2019 Planting guide: how to build a vegetable garden

Are you trying to eat a little healthier this year? Or are you planning to live a more self-sufficient, environmentally friendly lifestyle? Was ‘getting outdoors’ your New Year’s resolution? Planting a vegetable garden could tick all of those feel-good boxes, and what could be better than eating good quality, fresh food that you’ve grown yourself? We’ve put together this handy annual planting guide, showing you what to sow, when to sow it and where…

In the 17th century, orangeries were used by the aristocracy to grow rare and precious citrus trees, imported from warmer climates. Today, they are beautifully designed extensions that can add bright and spacious rooms to people’s homes. However, using the original concept and growing fruit and vegetables under glass can make fresh produce available for longer.

Whether you want to grow your veggies outside in the fresh air, or inside where it’s warm and cosy is a decision in itself, let alone deciding on what to grow and when.

To make things easier, we’ve also included an inside ‘under glass’ planting option should you like to try your hand at growing vegetables indoors. This refers to growing seeds in growing tents, hydroponic indoor garden systems, greenhouses or even in your orangery or on a windowsill.

Vegetable plot design

If you want to plant your vegetables outside, then take some time to plan out your plot. Pick a sunny area with soft, rich soil and try to avoid parts of your garden that have poor drainage.

Adding compost to the soil will give your plants all the nutrients they need. Divide your patch into sections with paths running in between so you can easily tend to your plants from all angles and you won’t overcrowd the soil. If your topsoil is thin, you may want to build some raised beds which add extra depth for your plants to take root in.

Propagating vegetables

When your patch is ready to go, or your pots are in place in a bright, sunny spot, then you can start sowing. Please note, these planting times are only a guide, and will vary depending on your region, the type of seeds you choose and the weather…

Indoors:

Plant aubergines, celeriac, celery & strawberries

Outdoors:

Plant rhubarb, golden berries

Indoors:

Plant peppers & watercress

Outdoors:

Plant broad beans, Brussels sprouts, summer cabbage, cauliflower, chicory, leeks, parsnips, radishes & shallots

Indoors:

Plant lambs lettuce, cucumbers, pak choi & heritage tomatoes

Harvest watercress

Outdoors:

Plant artichokes, asparagus, golden beetroots, kale, mangetout, peas, spinach, spring onions & cabbage greens

Harvest radishes

Indoors:

Plant marrows, melons, squash & sweet corn

Outdoors:

Plant winter cabbages, courgettes, pumpkins & swedes

Harvest cabbage greens

Indoors:

Harvest lambs lettuce

Outdoors:

Plant runner beans & sprouting broccoli

Harvest asparagus, broad beans, golden beetroots, & spinach

Indoors:

Plant radicchio

Harvest pak choi

Outdoors:

Plant Swiss chard

Harvest chicory, courgettes, mangetout, peas, spring onions, golden berries  

Indoors:

Plant runner beans

Harvest aubergines, celeriac, celery, cucumbers, marrows, melons, peppers & strawberries

Outdoors:

Plant purple carrots

Harvest artichokes, runner beans, summer cabbage, cauliflowers & kale

Indoors:

Plant winter gem lettuce

Harvest squash & heritage tomatoes

Outdoors:

Plant endive

Harvest pumpkins, rhubarb, shallots & swede

Indoors:

Plant salad leaves

Harvest sweet corn

Outdoors:

Plant lettuce

Harvest leeks & parsnips

Indoors:

Harvest salad leaves

Outdoors:

Harvest winter cabbage, Swiss chard, endive

Indoors:

Harvest winter gem lettuce & runner beans

Outdoors:

Harvest purple carrots & Brussels sprouts

Indoors:

Harvest radicchio

Outdoors:

Harvest sprouting broccoli