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Fast Growing Winter Vegetables – Break Out This Winter
Why not break away from the usual cabbage and cauliflower this winter? There’s a world of fast growing winter vegetables just waiting to liven up your garden and your plate.
Sowing these cool-season crops in early autumn allows them to settle in before the first frost, typically expected towards the end of May, although our weather has become more unpredictable. If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s a helpful guide to growing vegetables in South Africa through winter.
This season, try something new. Some of the easiest and most satisfying fast growing winter vegetables include Broccoli Raap ‘Spring Rapini’, Beetroot ‘Red and Gold’, Pak choi, Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’, Kale ‘Dinosaur’, and Kohlrabi ‘White Vienna’.
To get the best out of these crops, plant them in full sun in fertile, compost-rich soil. Leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce also benefit from some shelter in colder, wind-prone spots.
Tip: Enrich your soil before planting. Compost not only boosts fertility but also helps the soil retain warmth and moisture during chilly nights.
A Bold Take on Broccoli: Spring Rapini
Spring Rapini, also known as Broccoli Raap, is one of the lesser-known fast growing winter vegetables, but it’s packed with flavour and versatility. The leaves look like turnip greens, and both the greens and broccoli-like buds are edible. Use them in stir-fries, steam them, or toss them into salads.
Sow seeds directly into your garden beds. Space plants about 20 cm apart. Keep the soil moist and check regularly for aphids. Use Ludwig’s Insect Spray Plus if needed. Harvest in 50–60 days, just as buds appear. Cut stems about 12 cm below the buds, and the plant will regrow.
Tip: For a prolonged harvest, pick frequently. The more you harvest, the more the plant produces.
Pak Choi: A Quick-Growing Winter Favourite
Pak choi is a fast-growing, Asian leafy green that brings variety to your winter crops. It’s also a top choice if you’re interested in growing winter vegetables for oriental cooking.
Sow seeds in trays or directly in beds. Germinates in 7 days. Harvest baby leaves after 30 days, and full-size leaves at 60 days. Cut the whole plant or pick individual leaves the plant will regrow either way.
Tip: Sow in intervals every few weeks to ensure a continuous supply throughout winter.
True Winter Spinach: Bloomsdale
Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’ is a proper spinach, not Swiss chard with dark, glossy leaves that are tender and delicious when picked young. It’s a reliable choice among fast growing winter vegetables, with excellent cold tolerance.
For baby leaves, sow 3–5 seeds 2 cm apart. For mature plants, sow in rows 30 cm apart. Germination occurs within 5–10 days. First harvests ready in 30 days. Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart if growing to full size.
Tip: Pick regularly to avoid bolting and encourage continuous leafy growth.
Dinosaur Kale: Tough, Tasty, and Cold-Loving
If you think kale is bland or tough, try growing Kale ‘Dinosaur’. It has a softer taste and maintains a pleasant texture when cooked, ideal for soups and stews. For more culinary ideas, check out this article on growing winter vegetables for delicious soups.
Can be sown directly into the soil or planted in large containers. Needs fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants 50 cm apart they grow up to 90 cm tall and wide. Harvest leaves when they reach 30 cm in length. Frost improves flavour, making it sweeter.
Tip: Remove outer leaves to encourage vertical growth and keep the centre producing.
Quick and Easy Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi ‘White Vienna’ is one of the quickest and simplest crops to grow in winter. The edible “bulb” is a swollen stem with a sweet, mild flavor that is tastier and more tender than cabbage.
Direct sow into garden beds. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent toughness. Harvest bulbs when they’re 5 to 7 cm in diameter, between golf ball and tennis ball size.
Tip: Don’t wait too long to harvest. Over-mature bulbs become woody and lose their flavour.
Final Success Tips for Fast Growing Winter Vegetables
Growing fast growing winter vegetables is a great way to keep your garden productive during the colder months. These varieties grow quickly, are relatively low maintenance, and can often be harvested more than once. If you’re just getting started, don’t miss this beginner’s guide to starting a winter garden.
Extra Gardening Tips:
Frost Readiness: Keep frost cloth nearby for sudden cold snaps.
