If you have been stuck inside and yearning for the garden, now is a great time to sort out your winter garden plan, rummage through the seed collection and do some seed sowing for autumn crops indoors!
The unfortunate reality at my end is that the storms this season have really ravaged what was left of the summer tomatoes, and it’s more or less time to pull them out and move onto the autumn planting.
So what seeds can happily get sowing now?
Brassica Seeds
Get a headstart on Autumn and Winter by sowing brassica seeds into trays. Keep them indoors or somewhere safe from white butterfly for the next few weeks and you’ll be ready to plant into the garden when the weather clears and autumn arrives.
- Broccoli – A real staple in my winter harvest baskets
- Cabbage – Try a mix of different colours and textures to add beauty and interest (and also taste!) to your garden
- Cauliflower – A little more temperature sensitive, so keep these seedlings out of high heats
- Brussel sprouts – Have a very long growing season so getting a head start is a good idea!
- Kohlrabi – I have never done this one myself, but this year is the year! Any suggestions on how to eat kohlrabi, please drop me a line in the comments.
Leafy greens
It’s always good to have a continual supply of leafy greens. These can be started in trays, ready to plant out when the storms pass. Though they will need to be destined for cooler areas as heat can mean they bolt quickly.
- Lettuce – Plant your favourites or consider a salad seed mix for fun and variety.
- Rocket – Spicy and great in a pear and walnut salad. Plant now for a harvest in the autumn pear season!
- Mizuna – Eat young as a salad green, or grow a little bigger and throw into a stirfry.
- Pak choy – A crunchy and juicy addition to the leafy green option, slice thinly for salad or fry in sesame for a great side.
- Coriander – Continual supply of coriander is essential. Let plants that have bolted set seed and either harvest for grinding to coriander powder or for planting again.
- Kale – A great green to establish for the winter time, hardier and more resilient, it will keep you well nourished through the cooler months.
Root vegetables
Those which handle transplant can be started indoors now (such as beetroot) but more sensitive options should wait until the weather clears and go straight in the ground (e.g. carrots, parsnip).
Leeks are also happy to get started now, and have a good head start on the growing season before winter sets in.
Where to buy seeds in New Zealand
If you don’t already have a little seed collection, but you’re keen to try and grow some things from seed this season, these are my favourite seed companies to support;
Let me know in the comments below what seeds you’ll be sowing this Autumn!