Although temperatures are still high, it’s time to make a start on growing some vegetables to ensure plenty of fresh home-grown crops of veggies and salads to enjoy throughout Winter.
Prepare Your Garden for Planting
All you need is a sunny, sheltered spot with at least 4hrs sunlight a day, and, as temperatures gradually cool, providing water is less of an issue, though some watering is still necessary.
Vegetables grown at this time of year are classed as ‘cool season,’ preferring the slightly cooler temperatures toward the end of Summer.
It’s important before planting or sowing any seed to prepare the soil well by removing weeds, lightly forking over the soil while adding home-made compost and fertiliser then spreading more compost over the prepared bed to help retain moisture.
Planting for a Continuous Harvest:
Only sow a few seeds at a time to avoid a glut of veggies. Instead, by successional sowing you will have a regular crop with no waste. Always check planting instructions on packets for size, height and space needed, and choose the edibles you enjoy eating!
Keep your vegetables thriving once established by regular weeding, bug searches and removal plus a mulch of leaves, compost or dry grass clippings after watering to hold moisture. Winter crops stop growing when mature, whereas Summer crops continue to grow until they go to seed.
If you are growing seeds in a raised bed, covering them with some shade cloth will encourage germination in about 6 weeks. Remove the covering once the seeds appear.
Best Vegetables to Sow in February:
Carrots, like ‘scarlet runner’ are ideal to sow now in deep, loose, well-drained soil. Other ‘cool season’ edibles to sow now are Beetroot, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Onions, Rutabagas, Garlic, Kale, Pak Choi, Broad Beans, Swiss Chard, Spring Onions, Sweet Peppers, Spinach, Leeks, Broccoli, Celery, Eggplant and Spring Onions.
Cover the seeds lightly with soil and keep lightly watered until germination. Once large enough, thin the seedlings out, leaving space between developing plants.
