Winter Vegetables
By: Steve McShane

There is no greater benefit in life than producing your own food. Not only will it help you save money, but it will help you lead a healthy, happier life. With the arrival of winter, we are presented with a unique opportunity for winter vegetable planting.

Whether you are working with a small container, a raised bed or what used to be a lawn, getting things going is easier than you think. After all, mother nature is going to help with the watering for the next few months.

Having studied soil science at Cal Poly for five years, I must begin by recommending a high quality planting mix and starter fertilizer. Bumper Crop is my absolute favorite soil amendment, and I also recommend the Dr. Earth label organic starter fertilizer. Another key amendment that has come on the scene is mychorrhizae. Mychorrhizae coats roots and drastically improves nutrient uptake. The best part is that all of these products are organic.

I am a huge fan of planting vegetable starts over starting with seeds. For the novice gardener, some of the hardest work is done for you. Simply amend the soil and plant the vegetable starts to the same depth they were in the six pack. With no time at all, you’ll enjoy a few months of healthy garden fresh vegetables.

There are a lot of folks that ask me what my favorite winter vegetables are. I’ve got arugla, chard, broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas and celery in my garden right now. The arugla is, without question, my favorite. It has to be one of the healthiest and best tasting “garden grown” vegetables I’ve ever produced. Some other great winter vegetables are as follows:

ROOTCROPS
Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, Leeks and Globe Onions

LEAFCROPS
Cabbage, Collards, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Spring Mix, Mustard, Spinach and Bok Choy

OTHER VEGGIES:
Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and Snow Peas

There is not a more beneficial way to garden then by growing your own food; it’s healthy and lifts your spirit. Most importantly, the flavor of home grown vegetables is unbeatable. I suggest visiting a local nurseries for additional expert, friendly advice as well. Lets welcome winter with the excitement of a home grown healthy garden.

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How to plant a winter garden