The Best Winter Crops for Your State
Posted by John Zeaiter on
There's nothing like planting a fresh crop in your backyard and watching those first sprouts poke their heads up and out of the soil.
In Australia, we're lucky enough to be able to grow and enjoy vegetables all year round.
Winter can be the best time to plant vegetables perfect for those comfort food meals, but different vegetables thrive in different areas of the country due to our regional climates.
Before you start rolling up your sleeves, all you have to do is research your region to see what grows best, and the best times to get planting!
Cooler Climates: Victoria and Tasmania
Even though the temperature can drop below zero in these areas, it doesn't mean you still can't grow a variety of winter vegetables and herbs. If you'd prefer to grow herbs outdoors rather than indoors, consider growing chives, coriander, parsley, mint and shallots. Vegetables that thrive in in Tassie and Victoria include;
- Beetroot
- Broad beans
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Leeks
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Turnips
Most of these vegetables also grow well in subtropical areas such as northern NSW and south-east Queensland.
Tropical Climates: Northern Territory, Northern Queensland and parts of North Western Australia
If you're lucky enough to live in the tropical regions of Australia, you're almost spoilt for choice when it comes to the list of vegetables you can grow in your patch! You almost have your pick of the bunch, but the more popular ones you can grow easily are;
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Onions
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potato
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- To name a few!
Temperate Climates: Sydney, Coastal NSW and parts of Western Australia
Like elsewhere in Australia, this part of the country is great at producing spinach, green beans, peas and broad beans. Most herbs will also grow well throughout the whole year in this climate.
Growing the right food in winter is easy when you choose the right produce for your area. Make sure your garden bed is in an area that still gets plenty of winter sunshine, keep them hydrated and you'll soon be reaping a wide range of healthy and nutritious vegetables and herbs grown in your own backyard. What can be better than that! The possibilities are endless when it comes to your winter garden.