Ideal winter vegetables are Brassicas – these include a wide range of vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and pak choy who generally thrive in cooler weather. They like a sunny, sheltered spot with around 4–6 hours of sun a day.
Before planting you are best to dig in some nutrient-rich mix , compost or soil / vegetable conditioner, even some horse manure (plenty available in matamata free of charge). If using manure it really pays to dig it in and turn the soil a few times over the course of 2 – 4 weeks before planting any seedlings. Also make sure the soil is free draining and is not an area that gets boggy or soggy when it rains. Raised beds are ideal, you can also use large containers, and even old car, truck or tractor tyres.
Winter can be tough on plants especially with frosts. Here are some tips to help them cope.
- Protect tender crops and seedlings with frost cloth.
- Repurpose jars or plastic bottles to cover plants overnight – just remember to lift them during the day.
- Add a layer of mulch – spread it around the base of plants (but away from stems) or over bare soil to help insulate roots and regulate soil temperatures.
- Support plant resilience with a liquid seaweed, make sure to dilute with water and apply as a soil drench or foliar (leaf) spray. This will help strengthen roots and boosts there tolerance to the cold.
If you have a compost bin now is a great time to rake up all the leaves that have fallen. These will turn into excellent mulch once they break down. If you don’t have a compost you can use some old pallets to build one to contain compost material, click here to view a video on how to build a compost from old pallets.
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