Polytunnel Winter Veg

In the UK, a polytunnel extends your growing season significantly, allowing you to plant a variety of winter vegetables. Here are some excellent choices to get seeds for now:  

• Garlic: Plant individual cloves in autumn for a harvest in early summer. Polytunnels offer protection from harsh weather, resulting in larger bulbs.
• Broad Beans: Sow in autumn for an early spring harvest. Broad beans are hardy and can withstand frost, making them ideal for overwintering in a polytunnel.
• Onions: Plant onion sets in autumn for a harvest in early summer. Overwintering onions in a polytunnel protects them from pests and diseases, resulting in a better crop.
• Spring Cabbage: Sow seeds in late summer/early autumn for a harvest from late winter to early spring. Polytunnels offer the warmth and protection spring cabbages need to grow during the colder months.  
• Kale: A hardy brassica that thrives in cool temperatures, kale can be sown in late summer for a continuous harvest throughout winter.
• Winter Lettuce: Sow seeds in late summer/early autumn for a harvest throughout winter. The polytunnel provides a warmer environment, allowing lettuce to grow even when it’s cold outside.

These are just a few suggestions, and your specific choices may depend on your personal preferences and the size of your polytunnel. Experiment with different varieties to find what works best for you. Remember to start your seeds indoors or in a greenhouse for the best results, and transplant them to your polytunnel once they are established.

You can also plant other vegetables like carrots, turnips, spinach, and radishes in your polytunnel for a winter harvest. However, these are often best sown directly into the polytunnel soil in late summer or early autumn.