The range of vegetables you can grow in autumn is expanding, partly due to warmer temperatures. If the weather stays mild, especially in the south of the UK, you can continue harvesting crops like Tomatoes, Peppers, and Aubergines into October! Some summer vegetables, such as Swiss Chard, Green Beans, Pumpkins, and Courgettes, will also keep producing if the conditions are right.

If you can protect your garden with a greenhouse or polytunnel, your growing season can be extended even further. With these, you can create a more controlled and warmer climate, allowing you to grow a wider variety of crops, even those not typically suited for autumn in the UK.

For a productive autumn garden, it’s a great idea to focus on winter-cycle vegetables. Here are 10 vegetable varieties perfect for autumn planting in the UK!

1. Autumn Cabbage

Cabbages, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, and Savoy Cabbage can be harvested right into late winter, provided they were sown during the summer. Autumn Cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata) can withstand cold temperatures down to 8°C. Early varieties are sown from August to October for harvests between March and June.

2. Onion Sets

In autumn, you can also plant onion sets for harvesting from March onwards. There are plenty of onion varieties to choose from, with some planted in spring for summer harvests and others in autumn for spring harvest. For example, planting autumn onion sets in September ensures a spring harvest.

3. Broad Beans

Broad Beans are an easy-to-grow, highly productive legume. They can be sown at different times depending on your location. In southern parts of the UK, they can be sown outdoors until October, while further north, it’s better to wait until February or March.

4. Florence Fennel

Florence Fennel is particularly suited for autumn sowing. Sow it outdoors from June to September, as long as temperatures remain above 14°C, and you'll be able to harvest it until December.

5. Winter Lettuce

Winter Lettuce varieties prefer a mild climate but can tolerate temperatures as low as 5°C. Sow them outdoors between August and October, as long as the minimum temperature stays above 8°C. Harvesting can begin in February.

6. Potatoes

Potatoes thrive in cooler weather and prefer temperatures between 12°C and 18°C. In southern areas, you can plant potatoes in September or October to have new potatoes ready in time for Christmas.

7. Leeks

Leeks (Allium porrum) are incredibly hardy and can be grown almost year-round. Sow them between March and November for harvests roughly four months later.

8. Radicchio (Chicory)

Red Radicchio is actually a variety of Chicory. When looking for seeds, you’ll find them labelled as Red Chicory from Treviso, Verona, or Chioggia, available in round or elongated varieties. It can withstand cold down to -5°C, and late varieties are sown from July to September for harvests between November and February.

9. Radishes

Radishes are quick-growing and can be sown from March to November, as long as temperatures remain above 7°C. For a continuous supply, sow seeds monthly. Spring varieties can be harvested within 20 days, but in winter, you’ll need to wait a bit longer.

10. Rocket (Arugula)

Rocket (Eruca sativa) has a short growing cycle, making it ideal for autumn cultivation. Sow it up until November, provided temperatures are above 5°C. Rocket is a cut-and-come-again crop, so after the first harvest, it will regrow for up to 4–6 more pickings.

 

With the right planning, your UK garden can stay productive well into the colder months!