Winter Gardening Anyone?

[mickey328]

We're planning a cold frame this year to take advantage of all our sunshine here Our back yard has southern exposure, so we'll put it up against the house to get some reflected light and warmth. I'm thinking we'll be able to have some of the hardier crops most of the year...spinach, chard, kale...it'll be great for the chickens to have some fresh greens. Plus, it'll be a good place to harden off our starts in the spring.

 

[smilingcat]

Winter growing isn't just for the southern states. It can be done without heating even in middle of the winter in places like Maine. check "The Winter Harvest Handbook and Year-round vegetable production" by Elliot Colman. His method is deep organic so it should fit well with most on this site. His method will work for back yard gardener as well as for small scale commercial growers. It's not for mega-farms cause its intensive ag. Hard work, but ag was and will never be easy.

The "The Winter Harvest Handbook..." is a bible for those wanting to grow year-round for profit and for those who want to have a year-round backyard garden.

Check Johnny's seed. They have a close working relationship with Mr. Colman (me think) and they do carry seeds for winter growing. Happy planting, harvesting and good EATS!!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Collards, kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and two types of lettuce are in, up, and doing well. I got them in a bit late for my liking so hope they mature more before the weather gets much cooler.

 

[Sallysec]

Right now I've got spinach, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and winter squash. The squash are almost all done..the sprouts will stay until we get some freezing weather as they will taste better then. Same with the carrots. Napa cabbage is coming in and the regular cabbage I'm leaving out for the chickens during the winter I will give them the entire head to amuse themselves with. In a few weeks garlic will go in and cold frame up ...to grow some winter lettuces etc. I bring my celery and herbs into the garage to winter or put them in a cold frame. This winter looks like its going to be rough. I've still got some beans drying out that need to come in as well as seeds from some flowers. Lastly I will divide a few plants for next year. Lots of work to do

Anyone got leeks? They are good in the cold.

 

[kian]

I've got onions (yellow and red), peas, two types of kale, red and white cabbage and broccoli. Still have a few bell peppers going though I don't expect them to last. Also have strawberries (the plants, no actual fruits). I have some spinach but spinach has just never done well for me.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have two big pots of peppers in the bathtub

They didn't grow very well last year - my fault because they were out back and I always forgot to water them. Since they survived the neglect, they got to move into the house for the winter. I will plop them back outside next spring and hope they grow.

 

[Mattemma]

Chives,parsley,and rosemary inside. I never got my outdoor cold frame up,so my plants are under the snow now. I really need to pick up peoples old windows when they put them out,or get some 6 mil plastic for a good cover. I really want to do a variety of kale.

I am reading the second book to ASHFALL,and kale was the *gold* currency for it's nutrient content,and ability to grow in the cold.Seeds were worth more than gold.Just a fiction book,but it really got me thinking about what I could grow in cold temps and also in hot/drought temps.So if I build my covers next year it will have a few types of kale,My mom swears the parsley hold up well in the cold too.