If you have a few root veg or potatoes still growing in your garden then please read this as some should be pulled up now before the frosts come, but others should be left in the ground…
Harvest now:
The main reasons for harvesting the below veg now is that they don’t withstand frost very well, to protect them from slug damage and to prevent them from getting too large and losing texture. You may prefer to risk it for a few more weeks, but we find they are better harvested at this time of year.
- Maincrop potatoes
- Carrots
- Beetroot
- Swede
- Turnip
We’d also recommend harvesting your courgettes and squashes soon as they won’t withstand frost either.
Leave in the ground:
- Parsnips (harvest after the first few frosts for sweeter flavour)
- Celeriac (harvest when they are big enough – they can be left in the ground through the winter until they’re ready)
You can leave leeks in the soil until you’re ready to eat them – they’ll be fine in frosty weather. Brassicas will be fine too.