Many people believe that once the weather turns colder and the firsts frosts start to settle that they should simply protect their garden and wait it out until spring. However there is still so much you can do to keep your garden going throughout winter and many varieties of flowers, plants and vegetables that do well during the winter season.
Organised gardeners actually use this time to prepare for springtime to ensure that their garden will flourish. There is nothing like growing vegetables at home, and one of the great joys of gardening is growing, harvesting and eating your own vegetables. Now is the time to get the garden ready and plant some hardy winter vegetables during the colder months and reap the joy and satisfaction of an early crop.
Planting winter vegetables is easy. While there are many varieties that can be grown in these months, Bury Hill have listed 5 winter vegetables to grow below:
1. Onions and Shallots
Get planting these tasty root vegetables this autumn as soon as possible. Onions are a food staple and are an excellent addition to many recipes. The beauty of growing your own is that they are a particularly hardy vegetable and will need little attention over the winter months. They aren’t good for the impatient though as have a rather long growing period and usually won’t be ready until early summer.
Shallots are another fine choice and are great in salads and sauces. These easy to grow vegetables come in different varieties too. Red onion lovers should select the Onion Electric, or those for those that wish to play it safe the Onion First Early is the most popular variety around. Just remember where you have planted them and take that into consideration when you start sowing your springtime seeds!
2. Garlic
Garlic is another good choice for the busy gardener who likes things to take care of themselves. If you like a little variety then there are different types to go for such as the intense Chesnok Red which is creamy and full of flavour.
The Wright Cristo is the standard popular variety that is used in most recipes and dishes. Remember garlic has a long growing period too, so don’t expect to harvest these hardy flavoursome little treats until the start of the summer months.
3. Perpetual Spinach
Perpetual spinach is nutritious, delicious and most importantly easy to grow! It’s a fast growing vegetable that is great in salads, curries and side dishes. If you sow now you are likely to see the first leaves in the winter months when it will be young, fresh and tender.
Spinach will continue to grow throughout spring and well into summer, just remember to carefully trim off the flowers to ensure a healthy plant and continual growth.
4. Asparagus
Asparagus is for gardeners who are in it for the long game. This delicately flavoured vegetable is a fantastic addition to any meal. It is a case of ‘all good things come to those who wait’ though as it will take around two years before you can harvest your first crop.
However once you have established your asparagus bed, if you look after it well you should be able to continue to enjoy the fruits of your labour for up to 25 years!
5. Pak Choi
This delicious oriental vegetable works well in stir-fry’s or as a side dish to fish or meat. Pak Choi also works well in summer salads and is a truly excellent addition to your diet being full of vitamins A and C, Calcium, Iron and Folic Acid. Pak Choi is hardier then most vegetables and can crop, if it has been sown late, during the winter!
The beauty of winter plants is that they are, for the most part, pretty hardy and able to cope with whatever the weather throws at them. You will be able to sow all of these directly into your garden without the need to cultivate them indoors first.
If you get concerned that they aren’t doing well simply give them a bit of protection by throwing a fleece or similar over the top of them to protect them from the worst of the winter frosts.
Bury Hill supply landscape materials, premium grade topsoil’s and turf. Contact Bury Hill for more information or call us for a free quote – 01306 877 540.