Succession Planting: Dhania, Palak and Mooli All Winter Long (Video)

Transcript

Want fresh coriander all winter? Here's how.

Want fresh coriander all winter? Here's how.

Succession Planting Basics

I'll show you how to keep coriander, spinach, and radish on tap from November to March, and reveal the secret habit that makes it effortless, so you never run out of fresh herbs and crunchy roots in your kitchen throughout.

Why succession works

Succession planting is simply staggering your sowing dates instead of dumping a whole packet at once. By planting a little every few weeks, each batch reaches its peak just as the previous one fades, giving you a steady stream of leaves or roots. The trick is timing, not quantity.

Coriander leaf peak

Coriander hits its flavor sweet spot for roughly five to seven weeks after sowing, after which it starts to bolt and the leaves become tougher and more bitter. By spacing your plantings, you can harvest fresh cilantro throughout the winter rather than watching a single batch go to seed.

Coriander sowing schedule

For coriander, aim for a 20 to 25 centimetre pot filled with light, well-draining mix. Lightly crush each seed between your palms, soak the halves for eight to twelve hours, then scatter them on damp soil and cover with a thin layer. Expect seedlings in one to two weeks, though cold snaps may slow them.

Spinach continuous harvest

Spinach, or palak, loves a cooler spot and can be harvested repeatedly if you snip the outer leaves and leave the heart intact. Plant a 30-centimetre trough or pot every three to four weeks from October through January. After the second cut, give the plant a light feed of compost tea, and pull any bolting stalks as soon as they appear.

Radish quick turn

Mooli, the Indian radish, matures fast, usually in a month for the small round types and a bit longer for the long desi varieties. Plant a short row or a deep pot, at least fifteen centimetres for the round ones and up to thirty for the long ones, every two to three weeks. Harvest when the shoulders become the thickness you like; the young leaves are also tasty when cooked.

Sticky note rule

The sticky note rule is a habit that saves you from forgetting the next sowing. As soon as you finish a pot, stick a piece of masking tape on it and write the date you’ll need to start the next batch. When that day arrives, set up a fresh pot and update the tape with the following date. It sounds goofy, but it’s the habit gardeners swear by.

When to stop

As winter fades and days lengthen, coriander and spinach bolt quickly, so plan to stop sowing dhania around mid-February and palak by late January. Mooli can stretch a bit longer, but in the hotter southern regions you’ll want to finish everything two to three weeks earlier. In the hills, the season shifts later, so adjust the calendar accordingly.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.