The seasonal Autumn garden

We have now passed the Autumn equinox and the days are noticeably shorter, that Autumn ‘nip’ is in the air and the leaves have begun to turn brown. Sunbathing in the garden, paddling pools and BBQs may all be just good memories now but there is a lot to enjoy in the Autumn garden and the variety the change in seasons brings.

Many of us still have a corner of the garden turned over to fruit or vegetables, some of the keener veg gardeners may be lucky enough to have a larger growing plot or an allotment but organic, ethically produced food has become important to many of us. Not only do fresh fruit and veggies play a vital role in following a healthy lifestyle, but many of us also try to eat more seasonal produce to support local growers and minimise the miles our food travels and that ever-important carbon footprint.

Why seasonal produce?

Some of the benefits are more well-known than others but by choosing seasonal produce you can give yourself a pat on the back for lots of reasons – here are our top 5!

1. Save money. If you want to keep yourself and your wallet healthier, eating seasonally can help. Out of season produce requires special conditions to grow or must be flown in from other climates, increasing production costs.
2. Environmentally friendly. Reducing food miles reduces your carbon footprint and the fact that the items have not been subjected to long transportation means they may have a longer shelf life reducing food waste. If you grow your own or can buy from a local grower or market you also avoid much of the plastic packaging common with pre-packed.
3. Healthier. Less time spent between harvest and your plate means more natural nutrients are retained and fewer artificial preservatives are required. Also, you may find yourself challenged to eat veg you might not normally think to try, not only could you discover a new favourite – variety is super healthy.
4. Support local growers. British growers like others have had a pretty tough year as the demands of the supply chain have gone up and down with big hospitality clients stopping orders. By supporting local businesses, the profits stay local and benefit the community.

What variety does Autumn bring?

From hearty roasts, stews and soups through to lighter salads and stir-fries through to delicious desserts, there is something on the list for every recipe, from old favourites to a few you may not have tried, you are bound to find a few you love in this list. Some of our Autumn favourites are:

Apple, Blackberries – perfect in a pie or crumble, or the old grow your own favourite Rhubarb

Apple, pear and plum – the fruit bowl favourites, why not try figs, damsons or elderberries?

Potato, Parsnip and Butternut – delicious and ready to roast, add some pumpkin or Jerusalem artichokes if you are feeling adventurous!

Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Swede – love them or hate them the brassicas are all about Autumn, mix it up with Turnip, Kohlrabi or Purple sprouting broccoli.

Yearning after the fresh taste of summer salads? Watercress, rocket, spinach leaves, beetroot, celery, radishes, and tomatoes are all still on the Autumn menu. Add a salute to summer BBQs with some griddled aubergine, fennel and courgettes.

Or, (dare we use the ‘C’ word this early?) if you are feeling prematurely Christmassy, pair those brussels with leeks, Chestnut stuffing, Cranberry sauce and break out the Figgy pudding!

This is just a sample of our favourites but we love GoodtoKnow’s seasonal food calendar here for recipes and other tips.

If the above has inspired you to try your hand at growing your own, now it the perfect time to plant pot-grown fruit, spring cabbages, onions and garlic. Worried when you will find time to tend to your crop? Why not ditch the fence painting and maintenance and get ready for a bumper harvest!

ColourFence is manufactured in the UK and guaranteed maintenance free for 25 years, book a free quote and site survey for your garden today.

Bonus recipe

Writing this blog made us so hungry, we are off to make our favourite Autumn soup from the British Nutrition Foundation website – it’s so simple even we have never messed it up and it’s healthy and yummy too!

Hearty Autumnal Soup (4-6 portions)

2 tbsp olive oil

2 finely chopped onions

2 cloves crushed garlic

2 tsp ground cumin (or try a bay leaf for less spice or nutmeg if you prefer)

1 sliced stick of celery 

1 chopped carrot

1kg peeled, chopped pumpkin or butternut squash

700ml vegetable stock

1. Gently heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the cumin after about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
2. Add the vegetables to the pan and continue cooking for 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until they start to soften and turn golden.
3. Add the stock, bring to the boil, and then simmer for 10 mins until the veg is very soft.
4. When cooled slightly, purée with a hand blender and season to taste – enjoy with chunks of fresh bread! This recipe freezes brilliantly for a healthy lunch in future.

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