Yesterday I pulled out one of my sets of grow lights so I could get a start on winter gardening. Yep, this year I’m going to try to continue gardening during the winter months. This is kind of a new adventure for me so I’m pretty excited.
Last month I planted fava beans {for a cover crop} and carrot seeds in the garden. I already have broccoli, beets, kale, cabbage, Swiss chard and leeks planted in the garden boxes, and lettuce and peas in the greenhouse.
But the lettuce will be ready to harvest soon so I thought it was time to get another crop growing before it gets too cold.
I selected 2 kinds of lettuce: Mesclun Sassy Salad Blend and Mesclun Valentine Blend. Once the seeds sprout and reach about 3 inches high, I’ll re-pot the seedlings and place them in the greenhouse where they’ll be protected a wee bit.
So far our greenhouse is unheated, so it won’t be too much warmer than if I had them planted outside in the garden boxes, but it should help just enough to allow the lettuce to mature.
I planted two trays of beet seeds as well. I’ve never tried growing beets during the winter months before but I’m going to give it a go this year. I figure if I can give them a headstart under the grow lights, and then move them outside and under a row cover, they’ll have a pretty good shot in the garden this winter. We’ll see. I figure if I can grow winter carrots, I should be able to grow winter beets as well.
I also planted a packet of Dolce Vita Basil. If you’ve never grown basil indoors during the winter months before, give it a try. It’s super easy. You can get one packet of seeds for less than a package of basil at the grocery store and you can grow it organically on your own. Plus, if you have kids, they love to watch plants grow and help out with the watering.
This is what my grow light set up looked like earlier this spring. I won’t be growing as many plants this winter, but it gives me something to look forward to during the dark and gloomy months of winter. And, it keeps my thumbs green too. 😉
How about YOU?
Will you be growing anything this winter? If so, what.
Mavis wants to know.
Eddie says
Good afternoon Mavis, I going to plant Basil and some mint. I like making flavored oil’s. Basil oil to use on pizza’s and meats that are on the grill. Aromatic oil’s make fish taste wonderful, and you wouldn’t believe what it does for pizza and fresh vegetables. I plan on starting my dill about 3 weeks before my cucumbers so I will have enough dill for my pickles, my dill didn’t even grow this year.
Noelle says
Hi Mavis, I’m going to be growing indoors with my new hydroponic tower garden. So far, I have some herbs (cilantro, basil, oregano), some lettuce mixes, and green beans. I haven’t decided what else I should grow. I’m thinking peas and melon, maybe? It would be so nice to have some juicy melon during the winter months. I also still need lights! I’ve had the tower set up for a few weeks now without lights and the plants seem to be doing just fine in the window but I know this won’t last long without grow lights in the PNW.
carol says
I planted 2 kinds of carrots in early July for winter harvesting. Once the first frost hits and the tops die back, I’ll cover them with straw. I also planted spinach, lettuce and kale, along with some cilantro. Everything has germinated, but I need to get row cover over them. Hopefully they will continue to grow some more this season, before there is so little light that they stop growing. I think I was a little late getting things going this year. I’ll look forward to seeing how your winter garden turns out.
linda harper says
Mavis,
We did this last year (and are doing it this year) and I picked broccoli shoots all winter long! Cabbage is also great for the winter. I have a question: Do you start your beets in the house and then transplant them outside? To me carrots and beets are hard to get a good start in the garden so I’m always looking for shortcuts.
Mavis Butterfield says
I start beets inside in the early spring and direct sow in the summer. I’d like to think it gives them a little head start by starting them indoors.
Margaret Thele says
I am a member of a community garden in a greenhouse – the raised bed plot is 10×6 – 60 sq.ft. – It is cool conditions 55F max on cold winter days, but I am growing all manner of greens and herbs and I’ll keep up to 6-8 people in salad this winter. I run a nursery and have two other greenhouse and in one I’ll put my container tomatoes and peppers to see how long I can get a harvest off them.
angela says
I also live in WA…. but we are in Central WA and from your pictures our climate is dryer so, you must be in Western WA? I have planted the entire COLD greenhouse a month ago. I have mizuna, arugula, mustards, russian kale, spinach, peas, parsley, cilantro, braising mix, etc.. planted for the winter. I’m going to experiment with potatoes and garlic and onions and shallots out in the garden. Read a wild article on planting potatoes in the fall …. I will follow the directions to a T and see what happens. We just pulled up our 200 tomato plants today…. we have not had frost yet, but it’s coming and we’ve picked everything that will ripen already. Oh yes, we have chickens too. The kiddo is selling the eggs. I’m intrigued with your $100 dollars a month idea. WOW. We are a large family so I might have to up it a bit, but you do inspire me. We live where fruit is free so we can everything we can get our hands on. It was fun to find your blog. Will keep reading.
Erica says
I really want to start growing my own produce. I am in Eastern NC so it we have winter but not “real winter”. I am thinking of taking your advice and growing basil and some mesculin lettuce.. I have a small yard and 2 dogs that need to use most of that space, so next year I am going to try vertical palates!!! I am very envious that you are doing something you love and it is supporting your family!!! I work 9-5 doing something I am good at, but not passionate about.. you are an inspiration!