A few bales of straw or a pile of autumn leaves, a packet of seeds, and a bit of bare ground can have you harvesting fresh produce from your garden well into winter.
The hardest part is the timing. Some seeds won't germinate well in hot conditions, but if they're to get the growing days they need to mature before freezing weather sets in, there are a few things to consider. Frost tolerant plants usually germinate best in cool to warm soils, not hot, so starting these indoors is an option. Add two to three weeks, perhaps, to the growing days listed on the seed packet to cover the extra time transplants will need to acclimate to their spot in the garden.
Root veggies can be tricky, but if you don't get germination when sown in-situ, you might try them in a seed tray as well. They'll need to be pricked out and transplanted immediately after you see signs of germination, however, as their roots travel downward very quickly!
Brussels sprouts seem to be extra cold-hardy; these simply draped their leaves over the budded heads, and that seemed to be all the protection that was necessary.
Potatoes can be harvested as long as the soil remains unfrozen. Covering the hill with layers of straw and leaves will greatly slow the rate at which their soil covering will freeze.
Here are some garden-fresh potatoes harvested in zone 5b in late December.
If you have or can make the space for it, do try some cold season crops! Even if your results aren't exactly perfect, you're really only out the price of a few seeds. Estimated planting times for your area can be found in The Garden Planting Calendar. Just enter your zip code in the box provided, and scroll down for fall planting dates.
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Yes, grow cold season crops. by Newyorkrita | Jan 8, 2014 6:40 AM | 2 |