Gardening in Winter
Something about the late autumn and winter weather makes some breeders just want to stay instead of playing in their gardens. I can relate. Heck, even bears have the good sense to stay in bed. Fall and winter can be an excellent time for nature to do its thing and the backyard gardener to relax or to rise to the Pacific to be. But many adventurous gardeners and growers who do not want a break – or who can not afford to take – plant winter gardens.
Depending on where you live, you have the choice to plant in fall for winter harvest or to prepare your soil for planting next spring. People all over the world who are lucky to live in mild climates that do not get heavy snow or frost have the luxury of long growing seasons, while the people in Montana and Alaska are lucky to three good months for planting, cultivating and harvesting of crops from their gardens and fields.
Summer is nearing its end and you just do not want to let your garden Go Fallow
Well, fine you do not have to. There are many plants that will do well in the coming months and would prefer cooler weather over the hot days of summer. Arrugula, dill, cauliflower broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, cilantro and just a few of these. There are many more. If you want to grow crops for income, consider unusual or plan to plant crops that few other breeders in your area plants.
Here is how you season and to expand it and harvesting of these lovelies in winter, fresh from your garden:
* Remove the remains of the summer harvest. This means that everything, including plants producing their way along all primary and weeds that managed to come from God knows where.
* Loosen the soil as you did when you ready for spring planting. Add new composted mulch, organic fertilizers and re-create your beds. Pretty simple, right?
* You want some extra nitrogen added to the soil for your plants to get started, but again, not too much at once.
* Give your plants a boost once they are located, say, blood, bone, hoof and horn and a good shot of fish emulsion and they give you treats in the late fall early winter.
How do you know if you live in a climate that will produce late season crops? Out. Is it cold in the autumn – or mild? Contact your local nursery person and ask about your area. Or find a map of the country or world climate zones, or zones appear. Your local professional should be able to guide you on what is best to plant in late summer or early autumn in your home. For the commercially minded grower, it’s probably not a good idea for a nursery person, ask “What can I grow to make money?” If they knew they would have to grow it yourself. No, it’s better to do your own research and come up with a plan to sell what you grow before you plant. Pest control will be less of a problem before the end of the season garden, white fly, Japanese beetle, and many others die out naturally when cooler weather comes. For pesties who stay for your plants suffer from, use the same natural methods to control them as you did in the summer. Choose from the great and stamping on and umm use insecticide soaps, liquid garlic and Pyranone.
And if you are unable to grow a garden in late summer, autumn or winter? Now is a good time for the harvest next year to prepare by removing debris, weeds, and the remaining plants, including all vegetables, flowers and herbs. By removing them you are cutting the risk of soil exhaustion by keeping plants that are no longer useful. After removing these materials, I add compost ready for use. Or just put it on top of the soil or in very shallow close to the surface. In this way useful components can leach into the soil at the top, where it will be necessary for each crop next year. If you deep into the soil, the nutrients too deep to be of any use or value next year. Put a thick layer of straw or manure on top and there you have it: Soil that to rebuild itself in the winter and is protected while vacant. It’s also a good idea to put in some earthworms and let them help take care of the soil.
Cover Crops
Another thing you can do to build the soil in the off-season is to plant a cover crop. This is a great way to protect the soil and re-build at the same time. And does not require much time and effort on your part. I sow red beans, clover, barley and African marigold seeds. These plants to be built from the ground to help by adding essential minerals and nutrients plus organic materials that are useful or edible plants bloom next year.
Be prepared to cover your plants to grow before the combination of overweight and before it flowers. It’s easy to do these plants by simply scattering seeds by hand, which with a little soil, and watering.
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