One of the biggest disappointments we face in gardening is
when we have to stop. Winter looms and plants die and we count down the days
until Spring. Well here’s a handy little guide of the five easiest plants to
grow year round in cool climate weather, even when that scary frost is rearing.
Carrots
Not every variety of carrots is suitable, but most stores
and brands – such as The Seed Collection and Mr Fothergill’s – sell ‘every
season’ carrots. If you’re from a cool climate like me, these ‘every season’
seeds are often a write off as soon as we get hit with repeated frosts, however
I’ve had success with every season carrots in below zero temperatures for three
consecutive years.
Silverbeet
While I would recommend starting these seeds in spring, once
you have an established plant (2 – 3 months old) silverbeet will endlessly
produce for years to come, even when left a little neglected.
To get the most out of your plant, remove the leaves regularly, even if you
aren’t ready to eat them.
Garlic
While this one can’t be picked and eaten year round, it is
helpful to work it into your ‘year-long’ schedule. I plant mine in March and
pull in September in my garden. These guys are slow growing and the longer
you can leave them the better!
Lettuce
There are loads of lettuce varieties that will survive both
the cold and the hot, and you can pick the leaves year round ready to chuck
into a fresh salad or wrap. The loose-leaf varieties are the best option for
this, as their ‘pick and go’ qualities allow them to remain productive year
round.
Herbs
Once you’ve got your herb garden going, you will never be
short on produce to cook and flavour with. I’d recommend starting with chives,
lemon balm, thyme and oregano as with appropriate care they will remain
productive and won’t die off over the colder months. If you’d like a separate
post on how to get the most out of your herbs – send me a message on Instagram
or leave a comment below!
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