Winter gardening, and how to beat Gardener's Winter Blues

[Conan]

*Bunny heat* wow! That is ingenious. I love the idea of an alternative heat supply in a greenhouse. A greenhouse is a sure way to beat winter blues too!

I'm sure hoping so! I did some light reading regarding the use of critters in greenhouses in Winter and what do you know, bunnies came up! I guess that the heat comes off the tips of their ears and can help keep your greenhouse a tad bit warmer. We shall see how it works this Winter. Regardless, they sure are great to have around

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does anyone have reccomdations for good varieties to grow? And should seeds be started in pots outside now so they can be moved?

My preferred kale is Lacinato (also called dinosaur kale) - just like the taste of it over other varieties, and it grows easily for me. For carrots, I've been growing a mix of Nantes and Imperator as they grow quickly and produce a nice, tasty carrot. I've tried other carrots and so far those are still my winners.

For the most part I don't bother starting stuff in pots (exceptions would be things like tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, which you start in winter so it's ready for spring/summer).

 

[lazy gardener]

iF YOU HAVE THE SPACE IN YOUR GARDEN YOU CAN DIRECT SOW YOUR COLD WEATHER CROPS NOW. THEN, TRANSPLANT THEM TO YOUR GREEN HOUSE BEDS OR COLD FRAME WHEN THE WEATHER TELLS YOU IT'S TIME TO DO SO. IF THERE IS NO SPACE IN YOUR GARDEN, YOU CAN START FLATS OF SEEDLINGS NOW, SO YOU CAN TRANSPLANT LATER. HOWEVER YOU DO IT, BE SURE THE SEEDLINGS GET PLENTY OF WATER AND DO NOT GET FRIED BY THE HOT SUMMER SUN. YOU MAY HAVE TO PROVIDE AFTERNOON SHADE.

 

[TAM Farm]

So could we use chickens as a heat source in the greenhouse?

 

[lazy gardener]

Kind of sort of. They don't produce a lot of heat. You would actually derive more heat input from a good hot compost pile in the green house. I personally wouldn't want all of the associated "air born" fecal matter that would come from allowing chickens to spend time where I'm growing my salad!

 

[TAM Farm]

Kind of sort of. They don't produce a lot of heat. You would actually derive more heat input from a good hot compost pile in the green house. I personally wouldn't want all of the associated "air born" fecal matter that would come from allowing chickens to spend time where I'm growing my salad!

It does sound like a crappy environment for a salad.

 

[oregonkat]

So in looking back at some of the things that did well for me in the winter, I liked the following things:
mache, an odd winter green, also called corn salad that has a nice texture and slightly weird nutty taste. Easy to grow and very hardy!
Kale, of course, I like the dinosaur kind.
I grew beets as well but I did not note the variety but they grow so quickly that a harvest or two is easy.
Tatsoi another odd one but again easy to grow. I only did it once but I seem to remember liking it.

I am about to be in the throws of pulling out all the tomato plants and everyone else that needs to go and sowing the last buckwheat cover crop for the year to till in right before the cold hits. Soooo much to do

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

iF YOU HAVE THE SPACE IN YOUR GARDEN YOU CAN DIRECT SOW YOUR COLD WEATHER CROPS NOW. THEN, TRANSPLANT THEM TO YOUR GREEN HOUSE BEDS OR COLD FRAME WHEN THE WEATHER TELLS YOU IT'S TIME TO DO SO. IF THERE IS NO SPACE IN YOUR GARDEN, YOU CAN START FLATS OF SEEDLINGS NOW, SO YOU CAN TRANSPLANT LATER. HOWEVER YOU DO IT, BE SURE THE SEEDLINGS GET PLENTY OF WATER AND DO NOT GET FRIED BY THE HOT SUMMER SUN. YOU MAY HAVE TO PROVIDE AFTERNOON SHADE.

lol, all upper cases. it makes me smile because my mom does that.
i was going to suggest COLD FRAMES...but i only discovered them today.
i live so california, it gets "kinda" cold. would a cold frame be to hot? does it need to be in the Earth or could i put it in cement. what do you do with a cold frame in spring and summer? i built a raised garden bed for my winter harvest. do i even need a cold frame? Lazy gardner what advice/info do you have on cold frames?

as far as what to plant, i LOVE seeds now. it obviously sells seeds, but the web page lets you enter your zip and it tells you what you can plant each season.
happy day all.

 

[oregonkat]

Seedsnow.com is a fun site to mess around in. Good information for winter goodies. Thanks for posting it.
I am getting ready to put in my garlic crop. I'm doing all softneck for next year. I braided all my softnecks this year and had so many people asking for braids it kind of made sense to expand a little!
Weather is changing quickly here so the window for planting is getting smaller. Looking to put in some carrots and beets and maybe some parsnips.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

Seedsnow.com is a fun site to mess around in. Good information for winter goodies. Thanks for posting it.
I am getting ready to put in my garlic crop. I'm doing all softneck for next year. I braided all my softnecks this year and had so many people asking for braids it kind of made sense to expand a little!
Weather is changing quickly here so the window for planting is getting smaller. Looking to put in some carrots and beets and maybe some parsnips.

can u show a pic of your garlic braid? you have inspired me. how many bulbs do u need for that? seriously that s amazing. great idea! i just watched a video on it and ordered my cloves! lol,