Seasonal vegetables and herbs: how to garden

We are now used to consuming vegetables throughout the year that, until a few years ago, were confined to specific times of the year. While this allows us to enjoy the vegetables we love at any time, even in the middle of winter, it also makes us lose that hint of flavour and seasonality that we were used to as children. If you want to enjoy seasonal fruit and vegetables, follow our calendar.

Seasonal vegetables: how to grow a small vegetable garden

Hand in your notebook: here are the directions you will need to follow to grow a small vegetable garden. For simplicity, we have divided the activities into 4 points.

The soil

First we need to make sure that the soil is suitable for a small home vegetable garden. You can do two simple checks before you start: check that there are not too many stones and check how the soil reacts to water. Presence of stones: break up the soil with a hoe. If you do not encounter any difficulties due to the presence of stones and gravel, you can proceed with the second check. Water and irrigation: how does the soil behave when it rains? If it takes on a boggy appearance, it may not be the best place. You will have to choose a draining soil, i.e. one that can handle water. It does not have to be too extensive, the important thing is that it respects these two characteristics. A final tip for the soil of your vegetable garden? Check that it is well exposed to the sun.

Sowing

If you are trying your hand at vegetable growing for the first time, start with a maximum of 4 to 6 vegetables. Obviously the space available will also help you: if you have a large plot of land, sowing 6 vegetables will not be difficult. If you have a very small piece of land, 3 or 4 will suffice. If it is your first vegetable garden, it is better to use seedlings and not seeds: it will be easier to manage. You will find that transplanting already formed seedlings is easier than using seeds. When to start sowing? It depends on the vegetable! Scroll down the article: you will find two extra chapters: the first will suggest which vegetables to plant month by month. Finally, here is a real expert's trick: add an aromatic plant and a flower (a marigold will be perfect) to your vegetable garden. The biodiversity of the crops will make for a more prolific vegetable garden and better soil.

Cultivation

Now comes the fun! The plants are settled in the vegetable garden, it is time to take care of them. First remove weeds and hoe the soil superficially from time to time. Remember to water your plants: check that the soil does not dry out, but do not over water. In your first experience, fertilising the soil will not be necessary. At most you can put a little fertiliser during the soil preparation phase, but not when the plants are ready.

Diseases or insects

It can happen that during cultivation plants develop diseases or some insects damage them. Do not give in to the temptation to use chemicals: a good vegetable is a vegetable grown with respect for nature. Get help from someone who has been tending a home vegetable garden for some time and ask for advice. Follow the guidelines for organic cultivation: with experience you will also learn how to deal with insects and diseases.

Aromas: growing them is very easy, even at home!

Just put them in pots, if you have a balcony even outdoors, and take minimal care to keep them thriving. There are two main categories of herbs: perennials, which do not need to be sown every year, and annuals, which you have to sow again every season. The main perennials, among which you can find the most well-known ones, are sage, thyme, rosemary and chives. Chives, in particular, although at the end of flowering it seems to dry up and die, in reality it retains its root system and with the arrival of fine weather it will resume producing stems that you can use to flavour your dishes. Annual plants, having completed their vegetative cycle, will have to be sown again during the following season. These include basil, saffron and parsley.

Fresh vegetables all year round with home-made preserves

Our grandmothers, the women who inspired the "Contadinella" that is featured on all our products, knew that in order to consume vegetables well beyond their season, it was necessary to cook them and store them in sealed jars. This is how delicacies such as Carciofini in oil, for example, the Piedmontese Giardiniera or the antipasto Po, a classic of our production, were born. You recognise Po immediately: from the green colour of the packaging and the scent it releases as soon as it is opened. The process by which we process the vegetables keeps them crunchy and genuine. The addition of our unmistakable sauce completes the preparation of this speciality. We still prepare it today just like in the old days: try us, we will amaze you!

EXTRA: The vegetable garden: when to sow vegetables?

If you have a green thumb and a piece of land, you can cultivate your own vegetable garden. By choosing the right vegetables, you will have a small harvest in line with the seasons. Here are some tips for sowing the best vegetables, month by month.

Which vegetables to sow in January?

In January you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Shallots, Onions, Garlic, Peas and Broad Beans.

Which vegetables to sow in February?

In February you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Asparagus, lamb's lettuce, spinach, shallots, garlic, peas, broad beans, carrots and potatoes.

Which vegetables to sow in March?

In March you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Asparagus, Kohlrabi. Leaf chicory, Swiss chard, Belgian lettuce, lamb's lettuce or Soncino, Rocket, Spinach, Shallots, Fennel, Beetroot, Lettuce, Summer onions, Oregano (from cuttings). Leek, Radishes, Garlic, Peas. Broad beans, Carrots, Potatoes.

Which vegetables to sow in April?

In April you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Maize, Asparagus, Kohlrabi, Swiss Chard, Swiss Chard, Belgian Salad, lamb's lettuce, Cauliflower, Rocket, Spinach, Fennel, Parsley, Beetroot, Lettuce, Onions, Cucumber, Melon, Watermelon, Pumpkin, Oregano, French Beans, Beans, Carrots, Hot Chilli, Pepper, Aubergine, Potatoes, Tomatoes.

Which vegetables to sow in May?

In May you can sow in your vegetable garden Maize, Cutting chicory, Swiss chard, Cardoon, Belgian lettuce, lamb's lettuce, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Rocket, Spinach, Broccoli, Radicchio and Head chicory, Parsley, Beetroot, Catalogna, Lettuce, Cucumber, Melon, Watermelon, Pumpkin, Oregano, Courgette, Leek, Radish, Artichoke, Peas, Green Beans, Beans, Carrot, Aubergine, Potato, Tomato.

Which vegetables to sow in June?

In June, you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Cutting chicory, Swiss chard, Cardoon, Belgian lettuce, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chicory, Cauliflower, Rocket, Spinach, Turnip greens, Broccoli, Fennel, Radicchio, Parsley, Beetroot, Catalogna, Lettuce, Cucumber, Courgettes, Leeks, Radishes, French beans, Beans, Carrots, Potatoes.

Which vegetables to sow in July?

In July, you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Cutting chicory, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chicory, Cauliflower, Rocket, Turnip greens, Broccoli, Fennel, Radicchio, Parsley, Beetroot, Catalogna, Courgettes, Radishes, Artichokes, Beans, Carrots.

Which vegetables to sow in August?

In August, you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Kohlrabi, Swiss chard, Belgian lettuce, lamb's lettuce, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chicory, Rocket, Spinach, Turnip greens, Broccoli, Fennel, Radicchio, Catalogna, Courgettes, Radishes, Artichokes, Beans, Carrots.

Which vegetables to sow in September?

In September, you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Kohlrabi, lamb's lettuce, chicory, cauliflower, rocket, spinach, turnip greens, Catalogna, lettuce, onions, radishes, artichokes, broad beans, carrots.

Which vegetables to sow in October?

In October, you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Kohlrabi, Valerianella, Spinach, Lettuce, Onions, Radishes, Garlic, Artichoke, Peas, Broad beans.

Which vegetables to sow in November?

In November you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Corn salad, Spinach, Shallots, Onions, Garlic, Peas, Broad beans.

Which vegetables to sow in December?

In December you can sow the following in your vegetable garden: Shallots, Onions. peas, Broad beans.