Wondering what to plant now? Winter is one of the most rewarding times to get growing. Cool conditions are perfect for a wide range of vegetables and flowers, giving gardeners the chance to harvest fresh produce and enjoy months of colour through the cooler season. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are five top vegetables and five top flowers to plant now.
Top vegetables to plant now
If you’re wondering what to plant now for fresh harvests over the coming months, these vegetables are reliable performers in the winter garden.
Broad beans
Broad beans are one of the easiest winter vegetables to grow and a great choice for beginners. Their tall stems and attractive flowers add interest to the veggie patch, while the nutritious beans are perfect for soups, salads and side dishes. Plant seeds directly into well-drained soil in a sunny position and keep them well watered while establishing.
Coriander
Many gardeners struggle with coriander in warm weather, but winter is when this popular herb really shines. The cooler temperatures slow bolting and encourage lush leafy growth. Sow little and often to ensure a continuous supply for curries, soups, salads and Asian-inspired dishes.
Florence fennel
Florence fennel produces crisp, bulb-like stems with a sweet aniseed flavour that works beautifully in salads, roasts and braises. It grows best in fertile soil with consistent moisture and should be harvested while the bulbs are still young and tender.
Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the fastest and most rewarding crops to grow. Winter conditions help produce sweet, tender leaves with fewer pest problems than warmer months. Mix loose-leaf varieties with hearting types to enjoy a steady harvest for sandwiches, wraps and salads.
Snow pea
Snow peas are a winter garden favourite thanks to their sweet flavour and impressive productivity. Plant them in a sunny spot with support for climbing and you’ll be picking crisp pods within a matter of weeks. Regular harvesting encourages even more flowers and pods to form.
Top flowers to plant now
Looking for what to plant now to brighten up your garden? These flowering favourites will provide colour, fragrance and pollinator appeal throughout winter and spring.
Alyssum
Alyssum creates a carpet of tiny, honey-scented flowers that attract pollinators and soften the edges of garden beds. Available in white, pink and purple shades, it’s ideal for borders, pots and hanging baskets.
Candytuft
Candytuft produces masses of bright white flowers that bring freshness and contrast to winter and spring gardens. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for edging pathways, filling gaps in borders or brightening containers.
Dianthus
Dianthus is loved for its colourful blooms and spicy clove-like fragrance. Flowering in shades of pink, red and white, it performs beautifully in garden beds, cottage gardens and containers while attracting beneficial insects.
Statice
Statice is prized for its long-lasting flowers, both in the garden and as a cut flower. Its papery blooms come in a range of vibrant colours and can be dried for arrangements, making it one of the most versatile flowers to plant now.
Stock
Stock produces dense spikes of highly fragrant flowers that fill the garden with perfume. Available in a wide range of colours, it’s a favourite for garden beds, borders and cutting gardens, where it provides months of colour through winter and spring.
Why plant vegetables and flowers together?
If you’re deciding what to plant now, combining vegetables and flowers in the garden doesn’t just look beautiful. Flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects, helping improve productivity in the veggie patch while adding colour and fragrance throughout the season. It’s a simple way to create a healthier, more vibrant garden.
