Winter crops... what to plant?

**Demeter** · 09-07-2008, 08:09 PM

Can you grow chard for winter? If so is it too late to sow for a winter crop?
(sorry to hijack your thread)

I would think you've time to get some kale going - not so much colourful but certainly very attractive leaves. Don't know what else - my thoughts are turning now to autumn sown crops for next year!

**sarahspatch** · 09-07-2008, 08:14 PM

Hi,
You can plant winter cabbages, purple sprouting, brussel sprouts as small plants - I've also sown some seed as back-up in the hope its not too late- carrots such as 'Autumn king', celeriac plants (these are really tasty and expensive to buy in supermarket), perpetual spinach (very hardy).
There are lots more things you can grow if you can protect them, but I don't bother.
You can still sow fennel that can be harvested right up to late autumn.
Good luck!

**Tam** · 09-07-2008, 08:27 PM

This has some suggestions

Gardeners Calendar - Garden planting guides covering vegetables

**Winged one** · 10-07-2008, 08:56 AM

Do you mean for eating in the winter or for having in the ground overwinter that will give eraly crops next year?

For eating: Salads (I'll try to find variety tonight but there are a few - see GYO tips thread at top) - I know I had a lettuice last year that worked well and I am putting corn salad and land cress this eyar as well
Brassicas - cabbage, cauliflower, purple sprouting brocolli, kale etc.
Carrots and turnips
Chard
Christmas spuds if you can protect them

For earlier/better spring crops:
Broad beans (aquadulce claudia)
Peas (meteor)
Japanese onion sets
Garlic
Salads
Brassicas

I didn't know about the spinach so will be doing that
I have heard as well that the more oriental greens prefer the coller weather - so things like Pak choi?

**Kristen** · 10-07-2008, 09:13 AM

"oriental greens prefer the coller weather - so things like Pak choi?"

I reckon Chinese Cabbage and Pak Choi are half hardy, and best sown in summer for later summer / early autumn harvest.

**Tracey** · 10-07-2008, 10:43 AM

I'm planning on growing chard over winter, We don't like it but the chickens love it and it will be nice to be able to give them something fresh from the garden over winter. Do I class it as a brassica in my rotation?

Tracey

**Kristen** · 10-07-2008, 12:17 PM

I reckon you can stick Swiss Chard where you like, it hasn't got any significant recurring enemies that I know of

**Lavenderblue** · 10-07-2008, 12:41 PM

What about purple sprouting broccoli? Is it too late to sow seeds now?

**gojiberry** · 10-07-2008, 06:07 PM

Swiss chard I think belongs to the beetroot family and not the cabbages. One thing I am trying this year is seed sown onions for overwintering. I have a type called Hi-Keeper from T&M. Have just sown them into individual pots and will plant out later once the spuds are out. Have tried Japanese sets in the past with hit and miss results.

Ian

**Demeter** · 10-07-2008, 09:15 PM

I was planning to get Hi-Keeper as well - hope it's good

Just done my last sowing of peas (kelvedon wonder) and dwarf beans (speedy), might get some meteor for overwintering - thanks for that tip, WO!

**Two_Sheds** · 11-07-2008, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Tracey View Post

I'm planning on growing chard ....Do I class it as a brassica in my rotation?

No, it's related to beetroot (it's other name is leaf beet)

**Two_Sheds** · 11-07-2008, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by Kristen View Post

I reckon you can stick Swiss Chard where you like, it hasn't got any significant recurring enemies that I know of

Chard is a beetroot, so grow it with your other root veg in a crop rotation.
It is good to sow in August, for over-wintering. I find spring-sown Chard to be very prone to blackfly

**Two_Sheds** · 11-07-2008, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Kristen View Post

I reckon Chinese Cabbage and Pak Choi are half hardy, and best sown in summer for later summer / early autumn harvest.

Pak Choi is hardy ~ it actually prefers cooler weather, as it tends to bolt/flower in warm summer weather.
I don't grow it any more (hate the taste) but it survived, indeed it thrived, here last winter. It needs protection from slugs though.

Sow it in early spring or in late summer. Johnsons Seeds Pak Choi - Pumpkins

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Winter crops... what to plant?

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