Benefits of Winter Planting
Winter may slow the pace of gardening in Britain, yet it still offers valuable planting opportunities and personal health benefits. Hardy vegetables in particular cope well with colder temperatures and shorter days. Cold months still offer plenty to plant. From November to March, you can sow broad beans, garlic, and onion sets. In milder spells, plant bare-root fruit trees and raspberry canes. Overwintering onion sets, planted just below the soil surface, establish strong roots before spring growth begins. In addition, hardy crops such as kale, cabbage and purple sprouting broccoli tolerate frost and often taste sweeter after cold weather. For fresh leaves, sow winter salads like lamb’s lettuce and hardy rocket in sheltered beds or containers.
Large terracotta pots provide a practical winter planting solution, especially a benefit to gardens with heavy or waterlogged soil. Terracotta has known benefits for planting in winter. It’s naturally porous, allowing excess moisture to evaporate and reducing the risk of root rot during extended wet spells. Furthermore, the substantial weight of larger pots helps protect crops from winter winds. When planting in containers, use a high-quality peat-free compost mixed with grit for drainage, raise pots on feet, and position them in a sunny, sheltered spot. Grouping pots together can also create a slightly warmer microclimate.
Planting, and general gardening through winter, benefits mental and emotional wellbeing as well as physical health. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, gardening can boost mood, reduce stress and improve overall life satisfaction. Research published in the Journal of Health Psychology also found that gardening can lower cortisol levels and improve positive mood compared with indoor activities. Therefore, even simple winter tasks such as checking garlic shoots or harvesting kale can provide structure, purpose and calm during darker months. By planting with intention, you nurture both your garden and your own resilience.
