Get ahead this season with some great advice from Katrina and Clayton in their autumn garden.

Seed Saving in Autumn

Seeding saving during autumn is a great way to ensure a bountiful harvest of free plants for the next year. 

To get started:

• Identify the plants that you want to save seeds from – look for healthy, mature plants with desirable traits. 
• Next, allow the plants to fully mature and produce seeds. This may involve leaving the plants in the ground for a longer period of time than you would for harvesting the flowers or fruits or vegetables. 
• Once the seeds have developed, carefully harvest them, and remove any debris or plant material. 

Seed Drying

It is important to properly dry seeds before storing them. Spread them out in a single layer on a clean, dry surface and allow them to air dry for a few weeks. 

Seed Storing

Finally, store the seeds in a cool, dry place in airtight containers or envelopes and be sure to label them with the plant variety and the date of collection. 

By saving seeds during the autumn, you can continue to grow your favourite plants year after year, and save money on buying new seeds.

Autumn Prepping

In addition to saving seeds, autumn is also a great time to prepare your garden for the next growing season. 

Start by cleaning up any debris or dead plants from your garden beds. This will help prevent the spread of diseases and pests. 

Autumn Mulching

Consider adding organic matter, such as compost or shredded leaves that will be falling for free, to enrich the soil and improve its fertility.

You can also plant cover crops, such as winter rye or clover, to protect the soil from erosion and add nutrients. We use red clover as a cover crop in all our raised beds.

Autumn Planning

Finally, take the time to plan your garden for the next year. Consider crop rotation, companion planting, and spacing requirements to maximise your garden’s productivity. 

By taking these steps during the autumn, you will set yourself up for a successful growing season in the following year.

Katrina and Clayton Gelderbloem live with their family in East Ayrshire, and share their daily life in the garden on Instagram. They practise permaculture principles in the garden, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can.

Clayton is 15, autistic, non-verbal, and has been home-educated for the last 5 years. Katrina believes home-educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive. He completed the ‘Grow and Learn’ Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society last year, and this year has started the Level 2 ‘Nurture Course’.

You can keep up with Katrina and Clayton on Instagram, Facebook, and on their website.