Winter gardening (in a nutshell) is planting in the late Summer months,(usually July or August)but planting times generally depend on your location.You then harvest throughout the winter months.So Winter gardening is actually Winter harvesting. What are some benefits from gardening in the winter? Produce from winter gardens tend to be sweeter. Carrots for example are sweeter when left in the ground,and allowed to be covered with a light frost. Grocery bills will be lower because of harvesting in the winter months.
Which Vegetables should you Plant in the late Summer to harvest throughout the Winter Months?
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| Sugar Snap Peas |
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| Carrots |
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| Radishes |
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| Spinach |
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| Asparagus |
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| Red Beets |
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| Gold Beets |
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| Lettuce |
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| Garlic |
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| Swiss Chard |
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| Shallots |
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| Mustard Greens |
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| Broccoli |
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| Cauliflower |
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| Collard Greens |
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| Cabbage |
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| Brussels Sprouts |
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| Leeks |
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| Parsnips |
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| Kale |
What About Watering?
In most locations normal winter precipitation is enough
for plants and vegetables because watering needs are much
less during the winter.Adding compost will help to retain
moisture during the winter months.Using straw mulch around
vegetables will also help with retaining moisture during
the winter.Watering regularly during the Spring and Summer
seasons will help with the over all health of your garden.
I usually water deeply ever other week during the winter
months.But you should keep an eye on the water levels on
a weekly basis.
Raised beds & Row Covers
Using raised gardens beds with Row covers, I've found is
the best way to grow and protect vegetables during the
winter months. Raised beds are usually warmer than direct
sown ground level beds, up to 12 degrees warmer.Row covers
create a greenhouse effect that traps heat and raises day
and night temps,which extends the growing season by weeks
in some locations,and months in others.Row covers keep soil
moist,prevent wind damage and provides insect control.Row
covers are made of lightweight fabrics, available in a
variety of cold-protection strengths.Double and triple
layering may be needed in some areas for continual winter
harvesting.Rain and sun still reach the plants under the
row covers because the fabric is permeable.
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| Raised Garden Bed and bean trellis. |
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| Newly built raised garden bed. |
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| Raised bed with bean trellis. |
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| Row Cover atop a raised bed. |
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| Row covers atop PVC pipe. |
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| Row covers |
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| Row Cover, large scale. |
FYI
When building a Raised garden bed, lay down moist cardboard,then add two or three inches of composted material. Then add your Organic garden soil, then your seeds or transplants.Adding cardboard helps to heat up a newly built garden bed. Earthworms break down the cardboard and the compost will continually feed your vegetables. But remember to add organic fertilizer if needed. And make sure to mulch well.
