5 Green Vegetables to Add to your Winter Garden
Winter is nearly here but with the cold weather setting in, now’s the time to start thinking about what winter vegetables you’re going to plant. Discover my five favourite vegetables that anyone can grow no matter how big or small your garden is or what your gardening level is.
Why should you grow green vegetables?
Green vegetables don’t only look great and provide a structure in your kitchen garden but they’re also incredibly high in vitamins and minerals. In a season where our immunity is lower and there’s sickness going around, having green vegetables right in your backyard is super helpful.
When planting a kitchen garden, it’s a good idea to consider the aesthetic of the garden as well as the functionality of the garden. Remember to always plant food you will actually eat. It’s easy for gardeners to get swept up in planting one of everything rather than stopping to think about what they eat on a weekly basis.
5 Green Vegetables to add to your winter garden
You can’t go wrong with any of these five vegetables. They are my tried and tested favourite vegetables to grow. Each one is easy to grow, especially for beginner gardeners.
Silverbeet
Probably my favourite winter leafy vegetable behind kale. It’s one of the those vegetables that looks so great on a corner of the garden bed and it grows up to 60cm high. The big green leaves stand upright on colourful rainbow stalks (if you like the Bright Lights version) or white stalks. The whole part of the plant is edible - leaves and stalks.
Silverbeet is high in vitamin A, C, K and folate and is great for your cardiovascular health and bone health.
A few plants are all you need per bed to ensure you have a continuous supply all winter long.
Celery
Celery is a vegetable powerhouse in the garden. Perfect for soups, stews and juices. Celery is great fresh or frozen if you have an abundance. Celery is also great for a quick snack with peanut butter and raisins. The whole part of the plant is edible. The stalk is the best part to eat but the leaves can be put in stocks and bone broths to bring flavour.
Celery is high in vitamin A and C. It is great for digestion, cardiovascular health and contains antioxidants.
Consider planting at least four plants per garden bed to ensure a continuous harvest all winter long.
Kale
My favourite winter vegetable! I love kale cooked in butter and garlic, in a smoothie or juice or in stir fries or curries.
Kale is a great source of antioxidants. It is high in vitamin C, K and beta-carotene. It is also good for your immune system during winter and helps regulate your blood pressure.
Blanched kale is great for storing in the freezer for the summer months.
Pak Choi
The best asian green vegetable. Pak choi is the bigger version of bok choi with white stalks and green round leaves. Both can be used in broths and accompanying rice and meat dishes.
Pak choi is good for growing along the edge of garden beds as it doesn’t take up much room.
Pak choi is high in calcium, potassium and magnesium. It is also good for cardiovascular health and strong bones.
Lettuce
People commonly think summer and think lettuce but lettuce is best grown in winter when it’s cool. Lettuce loves the cooler temperatures and it gives you an excuse to have fresh salads in winter. There are lots of varieties of lettuce that you can use in salads, sandwiches and burgers.
Lettuce is high in vitamin A which is essential for healthy skin, strong bones and good eyesight.
Plant a row of lettuce in each garden bed and you’ll have an endless supply all winter long.
I hope you add some of these green vegetables to your winter garden this year.
Happy gardening!