Autumn Planting

Today I planted two-and-a-half rows of 'Senshyu' Onions.  First cultivated in Japan, these onions a are hardy and resilient overwintering variety that will grow outside uncovered over the winter months.  The reward is large, crisp, semi-flat onions with yellow/brown skin.  bulbs at the end of next spring. They need less light that other onions, so will grow through the short days of winter and early spring.

I also planted a row of ‘Germidour’ Garlic – a  soft-neck variety, violet streaked skin with white cloves and a mild flavour.  It is best to plant garlic in September and October as they respond well to colder temperatures; most varieties need one to two months at 0–10°C (32–50°F) for good bulb development. 

Garlic needs a long growing season to do well, and therefore planting in autumn is perfect timing so that plants develop roots and shoots before the heavy frosts. When sown in October they should be ready to lift and dry by June or July next year.

Fortunately, garlic needs little care – only needing regular watering in spring and early summer, and when the foliage turns yellow this is a sign that the bulbs are reaching maturity.  Then the bulbs can be lifted from the soil and left to dry out for a couple of days, in full sun.  Easy as!

It has been such a beautiful weekend that I have spent a lot of time pottering about, tidying-up and prepping - optimistically - for the winter.  Check out my progress (below) - I've even moved shrubs and perennials as instructed by the magazines and books and planted up pots and containers with winter flowers.  Super organised!