Winter Garden Vegetables
Vegetable gardening is not inclusive to the spring and summer months. There are several examples of such healthy staples to grow throughout the long, chill, winter. Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, garlic, and chives all thrive in this seemingly "forsaken" season! By working with the moisture and frost of winter you can nurture both these veggies, (with the nutrients and minerals they require), and your own passion for gardening.

Posted Friday, February 10, 2006

Vegetable gardening is not inclusive to the spring and summer months. There are several examples of such healthy staples to grow throughout the long, chill, winter. Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, garlic, and chives all thrive in this seemingly "forsaken" season! By working with the moisture and frost of winter you can nurture both these veggies, (with the nutrients and minerals they require), and your own passion for gardening. It is true that winter vegetables can't be planted the same as veggies planted in the spring- but with a little information, and adaptation, anyone can learn to produce vegetables year round.

Broccoli:

The best winter broccoli to plant is Shogun. This unusual plant develops side shoots when the main head is cut. Do not allow the soil to over dry, continue to maintain good moisture in the soil, without drowning the roots. A Lime-ph of 6.5-7.5 will have to be added for proper results. Winter broccoli will take around three months before ready to cut. Bonus: An added benefit to growing broccoli in winter is a lack of bug infestation.

Garlic:

For garlic you'll need well drained, fertile soil. Create your own mixture of compost, fertilizer, sand, etc., as long as the soil ph is above 6.0. Though garlic can survive a deep freeze- it will need mulching to prevent heaving. Don’t expect much action though; garlic growth happens underground, in the roots, until spring when shoots begin to sprout.

It is the work done before you plant that really means success or failure for your garlic cloves. When planting, pick the largest cloves and sow them upright with the root end facing down into the soil, they won't set very deep (only about an inch) so it is vital not to over water. If the soil gets too dry you'll need to mulch around the edges of the clove. When spring arrives the use of a liquid fertilizer can help finish the job and promote healthy, plump, garlic cloves.

Cabbage:

There are many types of cabbage to be grown in winter, and some do better than others, but, like broccoli, they will be ready by spring if given around three months to mature.

Oriental Veggies:

If you enjoy great oriental cooking why not grow your own main dish? Snow peas, Misome, and Komatsuna are delicious in stir fries, and with a little effort, can be tackled in your winter garden. Snow peas are suited best for areas with mild winters and need base support as they are climbers. Dark and leafy Misome matures slowly in the cold but should show in less than three months. Komatsuna, also known as mustard spinach for its resemblance to leafy mustard, can be produced in any part of the country. Unless your winters are particularly harsh you don't have to go the extra mile to keep it alive. If you do live where there are harsh winters you can combat freezing by growing the plant in a warm enclosure.

We hope we've inspired your vegetable palate, and above all, to enjoy your winter gardening.

About the Author

GardenPro