Planning ahead for your winter garden is a vital step in ensuring your family’s health stays top-notch over the cold and flu season. We’ve made a list of some vegetables you should plant next Spring/Summer to ensure that next winter you have pick of the crop. This will allow you to save on your grocery bill and fight off winter colds at the same time!
Brussel Sprouts
Everyone’s favorite vegetable to hate, Brussel Sprouts are actually a great winter vegetable! They are vitamin rich, containing high amounts of vitamin-A and vitamin-C. Half a cup of brussel sprouts contains roughly 80% of an adults recommended daily vitamin-C intake! Vitamin-C is known for improving immune function and aiding the body with iron absorption which makes this the perfect vegetable to plant if you plan on fighting off the winter germs!
Cauliflower
There are many different colours of cauliflower available in Australia; purple, white, orange and yellow are the most common colours. Cauliflower contains the same vitamins and minerals no matter which colour you plant, and they all generally taste the same. Cauliflower is a vitamin-B6 rich vegetable. The body does not naturally produce vitamin-B6 so we must get it from foods. It helps with the development of neurotransmitters and red blood cells. Cauliflower is easy to plant and harvest and although it is a winter vegetable it loves sunlight!
Leeks
Leeks are a fantastic source of potassium which means they are perfect for heart health and keeping your kidneys clean! These leafy greens are extremely versatile as you can use them in soups, stir frys, dumplings, pasta bakes…the list is endless! Why not add them to your Zucchini Muffins – just cook dry in a non-stick pan first, or add some butter. Yum! Leeks originated around the Mediterranean Sea and are also a great source of magnesium and calcium. A this makes leeks a great veggie to add to a meal the night before a big winter rugby match to lower the risk of cramps and bruises!
Onions
Onions are a well-known superfood, often used in winter dinners such as stews, casseroles and soups. Popular globally, in part thanks to its anti inflammatory properties, onions are easy to grow in the garden and do not take much time to prepare. The best time to plant onions are:
Northern Australia: February – May.
Southern Australia: April – September.
New South Wales: March – May.
Onions are also an iron rich veggie, so consuming them regularly lowers your risk of anemia and low blood sugar levels.
Radishes
Radishes are easy to garden and can germinate in as little as 3 days! These are a great vegetable for pregnant and breastfeeding women due to the high amounts of folic and ascorbic acid which promote fetal development. They are also a great source of riboflavin, known for its migraine preventing properties. This small vegetable packs a big punch and is the perfect addition to your winter garden!
Images:
1) Karolina Kołodziejczak on Unsplash
2) Jenn.jpeg on Unsplash
3) Jo Lanta on Unsplash
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