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Winter sowing vegetables UK

Winter Sowing Vegetables in the UK: Get Ahead for Early Harvests

Don’t let your plot sit empty over winter. While it’s tempting to take a break, winter is actually a smart time to sow — especially for crops that enjoy cooler weather and need an early start to produce well. Winter sowing not only gives you a head start for spring, it also helps plug the "hunger gap" — the period from late winter to early spring when stored crops are depleted and new ones haven’t yet matured.

At Growseed, we offer a specially selected Overwinter Veg Kit, packed with tried-and-tested seeds perfect for cold-season sowing — great for beginners or anyone wanting reliable results.

Why Make Use of the Winter?

  • Get an earlier harvest in spring and summer
  • Make use of space that would otherwise be empty
  • Some crops actually need cold periods to germinate or thrive
  • Helps combat the hunger gap in February–April
  • Reduces spring workload by spreading out the sowing season

What Is the Winter Hunger Gap?

The "hunger gap" is that tricky window between late February and early May when overwintered veg is running out and new-season crops aren’t yet ready. It’s a common challenge for gardeners trying to eat seasonally or grow year-round. By winter sowing, especially in autumn and mid-winter, you can have leafy greens and early roots ready just when fresh produce is scarce.

Frequently Asked: Winter Sowing Questions

  • Can you really sow seeds in winter?
    Yes — particularly hardy types like broad beans, onions, garlic, spinach and spring greens. Some are sown directly outside, others in modules under cover.
  • Will they survive frosts or snow?
    Many winter crops are frost-tolerant and actually thrive in cold. Others may benefit from fleece or a cold frame. Cold spells slow them down, but they resume growth once the weather lifts.
  • Is a greenhouse or polytunnel needed?
    Not necessarily — but a cloche, fleece, or cold frame can help. Even a sunny windowsill is enough to start off some varieties in trays.
  • How long will they take to grow?
    Growth is slower in cold weather, so crops take longer than spring sowings — but they’ll be ready far earlier than if you waited until March or April.

Best Vegetables to Sow in Winter

Vegetable How to Sow Notes
Broad Beans Direct or modules Hardy variety like Aquadulce is ideal
Garlic Direct Needs cold to split cloves into bulbs
Onions (sets) Direct or trays Japanese types like 'Radar' overwinter well
Shallots Direct Plant like onions — slow to establish in cold
Spinach Direct or trays Hardy and slow to bolt if sown in cool weather
Spring Cabbage Modules then plant out Sow Aug–Oct for spring harvest
Winter Lettuce Cold frame Try 'Winter Gem' or 'Arctic King' under cover
Chard Under cover Cut-and-come-again leaves late winter onward
Land Cress Direct or under cover Tastes like watercress, thrives in the cold
Corn Salad (Mâche) Cold frame Mild salad leaves ideal for winter salads
Mustard Greens Under cover Fast-growing and cold tolerant
Oriental Greens Under cover Pak choi, mizuna, tatsoi grow well with protection

Winter Sowing & Harvesting Calendar

Crop Sow Dates Expected Harvest
Broad Beans Nov–Feb May–June
Garlic Oct–Dec June–July
Onions (sets) Oct–Jan June–July
Spinach Sept–Feb Feb–April
Spring Cabbage Aug–Oct March–May
Lettuce (Winter) Sept–Jan (under cover) Jan–March
Land Cress Sept–Feb Feb–April
Chard Oct–Jan (under cover) March–May

Growseed Overwinter Veg Kit

Not sure where to start? Our Over Winter Veg Kit includes a carefully chosen mix of hardy crops ideal for UK winters. It’s an easy way to trial winter growing — with high germination, fresh UK seed, and guidance for each variety.