Newby to winter gardening

I will say that the SFG method works great. I had lettuces for salad in the spring, loved them, and I tried to grow more but the heat wouldn't allow it. Even tried Jerico but could not get it to sprout.

I ordered lettuce seed and planted in several squares. Either it didn't come up, or it did nothing. I sprouted some in the house and planted in several squares as garden was winding down, and it was just there, not really growing.

After Thanksgiving, the different lettuces started growing, so tasty and so pretty. But, the weatherman said hard freeze, down to 17 deg. I transplanted most to 1 bed, and made a quick cover with with some plastic. 1st day, didn't even look. Today, it got to 45 so had to uncover, my lettuce looks great! I had no heat, just the plastic, but it saved the day. Even the few lettuce that didn't get moved seemed to fare well with the freeze.

What else will grow well in the winter? Is anyone growing anything in the winter?

Now to put a sm. greenhouse on the wishlist!



Jo

How exciting, I too have not had any lettuce, I have planted too late each time. Im a slow learner. I have Jericho lettuce, broccoli, brussel sprouts, pak choi, onions and garlic under a hoop with no lights or heat. I do have swiss chard but not sure its sprouted yet. I will be making more of the hoop houses to get things started before spring I love this place!!
Ha-v-v

Spinach and radishes are a couple favorites here. Spinach is ridiculously cold-hardy....and tastes better than kale.

I love to eat the greens of Bull's Blood beets, they're so beautiful! I pick them at the baby stage.

BackyardBirdGardner wrote: Spinach is ridiculously cold-hardy....and tastes better than kale.

Anything tastes better than kale. A wonderfully healthy plant that does not sing to me.

Arugula, spinach mustard and seven top are a few more options I can add to the list. They are doing well this winter for me (no lights or heat used here either).

planted late, but my lettuces and radishes, etc are growing in their little hoop house... just for kicks I put two lights inside and it stays about 10 degrees warmer inside than out....

asian greens (bok choi, pak choy, yukina), mustard greens, kale, collards, spinach, carrots, lettuce, endive, chard are all surviving short mid teen spell under unheated plastic. For the mid 20's I used light frost cloth. My broc, cabbage and beet greens were in another bed with no cover set up so I picked them all before the mid teen night just to be on the safe side - but they all survived mid 20s with no cover and high 20's with no cover. I start planting out under cover too about a month to six weeks before last frost date with seedlings I started indoors - this growing season I will be looking at about 2 months with low yields but probably harvesting 'something' every week till spring harvests starting up. Next year I will try and do better - my goal is to improve a little each year with better planning and more trial and error Every day is a success because even in spectacular failure (and I can be very good at those lol) you can learn something to help do better next time.

Don't forget arugula, claytonia (miner's lettuce), mache (corn salad), mizuna, and sorrel for really hardy cool crops.

BackyardBirdGardner wrote:Spinach and radishes are a couple favorites here. Spinach is ridiculously cold-hardy....and tastes better than kale.

My kids even LOVE kale - they beg for it in the grocery store! (okay I realize kids are not normal as they eat most any veggie...) Lay it out on a baking sheet, lightly mist with olive oil spray (or Pam) and sprinkle with Lawry's. Bake at 400 for 20 or so minutes until it's crisp. Kale chips!!!

Anxious to grow my own this year - they'll like it even better!

I've never eaten kale. I'm going to have to try it this year. Thanks.

+1 kale chips....YUM!

QB, I still have going out in the garden

On the kale chips try some garlic powder and steak seasoning. Wife and I couldn't stop stuffing our face with 'em.

OK, I'm won over. I've GOT to try growing kale and eating those kale chips.
Thanks.

Bea, you can also 'pre test' by buying some in the store and making them! Kinda like trying a cookie before you decide to bake them.

Thanks for the ideas on eating kale. It has never 'sung' to me either. Will definitely pre-test in the next week (it's planting season now).

These huts...what a great idea! I don't need them here, yet we expect to move to Northern ID in several years. I'll need it then...or a green house!

I'm going to buy some Brussels sprouts, too, to test at home first. I have a great recipe for bacon-wrapped b sprouts that needs testing.

A simple covered bed can be made into an A-frame. I did it the other year and this year I intend to use it not only for earlier crops, but for later ones this fall. I was going to start last winter, but health issues prevented me. The instructions for my A-frame are in my SFG blog below. If I can make one, old and rickety and weak lady that I am, anyone can make one. All it takes are 1x2x6 ft poles, vinyl plastic, a couple of screws, tacks and large binder clips to hold the plastic up out of you way.

Do you know how to prep BS for best flavor?

Put a X cut in the trimmed bottoms. Soak in salty ice water for 10 minutes.

I just steam them...they are soooo good!

One of my fellow plot renters has let their BS' run amok, and WOW...do they get randy!



This puppy is very thick and about 4' long.

Let me know how the recipe turns out!