Top crops? Start now

The secret to planting your autumn and winter crops early is to replicate the mild conditions they love, writes Phil Dudman. If you want to maximise your cool season crops, instead of waiting for it to cool down – start them in summer. By getting seedlings underway weeks earlier, you shorten the downtime and extend the cool-season picking window.

• Check your local planting guide, then start cool-season seedlings under shade a month or two earlier than the recommended time. Note the date and your results and then, next year, adjust forward or back to find your perfect early-start window.
• A mini shadehouse is a great way to mimic the mild conditions cool-season crops love. To protect seedlings from harsh afternoon heat, position your shadehouse where it receives morning sun only. Avoid heavier shadecloths – they block too much light and encourage lanky, weak growth. Check out our tips on how to put one together.
• Containers are your friends, to avoid exposing seedlings to summer extremes. We explain how to use multicell punnets so each seedling develops its own strong root system.
• We’ve got all the growing tips for popular cool-season crops including brassicas, leafy green, legumes and alliums. It’s all you need to know about soil, sun, sowing, spacing, pests and more.

Achieve the best winter harvest by getting in early! New issue – on sale now! 

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