Cabbages do very well, especially as Ben and I have been feeding them our special worm and weed tea once a fortnight! The heads are starting to swell and tighten.
Radishes, Brown onions and Carrots are growing all in the same space. No sign of any black aphids on the onions or garlic so far this year.
I even have a tomato plant that wants to grow in winter. I believe that it may be a broad ripple yellow currant, which is the main self seeded variety in my garden. This variety was introduced into the plot in 2009, so it knows what climate it likes. It will probably get knocked back when we have our first frost, however we are yet to have one.
Garlic and Red Onions are thriving.
The Broad Beans (Fava) are slowly but surely inching their way to their normal 1.8 metres (6ft). Hopefully, we will not have broad bean rust like last season.
So there it is, looking down the path. Lots of citrus on the trees being eaten slowly. It is so nice to pick lemons and limes straight off the tree when you want to cook with them. Delightful.
The Oranges and Mandarins are beginning to ripen, which I can’t wait to get stuck into. Now that I have two Mandarin trees, I will be able to take a piece of homegrown fruit to work for lunch every day.
Who else loves winter gardening?
Love winter gardening, no bugs to worry about and hardly any work it’s like free food
A great way to think of it Angela! Nice one.
Gav x
That last shot looks really nice.
Wow Gavin, your winter crops are so impressive – a dramatic contrast to my latest blog post! I have veg garden envy! Really looks great!
I’ve had great luck growing all of our spinach, chard and beet greens through the winter here in Canada, with a hoophouse (really just plastic vapour barrier hooped over the raised beds). We’ll see a slowdown in growth when the temp drops to say, -20 C, but it bounces back. (Must bring the plants to adolescence by frost date, however, as Elliot Coleman in Maine advocates.) I slog through the snow to pick it, if it’s not frozen, then race into the house after covering it with a teatowel. Lovely, healthy and fresh, and no work really. The Romaine will produce usually until Christmas, but I use a double hoop for that. The kale and brussels sprouts don’t usually need a cover–one can just brush the snow off before picking. Your garden looks lovely!
Hi Gavin. It’s a joy to garden in winter up here in Brisbane, more comfortable, and fewer pests. I tend to cover my allotment with straw over the summer, give it, and me, a rest.
Amazing cabbages, it is so good to see the earth wet again, weeds come out so easily!
Your garden is looking great! I love winter gardening; none of the heat that makes summer gardening unpleasant, though I do wish it would be light when I got home from work and want to pick stuff for dinner. Torchlight does the trick though. I just planted some oranges, limes and mandarins after hearing about so many gardeners crops about now and can’t wait for the days where I’ll be able to eat homegrown fruit everyday too.
Dont you just love the way one day a cabbage is just a big pile of leaves and seemingly the next there’s this great big heart in the centre shouting – pick me, im ready. You sure do love your garlic and onions. I like that your yard is so neat and tidy. Veggie gardens do not have to look a mess.
Gavin your winter garden produce looks healthy and inspiring and I too love winter gardening…but then again, any time in the garden is wonderful isn’t it!