Growing Vegetables In Belgium – Planting Calendar

Introduction to Growing Vegetables in Belgium and Vegetable Planting Calendar in Belgium – Belgium is a country in Western Europe that surrounds the North Sea. Vegetable Gardening has always been often occasional in Belgium. It has a Mediterranean climate and Belgium has a temperate sea climate influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and slight winters. Sometimes easterly winds can cause a more continental type of weather condition, warm and dry in the summer season, but cold and clear in the winter with temperatures sometimes far below zero.

A Guide for Growing Vegetables in Belgium, Vegetable Planting Season, and Calendar in Belgium

Food tastes improve when it comes fresh from the garden, and growing your vegetables is very easy and flavoursome. Belgian grows several varieties of vegetables that are over many individual plants. Choose seed varieties are obtainable year-round, and seed potatoes and onion bulbs are obtainable in March and April.

Vegetables require a bright, sunny position to reach their full flavour and harvest, so plan your garden grounds, raised beds, and planters appropriately. Preparing your well-drained soil before planting will help your plants keep strong and healthy, and will save you time and effort later in the growing season. Once the weather allows, you can sow seeds directly into the grounds and containers of your garden, or use garden-ready plants. Remember to water, weed, and check for pests and disease, and most of all have tolerance the harvest will be worth the wait. When to plant your vegetable plants depends on frost and the different types of vegetables. It is normally safe to plant around, but we suggested you cover them if there is an option of frost after this date.

Some vegetables grow very best when directly seeded outside in moderately cooler weather, such as Peas, Beans, Beets, Radishes, Lettuce, and Spinach. Other vegetables such as Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Squash are very best started indoors then planted outside after the threat of frost has passed. For varieties that mature fastly, such as Lettuce, Beans, and Peas, try sequence planting by sowing new vegetable plants every few weeks to further extend your harvest.

Tips for Gardening in all Four Seasons

Spring and summer are the seasons that most gardeners look to advance to all year-round. Spring because it is the main planting season, and summer because you begin to see the annuals you planted earlier in the year flowering.

While it is hard to assert that these are not the most fruitful period of the year for gardeners, there is no reason to be convinced that you can’t get outside to work on your vegetable plants unconcerned of the season. For gardeners who want to enjoy their hobby around the year, here is a brief guide to seasonal vegetable gardening.

• Spring

As the weather warms, the garden ground is going to begin to thaw, directing the beginning of the planting season. You may head outside to cut branches with your electric chainsaw, but once the snow is gone, you also have such a great opportunity to get your vegetable garden ready for planting. You can begin in the early part of the season by preparing the well-drained soil with tasks like cleaning your garden grounds, fertilizing, and removing weeds.

Once your well-drained soil is ready, you can begin vegetable planting your annuals and perennials. A few weeks before the last frost, you can plant the hardy perennials and some cold-season vegetables. After the last frost has passed, you can then plant you’re yearly and any remaining vegetables. If you are planning on growing vining vegetables like Cucumbers or Beans, you may want to assemble stakes that they can hold on to.

• Summer

As the summer heat begins to rise, it is not the end of vegetable planting, but you will have to take the weather conditions into account. The high temperatures can dry the well-drained soil out, so you will require staying on top of watering your vegetable plants. Water your ground before planting, and even once new vegetable plants have been placed, ensure to provide the roots with adequate water. Most experts would also suggest doing most of your summer planting during June. The heat of July and August can be strong for plants that have been newly placed or transplanted, so it is improved to get things in the garden ground early in the summer.

• Fall

As the weather begins to cool down, fall can be another planting season. After you remove any of the expired annuals that are in your garden ground, you can begin planning space for bulbs that bloom in the fall. Once again, you just require ensuring to do most of your fall planting early in the growing season. You require to plant before the garden ground freezes, but you also want to give your vegetable plants adequate time to take root before the temperatures get too cold. Aside from planting, you also require to get your garden ready for winter. Apply fall fertilizer to provide your plants with the nutrients they require to make it through the colder season. As a substitute for carrying heavy bags across your backyard, observe using a lightweight wheelbarrow to make the work very easier. You should also remove any weeds that have grown during the summer and dig the soil to provide oxygen to the roots.

• Winter

You won’t be doing any planting during the winter, but this is a very important season for maintaining your garden ground and preparing for the next growing season. You should inspect your garden for any suggestion of disease or pest infestation. After it snows, you may want to reduce some of the snow from the plants and their grounds.

