Winter Gardening
Timing is Very Important!

Winter gardening preparation means planning what plants and when to grow them so that you can have both color and beauty and some fresh vegetables all year round.

Excess Debris
Removing and composting excess debris is a very important component of fall and winter gardening. However, you should not compost any diseased plant. Discard them right away to prevent any disease from spreading.

Planning for Plants
To complement your area’s winter, you can think colors of barks, shapes, evergreens, vines, berries, etc. Examples are Japanese Pagodas, Boston ivies, wisterias, pansies, etc. You can also plant some blue fescue. Whatever you fancy, limit the plants to those that will adapt to the winter conditions in your area.

Will Your Chosen Plants Survive the Winter?
Be sure to consult with your local extension agent if you are not sure if the garden plant you want can survive your winter weather. The following are just some plants for your consideration:
  • Camellia Sasaquanca – winter-blooming shrub that can flourish in full shade or full sun
  • Christmas evergreen fern – grow your own Christmas cheer!
  • Daffodil, iris, tulips – plant in late fall or early winter for early blooms in the spring
  • Gaultheria – ground cover that has dark green leaves that develop a purplish hue in the winter
  • Girard Crimson Azalea – has leaves that turn red or copper in the fall and winter
  • Winter Gem Boxwood – foliage that develops a golden bronze hue in the winter and returns to green in the spring
  • Winter Jasmine – has flowers that bloom in late winter and early spring

Some Gardening Veggies for Fall, Winter, and Spring
This is just a very small list. If you use cold frames or hot beds, there are a lot more you can add to this list.
  • Carrots, Fava beans, beets, turnips
  • Endive, escarole, leeks, scallions
  • Kale, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts
  • Salad greens, spinach, parsley, lettuce, parsnips

Store Your Fall Vegetables
Late fall and winter, do not forget to store your fall harvest. That is a good time to do it. If you do not have a root cellar, you should find a cool, dry place to store your root crops, winter squashes, beans, etc. Make sure that they do not touch each other to allow circulation and prevent rot. Periodically check your storage for any signs of decay.

Tip
If you know the average date of the first killer frost in your area, you will know when to start planting. Your plants should be fully mature before that killer frost comes. Do not forget to consult your local extension agent. With winter gardening, planting time is very important!


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