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Vegetables for Growing in Wet Welsh Weather

Best Vegetables for Growing in Wet Welsh Weather

Root Crops That Don’t Mind the Moist

  • Carrots: Especially short-rooted types like 'Paris Market' or 'Chantenay'. Ensure well-drained soil to prevent rot.
  • Beetroot: Thrives in cool, damp conditions — try 'Boltardy' or 'Detroit'.
  • Turnips: Quick-growing and hardy, perfect for consistent rain and cool temps.
  • Swedes: A staple in Welsh winter cooking, loves heavy, moist soils.

Leafy Greens that Love Rain and Shade

  • Kale: Almost thrives on neglect — ‘Cavolo Nero’ and ‘Dwarf Green Curled’ are excellent for year-round cropping.
  • Spinach: Prefers cooler temps and regular moisture. Try perpetual spinach or 'Giant Winter'.
  • Chard: Colourful and productive, it tolerates waterlogged soil better than most greens.
  • Lettuces: Especially loose-leaf types like 'Lollo Rosso' and ‘Salad Bowl’. Avoid hearting lettuces in prolonged damp.

Hardy Brassicas Built for Wet Climates

  • Cabbages: Particularly winter-hardy types like 'January King' or 'Durham Early'.
  • Broccoli: Calabrese types perform well with steady moisture, especially 'Marathon F1'.
  • Brussels Sprouts: Perfect for exposed, windy Welsh gardens and tolerate soggy weather.

Other Great Performers

  • Leeks: A Welsh favourite! Long-lasting and robust even in soggy soil. Try 'Musselburgh'.
  • Peas: Thrive in cool, moist climates. Look for 'Kelvedon Wonder' or 'Meteor'.
  • Onions & Shallots: Sets work best. Choose mildew-resistant types like 'Sturon'.
  • Potatoes: Especially early varieties that can be lifted before late summer blight (e.g. 'Swift', 'Charlotte').

Top Tips for Gardening in the Welsh Rain

  • Improve drainage: Use raised beds, compost-rich soil, and avoid compacting wet ground.
  • Space plants well: Promotes airflow and reduces fungal disease risk.
  • Mulch: Helps regulate soil moisture and prevents splash-up of soil-borne diseases.
  • Choose resistant varieties: Opt for mildew and blight-resistant cultivars when possible.
  • Use cloches or tunnels: Protect young plants and help control excess moisture early in the season.

Month-by-Month Vegetable Planting Guide for Wales

This guide focuses on what to sow indoors, outdoors, and harvest each month. It’s tailored to wet conditions and cool temperatures typical of Welsh growing regions.

Month Sow Indoors Sow Outdoors Harvest
January Onions (from seed), Chillies (with heat), Celery Broad beans (in mild areas), Garlic (if not done in autumn) Leeks, Sprouts, Kale, Winter cabbage
February Tomatoes (with heat), Aubergines, Peppers, Early brassicas Shallots, Onions (sets), Peas (under cloche), Spinach Sprouting broccoli, Leeks, Kale
March Brassicas, Lettuce, Beetroot, Leeks, Chard, Celery Carrots (early types), Broad beans, Spinach, Onion sets, Parsnips Spinach, Purple sprouting broccoli
April Cucumbers, Courgettes, Squash (indoors), Tomatoes, Basil Peas, Carrots, Beetroot, Lettuce, Chard, Radish Spring greens, Early lettuce, Radishes
May Sweetcorn, Beans (Runner & French), Brassicas for autumn Potatoes, Turnips, Leeks, Swedes, Outdoor cucumbers Spring onions, Lettuce, Early carrots
June Winter brassicas (Cabbage, Kale), Sprouts Carrots (succession), Beans, Beetroot, Turnips, Chard Strawberries, New potatoes, Peas, Broad beans
July Spring cabbage, Chicory, Winter lettuce Kale, Pak choi, Radishes, Turnips, Florence fennel Courgettes, Peas, Carrots, Beetroot, Chard
August Winter salads (Lamb's lettuce, Mizuna) Spinach, Lettuce, Spring cabbage French beans, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Sweetcorn
September Broad beans (for overwintering), Garlic (under cover) Winter spinach, Radish, Turnips Beetroot, Kale, Courgettes, Tomatoes
October Garlic (indoors if wet), Spring onions Garlic, Broad beans, Onions (sets in mild areas) Squash, Pumpkins, Leeks, Maincrop carrots
November Chillies (on heat for early start), Microgreens Broad beans (last chance), Garlic Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Swedes, Parsnips
December Plan crops, clean tools, prep compost, sow microgreens None (focus on protection/mulching) Kale, Sprouts, Parsnips, Celeriac

Quick Tips for Welsh Conditions

  • Raised beds help with drainage during prolonged wet spells.
  • Cover soil with fleece or cloches in spring to warm it up for early sowings.
  • Mulch heavily in summer to retain moisture during dry weeks (they do happen!).
  • Focus on hardy, damp-tolerant varieties that don’t mind a bit of gloom.