Grow these five crops during February:
Winter's Bounty: Winter Crops to Harvest in February
February might not be the peak growing season, but it's a goldmine for winter crops! Allow us to guide you through the winter vegetables and herbs that can be picked during this chilly month, ensuring you've got a steady supply of fresh, tasty produce straight from your garden.
Vegetables to Harvest
Leeks and kale steal the show in February. These hardy veggies add delicious flavors to your winter stews or salads. If you've sowed your leeks during summer, you'll reap the rewards right through winter. Mind you, harvesting leeks is a breeze - just use a fork to gently lift them from the soil.
Aside from leeks and kale, here are other cold-tolerant vegetables ideal for February harvests: Brussels sprouts, cabbage (green savoy types and white), cauliflower, cavolo nero, celeriac, chard, chicory, spinach, spring greens, and even mushrooms (cultivated varieties). These crops have incredible cold tolerance and can thrive or remain harvestable throughout winter until February[1].
Harvesting Herbs
Even in winter, there's no shortage of herbs that can be picked or planted around February. Parsley, sage, and chives are cold-hardy herbs that love a sunny spot. Lavender is another excellent choice for winter planting[2][3].
Growing Practices for February Winter Veggies and Herbs
- Choosing Cold-Hardy Varieties: Select "winter hardy" or "cold-tolerant" labeled varieties to ensure plants thrive in colder conditions.
- Location and Layout: Position plants in south-facing spots, with windbreaks if possible, for maximum sunlight.
- Soil Preparation: Prepare soil with organic matter to enhance drainage and fertility.
- Protection Methods: Use cold frames, row covers, or cloches to safeguard more tender plants during colder weather.
- Timing: Plant winter vegetables like certain salad greens and Asian greens while the soil is still warm for faster growth.
Harvesting Tips
- Brussels sprouts and kale: Pick leaves or sprouts from the bottom upwards to encourage more production.
- Spinach and spring greens: Harvest outer leaves regularly for fresh growth.
- Herbs: Pick leaves when it's dry for the best flavor and preservation. Some herbs like chives and parsley regrow after cutting.
- Root crops: Harvest root vegetables as needed, with some improved flavors after frost exposure.
Embrace the winter harvest by selecting cold-hardy varieties, preparing your garden, and employing protective methods to enjoy a productive winter garden extending into February!
Strategize Your Winter Vegetable Garden
Ready to grow your own? Invest in a range of seeds from trusted online suppliers like Crocus, Thompson & Morgan, Suttons, or Dobies[4]. Make your pick from a wide variety of options, including organic seeds, Nurseryman's choice, F1 Hybrids, and seed collections tailored for specific needs such as organic, blight and disease-resistant, heritage, or small gardens.
Don't forget to experiment with winter salad crops like hardy salad leaves, salad burnet, and winter purslane[5]. By caring for your garden and choosing the right crops, those winter blues might just become winter greens!
- To complement your home-and-garden during the February winter season, consider adding hardy vegetables and herbs to your lifestyle.
- With a variety of cold-tolerant choices such as leeks, kale, Brussels sprouts, parsley, sage, and chives, you can enjoy a steady supply of fresh produce from your garden throughout the chilly month, even as you explore winter salad crops like winter purslane.
