Just because the weather is cooler, doesn’t mean your garden has to go into hibernation. Winter can actually be a great time to get out in the garden and start growing!
What will you grow in your garden this Winter? If you have no idea, here’s our guide to Winter planting from vegetables to herbs and flowers:
The most popular vegetables to grow are leafy greens such as cabbage, kale and spinach. Root vegetables like carrots, turnips and potatoes are also ideal for Winter gardens as they can be planted early in the season and harvested before the first frost.
Cabbage:
This versatile veggie thrives in Australian Winters with shorter days allowing it to develop a sweeter flavour. Cabbages can be grown from seed or transplanted – grow the seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date and when the transplants are 4-6 weeks old, gradually expose them to outdoor conditions.
Kale:
This hearty vegetable can withstand frost and even some snow, making it a versatile option for Winter gardening. You need to start your seeds indoors and then transplant the seedlings into the garden.
Spinach:
The key to successful spinach gardening is to choose a variety that is suited to your climate – ‘Perpetual’ and ‘Winter’ are great choices for growers in Southern Australia.
Carrots:
Carrots love the cooler weather – they can take up to 16 weeks to mature, so start them early in Winter. They are ready to harvest when they are about 10 cm in length – pull them by hand or trowel to loosen the soil around them first.
Turnips:
Cultivating turnips in Winter is not as hard as you think – again it is all about choosing a variety that is well-suited to cooler temperatures. Some good Winter varieties include ‘Purple Top White Globe’ and ‘Snowball’.
Herbs to grow in Winter:
Rosemary:
This hardy plant can withstand cold temperatures, making it a good herb choice for Winter gardening. A few weeks of chilly weather each year helps to promote more compact growth for the herb, which will need to be watered once a week during its active growing season.
Thyme:
Another great herb for this time of the year, it doesn’t mind the cold and is very hardy. Make sure to protect your thyme plant from frost damage by covering it with a cloth or place it in a sheltered spot during extreme weather.
Coriander:
Add a little spice to your Winter garden with this versatile herb, also known as cilantro. It is easy to grow and can thrive in both humid and dry climates.
Coriander doesn’t like to get its roots wet, so make sure to plant it in well-draining soil.
Mint:
This perennial herb is easy to grow and maintain – not only is it great for cooking, its pleasant aroma will freshen up any space.
It can be grown outside all year round in many parts of the world, however Winter is the ideal season to grow mint in Australia. Harvest regularly to encourage your mint plant to produce more leaves.
Flowers to plant in Winter:
Dianthus:
These versatile flowers – also known as Sweet William or Pinks – come in a wide range of colours and sizes. Plant the seeds in late Autumn, so they have time to germinate before the cold weather sets in.
Too late for that? Purchase young plants from your local nursery and transplant them into your garden.
Violas:
Violas’ ability to bloom in Winter makes them a welcome sight in gardens during the colder months.
Plant violas in pots or raised beds as this will protect them from the coldest temperatures and ensures they have adequate drainage.
Snapdragons:
The best snapdragon variety to grow in Australia in Winter is ‘Frosted Fire’, which can withstand temperatures as low as -15 C.
This variety has bright orange flowers that will bloom from late Winter to early Spring.
