How to Grow Winter Vegetables by Charles Dowding

by Charles Dowding

How to Grow Winter Vegetables shows that it is possible to enjoy an abundance of vegetables at the darkest time of year, whether stored or ready for harvesting when needed. It also covers growing for the ‘hungry gap’ from April to early June. Not much grows in winter, but a well-organised plot may nonetheless be quite full. You need to plan carefully, and well ahead (as early as spring) for sowing and planting at specific times through the year, so the main part of the book is an extensive month-by-month sowing, planting and growing calendar. Further sections cover harvesting, from garlic in July right through to the last of the overwintered greens in May, and storing your produce. Many salads can be grown in winter, especially with a little protection from fleece, cloches or larger structures. The book includes a whole section on frost-hardy salad plants, explaining how to ensure harvests of fresh leaves throughout winter. The beauty of winter and its produce is captured in glorious photographs from the author’s garden.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Food

Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Charles Dowding has been pioneering organic, no dig gardening since 1982, when he began growing vegetables on a 6,000m² plot in Somerset, UK. From the beginning, his no dig methods delivered healthy, abundant crops, with fewer weeds and no need for synthetic inputs. At the time, nobody else was growing commercially at this scale without digging, and Charles has been refining the approach ever since.

Today, he shares the simplicity and power of no dig gardening with a global audience, through his books, courses, YouTube videos, social media, and regular travels to connect with growers around the world.

Charles published his first book, Organic Gardening, in 2007, and has since written 14 more. His most recent titles include New Energies for Gardening (April 2025) and Compost (September 2024). He also produces an annual Calendar of Sowing Dates, packed with practical tips based on his trials and growing experience.

From his 1,600m² Homeacres market garden in Somerset, Charles continues to experiment with crops and methods – comparing dig and no dig plots, testing new varieties, and refining techniques. The garden yields around £35,000 of produce annually and serves as a living example of how low-input, soil-first methods can lead to healthy plants and sustainable harvests.

Charles is passionate about helping others find joy and success in growing food, and believes that no dig is not just a method, but a mindset.

Reviews

[Snarhooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a helpful, detailed and very readable book. You can tell that the author has years of experience and has tried and tested different methods, varieties and equipment over those years to be able to recommend the best to his readers. I also liked that it is honest about the difficulties that can be faced when growing, from all kinds of sources.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful! Dowding is a skilled writer. There's a month by month section, like the Seattle Tilth guide has, that has already been good for my garden. I especially like that he gives detail on spacing and watering. Makes me look forward to fall and winter!

[Tufty McTavish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one as it is fairly tightly focussed, highly relevant to my winter growing planning, and I am already finding that I keep referring back to it. I'm keeping this handy with a bookmark.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on planning a winter veg supply.
Easy to dip into and loads of info on how to extend the season and make the most of your veg plot year round.
Each veg is given a little description along with planting, sowing and harvest times. A few varieties which the author recommends too.

[Ruric Amhari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent guide to gorwing vegetables over winter, easy to read text and lots of photographs to clarify and illustrate. Six basic chapters - begins with potential for growing over winter crops in the UK. Chapter 2 covers soil & compost preparation, what veg to grow and gives tips on sowing and planting. Chapter 3 covers sowing, planting & growing lookig at what can be sown in spring, summer and autumn/winter to ensure crop availability over winter months. Chapters 4 & 5 deal with winter harvesting & storing. The final chapter covers growing veg under cover during the winter months.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book regarding all aspects of planting and growing vegetables. Wonderful ideas about compost, no-dig (I think I'm mostly converted), and coverings for winter plants. The phhotos are absolutely inspiring. I'm not quite to where I can use all the information, but I'll definitely want to pick this book up again next year when my garden is more advanced.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was really helpful and an overall good read. However the binding was rubbish, and the book fell apart before I finished it.