While the grass may not require mowing and there are no flowers to water, gardening doesn’t have to halt during the chilly winter months.
Horticultural expert Chloe, a specialist in homegrown organic produce, has taken to TikTok to share the two vegetables that are perfect for planting right now. “If you’re new to growing and you’re wondering if there’s anything can you grow in the winter months – there absolutely is,” she began in a video.
Chloe revealed that onions and garlic are ideal for both indoor and outdoor planting and now is the time to get cracking. “The reason I’m mentioning these two is because they couldn’t be any easier to grow – you just stick them in the ground and forget about them,” she enthused.
Prior to planting, Chloe shared her top tip: apply a “good application of rotted manure” or use high-quality compost to ensure they’re “fed” throughout the winter. “They do like a long growing season and garlic can take up to nine months from planting to harvest – so get them into the ground as soon as you can,” she added.
Adding further information in her clip’s caption, meanwhile, the expert shared planting advice. “I space each garlic clove 25-30cm apart and push the clove down with my thumb until it reaches my knuckle,” Chloe said.
And when it comes to onion, she penned: “I plant each onion about 3cm deep and 4-5cm apart in a row with 30-40cm apart between rows.”
“This is a good idea,” one TikTok user praised in response. “I once tried to grow garlic, but the place was no good. Now I have a patch in my garden, that is a bit too overgrown for pumpkins, so I might as well grow there garlic.”
A second added: “I always plant my garlic at the start of October and harvest it on the longest day [of the year].” A third hailed: “Love the knowledge you are spreading!” While a fourth said: “Got mine in already. Fingers crossed for a good harvest.”
The Royal Horticultural Society adds further suggestions regarding the two vegetables on its website.
Garlic: Simply keep weeds at bay and water in dry spells, and you’ll be harvesting your own garlic from early summer onwards, depending on the variety. Garlic stores well for several months, so you can grow plenty to use as needed, and benefit from garlic’s many health-boosting properties.
Onions: They like a warm, sunny spot in well-drained soil, with watering in dry spells and regular weeding. Onions can also be grown in large containers. Harvest the crop in summer or early autumn, then either use straight away or store them for whenever needed over the following months.
