How To Start a Winter Garden

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Winter is not typically the time of year you think about gardening. But with a little creativity and effort, you can grow a thriving winter garden inexpensively.

Here’s a few tips to get you started on your wintertime garden on a budget.

Choose Wisely

Make the most of your winter garden by focusing on cold resistant crops that can survive frost and thrive in cooler temperatures. Selecting the right crops from the start ensures your effort will pay off with a bountiful garden yield even in the colder months.winter gardening

Above ground leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and leafy stalks of Swiss chard grow well in cold months and are extra nutritious. Underground root vegetables such as carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips can also thrive in winter months. Cabbage, broccoli, and brussel sprouts are easily grown in cold conditions as well.

Sourcing Plants and Seeds

Luckily in this region of North Carolina, plenty of gardeners produce enough plants to share seeds with the community. The public libraries in Hampstead and Sneads Ferry are both great places to start. Social media posts for plant and seed swaps are bountiful even in winter.

You can also harvest seeds from vegetables you already have, especially tomatoes and peppers. Saving seeds from heirloom vegetables will provide reliable, low-cost vegetables for future gardens.

Where To Plant

Depending on where you live, try to plant your winter garden in soil that is “loamy,” meaning a mix of sand, silt, and clay, allowing for good drainage while still retaining moisture. Bonus points if you can find soil rich in organic matter (humus) to provide essential nutrients for plant growth; most plants thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral pH level. Also, if you can find black dirt or a good topsail, your winter garden will prosper.

Treat the Soil

Besides oxygen and sunlight, the soil is the most important factor when it comes to gardening. If you compost, you have ready-made soil for gardening. Make your own compost using vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. These items are excellent sources of nutrients found in store-bought fertilizers. You can also bury banana peels to add potassium.

No need to spend a dime on mulch. Insulate the garden soil with fallen leaves, grass clippings, and shredded paper. This makeshift mulch helps retain moisture and protects crops from frost. Even in the coldest climates, well protected soil will result in strong plants.

Protect Your Crops from the Cold

Speaking of protection, winter gardening may require protection from frost and snow. Be creative when looking for inexpensive crop covers such as clear plastic storage bins to trap heat and create a greenhouse effect. During hard frosts, cover your plants with old bed sheets and plastic wraps carefully, so as to protect them from the cold but not to damage the plants.

Bring the Outdoors In 

If the days are especially cold and harsh, consider growing some crops indoors during winter months. If you have a spare windowsill or any small spaces near a window, herbs such as basil, cilantro, parsley, and thyme grow well indoors with minimal care.

Start Small

If it’s your first time gardening, especially winter gardening, don’t bite off more than you can chew. While it may be tempting to plant everything at once, start small to ensure a successful winter garden. Focus on a few easy crops first, then expand as you gain experience. Allow yourself to learn what works best in your specific climate.

Happy winter gardening!