This list provides a great starting point for growing your own vegetables and herbs during the cooler seasons in South Africa.
Here’s a summary of the vegetables and herbs discussed in the video by Sherwood Urban Farm, focusing on their growing conditions and tips for cultivation in South Africa during winter, autumn, and spring:
1. Radishes
- Ease of Growth: Very easy and fast-growing, ready to harvest in 3-4 weeks.
- Preferred Conditions: Cooler weather; hot weather makes them spicy and unpleasant.
- Planting Tips: Can be sown directly or started in a greenhouse and transplanted 10 cm apart.
- Uses: Great in salads and stir-fries.
2. Lettuce
- Ease of Growth: Easy to grow with continuous harvest potential.
- Preferred Conditions: Prefers semi-shady spots and cooler weather.
- Planting Tips: Often self-seeds; can also be grown from nursery plugs or seeds.
- Harvesting: Pick outer leaves as needed; stays fresh longer in the fridge.
3. Carrots
- Ease of Growth: Easy, but slower to germinate in winter.
- Preferred Conditions: Cooler weather for sweeter, crisp carrots.
- Planting Tips: Can be sown in buckets or ground beds; best sown from early autumn to spring.
- Uses: Sweet and crunchy when grown in cooler temperatures.
4. Swiss Chard (Spinach in South Africa)
- Ease of Growth: Very easy to grow.
- Preferred Conditions: Cooler weather with partial shade; needs regular watering.
- Planting Tips: Can be sown directly, grown from nursery plugs, or started in seed trays.
- Varieties: Bright lights variety with colorful stems.
5. Baby Cabbage
- Ease of Growth: Easy to grow, even in summer, but sweeter in cooler weather.
- Preferred Conditions: Cooler weather reduces bitterness.
- Planting Tips: Typically grown from nursery plugs; can produce multiple small heads.
- Pests: Occasionally affected by aphids, which can be sprayed off or treated with neem oil.
6. Peas (Snap Peas)
- Ease of Growth: Easy and rewarding to grow.
- Preferred Conditions: Cooler weather; snap peas are preferred as the whole pod is edible.
- Planting Tips: Can be sown directly or started in a greenhouse; plant close together (5 cm apart).
- Harvesting: Regular harvesting encourages continued flowering and production.
7. Coriander (Cilantro)
- Ease of Growth: Very easy to grow as a herb.
- Preferred Conditions: Cooler weather with partial shade; does not tolerate heat well.
- Planting Tips: Can be sown directly or transplanted; self-seeds easily.
- Uses: Leaves are used fresh, and seeds can be roasted and ground for cooking.
General Tips:
- Cooler Weather: Most of these vegetables and herbs thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for winter, autumn, and spring in South Africa.
- Succession Planting: For continuous harvest, consider succession planting, especially for fast-growing crops like radishes and peas.
- Container Gardening: Many of these can be grown in containers, making them suitable for small spaces.