Digging for Winter Treasures
Is gardening in the winter outside possible? Certainly! Prior to the ground freezing, I covered rows of carrots, beets and daikon radishes with unopened bags of leaves. The leaf bags, with their snow on the top, provided enough insulation to keep the ground from freezing. In early January I pushed away the snow, moved the leaf bags to the side and dug in the still unfrozen ground to find a treasure trove of beautiful vegetables waiting for me. This method carries the risk that the ground will freeze solidly before unearthing the crop underneath but it is a simple, no cost way to harvest fresh winter vegetables and when it works (it usually does!), it is fun!
Winter sowing can be done in late January to early February. This simple method of planting seeds uses the cold outdoor temperatures that many seeds need to break dormancy. It can be done simply with seed starting mix or sifted compost and plastic milk jugs. Start by poking 12-16 small holes, evenly spaced, in the bottom of the jug. Cut the milk jug in half horizontally. Remove and discard the cap. Fill the bottom of the container ¾ full of fresh sifted compost or seed starting mix. Ensure the seed starting mix is damp before planting. (Some mixes become hydrophobic if they have been in an opened bag for a long period of time. It may take a couple days of watering the mix before it wants to soak up water.) Plant as many seeds of each variety as you wish, one variety per jug. Some seeds like being covered by soil and some do not. You can find this information on the seed packet or online. Cover, if necessary, with a thin layer of soil. Moisten the soil with a little bit of water until lightly damp. Put the top on the milk jug so it slides inside the bottom of the jug far enough so that it holds. You can secure it with duct tape but this isn’t necessary if the two halves are overlapping. One small item you may need to purchase is a garden marker. Markers specific to garden use are fast drying, waterproof and UV resistant. Label the outside of the jug with the type of seeds sown and the planting date. Place the jug outside in your gardening area and wait until the seeds begin to sprout. Trust your seeds. They will know the right time to germinate. When the little seedlings are 1-2 inches in height, remove the top from the jug. At this point, you can transplant them directly into your garden. No need to harden off the seedlings or move them to other pots. Water them well after planting.
Not all plants work well for winter sowing. Here are varieties that work: spinach, peas, brussels sprouts, lettuce, radishes, beets, cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, thyme, rosemary, cilantro, oregano, tarragon, lavender, poppies, snapdragons and many native species of grasses and flowers. Happy planting!
