Just because the leaves are falling from the trees and the evenings are getting darker, it doesn’t mean you have to press pause on your gardening hobby. Contrary to popular belief, it’s possible to find stealthy, strong vegetables that survive through the colder seasons.
The seeds in this list will grow through the autumn months so that you can enjoy fresh vegetables all spring and summer. So, let’s dive right in.
Onions/Shallots
Yes, the mighty onion is a staple in every British household, and their distinct flavours add depth to any dish. Luckily, onions and shallots are all-weather vegetables – meaning they’re strong enough to grow when and where you want them.
If you’re not a naturally green-fingered type or are new to the world of gardening, you should buy baby onions from your local garden centre. They’re easier to care for than seeds and will provide you with a good harvest.
Most garden centres will also advise which onions you should buy to sow because different options are available. The most popular include Onion’ First Early’ and Shallot’ Echalote’ Grise.
Onions grow best when they have access to natural sunlight and non-acidic soil. It’s also a good idea to use compost materials to increase the growth rate of your onions, but most people do find both shallots and onions easy as a starter vegetable.
Perpetual Spinach
Spinach is another versatile vegetable that lasts throughout the year. People tend to grow it because they can cut the leaves off the plants, wash them and throw them in a warming winter dish like saag aloo or creamed spinach.
The key to keeping your spinach plant flourishing is to regularly pick the leaves so the plant won’t run to seed. Not to mention the incredible health benefits spinach offers. There’s a reason Popeye was so strong, and it’s all down to the power this plant packs!
Garlic
Garlic is used in everything from pizzas and pasta sauces to soups and seasoning options for roast potatoes and meat dishes. It’s also full of nutrients and will add flavour to any meal, so making some space to grow garlic in your garden is a great idea.
If you’re new to planting vegetables, garlic is perfect for you to get your fingers green because it only grows when it has an initial freezing period. The cooler autumn weather is ideal for sowing your garlic seeds, and they’ll be ready to harvest when summer hits.
You can choose between various garlic types, but we advise you only to use seeds from a garden centre or specialist supplier. Supermarket seeds aren’t suitable for growing, and they can carry diseases that will affect your soil quality.
When planting garlic, you should split it into cloves instead of planting the whole bulb. That way, you’ll have an abundance of garlic when summer comes.
Garlic grows best in a well-drained area that receives plenty of natural light, and each clove should have six inches of space to either side of it.
Salad Items (Only Suitable For People With Greenhouses)
Greenhouses are ideal because you can use them throughout the year. It’s a great way to ensure you have access to fresh vegetables during the colder seasons and maintain a healthy intake of minerals and nutrients.
While some strong winter leaves might be able to grow in container boxes on your windowsill, it might take a lot more trial and error than it would in a greenhouse.
Some garden centres sell partially germinated leaves, which will grow quicker, but you can go for the traditional seed root if you want to nurture the plants yourself.
If you want to plant your seeds in the garden, covering them with a cloche will help to keep them warm and encourage growth.
Broad Beans
The month of November isn’t exactly planting weather, but broad beans are perfect for the season. Sheltered gardens are suitable for growing the nutritious Aquadulce Claudia broad bean, developing within two to four weeks.
While it will overwinter during the colder months, the broad beans will continue to grow by spring. All you’ll need to do is make sure you stay on top of weeding when the warmer weather hits, and you and your family will be able to enjoy fresh-tasting vegetables.
Why Plant Vegetables?
For some people, the idea of planting vegetables seems absurd – especially when the supermarket is full of runner beans, potatoes, carrots, onions and everything else you need to eat healthily. But there are so many advantages to planting vegetables instead of buying them.
You’ll Save Money
Only a small minority of people don’t have to think about being budget-conscious, but for us average Joes, the weekly grocery shop is getting more expensive than ever. When you plant vegetables in your garden, you can cut your supermarket bill significantly.
Take a look at your receipts, and you’ll understand where we’re coming from. Everything costs more nowadays, and even small savings can make a big difference.
You’ll Be Healthier
Finding time to eat healthily can be incredibly difficult for the average family, and there’s work commitments, school, social activities and much more. So it’s understandable that people choose to order from UberEats, but it’s not a good solution if you’re trying to lose some extra weight.
Having vegetables in your garden makes you more likely to eat them, which means a healthier family. As spinach needs to be picked regularly, it will inevitably sneak its way into your dishes.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, this post gives you some excellent ideas about which vegetables you can plant, and there are plenty of varieties to choose between.
If you’d like some support in creating your dream vegetable patch, the team here at Floral & Hardy specialises in designing edible gardens that are suitable for a range of outdoor spaces.
Whether you live in a shaded area or have a limited amount of space, our talented team of landscape designers are experts in providing practical solutions.
Would you like to enjoy some stunning flower designs to inspire you for your spring garden? Check out our post on colourful flowers for the perfect British garden here.
