Getting Ready For Winter

[Dr Antonias Fuccilio]

First of all A big welcome to all the many gardeners out there , Iam one of those new batch of gardeners who is starting see there lush red toms /and tasty courgettes ,go with fresh new pots , all garnished with fresh parsley ,and spinagh and oak leaf lettace , my question is my head is full of ideas , for a winter crop but what is the best for a first time winter gardener .

[gojiberry]

Welcome to the vine Dr. Many veg require quite a long growing period and most of the winter veg should already be in the ground growing nicely and putting on growth before winter starts. During the cold months very little actually grows but the traditional winter veg will withstand the cold.
Leeks are usually sown Jan/Feb and planted out June/July
Cabbages (winter) sown May/June planted out now
Carrots/Parsnips sown March/June
A local garden centre should have a selection of winter veg ready to plant out.
Now is the time to be planning veg for spring harvest.

Ian

[LolaLou]

I sowed my main crop carrots in June but the little buggers have only just started to germinate this week (I guess I couldn't keep the soil moist enough for them to get on their way) so maybe its not too drastically late for some carrots (I could be wrong though ). B&Q round here are still selling mixes of winter veg plants (sprouts, purple broc, cabbage) - something like that may be worth a go?

[oldie]

I'm still sowing carrots and I'm just starting to sow my spring greens(Advantage and Pixie) in root trainers. Looking at youre location I should think you still have time for these. Autumn sown onions, garlic and broad beans don't go in for some time yet.