Though food may be less varied over the winter months, there is still quite a lot that can be harvested in my midwinter garden. Though there have been a few cold days with heavy frosts recently, there are still some yields to harvest outdoors. Kale, cabbage, sorrel and a few other leafy greens…
In the polytunnel, there is more going on. There is perpetual spinach, chard, turnip greens, more kale of different varieties… pea shoots, some winter lettuce, and some Asian greens like tatsoi and pak choi. I take a little from bunching onions, and still have one or two beetroot and radishes left in the ground.
While a lot of what is currently in the polytunnel will not be ready until spring, there is still more going on in winter in the garden than many people imagine.
Though I have been very busy over the last week or so, there are also lots of rose hips that I could turn into a rose hip jelly or ketchup. .. when I have the time.
It is important to look around for more unusual yields in the garden. Foraging in a winter garden can provide a range of interesting edibles in addition to the edible crops we have sown.
We tend to spend more time indoors and less time in our gardens when the weather is cold. But it is important to pay attention to the world around us. And to think about how we can make full use of everything nature can provide – even in the ‘bleak midwinter’.
If you need some help to see the potential in what is already in your garden prior to planning the coming gardening year, please do get in touch.
EWSP Consultancy 