What should I plant Now?

Winter plants in the temperate zone

AMARANTH

Botanical Name: Amaranthus sp.

HARVEST:

12 to 16 weeks from seed.

HINT:

To make planting easier, mix tiny seeds with compost or sand before sowing.

ASPARAGUS PEA

Botanical Name: Psophocarpus tetragonolobus

HARVEST:

Harvest pods when about 3cm in length.

HINT:

Plant sparingly as they are good producers. Harvest pods at about 3cm as they toughen quickly.

BASIL

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

HARVEST:

Continually as new growth is produced

HINT:

Sow seed in punnets and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

BEANS (CLIMBING AND BUSH)

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris,(various others)

HARVEST:

2 - 3 weeks after flowering, shorter for dwarf beans. When beans snap instead of bend it's time to harvest.

HINT:

Plant a few seeds every three weeks for continuous supply.

BEETROOT

Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris

HARVEST:

From about 8 - 10 weeks, but can be harvested before that if the root is deemed 'big enough'. Some varieties have been developed to provide a leaf crop also, leaves can be harvested as needed but don't take too many or the root will suffer.

HINT:

Sow direct in ground. Soak seeds overnight before planting. Thin as required.

BROCCOLI

Botanical Name: Brassica olerace

HARVEST:

About 12 weeks

HINT:

Sow seed in punnets, plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow regularly for continuous harvest.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea - Gemmifera Group

HARVEST:

14 - 16 Weeks

HINT:

Sow seed in trays.

BURDOCK

Botanical Name: Arctium lappa

HARVEST:

Any time between 2 and four months. Or after the leaves have died back.

HINT:

Plant densely to encourage longer straighter roots at 10 to 20 cm apart depending on variety.

CABBAGE (TIGHT-HEADED TYPES)

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata

HARVEST:

Harvests in 8-20 weeks

HINT:

Tight-headed cabbage includes plants such as Drumhead, Savoy, Wombok. Feed liquid nutrients at planting, then weekly. Mulch to keep moisture and warmth consistent. Cabbages can be harvested at any stage, and if cut deeply to remove primary head they can be encouraged to produce a secondary head. If a secondary head is not wanted, remove the whole plant before trimming

CAPSICUM

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum

HARVEST:

In about 12 weeks

HINT:

Sow seed in punnets and plant out in 4-6 weeks.

CARROT

Botanical Name: Daucus carota var. sativus

HARVEST:

10 weeks, but before they flower

HINT:

Direct sow in rows, mix seed with some sand first to space plants out. Choose shorter varieties for heavy soils.

CHICORY

Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus

HARVEST:

Harvest leaves when the reach a mature size, can take as little as 3 weeks

HINT:

Plant seed in trays, and plant out in rows. Space 15 cm apart, pinch out flower heads as that appear.