Winter gardening

Tunnel house, greenhouse and cold frame garden structures are all great choices growing plants in the winter, but what, exactly is the difference between the three of them? Technically they do the exact same job which is protect plants from the cold weather outside during the winter months. However each one has a slightly different …

There are many tropical looking plants that will thrive in U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zones 6 through 8. Plants will adapt to the climate they are grown in. By using minimal winter protection, such as a cold frame, it is possible to raise the temperature around the plant and get it to survive the …

I remember getting my first large greenhouse years ago when I was a new gardener and wondering how to utilize an unheated greenhouse. At the time I didn’t think much about heat. It was a Valentine’s Day present and I was anxious to get it put up so I could start using it. Once it …

Growing a variety of cool season vegeatbles is the easiest way to have fresh food in your own backyard from fall through spring. Today I want to talk to you about the types of vegetables that do good in the fall garden. Almost any vegetable that you plant in early spring, such as lettuce or …

Gardening in winter in a cold climate outdoors is possible if you are willing to grow cool weather crops and protect those crops with frost cover, cold frames or a similar structure. It is a cold, snowy 16 degrees F here today however it is January 1 and I am harvesting and planting vegetables in …

It’s the start of another year – and what better way to start off a new year than to direct sow carrot seed in the garden. Yes, you heard that right. Here in Indiana – United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 6 – I sow carrot seed in the garden on January 1. Now …

Yes, you really can use frost to your advantage in the garden. While often times gardeners don’t worry about frost until fall rolls around, it is an issue in early spring as well. Once you learn the basics of using frost to your advantage, you can get a head start on your spring garden and …

Yes, you can harvest free vegetables year-round in any climate! Getting a head start on the vegetable garden can be tricky if you wait until January because of frozen ground. It seems this time of year if the ground is not frozen it is wet. Neither condition is conducive to tilling, seeding or planting. There …

There are a number of vegetables to plant in February outdoors in the garden, even in cold climates. February means the garden season is one month closer. It also means it is time to tap maple trees. Mid-West gardeners know that by the end of February they are just 12 short weeks away from the …

Winter sown vegetables not only let you get a head start on the spring garden, but they also are tender and taste sweeter than vegetables grown during the typical garden season. This is because cooler weather tends to bring out the sweetness in many vegetables such as carrots. Lettuce grown during the cool months melts …