An important gardening secret that it is possible to grow vegetables outside in winter! With the proper planting schedule, protection, and care it can be easy and fun to enjoy vegetable gardening you love, in a cold climate. How to protect plants, what/when to grow, planting schedule, and a few pointers will be addressed to maximize your success.
How to Protect Plants:
The ways to prevent freezing include:
- Raised beds with lids
- Frost Clothes
- Greenhouses
- Or any combination
With any container it’s important to insulate it with some sort of fabric or straw. Snow is actually not the most dangerous thing to your plants, it’s ice that will destroy them.
When to Grow & What to Grow:
Some winter-loving plants are:
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Leaf Lettuces
- Arugula
- Brussels Sprouts
- Parsley
- Chives
- Radishes
- Carrots
Schedule:
- Right after summer, use compost to refresh the soil and prepare for winter growing.
- Start things that are a little slower to grow (like broccoli and kale) indoors in August and transplant outside in October.
- Carrots and radishes can be started outside in August.
- Others greens can be placed directly outside in September and more seeds can be added throughout the winter.
Biochar Tips:
Pay attention!
- If it’s sunny and warm out, raise the lids and let sun and air in, close again around late afternoon
- On colder days make sure everything is fully covered and protected tightly
Use biochar and other organic composts!
- Using biochar and composts will keep your soil nutrient-rich for more quality-grown plants
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