A GARDENING expert has revealed three vegetables you should plant now, so they’re ready to be enjoyed as part of your Christmas dinner.
Winter is fast approaching, and with the days getting shorter, and the weather getting colder, many of us will be looking ahead to the festive season.
And what better way to prepare for December 25th than by growing your own vegetables to eat as part of a festive feast?
Although it is unfortunately too late to plant many Christmas staples such as carrots and parsnips, Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of Gardener’s Dream revealed that there are still plenty of vegetables that will be ready in time for the big day.
Potatoes are an iconic Christmas staple and Craig said that a few varieties can still be planted now and be ready in time for Christmas.
He said: “Varieties such as Charlotte and Maris Piper potatoes can withstand the cooler months which makes them the perfect choice for a winter dinner for their buttery and nutty flavours.”
Craig recommended planting potato seeds at least 20cm deep and keeping soil temperatures cool for the best results.
Radishes are delicious when roasted alongside garlic and parsley in a Christmas dinner side dish.
And Craig revealed that they grow extremely quickly, so will be ready for harvest before Christmas.
He said: “Varieties such as Mooli or Black Spanish are winter-hardy and can be sown in October for an early harvest in December.
“When growing these for your dinner, the only responsibility is to ensure the soil stays moist to avoid a bitter crop.
“By Christmas, you’ll have a healthy amount of crisp and peppery radishes to add to your roast dishes.”
Rocket will make a fabulous addition to any side salad, and now is the perfect time to plant it.
It should be shown directly into the soil, and thrives best in partial sunlight and moist soil.
It takes just four to six weeks for it to be ready for harvest, so if you plant it now it will be ready for December.
The Sun’s Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the jobs you need to tackle in October.
“It’s a good time to trim deciduous hedges – like box, yew, hawthorn, hornbean and beech – plus hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leafmould – gather up all the fallen leaves and fill either bin bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, stick a few small holes in the bag – and then store for a year or more. Free compost!
It’s unlikely you’ll get any more red tomatoes so have one final harvest and chuck the plants on the compost. See if you can get the green ones to ripen by putting in a drawer (some say with a banana). Also keep the seeds from a couple – and plant again next year if they went well.
Finish getting in your spring bulbs. Ideally you’d have done daffs and alliums, but tulips are better in the ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder.
It’s good to leave some plant litter in the ground – it adds to the nutrients as it rots down, and provides shelter and food for insects. But remove the manky brown bits collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter duvet to your outside space.
October’s a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans, and rhubarb.”
Some spinach varieties, such as Giant Winter of Perpetual can also be sown in October, and will be ready for your Christmas dinner.
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