Some people will tell you that the UK is not a great place for growing vegetables, but this is absolutely not true! If you use proper gardening techniques like mulching, companion planting, crop rotation etc., it can be very easy to grow vegetables in the UK.

With a well-worked plot, a few simple tools and a fruit cage to keep your veggies protected, you can create your own healthy, fresh produce. You can grow a wide range of vegetables in the UK, and here are my top ten.

10 Vegetables To Grow In your Garden

Artichoke – You can grow perennial artichokes in the UK, and they will come back every year. These plants love hot weather, so you should plant them somewhere that gets a lot of sun exposure throughout the day- full sunlight is best. They tend to produce flowers during autumn or winter, but some varieties can flower as early as July.

Artichokes can be grown from seeds or a vegetative propagation method called “division”, which is when you uproot the plant and divide it into smaller parts that consist of one to three shoots each. Be careful to keep at least one eye on every part as this will ensure blooming in future years if planted somewhere where it will get enough sun.

Asparagus – Asparagus is another perennial vegetable that you can grow in the UK. The plant comes with long and edible stems that are great for steaming or roasting as well as giving your garden a nice look. You should plant asparagus crowns (the root system of an established plant) because if you plant seeds, it can take up to three years for them to produce asparagus.

Asparagus is a great choice for beginner gardeners because the crop doesn’t need much attention or care- all you have to do is avoid harvesting too many stems and cut away any dead ones in springtime so that new shoots will grow.

Beetroot – Beets are an excellent vegetable for beginners because they grow very fast and don’t need too much care, which means you can get started right away. You should plant your seeds at least 20 cm apart in rows that are spaced 60-90 cm apart so that the plants have enough room to spread out their leaves, although I recommend spacing them further if you have the space.

Beetroots are ready for harvest when they get to be about the size of a golf ball, but keep in mind that their colour can vary by variety, so if you’re not sure which one to choose, it’s better to wait until after they start forming leaves before picking your first crop- this way you will know for sure when they are ready.

Broccoli – Broccoli plants need plenty of room to grow, which means that if you plant them in a small garden, it’s better to buy seeds or seedlings than starting with young plants- these can be too crowded and won’t produce much broccoli.

Also, make sure your soil is high in nitrogen, and if it isn’t, you should fertilize the soil regularly. Broccoli doesn’t like hot weather, so choose a spot that gets full sun during morning hours but partial shade for the afternoon which will ensure the proper development of your vegetables.

Cabbage – Cabbage is another vegetable that requires a lot of space because it grows fast. If planted from seedlings or young plants, they can reach up to three feet in height, so make sure you have enough room for them.

You should plant cabbage seeds directly into the ground in springtime and choose a spot that gets full sun. You can avoid transplanting by spacing your plants at least 60 cm apart. Cabbage is ready to harvest when it’s fully grown, but be careful not to damage or break off its leaves while picking it because this will affect future harvests.

Carrots – Carrot seeds are easy to grow, and this is another vegetable that usually doesn’t need much attention or care, but it can be a bit tricky during winter because carrots don’t like the cold, so you should cover them with mulch in early spring- late autumn would also work if your soil isn’t frozen yet.

Carrots should be planted in rows that are spaced about 20 cm apart, and since they’re slow growers, it’s better to start with young plants or seedlings.

Cauliflower – Cauliflowers usually take quite a while to grow, which means you can’t just plant seeds and expect them to harvest within one season- there’s a risk that they will bolt and form a flower instead of growing into a head.

If you want to have cauliflower in your garden, it’s better to plant seedlings or young plants which can be ready for harvest just a few months after planting them. This is why it’s important not to start too early with seeds since the heads would be too small by the time it’s their turn to be harvested.

Cauliflower is ready for harvesting when its head reaches about six inches in diameter- this usually takes around 90 days of growth after planting your seeds or seedlings.

Corn – Corn can grow very tall, so you should choose a spot that gets full sun during all hours, and it’s better to plant corn in blocks instead of rows because they will be easier to harvest.

When planting your seeds, make sure you leave about 30 cm between them since the plants grow fast and need a lot of space- if planted from seedlings or young plants, it should take around five weeks for the first ears to become ready for harvesting.

Don’t wait too long to pick your corn because it’s ready when the husks are brown and dry, but if you do want some more time before picking them, they’re best harvested after around one month of growth- just be careful not to damage or break off their leaves while picking them.

Tomatoes – Tomato plants can grow very tall, and the larger your plants are, the better they will produce fruit. If you’re planning on planting them from seedlings or young plants, make sure to choose a spot that gets full sun during all hours.

When growing tomatoes in small gardens, it’s best not to start too early with seeds since transplanting can be quite difficult without a lot of space- if you have a large garden, planting tomatoes from seedlings or young plants is possible. They can be harvested just four months after transplanting them.

It’s best to harvest your tomato fruits when their colour becomes bright red, but it usually takes about two weeks for this to happen- the fruit will also feel soft when pressed against your fingertips.

Peppers – Peppers are also a lot like tomatoes when it comes to choosing a spot in the garden- they need full sun, and they can be planted from seedlings or young plants that will usually yield good results after just one season of growth.

When planting peppers, make sure you leave about 30 cm between them and choose a spot that gets full sun during all hours- this vegetable will grow quickly, and the larger your plants are, the more fruit they’ll produce.

Peppers can be harvested when their colour changes to bright red, but you should wait for about two weeks before harvesting them so they have time to mature fully- if left on the vine too long, they can start to rot.

 

 

Summary: Growing Vegetables In The UK Is Easy!

When you know-how, growing vegetables in the UK is easy and enjoyable. Just pick your favourite veggies and start growing them today. From carrots to cauliflower, corn, tomatoes and peppers- there’s a lot of options for you to choose from!