Autumn is a great season to plant a variety of winter vegetables.

Follow these clever tips to conserve the water you receive in winter rainfall in the months ahead:

• Add water-retaining granules (like Stocksorb) to your soil. Then add plenty of compost and cover your veggie patch with a thick layer of mulch.
• Zone your vegetable garden according to the water requirements and germination rates of the plants. For example, celery, brinjal, leeks and onions are all slow to germinate and will need more water in the first few weeks than fast germinators like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and radish.
• Water deeply (to a depth of at least 20cm). This means you will have to water less frequently.
• Invest in a rainwater tank to allow you to harvest the water that runs off your roof. Use this stored water to water your veggie patch and other areas of the garden.