Growing Vegetables in Winter
If you enjoy planting an annual garden every summer, have you thought about extending your planting season and growing winter vegetables? There are three essential elements to successful winter gardening: knowing what to grow, when to grow it and where to plant it. The gardening experts at Southern States have some helpful tips on how you can have a thriving winter vegetable garden.
If you live in a colder climate, using a cold frame or greenhouse can extend your growing season. Cold frames build-up warm air during the day which protects plants from the cold, nighttime temperatures as well as strong, sudden winds. Remember to open your cold frame during sunny, warm weather or it will quickly get too hot for the tender plants. Greenhouses are structures that provide frost-free climates and make it possible to grow vegetables all year long. In addition to the cold-weather vegetables listed above, several warm-weather vegetables can thrive in a greenhouse – tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, eggplant, cantaloupe and summer squash.
You may also want to experiment with growing vegetables inside during the winter. Most vegetable plants will do well in a south facing window with an added grow light to compensate for the shorter days. Salad lettuces, herbs, and root vegetables, like carrots and beets, are some of the easiest vegetables to grow inside. Other vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, will need larger pots and require more light.
Keep a record of what worked and what didn't work with your winter garden. This information will be valuable when you start planning your next cold weather planting season. For all of your gardening needs, find the tools you need at your local Southern States.