Cool Veggies and How To Protect Them

There is still plenty to do in the garden this Autumn and Winter season. Grab a spade and start sowing for the veggie garden.

Protecting veggies from early frost

In some areas, frost may be a problem for some veggies and it will be devastating to lose a crop that you have worked so hard to grow. It’s time to move your veg into a grow house. In areas where you know frost may take your crops, rather grow them in containers that can be moved into a safe and protected place in times of extreme cold and frost.

A 3-Tier Grow House is perfect for a small space with a roll up door and shelving to place pots and trays of seedlings to keep them warm and protected.

A 4-Tier Walk-in Green House has enough space to grow vegetables for a continuous family supply plus more. It is very easy to assemble and ready to use today.

What to sow for a winter harvest

Hardy vegetables to sow in autumn to harvest in winter include broccoli, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, peas, radishes, turnips, mustard greens, carrots, beetroot, parsnips, spring onions, broad beans, cabbage and cauliflower – all the wonderful veg to make a delicious, hearty soup.

The best start

To make sure that your seed sowing efforts will give you the best results, always use the best products. Garden Master Seedling and Germinating Mixes are properly formulated to give seeds the best start.

Harden off before transplanting

Your seedling trays have been growing well in the grow house and now it’s time to move them into bigger pots or into the ground to grow on further. Once the seedlings are about 5 cm tall with their first set of true leaves, they can be hardened off for about 7-14 days. This vital step allows the seedlings to acclimatise to their new environments. They basically need to toughen up to be able to survive in rain, wind, cold, heat and sunlight.

To build up their armour, take the seedlings out of the grow house or propagator and subject them to a few hours of outdoor conditions and sunlight at a time. Increase this daily for 7 days, with extra days available in case the weather is extreme.

Once the seedlings are strong, they can be planting out into the veggies garden or planted in pots in heavy frost areas.

Garden Master Super Pots Sets come in a variety of bright colours in sets of three. Fill with Garden Master Ornamental Mix and plant your seedlings. Water well and place in a protected area to grow on further and start producing a crop for harvest.

Tips for veggie care

• Plants like peas will need to be staked, or grow them in hanging baskets so that they trail over the edge.
• Don’t think that because its cold, that plants don’t need watering. Potted veg may need daily watering. Test the soil with a finger and water if needed.
• As plants grow, they need feeding. For leafy greens feed with a fertiliser high in nitrogen and for roots vegetables use more phosphorous- and potassium-rich products.