Rise and shine! A new season has come. Welcome autumn! We all know what happens now: the leaves are falling, and our environments are filling with red and yellow hues. It also means our gardens are filling with nutritional fruits and vegetables.
Embracing seasonal eating offers many benefits: it effortlessly aligns with nature’s rhythm, promotes better health, and contributes to a more sustainable food system. Hopefully, this motivates you to develop a green thumb and create your own organic produce.
And what delicious and nourishing produce can you cultivate this season? Here are some great autumn suggestions to add a pop of excitement to your garden.
1. Carrots
There’s no better time than now to be growing carrots in South Africa, as we live in a warm climate with fertile soil. There’s a rainbow of varieties to choose from when it comes to carrots, including the classic favourites Nantes. The great thing is that growing carrots is not demanding. They flourish in loose, well-drained soil that’s perfect for their roots to stretch and grow without constraints. They are very low maintenance, needing only 7–10 centimetres between each seed and minimal sunlight. As for water, small amounts will do, just enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. In a matter of no time, they are ready to be harvested and you can enjoy delicious recipes, such as these festive honey glazed carrots, which are tender and lovingly roasted to perfection, or puréed carrots with tahini and nutmeg that is perfect for the little ones.
Be the bearer of your own Meyer or Lisbon lemon fruit tree and add a legacy for the future. Don’t let the fact that it’s a whole tree scare you – lemon trees are an investment that will last years. This nutritional tree thrives in well-drained acidic soil. You can plant it in a sunny corner in your garden as they don’t require ample space. Lemons love to bathe in the sun, absorbing all the nutrients to feed into their roots. Add a sprinkle of water now and again to keep the tree thriving and soon will enjoy a bounty of sweet and sour lemons. Once your fruits are ready, there’s plenty of recipes to try, including chicken and cabbage stew with lemon or citrus cured snoek pate. Did you know that, in some cultures, lemons are a symbol of good luck? So not only will you be cultivating a vitamin C powerhouse but also channelling positivity in your life.
Make a colourful veggie garden with beetroots, which are easy and fast growing. What you’ll need is to select a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of about 30 centimetres and adding organic matter for nutrients. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, throughout the growing season. Harvest your beetroot when they reach the desired size, usually around 3 to 8 centimetres in diameter, by gently pulling them from the ground. Enjoy your homegrown beetroot in salads, soups or roasted dishes for a nutritious and flavourful addition to your meals! Try this beetroot salad with lime and haloumi or turn it into a sweet treat and enjoy beetroot chocolate cake with cream cheese icing.
Plant these blossoming beauties producing pink or white flowers before bearing fruit and transform your garden into an autumn wonderland. Plums thrive in a sunny spot with fertile, loamy soil, ample sunlight, and proper care. Plum trees require regular watering, especially during dry spells, to establish strong roots and promote healthy fruit production. Additionally, pruning is essential to maintain tree shape and encourage optimal fruiting. With attention to these factors, home gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest of juicy plums straight from their own backyard. After harvest, Dutch baby pancakes with plums can be the first breakfast you try – and we promise your loved ones will be delighted!
