Is your veggie patch looking a bit bare? It’s not too late in the year to liven up your garden! With these seven winter veggies, you can plant now and harvest in weeks. Head into STEPS Garden Centre to stock up on these beauties.
1. Herbs – harvest in 0 to 8 weeks
Herbs are a staple in any veggie patch and are the perfect plants for gardening novices. Sage, parsley, coriander, rosemary, thyme, and mint are perfect for growing in the cooler months. Plant with full sun and harvest in a matter of weeks, although a lot of herbs can be picked right after planting seedlings.
2. Baby carrots – harvest in 4 to 8 weeks
These orange babies grow quicker than regular sized carrots and are the perfect easy-to-grow root crop for the winter period. They prefer full sun and are wind tolerant, so, pick a spot in your garden with good drainage and start planting. Be careful not to overwater as it can lead to root rot.
3. Kale –harvest in 4 to 8 weeks
This hardy plant is easy to grow in a sunny position with well-drained soil. Pick regularly to get a longer cropping period.
4. Tomatoes – harvest in 10 to 12 weeks
Reddy for some tomatoes this winter? Grow them in a sunny position that is protected from wind. They need regular and thorough watering and most require a support. Don’t grow them in the same soil year after year as it can lead to disease.
5. Lettuce – harvest in 6 to 14 weeks
Freshen up your salads and sandwiches this winter with your very own home-grown lettuce – it’s easy to grow and grows fast. Plant in a spot that has both sun and shade and has good drainage. You can promote faster growth by regularly picking the leaves.
6. Rocket – harvest in 6 to 7 weeks
Three, two, one, blast off! Get leafy greens in your garden super-fast, just as the name implies, rocket is a quick growing plant. You can eat the baby leaves after a few weeks, keep in mind that young leaves have a milder peppery flavour than matured leaves that have more of a kick.
7. Peas – harvest in 9 to 11 weeks
Preferring the cooler temperature, this little veggie and winter go together like two peas in a pod! It’s easy to grow peas in poor soil and they even add nitrogen to the soil. Most varieties need support to grow and ensure you don’t overwater when first planted. Plant in a partial or full sun position.
Need these plants now? We have all these plants and more in-stock at STEPS Garden Centre. Call (07) 5458 6023 for enquiries or drop into our little oasis located at Ulm Street (south), Caloundra.
