Top 10 Vegetables To Grow Over Winter

It is important not to neglect your vegetable patches over the winter, many people have the opinion that garden care can only take place throughout Spring/Summer However, there are many vegetables which you can grow to ensure that you have the most perfect home-grown produce.

Growing vegetables over the winter can have an impact on your overall garden. As empty pots and patches can look bleak, planting vegetables can brighten up your garden meaning the hard work which you carried out over the winter will not be dismissed! The soils minerals will not run out either as the vegetables roots will be living in it, as vitamins are hard to keep hold of during the winter.

Winter Salads

Salads can be enjoyed throughout the Winter months aswell as Summer! A few steps need to be carried out during Autumn to ensure the salads are protected whilst growing, it is best practice to sew the seeds during this period as the soil is still warm. Also, you need to ensure that the soil is free-draining and place the crops under cover to ensure that they’re ready to harvest during Winter.

Asparagus

During Autumn, asparagus beds can be planted which can be a part of your garden for around 25 years once they’re established. Even though they may take around 2 years to harvest, every year they could produce around 25 spears which will be a great investment for your garden.

Onions & Shallots

Onions and shallots are an easy crop to grow during the Winter months as they mainly take care of themselves. The most thought needs to go into the preparation, as they will still be growing next Spring/Summer you need to assess where they will be planted to allow room for other crops.

Spinach

Spinach needs to be sown during Autumn, throughout winter leaves will develop which will lead to them harvesting during Summer. You need to ensure that the crop is well watered and is covered up to protect it.

Broad Beans

Broad beans should be sown during the Autumn months as they harvest fairly quickly, usually just before the beginning of Spring. Broad Beans require some maintenance to grow correctly. Weeds need to be removed quickly, they need to be regularly watered and when they begin to blossom into pods the tops need to be gently squeezed.

Peas & Pea-shoots

In order to grow successful peas and pea-shoots sow them about 1 inch deep into the ground, 1 inch apart from each other and in lines. They will be fully harvested in spring time. Pea-shoots can be eaten and used in cooking as soon as they’re picked, which is a bonus as you can get two products from only one plant!

Garlic

Garlic can be one of the easiest crops to grow outside during the winter months. Even though they wont be ready to harvest up until next summer, they’re a good crop investment as they’re so easy to maintain. The cloves need to be planted individually in soil in an average of 2.5 inches deep, during the winter months no watering is needed.

Pak Choi

Pak Choi is harvested in order to serve two purposes, the leaves and stems can be used separately. The leaves are used in salads and the stems are usually used in dishes such as stir fries. This crop needs to be grown in the greenhouse. Once Pak Choi is planted it requires basic care to harvest successfully, it needs to be watered efficiently during the growing period.

Spring Onions

In order for spring onions to be harvested during the Spring, they need to be planted during Autumn or Winter. The crops are planted into the ground and they grow fairly quickly. You simply need to sprinkle the seeds then cover them with soil, when they begin to grow, if you think they’re too crowded just thin them out.

Carrots

Carrots, which grow in the greenhouse can be sown during Autumn/Winter. Many gardeners say that Winter carrots are a lot more tasty than summer carrots. When planting the seeds, place them around an inch deep and cover them with compost, they will then take around 1-3 weeks to grow.It is recommended to keep the soil moist for the best growth.

There are many vegetables which can be planted in the Autumn/Winter months in order for them to harvest next Spring. It may seem like Spring is a long time away, however preparation is key! Many of the vegetables need hardly or no maintenance, the main time consuming elements are throughout the preparation process.

Birstall Garden & Leisure Centre are a leading retailer who have around 46 years experience. They provide top quality vegetable seeds which are perfect for using throughout the Winter months.

Published September 22nd, 2015 by Jordan. Article ref 3932

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