With Christmas edging closer and closer, it may be too late to plant and harvest many Christmas dinner vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and rosemary. However, there are still a few things you can plant now to level up your festive salads, sides and starters. Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of Gardener’s Dream shares what you should plant now for a pre-Christmas harvest.
Potatoes
“An iconic Christmas staple that’s loved by all. Surprisingly, a couple of potato varieties can still be planted now, and harvested just in time for Christmas. Varieties such as ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Maris Piper’ potatoes can withstand the cooler months which makes them the perfect choice for a Christmas dinner for their buttery and nutty flavours.”
“ For the best harvest, keep soil temperatures cold. Anything below 9 degrees Celsius is best to keep up a healthy and consistent crop and be sure to plant your potato seeds at least 20cm deep for the best results.”
Radishes
“As a festive dish, Radishes are great when roasted alongside garlic and parsley. You can either add them alongside your parsnips and potatoes to bring out their nutty flavour or serve them on their own as a flavoursome side option.”
Radishes are a quick-growing vegetable that you can harvest right before Christmas. Varieties such as ‘Mooli’ or ‘Black Spanish’ are notably winter hardy and can be sown in October for an early harvest in December. Radishes love cooler temperatures in the winter months and will thrive in a sunny spot in the garden or on an allotment patch. When growing these for your Christmas dinner, the only responsibility is to ensure the soil stays moist to avoid a bitter crop. By Christmas, you’ll have a healthy amount of crisp and peppery radishes to add to your roast dishes!”
Rocket
“If you’re serving up a festive feast, then Rocket is a great addition to any side salad or even as a garnish. At this time of the year, rocket is a great option to plant out in time for Christmas.”
“Rocket seeds can be sown directly into pre-prepped rich soil. Rocket thrives in moist but well-drained soil and in partial sunlight, which is perfect for October. If planting outside, it’s probably best to cover over to protect from winter frosts. It can be harvested in as little as 4-6 weeks, giving more than enough time to get it onto plates for a delicious Christmas salad. Rocket is known for its peppery flavour, and is very tasty when blended with herbs and aromatics to make a salad or garnish.”
Spinach
“Creamed spinach makes for a beautifully rich addition to a Christmas dinner, pairing extremely well with turkey, chicken, and other roasted vegetables. Thankfully, winter spinach thrives in cooler weather and can be harvested in as little as six weeks. Varieties such as ‘Giant Winter’ or ‘Perpetual’ are ideal for sowing in October, and will be ready to harvest in time for Christmas. Spinach of any variety, however, prefers fertile, well-drained soil and should be protected from heavy frosts with a cover-over or in a greenhouse.”
About Gardeners Dream
Established in 2011 and based on the outskirts of Glasgow, Gardener’s Dream is now a leading online destination for gardeners and plant enthusiasts across the UK. Offering a wide selection of gardening essentials, from plants, trees and hedges to bird food and garden care products, their mission is to inspire and assist gardeners of all skill levels.
Gardeners Dream prides itself on providing quality products and expert advice to help you create and maintain your perfect garden.
Visit www.gardenersdream.co.uk for more information and to explore their extensive product range
