what veggies grow in the winter

[4390evans]

Im hoping to be dependent on food I grow as im not really a meat eater, but I was wondering can I grow veg in the earth in winter and if so which ones ?

[rustylady]

They don't exactly grow in the winter, but with proper planning you can have veg to harvest during winter.

Kale, leeks, parsnips, carrots, cabbage (including red) can all be sown now or soon to stand till winter. Onions are harvested and dried to use during winter.

Squash (pumpkins and butternuts) grow during Summer and once ripe will store for use during winter.

Beans can be grown during Summer and dried for use during Winter.

And my favourite - Purple Sprouting Broccoli - not exactly usable in winter, but one of the first crops to produce in Spring.

[growerkari]

This is a really good question to ask I will read the replies with interest. I am looking at things a little differently this year, from a more self sufficient point of view.

Kale, brussels and leeks are my winter favourites

I'm also growing extra herbs to dry to use through the winter, grow extra toms, peppers, beetroot etc to pickle or preserve and jar up for the winter.

I had'nt thought of drying beans though, rustylady, which beans can be dried?

[GardenNinja]

Last winter, I grew mostly kale, chard, oriental vegetables, and salad leaves outdoors in containers. It took them a while to grow, but I did get to harvest weekly. I noticed that the veg grown in black containers grew faster than the ones in terracotta, evidently because it absorbs more heat when the sun is out.

The container media did become rock hard from freezing weather when it snowed, but this did not kill the plants off. I would imagine that it would be more difficult to grow in the ground in winter as the soil temperature is consistently colder than in containers.

[kentishgal]

I have 2 raised beds which arent filled and Ive now made mesh lids for them so they are essentially giant coldframes. In the winter I plan on putting plastic over the top and growing spinach beet, lettuce, winter radishes, baby chard and maybe see how long I can keep carrots and beetroot in the ground for.
Wish I had the space for brassicas though!

[Scarlet]

I had'nt thought of drying beans though, rustylady, which beans can be dried?

Any bean can be dried. Borlotti or French beans are good. I love Cosse Violette.
A great thread started by TS I've used time and time again for dried bean recipes
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...d-beans-2.html

My kids love the "fire tongue" borlotti bean

[Snadger]

The problem with growing stuff during the winter is planning. Its no good getting to early autumn then saying "Oooh I think I'd like to grow stuff through the winter."
Whatever you're growing needs to be set away now or already growing.

[Bren In Pots]

At the end of August I sow Arctic King and 'All year round' lettuce they get planted in my GH once the toms have finished, plus i put a few in pots outside. They've given us lettuce all winter and there's still a fair few left.

[Two_Sheds]

Nothing is going to feed you week in, week out on the plot. Unless you want to eat kale 3 times a day for 5 months.

That's why in the Olden Dayes people used to preserve so much: drying, pickling, salting, chutneying and freezing. We eat out of the freezer all winter.

[greenishfing]

in addition to the veg mentioned I also grow cauliflowers that mature in winter and swedes. I also put lots of peas, sweetcorn, tomatoes, ratatouille and soup made from the summer veg glut into the freezer

[4390evans]

yeah I think I ment to be picked in winter lol. I have loads of room for stuff to be planted but wanted my massive lawn but I could just make it smaller to plant more stuff or make some boxes to go on the patio.
has anyone got any good guides on how to pickle dry and salt stuff as this is all new to me x

[veggiechicken]

Do you have a greenhouse? I grow salad leaves in mine all year round. There are always enough leaves for my lunchtime sandwich.

[Scarlet]

has anyone got any good guides on how to pickle dry and salt stuff as this is all new to me x

Check out the " season to taste" for loads of chutney, pickle recipes etc.

[veggiechicken]

I recommend this book by Charles Dowding http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Winter-.../dp/1900322889

[Two_Sheds]

any good guides on how to pickle dry and salt stuff

Making the Most…

there are loads of books on the subject, this is just one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Store-Your-G...rds=preserving