The Winter Harvest Collection

The Winter Harvest Collection brings you carrots, Tadorna leeks, Chard Mix, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, and Mizuna lettuce—each selected for its ability to thrive in cooler conditions and extend your fresh-food harvest into late fall and winter.

Where Can You Grow
These varieties perform best in Coastal BC’s maritime climate. Sow outdoors in raised beds or sheltered rows in late summer to early autumn. A light mulch or row cover will protect tender greens and roots from the coldest snaps.

History and Historical Uses

• Carrot: Root vegetable prized since Roman times for its rich carotene content and digestive benefits.

• Tadorna Leek: Heirloom leek with sweet, fine stems, long used in European winter soups and stews.

• Chard Mix: Swiss chard cultivars valued for cold-hardiness and nutrient-dense leaves.

• Purple Sprouting Broccoli: Ancient brassica from the Mediterranean, harvested continuously through winter for its tender purple shoots.

• Mizuna Lettuce: Japanese mustard greens traditionally grown as a winter salad green and for its peppery flavour.

Canadian Zone Information

Coastal BC (Zones 7–9): Direct-sow carrots, chard and mizuna in mid-summer; start leeks and broccoli indoors 6–8 weeks before transplanting in late summer.

How to Grow and Harvest

• Sowing: Sow root and leafy seeds ¼–½ in deep in moist soil; start brassica seeds indoors or in cell packs.

• Spacing: Thin carrots to 2–3 in apart; plant leeks 6 in apart; space chard and mizuna 8–10 in apart; set broccoli transplants 12 in apart.

• Protection: Apply a light layer of mulch after seedlings are 2–3 in tall; use floating row cover if temperatures dip below –5 °C.

• Harvest: Pull carrots as needed; cut outer chard and mizuna leaves; spear broccoli before flower buds open; harvest leeks once stems reach ½ in diameter.

Seed Saving Tips for Future Supply

• Isolation: Space brassicas at least 20 ft apart; chard and mizuna 3 ft apart.

• Collection: Allow select plants to overwinter and flower in spring; collect dry seed pods from brassicas and chard; thresh and winnow.

• Storage: Store thoroughly dry seeds in airtight containers, in a cool, dark place.

Certified Organic By
Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)