these hardy veggies can survive cold temps š„¶ without a greenhouse
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Some gardeners dread the fall and winter, thinking the start of the cool season is the end of their gardens (at least until spring). Not meāI've always loved fall and winter gardening when I lived in zone 10b (and could grow tomatoes through December), and I love it even more now that I live in zone 5 (where many vegetables actually taste better than they do in spring and summer). Very cold winters, in particular, bring out flavors that most people have never experienced if they've always grown carrots and kale during the warmer months. Sweeter flavors. Brighter flavors. And the best part? Carrots, kale, and many other leafy greens are exceptionally cold-hardy, surviving freezes in zones 6 and below. If you already have cool-season crops in the garden and have been procrastinating on taking them all outāDON'T! Leave them in the soil and you can harvest salads and soup veggies from your winter garden even when it's 0Ā°F outsideāwith no greenhouses or cold frames needed! (For certain crops, I use a simple low tunnel to hang a midweight frost blanket. While my lows don't get quite that low, I do get a few nights in the teens and my average is around 20Ā°F to 25Ā°F. The frost blanket also makes it easier for me to harvest in the snow.) Seasonal tipsP.S. Harvest fresh vegetables all winter long with these cold-hardy crops (no greenhouse or cold frame needed). P.P.S. If you missed my email yesterday, I announced my exclusive new weather dashboard called Bloomcast, built specifically for gardeners. It's one of the perks of being a Garden Betty Plus member! |
Garden Betty
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