If you’ve been meaning to get your winter crops going but haven’t quite made it outside — this is your gentle nudge. Now is the time. Whether you’re sowing into autumn warmth or heading toward early winter chill, there’s still time to get your beds prepped and your seedlings in the ground for a productive cool-season garden.

Here at Mrs E’s Kitchen Garden, winter planting is well underway. And like every year, I can’t resist adding something new.

This Year’s Additions

Alongside our usual winter favourites — think leafy greens, brassicas, and broad beans — I’ve decided to experiment with red Brussels sprouts. They’re as beautiful as they are productive, with rich purple-tinged leaves and tight little heads that promise colour and crunch on a cold winter’s day.

I’ve also made space for globe artichokes, which will hopefully establish well now and become a long-term feature in the garden. They take a little patience, but the reward — those magnificent edible flower buds — is worth it.

And because I’m always up for a gardening gamble, I’ve added asparagus peas to the mix. It’s not quite the same as true asparagus (which I’m still eagerly awaiting in another part of the garden), but it adds a bit of novelty while I wait.

Haven’t Planted Yet? You Still Have Time

If you’re running a little behind, don’t worry. There’s still time to plant:

• Garlic – gets sweeter with the cold.
• Onions and shallots – slow to grow but worth the wait.
• Spinach, silverbeet and kale – hardy greens that thrive through winter.
• Cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage – get them in while the soil’s still warm.
• Peas and broad beans – enjoy them through winter or let them bloom early in spring.

A Quick Reminder

Don’t forget to clear out old crops and feed your soil before you plant. Add compost, manure, or worm castings, and check your mulch. And if a plant is struggling, don’t be afraid to pull it out. Weak plants attract pests and can spread disease — and you’ll thank yourself later for making space now.

So whether you’re planting something new or sticking to your tried-and-true favourites, there’s no better time to get things in the ground. A little work now means fresh, homegrown food right through the coldest months.

Happy planting from Mrs E’s Kitchen Garden 🌱