This Melbourne autumn, I’m harvesting the last of my summer crops while sowing seeds and bulbs for winter and spring—some in the greenhouse, others straight into garden beds and pots.
While I spend plenty of time in the garden, I’m always exploring and implementing lazy, efficient, and sustainable options that make my life easier. The time I spend outside is usually split between multiple garden projects happening at once, so I’ve come to value chaotic gardening techniques. These methods allow me to juggle various plants and varieties without getting overwhelmed.
To Harvest: Climbing beans, tomatoes, bok choy, pak choy, pepino, basil, small white onions, chives, nasturtium, hollyhocks, strawflowers, snapdragons, pumpkinsnand pansies, potatoes.
To Sow: Poppies, cabbage, garlic, onions, more basil, carrots, sweet peas, beetroot, broccoli, cauliflower, foxglove, eggplant, radish, celery, lemon balm, flower bulbs.
Harvest highlights
- Beans ~ There’s an abundance to harvest, and they just keep on growing! This year, we grew only one variety—the purple climber—and it’s by far our favourite. These beans grow so big, and the more you pick, the more they produce. They’re perfect for adding to our salads and stir fries, and it feels like we have a never ending supply of fresh beans day after day. It’ll be a pitty when the winter gets to them!
- Tomatoes ~ Our established tomato plants are starting to show signs of winding down, but we’re not ready to let go just yet. We’re trialling some seedlings in the greenhouse to see how long they last before Melbourne’s brutal winter takes its toll. These seedlings are grown from tomato scraps, so there’s no harm in dedicating a little soil and water to them. Hopefully, we’ll get a few extra salads and bruschettas before the cold really sets in.
- Pepino ~ We picked our first ever pepino this month, and we’re so excited to grow more. The plant is still producing small fruit and flowers, so we’re looking forward to exploring different ways to use them. I’m eager to try making jams, spicy chutneys, and baked goods with this unique fruit. It’s been a fun addition to the garden, and we can’t wait to see what else it’ll give us.
- Hollyhocks ~ The hollyhocks have been shooting tall all over the flower bed. I’ve had to cut them back a few times, since then they’ve bounced back with a burst of smaller, healthier clusters of pink blooms. Hollyhocks are great at producing a lot of seeds, so I’ll be collecting some to sow for next season or gift to friends and family.
- Strawflowers and snapdragons ~ there are plenty of strawflowers and snpadragons dotted around, but neither seem to spread very much. I’ll be collecting some seeds to sow in other garden beds and the greenhouse. I’ll be saving a few strawflowers for dry bouquets and crafts. Both of these flowers are such a joy to grow and bring vibrant colours/different heights to the garden!
- Pumpkins ~ Our little pumpkin patches are growing well, and we’re looking forward to hopefully harvesting a couple of varieties around Easter. I often dream of future Easters filled with autumnal traditions. It can feel a bit disorienting when the seasons change, especially here in the Southern Hemisphere, where for you pages often associate autumn with the months of September to November. These seasonal cues and traditions don’t always align with our own timing, making it feel a bit out of sync. I love the idea of tying our autumn harvest into our Easter celebrations ⚘~ imagining children frolicking through fields of dahlias and tulips, hunting eggs in the pumpkin patches, and carving pumpkins with pre winter greetings.
- Pansies & violas ~ I’ve had great success with pansies and violas as a groundcover. I picked up a few punnets from Bunnings that were marked down to just $1 and planted them around the start of summer. These little plants bloom so quickly and have been fantastic at filling in gaps in the front of a flower bed. They’ve really put all their energy into flowering and spreading, covering the bald spots and bringing so much colour to the garden. Sometimes I’ll freeze them into ice cubes to make cute fairy flower drinks.
- Nasturtium ~ This plant is trailing everywhere, and we’ve got plenty of it. I’m always grabbing a handful to make fresh pesto or brew a cup of tea. Nasturtium adds a lovely peppery flavour and vibrant colour to everything.
Heres my simple nasturtium pesto recipe:
Autumn plans
Autumn is always a great time to sow seeds, as there’s still plenty of warmth left before winter settles in. I’m excited about the plans I have for more blooms this spring, which means a lot more seeds to sow in the coming weeks. I’ll be planting different varieties of poppies and sweet peas to add vibrant colour to the garden, and I’m also focusing on some of our staple crops like broccoli, cauliflower, radish, and beetroot. These hardy vegetables will thrive in the cooler months, providing a steady harvest as we head into winter. It’s the perfect time to make the most of the autumn warmth and get a head start on a productive spring.
Cabbage ~ Excited to sow and grow a variety of new types this cool season, especially after successfully growing some through a tough summer. This time, I’m experimenting with different colours and textures, aiming for a more diverse harvest. Can’t wait to have plenty on hand for homemade sauerkraut!
Poppies ~ I’m direct sowing different types of poppies this autumn, both in pots in the greenhouse and in some overgrown, weedy spots I plan to transform into a vibrant flower meadow for spring. Looking forward to a burst of pinks and reds through the warmer months.
Dahlias ~ I have a few dahlia plants that I bought from a clearance rack for $3 which should bloom this year along with some dahlias that are regrowing from last year. The plants from last year are approaching 6 feet tall and have visible flower heads that are soon to bloom.
Sunflowers ~ Our sunflowers bloomed in mid January and are starting to fade. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be deadheading and harvesting seeds for spring and summer, and our kitchen. Some grew over 6 feet tall, and I plan to leave the sturdy stems in place as natural supports for other plants in the garden.
Cosmos ~The cosmos sensations have established their greenery and are I am now waiting for the flowers to grow. If the cosmos flowers last, they’ll complement the sweet peas and poppies I plan to plant this month, which are expected to bloom in late autumn/early winter. The tall cosmos stems will also serve as supports for my more delicate flowers.
Flower bulbs ~ I’m still deciding which flower bulbs to plant this autumn. I’m tempted to try tulips again, as I love watching them grow and bloom. There’s something magical about sipping my morning coffee while gazing at their tiny green shoots pushing through the soil. One of the many special things about tulips is their short but stunning bloom period.
However, tulips aren’t the most sustainable option, as they rarely multiply or spread, unlike other flower bulbs. I’ve had great success with anemones in the past, and I’m keeping my eye out for other bulbs that multiply over time, providing blooms year after year. The goal is to always have enough flowers to fill the vases in our home and those we love. Bulbs that multiply really appeal to me for this reason.
I’m so excited about all the plants I’m growing and tending to, and I can’t wait to see how everything flourishes. It’s truly a rewarding journey, and I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress along the way.