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Now is the time to grow your Christmas dinner veg for low food miles, no plastic, totally organic – and best of all, homegrown.   

4th August 2022 • Sarah Brown • 0 Comments

It’s the hottest summer this century, I’m wilting as much as my plants. So what am I thinking about? Christmas, of course!

Because now is the perfect time to plan your Christmas dinner veg. Yes, you’ve still got time to grow your own. Sow now, and your festive table will be laden with buttery carrots and potatoes, crimson chard and ruby amaranth, plus deep green kale. Not to mention December salads such as winter purslane, Chinese cabbage and the delightfully named ‘Green in the Snow’ mustard leaves. Snow; now that’s a thought this hot, hot August.

So let’s get started.

First you need thoroughly damp soil, wherever you’re sowing. Mine is still iron hard after July’s drought, so I’ve soaked it overnight making sure the water penetrated down at least 20 cms (firstly check your local water company for news of any hosepipe bans and be sensitive to availability). I then turned in some homemade compost. This not only gives a slow release fertiliser, but helps the soil hold its moisture. 

Watering is going to be your key to success in these late sowings. It’s no good disappearing off on holiday leaving your tender seedlings wilting. Beg a neighbour or friend to visit your seeds daily. I admit this summer I even put a seed tray in the car boot along with the walking boots – my chard enjoyed a nice view of the Lake District!

Next choose your varieties. If you want carrots in December, choose baby ones which mature quicker, such as Thumbelina, Oxheart or Little Finger. For winter lettuces, which will withstand light frost try Winter Density or Little Gem. The Organic Gardening Catalogue has a nice Winter Salad mix.

Finally, if like me your plot is rammed full of beans, courgettes and other summer delights and there’s simply no space, don’t forget you can plant potatoes in bags and boxes. I use my large black recycling boxes.

Here’s what to sow and grow for your veggie Christmas feast:

So there’s your Christmas on a plate. Low food miles, no single use plastic, totally organic – and best of all, you grew it yourself! 

Our spring-summer 2022 edition has a theme of seasonality: what is it, how is it changing, is it even still possible to eat seasonal in an era of climate change? Also featuring a cover interview with rising star and ecological grower Poppy Okotcha and a revamped Lifestyle section complete with art, culture and health.

Shop seasonal organic veg boxes or explore Riverford's recipe hub, for veg help and foodie inspiration.

From meal planning to unusual veg: food writer Stacey Smith talks through how to cook with a veg box.

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