How to Plant a Winter Garden
It’s that time of year again, summer is quickly winding down and soon the heated dog days it brings will be but a distant memory; now is also the time to start thinking about how to plant a winter garden. It may seem a little early for planning a winter garden, but nothing could be further from the truth. Keep reading and find out how to have harvestable crops for winter, or early blooms next spring!
When planting a winter garden, you give flowering bulbs a chance to establish themselves over the winter so when spring comes they’re all ready to bloom for you. Many types of vegetables also do well when planted for a winter harvest. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots and collards all grow nicely during this time.
Having a winter garden may seem like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. Climate is a factor and if you live in a region where there is snow on the ground for half of the year, then growing a successful winter garden becomes more difficult, but not altogether impossible. Consult with your local gardening center or extension service for ideas or suggestions for what grows best in your area during the winter.
For milder winters, even in zones that experience frost, ground covering such as mulch or wood chips can help protect crops for a winter harvest. Try starting plants indoors and transplant them before the first frost of the season. By the time it gets cold, they should have already established themselves well-enough where they can thrive.
There are no hard or fast rules for the exact time you should plant your winter garden. This will depend upon your climate zone and what you’re growing. A good rule of thumb is to plant your winter garden in late summer to early fall.
