure your ground is fresh, and your drainage is functioning well.
Carrots
Think about sowing your carrots in early October for a harvest in the early spring – as long as your soil is warm and there's enough light. Protect your plants with a hibernation veil if you're expecting a severe winter. Before sowing your seeds in rows, clean and weed your field. Cover your seeds with fine soil and water them. The Carotte Rothild is a great variety to sow in October.
Mâche (Lamb’s Lettuce)
Also known as winter salad, Mâche is rich in vitamins and minerals. It's an easy-to-grow variety that thrives in humus-rich and well-drained soil. Begin with compact soil and prepare it by raking. Sow your seeds and water them lightly. If your seedlings end up crowded, thin them out when they've sprouted a few leaves and keep only the healthy, robust plants.
Lettuce
A favorite winter vegetable, lettuce offers many varieties. For best results, sow your lettuce in wide rows, ideally during leaf days in an ascending moon. Lettuce requires frequent watering and hoeing to keep the soil aerated.