Are you preparing your garden for winter yet? Now really is the time to get organized and ready for the change of season.
It may seem that, given the summery temperatures that we’re still experiencing, it may be too soon to get into gear for winter, but in actual fact, with cooler temperatures in winter, growing slows down, which means that the end of summer is when you should be starting your winter crops.
5 Ways to Prepare Your Garden For Winter
1. Harvest and Preserve
Let nothing go to waste here! Get out there and gather up every last crop and find ways to make them last. Herbs, for example, can be easily dried or frozen to last through the winter months. Look for great preserving recipes and ideas for making the last of you summer harvest stretch.
2. Check Your Soil pH
While this probably sounds way more scientific than you feel you’re ready for, most varieties of veg will thrive in a slightly more acidic soil – the ideal would be somewhere between 6.3 and 6.9.
Most nurseries and garden centers stock pH kits and electronic testers, and they don’t necessarily cost the earth (pun intended).
If your soil’s pH is lower than this, lime can be added to give a boost. If the opposite is true and your soil pH is higher than this, elemental sulfur can be added.
3. Add Compost and Other Organic Amendments
Restock your soil with nutrients by applying 1 to 2 inches of organic compost. At the same time, while you’re clearing away the last of your summer crops, you can add these (without seeds, of course) to your compost heap.
4. Plan Your Space
I’m sure that most of us are limited in terms of space, and planning is the best way to get the absolute most of the space you have available.
Whip out a pencil and draw out your garden. Mark out areas for certain crops, taking into account available sunlight. Its easy to factor in vital crop rotation and companion planting when you have it laid out visually in front of you.
Also, now is a good time to note down your learning from the summer past – what worked, what didn’t, and any valuable lesson’s you’ve gathered along the way. That way, when springs rolls around again, you won’t have forgotten and valuable ideas.
5. Plant Garlic
From the end of February to May is ideal for garlic planting because it allows the crop to vernalize which results in a bigger yield.
Vernalization is just a fancy term used to describe a period of exposure to cold temperatures.
Plant one clove of garlic about 3 inches deep in the soil. Add some mulch and let nature do it’s thing! By next summer, each clove will have grown into a full head of garlic for you to enjoy.
Our stock of garlic seeds will be arriving in our online store shortly – don’t forget to order yours!
Winter Lettuce:
Enjoy salad all through winter
Can be harvested in 12 weeks
Carrots:
High in vitamins and important for soups and grilled vegetable dishes
Can be harvested in 16-20 weeks (depending on the variety)
Swiss Chard:
A tough crop which grows well in all seasons
Can be harvested in 20 weeks
Kale:
A total super food – enjoying celeb vegetable status
Can be harvested in 16-20 weeks
Cauliflower:
So many wonderful colors and shapes to choose from
They not only supply you with a flower to eat (cauliflower) but the leaves are as edible and tasty as cabbage, and can be cooked in a whole new way
Can be harvested in 20 – 22 weeks