Autumn Harvest Guide

If you’re ready to fill your basket, here’s a guide to what’s ripe for the picking this autumn, with storage tips to keep your harvest fresh.

Autumn harvest favourites

Apples & Pears Harvest apples and pears when they easily come off the tree with a gentle twist.

Pumpkins When the skin hardens and the stem begins to dry, it’s time to harvest.

Carrots & Beetroot Pull up root vegetables like carrots and beetroots as they reach full size, or keep them in the ground if the weather allows, covering them with mulch for protection.

Kale & Spinach These leafy greens can be harvested throughout autumn. Pick the outer leaves, allowing the inner ones to continue growing.

Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts Harvest cabbage heads when they feel firm and solid. For Brussels sprouts, pick them from the stalk as they mature, starting from the bottom.

Garlic Harvest garlic when the leaves start to yellow and dry. 

Storage Tips 

Maximise the life of your harvest with the right storage! Here are some tips to keep your produce fresh.

After collecting root vegetables like carrots, beetroot, and potatoes, trim any greens and store them in breathable bags or containers in a cool, dark area. Moisture can lead to decay, so avoid washing until you’re ready to use them.

For fruits like apples and pears, keep them in a cool, dark place. The fruit drawer in your fridge is ideal for keeping them crisp. To help ripen pears put them in a paper bag with a banana or an apple.

Make sure pumpkins are dry and store in a well-ventilated area with temperatures around 10-15°C. Avoid stacking them to prevent bruising.

For leafy greens, eat fresh or store in the fridge in a damp cloth to maintain moisture.

Cure garlic by hanging the bulbs in a well-ventilated area, and store in a cool, dry spot once dried.