Winter is an important period in the gardening season, more so than you’d think. While winter is in full swing, compost is continuing to decompose and get ready for use for the spring. Additionally, winter is a great time to grow cover crops which will help improve the soil for the next season.
There are also plenty of plants that you can grow during the fall and winter, both indoors and out. Also, you can strategically plan a winter garden so that you can enjoy color and attractive plants all year long.
The key to successful winter gardening is knowing the average date of the first killing frost in your region (for example late October in the Pacific Northwest). You then plant your winter crops early enough to let them reach their full maturity before that killing frost. Local garden authorities can give you information about the timing of first frosts and the hardiness of various crops for your area.
It is also important to know the average severity of the winter. If garden soil can freezes 3 or 4 inches deep for short periods, carefully mulched winter vegetable plants will thrive in this type of weather.
Dead potted plants are full of organic matter and shouldn't be wasted. If plants are disease-free, empty the pots into a garden cart or wheelbarrow, and haul the dead plant material to the compost pile. Use a shovel, a rake or ideally a machete to chop up the top growth and root balls until everything is reduced to small chunks. These dead plants will in time be recycled into life-giving compost.
Don't leave clay pots sitting outside in winter, as freezing temperatures could cause them to chip and crack. Instead, clean them with a stiff brush to get rid of any clinging dirt, and store them in the garage, the garden shed or some other spot where they will be out of the weather.
It is also important to remember to keep all of the watering material inside during the winter. A hose’s lifespan will be significantly decreased if it left outside in freezing conditions. Hose reels should also be taken care of in the winter, no matter what material they are made off, metal or plastic, freezing water has the power to break them if they are left outside unattended.
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