I absolutely love Autumn in South Africa! Many people think that the garden is barren or boring during the cooler months. This couldn’t be further than the truth!

I have recently discovered purple vegetables. Yes, perfect purple. Purple kohlrabi I started growing about 2 years ago and let me tell you, they are delicious smothered in a creamy garlic butter. There’s Sicilian Violetta cauliflower and the various red cabbages that can bring delightful colours to the otherwise dreary garden too.

The compound responsible for the red-blue-purple hue of purple fruits and veggies comes from a type of flavonoid called anthocyanin. Flavonoids are a type of phytonutrient (plant chemical) which are responsible for the vivid colours in fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanins have antioxidant properties which make these vegetables not only pretty to look at, but they’re healthier than the normal green or white coloured versions too. Previous research has linked anthocyanins to a wide variety of health benefits, including increased longevity, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and dementia. Anthocyanins may also improve vision and have a neuro-protective effect.

Let’s not throw out all the normal green and white veggies now. They are the companions to these purple beauties as they add contrast to the vegetable garden. You can really make a statement with your food with these.

https://beepies-greens.co.za/product/italian-cauliflower-di-sicilia-violetto/

Here is a list of all the vegetables and herbs you can sow now in May:

BASIL, BEANS, BEETROOT, BROCCOLI, CABBAGE, CAPSICUM, CHINESE CABBAGE, CARROTS, CHIVES, CUCUMBER, DAIKON, DILL, FRENCH TARRAGON, HORSERADISH, KOHLRABI, LETTUCE, MINT, MIZUNA, MUSTARD GREENS, OREGANO, PAK CHOY, PARSLEY, PARSNIP, PEAS, PUMPKIN, RADISH, SQUASH, SWEET MARJORAM, SHALLOTS, SPINACH, THYME, TOMATO, TURNIP, ZUCCHINI.