I’m a Gardening Pro – 4 Vegetables You Need to Plant NOW to Enjoy on Christmas Day

It’s only 10 weeks until Christmas.

And if you’re already worried about how you’re going to fund the big day during the cost of living crisis, a gardening expert has revealed you can now plant four plants to enjoy at Christmas.

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Firstly, an ‘iconic Christmas product that everyone loves’: the humble potato.

“Surprisingly, a few more potato varieties can now be planted and harvested just in time for Christmas,” says Craig Wilson, gardening expert and founder of online gardening store Gardener’s Dream.

“Varieties such as ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Maris Piper’ potatoes can withstand the colder months, making them the perfect choice for Christmas dinner due to their buttery and nutty flavour.”

For the best harvest, Craig recommends keeping soil temperatures low.

“Anything below 9 degrees Celsius is best to maintain a healthy and consistent crop,” he added.

“And make sure you plant your potato seeds at least 8 inches deep for best results.”

You might not think the following vegetable would go well with a Christmas roast, but Craig highlighted that radishes are “great when roasted alongside garlic and parsley” and can be added to parsnips and potatoes to “bring out their nutty flavour”.

“Radishes are a fast-growing vegetable that you can harvest just before Christmas,” he says.

“Varieties such as ‘Mooli’ or ‘Black Spanish’ are particularly hardy and can be sown in October for an early harvest in December.

“Radishes prefer cooler temperatures in the winter months and thrive in a sunny spot in the garden or on an allotment.”

But you shouldn’t forget to keep the soil moist to avoid a bitter harvest, Craig added.

Another word you might not associate with Christmas is “salad.”

However, Craig believes that rocket makes a brilliant addition as a side dish or garnish – and is perfect for planting out now in time for Christmas.

“Rocket seeds can be sown directly into pre-prepared, rich soil,” he said.

“Rocket thrives in moist but well-drained soil and in partial sunlight, which is perfect for October.

“If you are planting outdoors, it is probably best to cover to protect against winter frost.

Garden work in October

Veronica Lorraine, garden editor for The Sun, has shared the jobs you need to tackle this October.

“It’s a good time to prune deciduous hedges – such as boxwood, yew, hawthorn, hornbeam and beech – and hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!

Make leaf mold – collect all fallen leaves and fill garbage bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, poke a few small holes in the bag and store for a year or more. Free compost!

You’re unlikely to get any more red tomatoes, so harvest one more time and throw the plants into the compost. See if you can ripen the green ones by putting a drawer in them (some say with a banana). Save the seeds from a few too – and plant them again next year if they have gone well.

Finish bringing in your spring bulbs. Ideally you would have planted daffodils and alliums, but tulips are better in the open ground when the soil temperature becomes a bit colder.

It is good to leave some plant waste in the ground; this adds nutrients as it rots, providing shelter and food for insects. But remove the dingy brown bits that are collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.

Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but also keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter comfort to your outdoor space.

October is a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans and rhubarb.”

“It can be harvested in just four to six weeks, giving more than enough time to get it onto plates for a delicious Christmas salad.”

And finally spinach.

Creamed spinach is a “beautifully rich addition” to a Christmas dinner, Craig promised, and “pairs exceptionally well with turkey, chicken and other roasted vegetables”.

“Fortunately, winter spinach thrives in cooler weather and can be harvested in just six weeks,” he explains.

“Varieties such as ‘Giant Winter’ or ‘Perpetual’ are ideal for sowing in October and are ready for harvest in time for Christmas.”

However, don’t plant your spinach in the garden; it must be “protected from heavy frost with a cover or in a greenhouse”.

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