Looking to cultivate vegetables even during the chilly winter months? Check out these winter vegetables for an extended harvest period.
In the world of no-dig gardening, Charles Dowding offers a bountiful approach to growing winter vegetables. Here's a rundown of his recommendations for a productive, low-maintenance winter garden.
Embracing Winter Vegetables
Dowding suggests a variety of hardy crops for a winter garden, including leafy brassicas such as Chinese cabbage and pak choi, root vegetables like beetroot and spinach, and others like fennel, Jerusalem artichokes, and winter squash.
For those who prefer a squashier option, 'Uchiki Kuri', a tasty red squash of 750g-1kg, is best suited for cooler areas and can be sown mid-April undercover, planted by the end of May, and harvested from mid-September once the fruits are fully coloured and have hard skins.
The Importance of Timing
Succession sowing is key to maintaining a steady harvest through autumn and winter. Crops such as spinach and beetroot can be continually sown to ensure a continuous supply.
Late summer and early autumn is an ideal time to sow many winter crops in no-dig beds so they can establish before cold weather. On the other hand, parsnips can be sown directly from March to May, 5cm apart and in rows 35cm apart.
The Role of Soil and Weeding
Maintaining the soil's fertility is crucial. This can be achieved by spreading a 3-5cm layer of well-composted organic matter on the surface. No-dig gardening maintains an active soil life that provides nutrients and moisture naturally, so no additional fertilizers or feeds are needed.
Weeding small and consistently is also important, as no-dig beds tend to have fewer weeds if kept well-managed.
Preparing for Frost
Some vegetables, like Jerusalem artichokes, are best harvested after the first frost to improve flavour. For protection from weeds and cold, garden beds can be covered with double layers of cardboard and mulch during winter.
A Few Extra Considerations
Growing winter vegetables requires flexibility due to weather changes, failed sowings, and pests. It's wise to grow a few extra to account for any potential setbacks.
Purple sprouting broccoli can be sown as late as June and should be planted 60cm apart. Kale, another winter staple, can be grown from annuals such as 'Red Russian', 'Cavolo Nero', 'Hungry Gap' or 'Thousand Head', sown in June to be planted in July. Perennial kale should be planted 75cm apart and annuals 45cm apart.
Leeks can be grown from multi-sown modules or individual plants, sown early April and planted by the end of June. Winter-hardy leeks like 'Bandit', 'Husky' and 'Apollo' can be harvested from January to April.
In summary, Dowding's approach to winter vegetables in a no-dig garden focuses on hardy crops, careful timing with succession sowing, and letting the soil biology support nutrient needs naturally, combined with minimal weeding and protective mulching. This approach encourages a productive, low-maintenance winter garden.
- In the process of no-dig gardening, Charles Dowding recommends various hardy crops for a winter garden, such as leafy brassicas like Chinese cabbage and pak choi, root vegetables like beetroot and spinach, as well as fennel, Jerusalem artichokes, and winter squash.
- For those seeking a squashier option, 'Uchiki Kuri' is a recommended red squash for cooler areas that can be sown mid-April undercover, planted by the end of May, and harvested from mid-September.
- Succession sowing is key to maintaining a steady harvest through autumn and winter, as crops like spinach and beetroot can be continually sown for a continuous supply.
- Maintaining the fertility of the soil is crucial for no-dig gardening, with a 3-5cm layer of well-composted organic matter spread on the surface helping to achieve this naturally, without additional fertilizers or feeds.
- Protection from weeds and cold can be provided for beds during winter by covering them with double layers of cardboard and mulch, and some vegetables, like Jerusalem artichokes, are best harvested after the first frost for improved flavor.
