What to grow in October : the list and tips for starting the vegetable garden in October. What the vegetable garden looks like in autumn, between sowing and planting.Tips and tricks on what to grow in October , from planting to sowing. Seasonal fruit and vegetables and fake fruit and vegetables out of season: strawberries and asparagus can also be grown in autumn.
What to sow in October
The October sowing list: vegetables and greens to sow in October in pots, in the open field or in the raised bed. Sowing in the open field is recommended only in Southern Italy and in regions with a milder climate. Those who live in the north could sow in boxes or protected flower beds. Here is the list of what to grow in October :
– beetroot,
– chard, carrots,
– cabbage,
– carrots
– turnip tops,
– broad
beans, – fennel,
– endive , –
lettuce,
– baby lettuce,
– peas,
– parsley,
– radicchio,
– radishes ,
– rocket,
– escarole,
– spinach,
– lamb’s lettuce.
Among the most unusual varieties, we recommend sowing purple carrots. Purple carrots are rich in anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are pigments belonging to the flavonoid family, they have a high antioxidant power and according to recent studies they protect the heart and prevent the onset of certain tumors. Along with purple carrots, another very underrated vegetable is beetroot .
Purple carrot seeds can be found at agricultural consortia and at the most well-stocked garden centers. Those who prefer can take advantage of online shopping: on Amazon a pack of purple carrot seeds can be purchased for 2.12 euros with shipping costs included in the price. For all the information I invite you to visit the page: purple carrot seeds .
What to grow in October: planting
Crops to be started in October do not necessarily have to start from sowing. In October , you can continue with the planting of seedlings that have already developed and are indicated among those to be grown in the months of August and September. In particular, in October, you can grow starting from the transplant of:
– garlic
– onion
– Swiss
chard
– cabbage – broccoli
– cauliflower
– other varieties of cabbage and broccoli
– chicory
– turnip tops
– lettuce
– baby lettuce
– fennel
In October, you can grow various aromatic herbs . Planting of peppermint, oregano, bay leaves, borage and chives has begun .
Hear ye hear!
Not everyone knows that there are some varieties of strawberries that can be grown in the fall. Several varieties of everbearing or everbearing strawberry plants love the cold and should be grown in the fall, so that the first harvest will arrive before Christmas. For cultivation in late October or in November, choose bare-root strawberries and do not forget to mulch when planting. It is possible to grow strawberries starting from sowing if done in early October.
October: Seasonal Vegetables
After seeing what to grow in October, it is necessary to talk about the vegetables and greens that, previously sown, can be harvested in October.
Among the seasonal vegetables and greens in October, we highlight the very last tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes. You can still find peppers and basil. Depending on the sowing period, in October you can harvest lettuce, baby lettuce, spinach, rocket, parsley and rosemary. There is no shortage of early leeks and pumpkins.
On the fruit and vegetable stand, watch out for the false out-of-season: asparagus is harvested in spring, it’s true, but there is a variety that is harvested between September and October. The September asparagus is less productive than the spring one and can cost up to 40% more. Be careful, it is not an out-of-season vegetable but a variety called, precisely, September asparagus .
October: Seasonal Fruit
In Italy, the month of October is characterized by the transition from summer to autumn, so the seasonal fruit that can be found in this period includes both some late summer fruits and those typical of autumn. Here is a list of fruits that are common to find in Italy in October:
- Apples : Fall apple varieties begin to be abundant at this time.
- Pears : Similar to apples, several varieties of pears are also available.
- Grapes : Autumn is the harvest season, so grapes are definitely one of the top fruits of October.
- Figs : Although their main season is at the end of summer, some late figs can still be found in October.
- Walnuts : October is the ideal month for fresh walnuts.
- Chestnuts : In many Italian regions, autumn marks the beginning of the chestnut season.
- Pomegranates : This juicy, seed-filled fruit begins to ripen in the fall.
- Pumpkins and squash : While not fruits in the traditional sense, they are often associated with fall produce and are abundant at this time of year.
- Persimmons : These are sweet, gelatinous autumn fruits that ripen at this time of year.
It is always a good idea to consume seasonal fruits and vegetables because they are at the peak of their flavor and nutritional value and are also more environmentally sustainable.
