Winter has landed in Mzansi, and so has the perfect opportunity to plant crops that’ll be ready by spring or summer. While some crops can grow all year, the cold months are ideal for others.
Whether you’re working with a small garden or patio pots, it’s an easy way to kickstart your winter planting. Think leafy greens, root vegetables, and herbs – all thriving in these cooler months. With South Africa’s diverse climate, you’ll want to pick crops suited to your area, but no matter where you are, growing your own food is definitely within reach.
Mix it up!
Mphathi Motha, a farmer from Gauteng, says that at Soul Indigenous Life, they have been using crop rotation during the past winter growing seasons.
“In the beginning, we focused mostly on Swiss chard and practised monoculture,” he explains. “But over the years, we started using companion planting, and during winter, we now work with a mix of crops.”
Mphathi Motha
Some of the winter crops they grow include:
- Swiss chard (spinach)
- Carrots (heirloom)
- Purple turnips
- Kale (various types)
- Leafy lettuce varieties
- Spring onions
Motha adds that their herbs also do well during winter.
These include:
- Flat-leaf parsley
- Coriander
- Thyme
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Vegetable and herb varieties
According to Nkululeko Motloung, co-founder of Plenty Green Africa based in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, they’ve learned that winter gardening in Mzansi can be just as productive, with the right approach.
“Over the years, we’ve successfully grown a wide range of crops by adjusting to local microclimates and using methods like shade netting, mulching, and raised beds.”
Nkululeko Motloung
In open-field or direct-ground farming, crops like kale, spinach, mustard greens, and Swiss chard grow well through winter. When it comes to root crops, they’ve had success with carrots, beetroot, turnips, and radishes, which all thrive in cooler temperatures.
For alliums, Motloung says garlic, onions, and spring onions perform best when planted early. As for legumes, broad beans and peas handle the cold well and also help improve soil fertility.
Under shade nets or low tunnels, lettuce varieties do especially well. “We’ve found that under nets, they stay cleaner and grow faster,” he adds.
When it comes to brassicas, they’ve had good results with broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, especially when pests are kept away and the crops are grown in slightly warmer microclimates.
Their winter herb list includes coriander, parsley, thyme, and chives, all of which benefit from shelter and are ideal for winter harvesting.
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Prepping for cold months
Agronomist and farmer from Limpopo, Mokgomotsi Morodi, says preparing for winter planting starts with deep tilling to loosen compacted soil, allowing roots to grow deeper.
He adds that incorporating compost is key to improving water retention, aeration, and drainage.
Another clever approach, he says, is adding animal manure to boost soil fertility while keeping it moist until planting begins.
“The organic solution to protecting your crops from frost includes mulching, moving crops indoors if possible, watering during sunny periods, creating windbreaks, and even making fires around your crops.”
Mokgomotsi Morodi
Morodi also shares that some of the most reliable crops across Mzansi, especially for small-scale farmers or home gardeners, include:
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Mustard spinach
- Carrots
- Cabbage (drumhead)
- Onion
- Beetroot
- Tomato (oval/jam)
- Rape
- Cauliflower
He notes that winter temperatures across South Africa affect planting choices, schedules, and crop growth, and these factors need to be taken into consideration:
- Cooler regions are suitable for specific crops and require careful timing to avoid damage from frost and pests.
- A wide range of crops can grow year-round in warmer areas.
- Some crops, such as wheat, mustard spinach, Swiss chard, kale, rape, and jam tomatoes, prefer cooler temperatures.
- Cold temperatures can damage crops, leading to stunted growth, poor quality harvests, and even plant loss.
- Cold stress can hinder crops from absorbing essential nutrients and may affect pollination and seed production.
- The fluctuation of temperatures makes it challenging to select the right crops for the season.
So, start now and reap the rewards with healthy, homegrown fresh produce in spring!
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