In the early years of my gardening journey, I made the mistake of believing that I had to choose between creating a beautiful flower garden or growing productive vegetables.
The truth is – I didn’t really have to sacrifice one for the other; my garden could’ve been beautified with vegetables as well…only if I used my brain a little…
To keep you from repeating the same mistake, I’m writing this article to guide you in selecting the right vegetables for your autumn garden. These choices will not only enhance productivity but also up the visual appeal and aesthetics of your garden.
Let’s get straight into it, shall we?
11 – Ornamental Kale
Unlike boring old green kale, ornamental kale actually adds some aesthetic appeal to the garden thanks to its majestic purple leaves.
It has a slightly more leafy and bitter flavor compared to normal kale but put it in some stir fry or stew and the taste can really improve the dish.
10 – Garlic
Yeah…I guess we all know what garlic tastes like…
Also, I just don’t know how someone would describe the taste of garlic. Like it tastes…garlicky?
Anyhow, the moderately cool temperature of autumn encourages garlic bulbs to develop strong roots before winter. And, in terms of appearance, garlic scapes actually grow quite tall and can add great visual interest to the garden.
9 – Ornamental Cabbage
Similar to ornamental kale, ornamental cabbage offers a unique color profile compared to your typical cabbage. You’ll find them in a wide array of colors ranging from darker shades of purple to lighter tones of white or yellow.
Oftentimes, the area around the center of the cabbage can have a darker or lighter shade of color compared to the rest of the cabbage. In my opinion, these contrasting colors look absolutely stunning in the garden!
8 – Rainbow Chard
Rainbow chard is actually a variety of Swiss chard that offers vibrant stalks often in shades of red, yellow, and purple.
It can be added to soups, salads, and stir-fries to bring color and a pleasantly bitter taste that can really complement these dishes.
7 – Radishes
Although there’s nothing unique or special about radishes, they can still add a pop of purple and red in the lower extremities of the garden because the vegetable sticks out of the ground a little when it’s fully grown.
6 – Chillies
Although chilies typically prefer warm weather for the best growth, early autumn planting, when the temperature is relatively warmer, can still encourage growth but will probably mean a late harvest. They’re perfect for adding vibrancy and a burst of color to your autumn garden.
5 – Beets
If you have an issue that involves lack of color in the lower extremities of your garden, beets can help you tackle it.
You’ll find slender beet stems in deep shades of red and purple which can give your autumn garden some great color and appeal.
4 – Carrots
Though carrots don’t really have much to offer in terms of aesthetic appeal since they mostly grow underground, they’re still an excellent option for October planting.
The slow transition towards cooler temperatures will make them sweeter, especially once they’re exposed to frost.
3 – Snow Peas
Though not as colorful and vibrant, snow peas are still a solid autumn planting option. Because they’re climbing plants, they’re perfect for adding some vertical interest and vines which can actually give the garden an appealing dense look.
2 – Scarlet Turnips
Compared to regular turnips, scarlet turnips actually offer a slightly mild, sweet flavor that can add a unique touch to soups, stir-fries, salads, and other savory dishes that might use turnips as a side.
Although they stay low in the ground, their bright red and sometimes purple skin can definitely add color to the garden.
1 – Purple Broccoli
I mean…if my mom fed me purple broccoli as a child instead of those horrendous green ones, I would’ve actually thought about liking this terrible, terrible vegetable.
Anyways, purple broccoli is pretty much the same as regular broccoli. So, unfortunately, it still has the same taste.
The purple variety is found to be slightly higher in antioxidants but we’d really be counting hairs at that point.
What matters for you and me is that it has a striking purple color that can make your garden look more vibrant and aesthetically pleasing in the bigger picture.
Final Words
If you were to take away anything from this article, make sure it is this: a productive garden doesn’t necessarily have to be boring and green; it can be visually pleasing and productive at the same time.
Just choose your vegetables carefully and opt for ones that bring striking color to your garden whether through their foliage, stems, or the vegetables themselves.
