Meghan, Duchess of Sussex: With Love, Meghan

Love it or loathe it, when the duchess formerly known as Meghan Markle recently launched her show With Love, Meghan, it certainly caused a stir. Among the many ‘tips and tricks’ she shared with her audience, she extolled the virtues of using fresh ingredients, including vegetables and edible flowers sourced directly from the garden.

As we officially move into autumn, it’s the perfect time of year to consider planting and growing your own food at home. Steve Webb, the director of Edible Kids Gardens, says even those new to gardening can enjoy success at this time of year, when the soil is warm but temperatures are starting to cool.

“In summer, everything goes to seed because it’s too hot, so autumn is a good time for planting,” he says.

It sounds obvious but choose plants you enjoy eating, not just those that are recommended at the nursery because they’re easy to grow. Webb says if you’re involving young children (who can forget Meghan’s party bags with child-size garden tools from episode two?) go for plants with large seeds that are easier for them to handle, as well as species that have short harvest times for a little instant gratification. For the ultimate in lazy gardening, Webb says let your crops run to seed.

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“It is the full loop of gardening. Let some of the plants go to seed and you get the joy of watching things flower. The seeds will materialise in your garden [the following year] and you don’t have to think about it.”

Here are five easy edibles to plant in autumn:

Alpine strawberries
Where Webb lives in the Southern Highlands, these flavoursome fruits are a fan favourite with the kids. They do prefer a cooler climate but enjoy well-drained soil and full sun. Anyone who has experienced the invasive nature of these little red fruits will be pleased to hear that this variety grows in clumps, rather than runners. They’re also high in vitamins A, B and C, as well as a number of minerals including potassium, iron and manganese. Not quite a fruit rainbow, but it’s a start.

Snow peas
Keen for your own fresh vegetable grazing table? Snow peas can be grown from seed from March to September, although seedlings are easy to find at nurseries as well. They will need supporting with lightweight stakes while they grow, with harvest in six to 10 weeks. Pick pods when they are young and tender, which is when they are at their sweetest. Webb says the advantage of snow peas, runner beans and pea varieties is that you can continue to harvest as the plant grows. They’re also a perennial favourite with children. Did someone say crudite?