Another important point is to try to control the soil temperature. Fast temperature drops can be bad for your vegetable plants, and you also want to prevent plenty of repeated thawing and freezing because it can result in soil shifting. One of the best ways to do this is to lay winter manure in your garden ground. The mulch can benefit to insulate the soil, and this will protect the plants from fast temperature changes.

While you may see the most results from your garden in the spring and summer seasons, that doesn’t mean you can’t like your space in the colder months. This guide will benefit you keep your garden ground healthy and looking its best, no matter the season.

How to grow vegetables in Belgium?

Here using the time-tested practice of rotating vegetable Plants. Have seen seven grounds where rotate the vegetable plants each year, such as leafy greens, root vegetables, legumes, cabbages, fruit-bearing vegetables, potato, and including rocket.

• Grow very well in the relatively poor, compact soil at the ground
• Don’t require much additional watering during the weather conditions
• Don’t require a lot of extra care and can be left unattended for days
• Give delicious vegetables produce

Summer Vegetables to Grow in Belgium

#1 Okra

Okra can be grown anywhere, although it keeps most plentiful in zones with long, hot summers. Choose a position with full sun, preferably on a fall away for average warmth, and well-drained soil. Prepare the garden ground by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the well-drained soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, and then mix in a 2- to a 4-inch surface layer of compost. The first cover will be ready in 50 to 60 days. Harvest the pods when still immature 2 to 3 inches apart. Pick at least every other day to supports production. Wear gloves and long sleeves to keep away coming in contact with the annoying spines on the leaves and pods. Use a knife to trim the stem just above the cap.

#2 Chayote

Chayote is a warm season, to be disposed perennial. Plant the whole fruit 3 to 4 weeks after the last maximum frost date in spring when the weather condition has warmed. Chayote grows very best where summer temperatures are very warm to hot, in the exotic or subtropical zones. Chayote needs 120 to 150 frost-free days to get reach harvest.

#3 Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn is a warm-season annual plant that is best planted after the well-drained soil temperature reaches 16°C, normally two or three weeks after the last frost in spring. Sweet Corn planted in cold, wet soil is unlikely to sprout. Sweet Corn grows very best in air temperatures from16 to 35°C. Sweet Corn can take from 60 to 100 days to reach harvest depending upon variety and the quantity of heat during the growing season.

#4 Eggplant

Space eggplant 24 to 36 inches aside and stake them once developed to prevent toppling. Select an area with plenty of sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil. Better home-grown well-drained soil by mixing in many inches of aged compost or other rich organic manure. Retain soil moist but not soggy soaker hoses are a great choice. Retain your plants fed by feeding them daily with a part of a continuous-release vegetable plant. Apply a surface layer of manure made from organic matter, such as excellent ground leaves or bark, once plants reach 6 inches in high. Harvest eggplant when fruit bears stop growing and their skin becomes shining. Remove mature fruit with vegetable gardening shears, leaving a small part of the stem attached.

Winter Vegetables to Grow in Belgium

• Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts were the most popular vegetable in Belgium; Brussels sprouts are Solanaceae vegetables, which means they are nearly related to broccoli, cabbage, etc. They are a long-season growing plant, with the period from the plant to harvest taking around 6 months for the very best results. Full sun needs 6-8 hours of direct exposure to sunlight regular and slightly, retain the top one inch of soil moist, but ensure the soil is well-drained and lose The part that is harvested, are the sprouts which grow on the stems, in among the leaves. Normally, the plant is ready for harvest around 6 months after planting. Wait for one frost to pass before harvesting, as germinated are said to be the sweetest after a frost has passed. Simply break them off of the Brussels sprouts stem, to harvest them. Cutting off the leaves makes the sprouts very easier to reach, thus making harvesting easier work.

• Collard Greens

In case if you miss this: Growing Vegetables In California.

Collard greens are a cool-season plant. Begin seed indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in winter. Sow seed outdoors when the well-drained soil can be worked in winter. Place transplants in the garden ground when they are 3 to 4 inches in high or 7-10cm apart as early as 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost in winter. In soft-winter zones, begin seed in late summer for a winter or spring harvest.

• Kale

Kale is a cool-season plant that needs two months of cool weather to reach harvest. Sow seeds indoors or outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in spring or as soon as the well-drained soil can be worked. Kale is normally beginning indoors and transplanted into the garden ground when seedlings are 4 to 6 weeks old. Kale is a hardy biennial plant mature as an annual. The leaves of kale are similar to cabbage. Scotch kale has scrunch and curly grey-green leaves. Siberian or blue kale is less curly and a bluer partial shade of green. Kale should be harvested for 70-95 days.

• Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are conventional tubers that form underground. But the heart-leafed climb that supplies sweet potatoes needs a longer growing season 100 to 140 days and warmer fertile soil than the type of plant that produces daily white potatoes. Until recently, that’s made them almost impossible to grow in the colder portion of the country. Now, with short-season sweet potato several varieties, such as Georgia Jet, and soil-warming growing techniques, gardeners everywhere can enjoy growing this very easy and delicious plant.

Spring Vegetables to Grow in Belgium

• Artichokes

Artichokes are very easy to grow in soft climates where the growing season is long and temperatures are not opposite. These artichokes are left to bloom for decorating. This is especially useful in regions where they are perennial. The artichoke that we like to eat, is the edible flower sprout of a home-grown Mediterranean thistle-like plant. Artichokes are grown as a perennial in the warm sunny regions of 7-11 and are very easy to grow if you have room. Artichokes can be grown yearly in the cooler zones.

• Asparagus

Plant asparagus roots in the early spring, as soon as the well-drained soil can be worked. Several gardeners plant at about the same period as potatoes goes in the garden ground. Asparagus is normally grown from 1-year-old plants called roots, but it can also be grown from seed. Plant asparagus where there is a lot of sun in the spring and the well-drained soil is rich in organic manure and well-drained. You will require about 20 to 40 roots for the spring harvest, and more for a second or third harvest later in the growing season.

• Radicchio

You need to plant radicchio from the cool season of early spring and fall. Space radicchio plants 8 to 12 inches aside in an area with full sun but offers afternoon shade if you are growing from the summer. Better home-grown well-drained soil by mixing in many inches of aged compost or other rich organic manure. Apply a generous surface layer of manure to retain the soil moisture and block weeds. Give vegetable plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly to prevent radicchio from becoming bitter. Harvest leaves when they are wide adequate to eat. Heads are ready to be picked once they are competing roughly 60 days after planting.

• Sorrel

Sorrel is a cool-weather perennial frequently grown yearly. Sorrel is frequently grown from root divisions. Sorrel can be grown from seed sown in the garden as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the maximum last frost date in spring. Sorrel should be ready for harvest 60 days after sowing.

Fall Vegetables to Grow in Belgium

#1 Broccoli

Broccoli is a cool-weather plant. Grow broccoli so that it comes to harvest when temperatures maximum no more than 23°C each day. You can plant a spring and early summer plant in late winter or early spring. Plant a fall or winter vegetable plant in mid to late or summer or early fall. Begin broccoli seed indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost in spring for spring planting. Begin broccoli in the garden in mid to late summer to grow a late fall or early winter plant. Broccoli will come to harvest in 55 to 85 days when mature from transplants and 70 to 100 days when grown from seed.

#2 Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a cool-season plant that needs 55 to 100 days of cool; even temperatures to reach harvest begin cauliflower seed indoors 6 to 10 weeks before the last average frost in spring. Transplants can go into the garden ground 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost, normally 6 weeks after sowing. Direct seed cauliflower into the garden where the well-drained soil temperature is between 18-24°C and the weather will remain cool. Plants for a fall harvest can be direct-seeded 8 to 12 weeks before the first expected frost in fall. Transplants come to grown-up in 55 to 80 days from seed, cauliflower needs 70 to 120 days.

#3 Swiss chard

You may also check this: Growing Vegetables In Spain.

The Swiss chard is a plant that is completely popular in Mediterranean areas and can be prepared by boiling, steaming, or roasting. The stalks come in red, white, yellow, and green, but all have a similar moderately bitter taste. Early in the growing season, full sun is needed, i.e. 6-8 hours of direct exposure to sunlight. However, once the summer season starts, then part shade, i.e. 3-4 hours of sunlight is adequate for the plant.  Daily watering intervals require frequently moisture, especially as the plants grow in size. The harvesting can start when the plants are 15-20cm or 6-8 in high. The Swiss chard leaves can be cut off and can be cooked like spinach. If you cut the plants about 3-5 cm above the well-drained soil, then the plant will continue to grow back again for another harvest.

#4 Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi requires rich, well-drained soil in full sun. You can plant these cool-season plants for a spring or fall harvest in the North, or a winter harvest in the South. For a spring vegetable plant the seeds outside after danger of a hard frost, sow the seeds in midsummer for a fall plant, or fall for a winter plant. Space rows 12 to 18 inches aside. Thin the seedlings to 4 inches aside when they are wide adequate to handle.

