It’s the perfect timing to get your winter vegetable garden started now. The warmer weather in autumn helps them establish faster and then as it cools down in May they are all ready to start producing. Now is also time to think about sowing vegetables that will give your family a thick vegetable soup this winter particularly of root crops.

As you pull out your summer crops that are ending always prepare the soil to replace the nutrients used up with the last harvest. Veggies love loads of organic matter and home-grown organic veggies even taste better than organic store bought. Always add loads of compost and bone meal in the preparation and feed with Bounce back once established.

Here are a few tips and a list of vegetables that are ideal for a winter selection.

 Some Veggie Ideas

Leeks
These vegetables are delicious in soups, roasts and thinly sliced in salads. Leeks can remain in seedbeds for two months and should then be planted in good soil and fertilised well. Fortunately, they have an exceptionally long harvesting season as they can be eaten whilst they are still small or when they are mature. Make sure that you sow a generous amount of seed.

Swiss chard
Swiss chard can be harvested quite soon after planting and, like leeks, can be used over an extended period. They will grow in full sun to semi-shade. Look out for the new coloured veined varieties for something different.

Carrots
The crop sown now should be ready for harvest after 100 days and will remain edible for many months. Make sure you space your carrots carefully - the best is to have about 100-120 plants per square metre. These will grow to the best size and then remain in this condition until required.

Cabbages
Cabbage grown for winter are sturdy and compact with very few insects attacking them. The best cabbages are grown in full sun and the best part about them is they need little water and no attention till harvest time.

Beet
March is the best moth to sow beet. This sowing month will provide abundant, good quality leaves, an added bonus for those who enjoy eating beet leaves instead of spinach. If you choose the variety 'Crimson Globe', the leaves will be even more vigorous and the root quality good. The correct spacing for beets is 60-80 plants per square metre.

Turnips
This is a fast-growing crop and, if you are considering sowing leeks and turnips at the same time, the turnips will be finished when the leeks are ready. You can sow turnips from late March through to April. Turnip tops are also excellent for soups and qualify as another soup ingredient if you pick them fresh from the garden.