Don't rush to clean up: what can you leave in your garden beds in the fall?

The season has passed, but many fruits and vegetables can continue to be harvested until the first snow. Late-ripening vegetables, fruits, and greens are especially prized for their long shelf life. The vitamins they contain can be consumed until spring or even summer.

Fruits and vegetables

Late pumpkin varieties ripen only around October. Try to harvest them before the first frost. You can tell if the pumpkin is ready by the stem: it should be dry. The plant's leaves will also be dry, and the pumpkin will be a rich, bright orange. If you accidentally remove the pumpkin from the ground prematurely, it can ripen in a dark, dry place for up to a month.

Choose a dry day to harvest the pumpkins. If it rains, allow the fruits to dry completely for a couple of days. Cut the stems with a sharp knife; don't tear them with your hands. Leave a stem about 4 cm long.

Many apple varieties ripen only in September or October. Their main advantage is their longevity: these fruits can be stored until spring or even summer. Just don't eat them right away—late-ripening apples need a couple of weeks to develop their full flavor.

A ripe fruit is easy to spot: it breaks off easily, leaving a small dent when pressed. The apple's color is lighter near the stem. If there are already a couple of fallen fruits lying near the tree, they're all ripe.

Late-ripening cabbage ripens in late September or early October. It can be stored all winter. The key is to harvest the plants before the first snow and frost. Ideally, the cabbage should be slightly underripe. Dig it up with the roots. Small, dense heads will store the longest.

Mid- and late-season carrots ripen in mid-autumn and can remain in the garden until November. You can tell when it's time to harvest by the condition of the tops. This can be determined by yellowing leaves. Harvest carrots on days when the soil is completely dry. There shouldn't have been any rain or other precipitation in the last few days. Otherwise, the carrots will begin to rot.

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Beets are harvested until late October. Ripe beets will have dry, yellowed leaves and thick roots. Try to harvest them during dry periods, as moisture reduces their shelf life. Ideally, a temperature of 5°C and full sun will be ideal.

Green

Large quantities of greens tolerate cold well and can even be left in the garden bed overwinter. Parsley and celery can remain in the soil for a long time. Trim the tops and cover the plants with 5-6 cm of soil. Place spruce branches on top to protect them from snow and other sediment. When the harvest is ripe, remove the cover and harvest the greens.

Sorrel, mint, and lemon balm tolerate cold well. During the first year of planting, the leaves are not cut back as the plants gain strength. From the second year, when the foliage has matured, the harvest can be collected from early spring to late fall.

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In winter, it's recommended to plant flowers and shrubs. Many plant species will survive prolonged frosts. Plants should include:

• calendula;
• cleome;
• poppy;
• barberry;
• mignonette;
• lavender.

If you want to enjoy homegrown fruits and vegetables all winter, choose late-ripening varieties. Monitor them especially carefully, as the first frost or snow can ruin the harvest. Therefore, it's recommended to weed the plants before the cold weather sets in.