How to Grow Your Garden In The Winter

Most of us don’t associate gardening with the cold weather of wintertime. However, there are ways to continue growing produce in the winter! With this quick guide, you could be enjoying your home-grown goods in no time.

There are 3 different ways to grow a garden in the wintertime.

1. Plant a specific set of vegetables in the fall that will last through the winter and produce an amazing harvest in the early spring.
2. Cover your plants with a makeshift garden bed cover to extend the gardening season by a month on both sides of the season. 
3. Use a full-sized greenhouse or plant some veggies that thrive when planted indoors.

Many cold-loving plants actually taste sweeter and more flavorful if planted in late summer and harvested in winter. Although they may pause their growing process in the coldest months, with proper care, they will resume growing when the weather turns slightly warmer. And the produce just may be the best you’ve ever tried.

Here is a really simple and cheap way to grow salad greens all through the winter:

When Should I Plant My Winter Produce?

There are three main answers to this question:

1.  You want to plant “short season” crops first so that they will be ready to harvest in the winter. Examples of this include greens, peas, parsley, kale, winter lettuce, and root vegetables such as carrots. You can plant these at the regular time as the rest of your summer garden, but you simply harvest them later.
2. Next, when you harvest your summer crops, you will want to immediately plant “short season” crops which thrive and grow late in the season, in the vacancies left by the harvest of the summer crops. These crops will be harvested in a short 3-6 weeks before the weather drops too significantly. These crops include tendril peas, lettuce, turnip, arugula, and mustard greens.
3. Third, you will want to plant slow-growing crops in late summer or early fall to grow throughout the winter. These plants will grow dormant as temperatures freeze, but with proper protection, they will continue growing when the temperature rises. These crops include cauliflower, garlic, and broccoli.

What produce can I grow outside during the winter?

Not all produce is suitable to plant in the winter. Spinach is the most popular plant to grow in cold weather. It can survive the climate with some simple frost-cloth draping (described next). The following plants are cold-loving and can thrive in cold weather:

• • Arugula
  • Asparagus
  • Beets
  • Broad Beans
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Collard Greens
  • Endive
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Leaf lettuce
  • Mache
  • Mesclun Greens
  • Mustard
  • Onion
  • Peas
  • Radishes
  • Scallion
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tatsoi
  • Turnips

(List adapted from empressofdirt.net)

What Fruit Grows In The Winter?

Your best bet for growing fruit in a freezing climate is pears. Pears have been shown to be the most resilient. Other crops that have the chance for doing well in freezing climates include Honeycrisp apples, cherry plums, apricots, and cherries. If the winters in your area are milder (as opposed to below freezing,) mandarin oranges, lemons, winter squash, kumquats, pomelos, avocados, passion fruit, guavas, and kiwis are most likely to thrive. Kiwis actually ripen during winter and spring and grow beautifully in winter.

How Do I Keep The Plants From Freezing?

Even cold-loving vegetables will not grow if they actually freeze. They will thrive in the cold weather as long as the soil does not freeze completely. To prevent freezing, try using raised beds with lids, insulated with straw to keep the soil from freezing. In addition, you can use frost cloths, polytunnels, and/or greenhouses to keep the soil from freezing. Frost cloths are a great idea for when you are anticipating a frost overnight. Simply drape the frost cloth over the plant containers one-two hours before sunset, but ensure that they are not touching the plants directly.

What Is The Best Way To Grow Produce Inside During The Winter?

If your climate tends to be especially frigid in winter, growing plants indoors is certainly an option. First, choose fruits and vegetables from the lists above of plants that can grow in winter. Don’t forget to add herbs–such as rosemary and juniper–to your indoor garden! Next, find good quality potting soil (instead of garden soil.) Choose containers with good drainage, with a size suitable to the particular plant you have chosen. Consider using supplemental lighting if you live in an area without much sunlight. Study germination phases for whichever plants you choose. Plant the seeds, keep near a window, use supplemental light, and water and prune often depending on the needs of the particular plant. Enjoy your winter gardening!

What Is A Square Foot Garden?

