New beginnings in the garden

Summer may be coming to an end, but the productive vegetable garden doesn't have to. Pic Getty.

After months of fabulous summer sunshine, things are cooling down; the intense heat is softening, and the mornings are fresher. It is a pleasant change as in the height of summer things can be a little too hot, not just for us but for the plants in the garden, gasping for moisture and unable to seek shade from the searing heat.

The water shortages, burning heat and the wild storms will have left the plants in an exhausted state as they limp towards the end of the season. In good times, the switch between summer and autumn is barely noticeable, except for the change of date on a calendar.

The plants don't recognise this moment and continue obliviously until the first frost comes along and puts a sudden halt to its productivity.

In more challenging seasons, the plants seem to notice and are glad of the change.

Some have a second wind in the more favourable conditions and produce a final crop that encapsulate the final essence of summer in its fruit.

Others seem to go 'thank goodness that is all over, I'm done' and expire in a brown crispy heap.

Across the garden, change can be seen, the dead, the dying, plants pushing on regardless of the conditions waving their tatty weather-beaten leaves proudly in the warm autumnal breeze. Others are noticeable by their absence.

Bare earth emerges across the garden as crops are removed and enjoyed. Salads are reaped daily over the summer months until the plant gives up. Sweet, crunchy carrots enjoyed after months of growing; beetroot that has been pickled and is now making that burger extra special. Sweetcorn, which for most of the season has been a towering feature in the garden has been stripped of its ears, and having nothing more to offer has been removed. The garden has been productive and it has the appearance of coming to an end.

However, the garden can go on through the cooler months and now is the perfect time to kickstart the old and tired garden back into life and provide a fresh crunch to grace a winter table in months to come.

The first thing to consider is, the soil will be tired and possibly sun-baked and hard. As plants come to an end, remove them and put them into the compost — provided they are pest and disease free.

Add compost and a pick-me-up fertiliser such as blood and bone or well-rotted manure, and work it into the soil to restore what has been taken by the hungry summer plants.

If space is limited, you could consider under planting beside plants that will soon be gone.

They will appreciate the extra nutrients while they are still there and once they are gone; new seedlings will be able to flourish in the space left behind.

The vegetables grown for winter consumption aren't as numerous or exciting as the summer ones, but there are enough to chose from to keep things interesting.

All of the brassicas — cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and many more — do well over the winter months.

Carrots, spring onions and beetroot can all be sown year round, if you have the right ones, just check on the back of the seed packet.

Peas, spinach, coriander and salad crops enjoy the cooling autumn weather, until the frost comes.

Winter weather can be harsh to bare earth and compact it, making it a chore to make it a welcoming place for tender young seedlings.

A good layer of well-rotted manure, compost or even plain cardboard weighted down can protect the soil and will be drawn down deep into the soil by the worms.

It has the added benefit of keeping the weeds at bay and the result is a light and airy soil that is easy to prepare for the new season.

Summer may be coming to an end, but the productive vegetable garden doesn't have to.

●Sarah O'Neil is an author, blogger and passionate gardener writing about the trials and tribulations of growing food for her family. Her books The Good Life and Play in the Garden and the recently released Growing Vegetables are available at all good bookstores. sarahthegardener.co.nz