When choosing varieties grown for late harvest, first of all, we must take into account their resistance to frost. It is true that the climate is getting warmer, but in regions of the country with harsher winters at the end of November, frosts may already appear. What vegetables adapt well to low temperatures? Meet the most popular of them.
Root celery (Apium graveolens. Var. Rapaceum)
Root celery is a biennial plant. The edible part of this species is the thickened root. The characteristic taste makes the root celery more and more often used as an addition to dishes and salads.Popular varieties for autumn harvesting are, for example: Albin, Edward, Zagłoba. The highest yield is obtained when the plants are provided with high soil and air humidity. The greatest demand for water occurs during the thickening phase, which is from July to October. Celery is grown only from seedlings prepared in greenhouses, frames or heated foil tunnels. Seedlings are usually planted in the ground in the second half of May.
Leek (Allium ampeloprasum ssp. Porrum)
The two-year-old leek in the first year produces an onion and a shortened stem, which are the edible part of the plant. It blooms in the second year. Late varieties are suitable for autumn harvesting, e.g. Carentan 3, Baca, Juhas, Janosik, Flips, Blauwgroene Winter, October, Bartek, Winner. Leek is a species with low thermal requirements, and late varieties can withstand temperature drops down to -15oC. Leek is usually grown from seedlings. Seeds for late harvesting are sown in March, and the ready seedlings are planted permanently in July.It can also be successfully grown in a pot on the balcony.
Kale (Brassica oleracea var acephala)
Kale is one of the most valuable vegetables also known as super food, i.e. superfood. It is a biennial plant that forms long, curly leaves that are part of the edible. They can be harvested at any stage of growth. Kale has little requirements. It is important not to plant it in sandy and acidic soils. In September, the kale seeds are sown in rows, every 30-40 cm. Recommended varieties for late harvest are: Scarlet, Halbhoher grüner krauser, Kadek, Corporal, Sympatic. We collect individual leaves successively as needed. We can enjoy fresh kale without having a garden. All you need is a quiet place on the balcony and a large pot.
Head cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata)
In November, we can harvest late varieties of head cabbage, such as: Kamienna Głowa, Amager Polana, Amager kurzstrunkig, Polar, Szarada Późna.This versatile vegetable can be eaten raw, cooked or preserved. It has high water and nutritional requirements. Grows poorly in acidic soils. The optimum pH of the substrate is 6.5-7.0 pH. The seeds are sown into the ground in the second half of April or at the beginning of May. We plant the cabbage grown from seedlings in place from mid-May to the end of June. The heads are ready for harvest from October to mid-November. Ripe heads of late varieties withstand frosts down to -8o C.
Spinach (Spinacia oleraceae)
Spinach creates a rosette of fleshy leaves that is eaten. It is a frost-resistant species, withstands temperature drops down to -6oC. For this reason, we can cultivate it in early spring, late autumn and winter. Spinach seeds for autumn harvesting are sown permanently at the beginning of August. The preferred varieties are, among others: Winter Giant, Matador, Winterreuzen, Greta, Orbita, America. We can collect fresh foxes all year round.Spinach grows well in containers, so it can also be grown on balconies.