A square foot garden is a simple way to grow fresh produce using very little space. It is a great option from the master gardener to someone just wanting to plant a few seeds. A square foot garden is a small raised garden bed (usually 4×4 or 8×8 feet) separated into 1×1 foot squares by string drilled into the sides of the bed. This method keeps the soil loose and fertile, as the separation from the ground ensures that it isn’t stepped on overtime. In addition, the square foot garden takes up minimal space, is orderly, is a pretty quick set-up, and requires little weeding. This could be a great option for your gardening needs, and with these tips below, you should be planting in no time.

What Should I Make The Square Foot Garden Box With?

A simple way to build a square foot garden is with 2×6 wood boards. You can cut the boards into 4 or 8 feet pieces, then screw them into squares using 6-inch wood screws. You can also use different variations of wood boards depending on how you want your square garden to look, but the same basic assembly instructions apply for whichever type of boards you choose. An easy and cheap way to line the bottom of the square foot garden is by using a layer of cardboard as a barrier between the ground and your garden. This will reduce the number of weeds and keep the soil that you use separate from the ground.

How Deep Does A Square Foot Garden Need To Be?

The recommended depth of a square foot garden is 12 inches. Although most plants can survive with a depth of 6 inches, 12 is ideal for root crops like carrots and potatoes. If you don’t have this room, 6-12 inches will work for almost all plants.

What Do You Put In The Bottom Of A Raised Garden Bed?

For the easiest option, you can purchase organic raised bed soil to lay on top of the cardboard layer within your square foot garden. This pre-made mix can be bought at Lowe’s or Home Depot. To make your own raised bed soil, mix ⅓ compost, ⅓ vermiculite, and ⅓ peat. This combination, called Mel’s Mix, is recommended in the book All New Square Foot Gardening. In addition, this soil calculator helps you know how much of what to buy for the specific amount and dimensions of your square foot garden.

How Often Do You Water A Square Foot Garden?

This question depends on your specific climate. However, most plants need 1-2 inches of water per week, which translates to watering once or twice per week until the soil is completely wet. The square foot garden will drain easily.

What And How Much Do I Plant In My Square Foot Garden?

Now for the fun part–the planting! Pick your favorite crops in the squares you have created and follow the chart below, which tells you how many seeds to plant per square foot. Enjoy your simple, effective square foot garden!

Vegetable Type	Plant Spacing Per Square	Vegetable Type	Plant Spacing Per Square
Arugula	4	Oregano	1
Asian Greens	4	Parsley	4
Basil	2-4	Parsnips	9
Beans (bush)	9	Peanuts	1
Beets	9	Peas	9
Bok Choy (baby)	9	Peppers (Bell)	1
Broccoli	1	Peppers (Hot)	1
Brussel Sprout	1	Potatoes	4
Cabbage	1	Pumpkins	1
Cantaloupe	2 squares per plant	Radicchio	2
Carrots	16	Radishes	16
Cauliflower	1	Rhubarb	1
Celery	4	Rosemary	1
Chives	4	Rutabagas	4
Cilantro	1-9	Sage	1
Collards	1	Scallions	36
Corn	4	Shallots	4
Cucumbers	2	Sorrel	2
Eggplant	1	Spinach	9
Endive	4	Squash	1
Fennel	4	Swiss Chard	4
Garlic	9	Tarragon	1
Green Onions	16	Tomatoes	1
Kale	1	Turnips	9
Kohlrabi	4	Thyme	4
Leeks	9	Wasabi	1
Lettuce (leaf)	6	Watercress	1
Lettuce (head)	2	Watermelon	2 squares per plant
Melons	2 squares per plant	Yams	4
Mint	1-4	Yellow Parma Onion (large)	1
Onions (bunching)	9	Zucchini	1

Don’t Get Overwhelmed – Just Start

One of the benefits of Square Foot Gardening is to allow people to start gardening in a way that isn’t too overwhelming. If you have the time or space to grow a big garden, or if you’re new to gardening and want to just dip your toes into it before you make too big of a commitment, square foot gardening is perfect for you.

Which Garden Plants Should I Start Indoors First? 

With a few exceptions, it’s ideal to start most seeds indoors in the spring. You’ll want to do this before your specific planting season starts. Although much of this depends on the particular kinds of seeds you plan to use. The following list will give you an idea of which plants will thrive best when started indoors.