Mulching: Use mulch to insulate soil, conserve moisture, and reduce weeds.
Succession Planting: Replant every few weeks to ensure ongoing harvests.
For more gardening inspiration and veggie varieties, visit www.rawliving.co.za
Fast Growing Winter Vegetables Q&A
What is the quickest vegetable to grow in winter?
Pak choi is one of the quickest vegetables to grow in winter, especially in South African gardens. With germination occurring in just 7 days and baby leaves ready to harvest in as little as 30 days, it’s a great choice for gardeners looking for fast results. Its regrowth habit also makes it ideal for multiple harvests throughout the season.
What vegetables can I grow in winter in South Africa?
In South Africa, a wide range of winter crops thrive during the cooler months. Excellent choices include fast growing winter vegetables like Broccoli Raap (Spring Rapini), Beetroot ‘Red and Gold’, Pak choi, Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’, Kale ‘Dinosaur’, and Kohlrabi ‘White Vienna’. These crops are suited to full sun, fertile soil, and perform well in the fluctuating winter climate.
What is the easiest vegetable to grow in winter?
Kohlrabi ‘White Vienna’ is among the easiest winter vegetables to grow. It requires little maintenance, grows quickly, and is less prone to pests and diseases. As long as it receives consistent watering and isn’t left to over-mature, this hardy vegetable produces sweet, tender bulbs ideal for quick harvest and low-effort gardening.
What is the quickest veg to grow?
Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’ is one of the quickest veg to grow, particularly if you’re harvesting baby leaves. Germinating in 5 to 10 days and ready for cutting within 30 days, this nutrient-rich leafy green is perfect for those who want a fast turnaround and a continuous supply throughout winter.
What vegetable has the shortest growing season?
When it comes to the shortest growing season, Pak choi and baby spinach lead the pack. Both are ready for early harvest within 30 days, making them excellent candidates for succession planting. These fast growing winter vegetables offer fresh greens in record time, even in cool conditions.
What vegetables grow best in cold weather?
Cold-hardy vegetables that grow exceptionally well in winter include Kale ‘Dinosaur’, Spinach ‘Bloomsdale’, and Broccoli Raap. These crops actually benefit from exposure to colder temperatures, with frost improving both flavour and texture—particularly in kale. Their resilience makes them ideal for winter gardening.
Which vegetable is best in winter?
Kale ‘Dinosaur’ stands out as one of the best vegetables to grow in winter. It not only thrives in cold weather but also becomes sweeter after a frost. With high nutritional value, minimal pest problems, and a long harvesting window, it’s a top performer among winter crops.
When to grow cucumbers?
Cucumbers are warm-season vegetables and are not suited to winter growing. In South Africa, cucumbers should be planted in spring and early summer, once the risk of frost has passed. If you’re looking for productive crops in winter, stick to cold-tolerant, fast growing vegetables like spinach, kale, or pak choi.
How long does broccoli take to grow?
Broccoli Raap, or Spring Rapini, typically matures within 50 to 60 days, making it a relatively fast-growing winter crop. It’s quicker than traditional broccoli and offers the added benefit of producing edible leaves and shoots. Regular harvesting can extend its productivity well into the season.
Growing Vegetables in South Africa through Winter
Winter is nearly here, and it’s a great time for growing winter vegetables in South...
Apr
Additional Resources on Fast Growing Winter Vegetables
Looking to dive deeper into the world of fast growing winter vegetables? Here are some helpful guides and resources to support your winter gardening journey:
Growing Vegetables for Delicious Soups – Winter Gardening in South Africa
Quickest Growing Vegetables for the Time-Conscious Gardener – Hadeco
Winter Vegetables: How to Grow Them Successfully – The Gardener Magazine
These resources offer useful tips, seasonal insights.
Article Contributor Acknowledgement
This article was written in collaboration with RAW – Real Authentic Wonderful, passionate advocates for sustainable living, quality gardening products, and inspiring edible gardening in South Africa. We thank RAW for their valuable contribution and commitment to helping gardeners grow better, naturally.
For more gardening inspiration and veggie varieties, visit www.rawliving.co.za
