Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: silly billy on September 19, 2006, 19:40:18

Title: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: silly billy on September 19, 2006, 19:40:18
We are approaching our 1st winter on the allotment and have some leeks and brussels in and growing well.Will the plants actually grow in the cold of winter or do they just sit dormant until harvested?
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: tim on September 19, 2006, 19:53:31
Sprouts until Christmas - Leeks until Spring?
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: saddad on September 19, 2006, 20:20:17
Most things slow right down, but only herbaceous plants go really dormant. Think parsnips were all the leaves die down... If the leaves stay on like Leeks and Sprouts they will grow slowly in the milder /brighter bits..
:)
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 19, 2006, 21:16:02
It depends on the plant. Some will, some won't. Snowdrops, for instance, obviously will, while Hostas die right back and stay underground for the duration.
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: jennym on September 19, 2006, 21:44:25
The veg may or may not grow during winter, but one thing's for certain - the weeds will!  ;D
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: davy1 on September 19, 2006, 22:34:12
Just think. If we could eat weeds we wouldnt be growing veg
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 20, 2006, 07:59:29
We can eat some weeds; nettles and ground elder, for instance.
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: redrichwen on September 20, 2006, 11:23:18
Quote from: saddad on September 19, 2006, 20:20:17
Most things slow right down, but only herbaceous plants go really dormant. Think parsnips were all the leaves die down... If the leaves stay on like Leeks and Sprouts they will grow slowly in the milder /brighter bits..
:)

When the leaves die down on the parsnips, are they ready to be harvested or can they be left in the ground? ???
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 20, 2006, 14:15:59
Leave them till they've had a couple of frosts; they become sweeter at this point.
Title: Re: Do plants actually grow in winter?
Post by: saddad on September 20, 2006, 17:05:17
They are best left in the ground until needed... but if a really cold snap is forecast dig a few up and put in damp sand in a shed so you can get at them frozen soil is really hard to dig!!!
;D