Plant vegetables throughout fall and winter
Did you miss getting a head start on your very own fall and winter garden? Do not fret – it is not too late to plant vegetables seeds. You can plant vegetables throughout the fall and winter, let me give you the scoop.
I know that when fall sneaks up, there is a general slow down of all that was the summer rush. The lazy monster sets in and consumes all good efforts. It can be a real challenge to plant a fall garden when you feel worn out after a busy summer garden. We know we ought to get out there and clean out the summer plant stash, but we just don’t want to. But friends, now is just the time to plant your best garden yet!
- No crazy summer heat: that’s right – no work at the sweat of your brown. Just work.
- Less upkeep: all those weeds that worked on your nerves during the summer months are slowly getting their due punishment.
- Magic food when it seems nothing is growing – what a blessing.
Start with planning
Now, you may have had good intentions and started planting fall seeds when you ‘should have’ during August, September or early October if you live in zone 8. But, to your surprise you came to find holes in your garden bed where critters have stashed their winter supply. While they now have their winter stock safely nested in your garden bed, you are out of luck with your own winter supply.
Or, you are just late to planting
The good new is, you are not too late. It is possible to plant vegetables throughout the fall and winter season. Whether you left the fall garden for too late or your garden was disturbed by critters, it is still worthwhile to plant for fall and winter harvests, right now!
That’s right, the good news is that there is a way for you to plant and harvest quick growing crops throughout the fall and winter season. You can plant quick growing vegetables like pac choi and lettuce throughout the fall and winter. There is also time to plant and harvest longer growing crops, if you can MacGyver a set-up to keep the seedlings “warmer” for longer into the winter cool weather. Creating clever devices to protect your plants from the first frost can pull them through until harvest. Giving them a little extra heat in the cool frosty mornings will help mature the crops that need a little more time to bulk up.
Before you get to planting, begin with some planning.
In order to have a good launch at your fall and winter garden, you should follow these steps:
- Determine your planting zone
- Find out what is your average first frost date is
- Select seeds and note their time of maturity
- Plan cover arrangements for plants to be protected from first frost
Determine your planting zone
Depending on which planting zone you are in, you should be able to stretch the season well into fall and the winter. To find out which plant zone you are in, go to the handy Almanac website that shows the plant zones for the entire world on a map. For Canada, go to this map that is easier to read. The almanac is a great resource for weather predictions, garden timing and astronomy tips.
For us in Canada, the plant zones span from 0 in the north, 2-6 in the east and most of inland Canada, and 7-8 in the west. My plant zone here in the western part of Canada is 8.
Find out what is your average first frost date
Once you know your plant zone, you can search for your average first frost date on the Almanac website.
Keep in mind that this is only a prediction. The website notes that frost dates is 33% likely to be on that exact date. So you can use the “average first drost date” as a guide, but you should prepare for a frost before that date. If the frost comes after that date, then you can celebrate for the extra “warm” growth time for your seedlings.
My average first frost date is on 19 October.
Select seeds and note time for maturity