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Eggplant
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Okra
• Pepper
• Sweet potato
• Tomato
• Celery
• Chard
• Cucumber
• Melon
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Squash

Do not start carrots, corn, beets, or beans indoors. (List adapted from the Clemson Cooperative Extension.)

Why Is It Better To Start These Seeds Indoors?

Beginning your seeds indoors creates strong, healthy plants to transport outdoors even before the typical planting season starts. If you tend to have shorter growing seasons, this method is recommended.

How Do I Begin Planting Indoors?

To start your plants indoors, plant your seeds in a seed-starting potting mix (not soil from the garden). Do this in a container with drainage holes. Examples of proper potting choices include biodegradable pots, flats, recycled yogurt or milk containers with holes punched in the bottom, and/or peat pots. Next, plant the seeds to the proper depth according to the individual instructions on the seed packet. Cover your plants with plastic bags tied loosely at the top (to allow airflow) or with plastic wrap loosely set on top, to retain moisture. Place in a warm location, such as on top of your refrigerator. When the seedlings begin to sprout, place them in a brighter location, such as near a window. Last, choose the strongest plant to transport to your outdoor garden when it is planting season.

How Long Does It Take Seeds To Sprout Indoors?

It usually takes 1-2 weeks for your seeds to germinate.

Do You Need A Grow Light To Start Seeds Indoors?

When the sprouts of your seeds begin to emerge, they need sunlight. You can place them next to a window or supplement with fluorescent light for a few hours each day.

When Is It Too Late To Start Seeds Indoors?

Every seed is different, and the seed packets can be helpful for figuring out which seeds need to be planted at which time. First, find the seed starting date on the seed packet. These starting dates will tell you how many weeks before the final frost date to plant the plants. Next, look up when the last frost date is in your particular area. From here, count backward the weeks, and plant the seeds accordingly. If you live in a cold climate or plan to keep your weeks in a cool basement, consider planting the seeds 1-2 weeks before the prescribed start date. For organizational purposes, sort your seeds into which plants need to be planted on different weeks, and create a calendar for simple planting. Once they are sprouted strongly, transport the seeds to your outdoor garden.

How Do I Grow Sprouts Indoors?

Sprouts are the easiest plant to grow indoors. You need little space, little sunlight, and little to no gardening experience to enjoy this versatile vegetable. To grow sprouts, first, pick the plant which you wish to sprout. You can find great options in the “sprouting seeds” section of your local grocery store. Options can include any legume, seed or nut. The most popular seeds to sprout include the following:

• Beet
• Chickpea
• Mung Bean
• Lentil
• Alfalfa
• Radish
• Mustard
• Green or Snow Pea

Next, find a mason jar and measure 2 tablespoons of the selected plant. Cover with 4 tablespoons of water and place out of direct sunlight for 8 hours. Next, rinse the seeds thoroughly and drain them entirely. This completes the “soaking stage” for sprouting your seeds. Finally, continue to rinse and drain the seeds with cold water twice daily, for approximately 6-8 days. Once the sprouts reach the desired length and texture, remove them from the jar and toss them in your favorite sandwich, salad, or soup!

Ridiculously Easy Sprouting 101

Here is a video explaining how to make this happen in the easiest way possible.

I’ve also included this link to a sprouting chart that will show you the full sprouting process from start to finish. 

Why Sprouting Supplies Are Essential Food Storage Items

Sprout seeds are easy to buy in bulk and easy to store long term. Compared to a garden, sprouts grow really fast. In most disaster scenarios that would require you to grow a garden to support yourself, you would have to wait for the full growing season to reap the benefits of what you’ve grown. You need the nutrients that come from the vegetables, but will you be able to wait the full growing season t0 get them? Sprouting only takes 7 t0 10 days. Within about a week you can have food that will provide essential nutrients that your body needs. Sprouting has many benefits. There are 10 major health benefits that come from eating sprouts.

1. It helps in digestion
2. It boosts blood circulation
3. It helps in weight loss
4. It builds your immune system
5. It improves eyesight
6. It helps the health of your heart
7. It reduces acidity in your body
8. It may prevent premature aging
9. It’s beneficial in hair health
10. It’s good for your skin health

You still need to think about growing a garden for long term food storage, but including sprouts in your emergency preparedness plan could add a lot of fast nutritional value that your body needs. Enjoy your sprouts!