Why Grow Your Own Winter Vegetables?
The satisfaction of picking your own fresh produce is unbeatable, and it’s the healthier option too, as you can grow your veggies organically, plus it’s a cost effective way to get fresh greens.
Autumn is a good time to start growing for a continuous harvest through the Winter.
Successional Planting for a Continuous Harvest
Successional planting at regular intervals is the best way to ensure a continuous crop.
Kale: A Cold-Weather Supergreen
Kale (Dinosaur) is a popular variety of leafy green, and a must in the veggie garden as young leaves can be picked and enjoyed from Autumn through Winter into Spring. Young leaves are more tender than the older leaves which can be tough and bitter. Pick leaves from the crown of the plant , working outwards, to encourage the Kale to produce more side shoots.
Spinach: Fast and Full of Nutrients
Spinach is a fast-growing, highly nutritious edible, easier to grow in cooler months, producing plenty of delicious green leaves all through Winter. Remove any flowers that appear to avoid the Spinach running to seed.
Lettuce: Winter-Friendly and Easy to Grow
Lettuce (Winter Gem) can be grown all through Winter, producing a constant supply for the salad bowl. For easy access grow lettuce in a container or trough near the kitchen door.
Winter Cabbage: Hearty and Versatile
Winter Cabbage, Cape Spitz, Brunswick or Drumhead all make tasty and nutritious meals and cabbage seeds sown in mid-Autumn can be harvested mid to late Winter.
Pak Choi: Add an Asian Twist
Pak Choi is a fast-growing Asian leafy green vegetable to bring some variety to Winter crops.
Broccoli: Quick-Growing and Super Healthy
Broccoli is a very highly nutritious and healthy edible, easy to grow during Winter and ready to harvest within 6/8 weeks of planting out seedlings. Once the ‘head’ of the Broccoli is removed, side shoots will develop bearing smaller heads that can be harvested when firm.
