Urban gardening in autumn: homemade fertilizer and vermicomposting for success

With the arrival of autumn , nature gives us a clear sign: it's the perfect time to act. Far from being the end of the cycle, this season is key to laying the foundations for a successful urban garden during the colder months. Preparing the soil is the first step, and the secret lies in homemade compost .

In this article, you will discover why vermicomposting is the most powerful way to nourish your garden and ensure that your effort today becomes tomorrow's reward.

Why is autumn fertilizer vital for your plants?

Autumn is the time when your plants prepare to rest, but activity underground is more alive than ever. It's the perfect time to offer them a feast of nutrients so they can survive the cold months and bloom profusely in spring.

Natural fertilizers aren't just an extra; they're the essential nutrients that revitalize the soil, creating the rich ecosystem your plants need to grow healthy and strong. Contrary to what you might think, a good natural fertilizer is key to ensuring your winter seedlings, like cabbages or spinach, not only survive but thrive during the harshest months.

Natural fertilizer vs. industrial fertilizer: What's the difference?

This is where many people get confused. Although often used interchangeably, compost and fertilizer are very different. A chemical fertilizer is like a vitamin supplement for your plant: it gives it a quick boost with specific nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), but it doesn't improve the long-term health of the soil. It's a shortcut. Compost, on the other hand, especially homemade compost , is like a complete meal. It nourishes not only the plant but all the microscopic life in the soil (bacteria, fungi, insects). This creates a living, healthy soil that gets richer over time, resulting in more resilient and productive plants.

How to make homemade compost:

The guide to vermicomposting

Now that you know why compost is the superhero of your garden, it's time to get started. Forget about commercial fertilizers; the best option is vermicomposting . This simple and surprisingly efficient technique transforms your organic waste into the best homemade fertilizer your plants will ever taste.

Vermicomposting is a process that uses earthworms, specifically the popular red wiggler worm, to decompose organic matter. It's a 100% natural, odorless process that you can easily do at home. Your fruit and vegetable scraps and coffee grounds are transformed into worm castings, a solid, dark, and nutrient-rich fertilizer, ready to revitalize the soil in your garden.

¿Cómo funciona una lombricompostera?

It's much simpler than it seems. A worm composter is a tiered system that transforms food scraps into high-quality solid fertilizer. The worms process the organic material, creating what we know as worm castings. This is the solid fertilizer your plants need. In addition, as the worms work, they produce a valuable liquid fertilizer, or liquid worm castings, which collects in the bottom compartment. This "worm tea" is a concentrated fertilizer perfect for giving your plants an extra boost.

Preparing the land for autumn: The first step towards success

Compost is the food, but the soil is the main course. Once you've prepared your homemade compost , the next and most crucial step is preparing the soil . In the urban garden , every inch counts, and revitalizing your soil in autumn is vital for next season's plants to grow strong, healthy, and productive. It's the ideal time to give your soil a break and, at the same time, enrich it so your future crops have everything they need to thrive.

Checklist to prepare your land in autumn

• Clean your garden: Remove all plant remains that have completed their life cycle. Dry leaves, branches, and stems can go directly to your worm bin.
• Aerate the soil: Gently loosen the soil with a shovel or fork to break up clods and allow air and water to circulate better.
• Add your compost: Mix the worm castings you've created with the existing soil. A layer of about 2 to 3 centimeters on the surface is enough to nourish your soil.
• Add a layer of mulch: Cover the soil with a layer of straw, dry leaves, or wood chips. This helps retain moisture, protect the soil from the cold, and prevent weeds from growing.

What if you don't have time to make your own compost?

Soil preparation remains essential. Luckily, there are ready-to-use solutions that offer the same benefits. Our Urban Garden Mix – Enriched with Worm Castings , for example, is ideal if you're looking for a complete substrate. If you just need a boost to revitalize your soil, our 100% Natural Worm Castings are the perfect choice. With either one, your garden will have the start it needs to thrive.

Frequently asked questions about the vegetable garden in autumn

Can I use my compost in my rooftop garden?

Yes, of course. The homemade compost you produce, especially worm castings, is ideal for revitalizing the soil in limited spaces. Whether your rooftop garden is in pots or raised beds, the worm castings nourish the soil and ensure your plants get all the benefits they need to thrive.

Which fall seedlings are best to plant?

In autumn you can sow a wide variety of seedlings, such as cauliflower, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, and radishes, among others. The key to their success lies not only in the choice of plants but also in the quality of the soil. Make sure your potting mix is ​​well-prepared and nourished so your seedlings grow strong and resistant to the cold.

The success of your garden starts in autumn!

As you've seen, autumn isn't the end of the season, but rather the most important time for preparing the soil . By making the most of homemade compost and the power of vermicomposting , you can ensure your urban garden has all the nutrients it needs to thrive in the months to come.

The real secret is that fertilizer is essential, no matter where you grow your plants. Worm castings will help you achieve abundant harvests, whether you're planting in a vertical garden , in pots, or in a raised bed; fertilizer is essential.

If you want to delve deeper into the topic of soil preparation, you can read our article on How to Prepare the Soil for Planting ?

And if you're looking for more ideas for making compost at home, don't miss our star article : How to make organic compost with banana, egg, and coffee grounds ?

You can also find more information in this article from "How to compost at home"

Your turn: Share your experience!

Everyone's gardening experience is unique! Share yours and tell us in the comments: What are you going to plant this fall?