Most Common Vegetables to Grow in Belgium

• Belgian endive

Belgian endive is mature for its pale-green, tightly-wrapped leaves used in salads the plant near grown-up is trimmed and buried in moist sand and grown on to design a dense, succulent blanched head. Belgian endive is one of the few plants that are mature twice. First, you grow the root, and then you Belgian endive plant grow the head. If you simply put a Belgian endive seed in the garden ground and water it, you will get what looks like many other green chicory plants. In the case of Belgian endive, a seed is planted and tolerated to grow generally. Then the top part is removed, the root is refrigerated or vernalized, and then replanted, and grown in the dark. This forces the plant to trust it has gone through a winter and the head it supplies is very tightly wrapped, pale, and to be disposed of.

• Carrots

Carrots are very easy to grow just give them loose, rich well-drained soil free of clods and stones and an average soil temperature anywhere between 7 to 29°C. Begin sowing this cool-season plant 3 weeks before the last expected frost plant again every 2 to 3 weeks after that. Most planters take 70 to 80 days to grown-up, so sow your last planting 2 to 3 months before the first look forward to fall frost. In Region 8 and warmer, plant carrots in fall or winter.

• Cucumbers

Cucumbers are to be disposed of annually that grow best in temperatures ranging from 15-32°C. Sow cucumber seed in the garden ground or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the average last frost date in spring. The perfect soil temperature for growing cucumbers is 21°C. Prevent cucumbers from unexpected frost or cool night-time temperatures early in the fall season. Use floating row covers or plastic tunnels to retain the chill away. Cucumbers need 55 to 65 frost-free days from sowing to reach harvest.

• Pumpkin

Pumpkin plants grow in early summer near the corner of your garden ground. Space pumpkin plants 2 to 5 feet aside depending on the variety. Grow each pumpkin on a 3-foot large mound of warm, fertile, and well-drained soil that has a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Better your home-grown well-drained soil by mixing in the number of inches of aged compost or other rich organic manure. Pumpkins need plenty of water, so it’s best to use a soaker hose or watering. Keep away from wetting the leaves. Give your pumpkins a lot of nourishment with a part of continuous-release vegetable plants. As pumpkins begin to form, raise them off the well-drained soil to prevent decomposing. Harvest pumpkins once they reach their perfect colour. The skin should be competing and stems will have begun to wither.

• Bell Peppers

Peppers are warm-season plants. In several areas, they are one of the last vegetables to be planted in the garden ground in spring. Wait up to night-time temperatures are daily in the 10 to12°C range before planting transplants in the garden ground. Plant transplants 2 to 2½ feet aside in full sun in rich, well-drained soil. Peppers require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day to supply fruit. Better the well-drained soil before planting, if essential, by incorporating a 2-inch-thick surface layer of compost into the planting ground. Peppers are ready to harvest in late summer. Pepper fruits begin green and mature to rich red, orange, yellow, or purple depending on the several varieties. Peppers are edible at any growth stage, but glossy, fully coloured fruits deliver the very best flavour.

Vegetables Harvesting Calendar, Chart, Vegetables Planting Calendar, and Planting Season in Belgium

• Gardening Techniques in Planting Vegetables
• Where to Place Indoor Plants in Your Home
• How to Grow Tomatoes Organically at Home: A Comprehensive Guide
• Organic Gardening on a Budget: Low-Cost Methods and Materials
• Gongura Seed Germination and Planting Methods
• Cabbage Seed Germination and Selection
• Broccoli Seed Germination and Selection
• Asparagus Seed Germination and Variety Selection
• Seasonal Flower Gardening: Best Practices for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
• How to Grow Hibiscus from Flower
• Plantation Ideas for Home Decoration: A Beginners Guide
• Flower Garden Designs and Layouts for Beginners
• Planting and Spacing Techniques in Papaya: A Beginner’s Guide
• Growing Gold: Essential Techniques for Planting Pineapples
• How to Make Kalanchoe Plant Bushy: Home Remedies and Solutions
• 11 Reasons Why Your Gardenia is Not Blooming: Home Remedies and Solutions
• Eco Elegance: The Guide to Designing a Drought-Tolerant Landscape
• Gardening on a Slope: Strategies for Hillside Landscaping
• Nourish and Flourish: Top Organic Mulches for Thriving House Plants
• Everything You Want to Know about Indian Mogra Flower: Discover Uses and Growing
• Green Thumb Success: Expert Tips for Cultivating Greenhouse Pumpkins All Year Round
• Maximize Growth & Flavor: The Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting in Herb Gardens
• How to Control Rhododendron Problems Naturally: Home Remedies and Organic Ways to Fix Them
• Natural Magic: The Remarkable Benefits of Cinnamon for Plants