Autumn is not the end of the vegetable garden, even though it may seem so at first glance. With shorter days, the first rains and the cold knocking at the door, many summer crops begin to suffer… and many of us put away our tools until spring.
But the truth is that this season offers a unique opportunity for those who know how to adapt: to extend the harvest, experiment with new varieties and, most importantly, prepare the ground so that the next season gets off to a strong start.
Growing in autumn requires a change of mindset. It is not enough to repeat what worked in summer; now it is time to anticipate frosts, take advantage of every ray of sunshine and reinforce the health of the soil.
In this article, we’ll look at the main challenges of the season, how to deal with them in a practical way, and what strategies, including the new organic VGN line, can help you transform fall into a productive and vibrant time of year.
Challenges of growing in autumn and how to overcome them
Autumn is here; the days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and humidity is rising… and yes, all of that can complicate life for your plants.
The good news is that with a few smart adjustments, you can continue to extend the harvest season while preparing your garden for spring.
Let’s take a look at the most common challenges and how to deal with them.
• Less sunlight: reduces photosynthesis and slows growth.
Solution: choose partial shade-tolerant crops and orient raised beds or pots toward the maximum available light.
• Lower temperatures and frost: can damage leaves and roots.
Solution: protect with mulch, plastic tunnels, or thermal blankets, and plant cold-resistant varieties.
• Excess moisture and frequent rainfall: increases the risk of fungi and root diseases.
Solution: improve soil drainage and opt for aerated substrates; raised pots or beds help prevent waterlogging.
• Persistent pests and diseases: some species adapt to autumn and can attack weak crops.
Solution: rotate crops, combine species to repel pests, and regularly check leaves and roots.
By putting these tips into practice, we already have a good foundation for getting our garden through the fall. But nutrition also plays a key role in overcoming the challenges of fall.
Choosing organic, soil-friendly fertilizers helps strengthen roots, maintain plant health, and prepare the ground for the next season. This is where the VGN line comes in, offering organic products that nourish both plants and soil life.
Organic nutrition for a productive fall: the VGN line
We’ve said it before: in this more challenging season, proper nutrition makes all the difference.
The VGN line features organic liquid fertilizers that not only feed your plants, but also strengthen soil life, creating a healthy ecosystem from the roots to the leaves. This way, while you ensure a harvest during these cooler months, you also care for and prepare the soil for the months to come.
The unique feature of this new line is that, with the four products that comprise it, you can create a nutrition plan tailored to all types of plants and stages of growth. The key is in the NPK (Nitrogen – Phosphorus – Potassium) ratios indicated in their names.
With this information, experienced growers can create the mixture according to specific growth, flowering, or structural strengthening needs.
But we also like to make things easy, so we have created a growing guide that is a good way to combine the four VGN products without fail:
• VGN 5-2-2: nitrogen-rich base fertilizer. Nitrogen stimulates vigorous green growth of leaves and stems, essential during the vegetative stage and ideal for leafy green vegetables.
• VGN 2-2-4: base fertilizer with extra potassium. Potassium strengthens plants’ resistance to seasonal changes and environmental stress, regulates efficient water use, and improves the quality of fruits and flowers, providing vigor and resilience at every stage of cultivation.
• VGN 1-4-4: Phosphorus provides the energy needed for flowering, while potassium ensures more resistant flowers and tastier fruits, resulting in a bountiful, high-quality harvest.
• VGN CALMAG: calcium and magnesium supplement that strengthens cell walls and improves photosynthesis.
All VGN products are approved for organic farming and made from plant waste, promoting the circular economy. With them, your garden stays active, productive, and balanced, even when autumn seems to complicate growth.
What to plant in autumn and some extra tips
Now that we’ve seen how to do it, it’s time to dive deep into what we plant in our garden in autumn.
Autumn is the ideal season for species that take advantage of mild temperatures and higher humidity.
Leafy greens such as spinach, chard, and lettuce grow quickly and adapt well to shorter days. It is also the perfect time to plant legumes such as beans and peas, which also enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen.
Some summer crops can actually produce great results in early autumn, like peppers and cucumbers. And let’s not forget the star of the season: the pumpkin.
Root vegetables take center stage: carrots, radishes, and beets thrive during these months and benefit from the cool autumn weather to develop their flavor. If you have space, cabbage and broccoli are hardy crops that thrive in the cold, which enhances their nutrients.
And it’s always a good idea to plant onions and garlic.
In short, autumn offers more possibilities than it seems, as long as we know how to choose crops that are suited to the climate and the calendar.
Practical tips for maximizing autumn productivity
As we mentioned above, at this time of year it is not enough to just plant, you have to do it strategically. Here are some tips to get the most out of the season:
• Crop rotation: alternate species to prevent the accumulation of pests and diseases in the soil.
• Make the most of the sun: if you can, move your pots or plant in the area of the garden that enjoys the most hours of sun… all of this will help improve your production.
• Natural protection: use mulch, tunnels, or thermal blankets to cushion sudden drops in temperature.
• Soil care: add organic matter (compost or VGN fertiliser) to maintain fertility and support microorganisms.
• Urban gardens: even on balconies or terraces, mix vegetable pots with herbs and edible flowers to maintain an active ecosystem.
The goal is simple: take advantage of autumn not only to harvest, but also to leave the soil stronger and ready for spring.
Conclusion: autumn, an opportunity for your garden
Growing in autumn can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity.
With proper care, this season becomes an ideal time to continue enjoying fresh harvests, boost soil fertility, and prepare the ground for an even more productive spring.
The key is to observe, plan, and support your plants with balanced and sustainable nutrition. If you do this, not only will you get healthier vegetables, flowers, and fruits, but you will also be building a more resilient garden and soil full of life.
Because, in the end, an autumn garden is not just a bridge to spring: it is a conscious way of caring for the present and sowing the future. Happy gardening!
