Winter Gardening: Which Vegetables are Best to Grow?
by James P. Outreach & PR ExecutiveWith the winter months upon us now, we need to adapt our
gardens to match the change in temperature. Although many assume that gardening
in the winter is more of a challenge than a hobby to partake in, this doesn’t
have to be the case. You just need to know which vegetables suit the season
best.
The UK climate doesn’t support the growth of all fruits and
vegetables—especially those that thrive in tropical temperatures. However,
there is an abundance of crops you can grow that you might not even know about.
Here, with a guide from compost retailer, Compost Direct, we discuss the best
vegetables to grow in your garden this winter.
Strictly seasonal veggies
There are many crops that will withstand the frost and low
temperatures, making them the perfect addition to your winter garden.
·
Brussel sprouts: These vegetables can
withstand the frost and don’t need to be harvested unless a hard freeze strikes-
usually occurring during the UK’s
coldest month of February.
·
Cauliflower: able to survive temperatures
as low as -12.2 degrees Celsius, cauliflower is the ultimate veggie to include in
your garden patch this winter.
·
Leafy lettuce: despite the frost damaging
some of the leaves, parts of the plant are still edible. Lettuce leaves can
survive through the winter and be harvested if the brown areas and edges that
have been damaged by the frost are cut away. Then, the rest of the plant can
continue to grow throughout the season.
·
Radishes: although frost poses a threat
to the growth of many crops, radishes thrive in lower temperatures. Not only
that, but they add a pop of colour to your garden patches too.
·
Celery: for winters when the UK doesn’t
experience extremely harsh weather conditions that include thick snow and ice,
celery thrives through light frost environments.
Year-round crops
Not all crops grow in just one season of the year. Some can
grow in a variety of climates and temperatures. For those who are wanting to make
the most out of their compost bags
and grow a season-to-season supply of the same crops, these are the ones to
fill your garden patches with.
Brassicas
For crops that are best suited to grow in both spring and
winter, you will want to take note of the below.
·
Kale: not only is it richer in iron than
beef per calorie, kale also thrives in a variety of seasons.
·
Broccoli: rich in fibre, vitamins, and
fatty acids, broccoli helps to regulate blood pressure. It’s also a tasty
vegetable to grow through spring and winter.
·
Turnips: loaded with numerous vitamins
including C, E, A, and B1, turnips thrive in many temperatures.
·
Cabbage: other than helping to decrease
levels of oxidized LDL, which can harden our arteries, cabbage has the ability
to grow throughout many seasons too.
What else?
For vegetables that can be harvested in late autumn but
stored for several months over the winter season, there are a variety of crops
to choose from.
Some root veggies can be stored throughout the colder
months, including potatoes, onions, beetroot, carrots, and garlic.
Parsnips can be harvested and planted throughout autumn and
winter. Although typically harvested in late autumn after the frost has wilted
away their aerial foliage, the seeds can also be planted in late autumn and
grown throughout winter ready for spring.
The likes of both French and broad beans are typically
podded and dried in autumn and then can be stored throughout the winter—making
for a tasty addition to a winter casserole.
Whether you are a keen winter gardener or are new to growing
crops entirely, there is never a wrong season to start. Although our favourite
summer vegetables may not be suitable to grow right now, the winter provides plenty
tasty crop alternatives for us to plant and watch flourish.
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Created on Dec 22nd 2020 08:29. Viewed 369 times.