For the Highveld, we are in the winter planting season. If possible, get vegetable seeds into the ground before the first frost, for them to establish themselves. After the first frosts, they will take longer to grow. Before planting, ensure that you have a good base of compost  which will supply nutrients to the plants during the winter growing season.  Standard winter plants include:

  • Allium family – garlic, leeks, onions, shallots
  • Brassica family – broccoli, BrusselS sprouts, Kale, cabbage, cauliflower
  • Roots – carrots, beetroot, parsnips, radishes, turnips
  • Leaves – lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, rocket
  • peas
  • Herbs – coriander, dill, parsley, mint, Winter savory, rosemary, thyme

Tips:

  1. In winter after a heavy frost, pick the lettuce once the leaves have thawed out.
  2. You can eat the leaves of carrots, beetroot and turnips.
  3. Turnip leaves are one of the most nutritious leaves to eat. They contain vitamins A, C and K and folate plus the antioxidants beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.  Since turnips are a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, turnips may act against several cancers such as colon, lung, prostate and stomach cancer. Use young leaves in a salad, or stir fry, or cook with onion and tomato.

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