Your Winter Garden

Buxtehude · Aug 30, 2011

Now, I know some of you Northern yahoos live in harsh winter climates, so you can't do much gardening.
 
Or do you?
 
Anyway, tell me about your winter garden plans.
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Mine are thus:
 
*Fava beans (Windsor variety. They're about 6 inches tall, so far. I look forward to some lovely favas in a few months. I also hope they improve the soil's bulk and nitrogen level)
 
* Peas (sugar snap, planted two days ago, from seed)
 
*Kale (tuscan/dinosaur/lacinato. the seedlings are really suffering in the late-summer heat. they're planted helter-skelter, wherever I found space)
 
*Broccoli (Green Comet variety seedlings, also suffering, planted a bit too early, live and learn. I'm also seeding some Waltham variety seeds in a feeble attempt at successive planting)
 
*Cauliflower (A self-blanching variety, doing well despite the heat)
 
*Cabbage (Copenhagen Market variety, suffering)
 
*Various lettuces (planted amongst the brassicas, which I have since learned is not a good idea, because they aren't good companions)
 
*Carrots (Red Cored Chantenay variety. We have rocky, clay soil, so I cordoned off a tiny plot, added sharp sand and purchased topsoil which I sifted into the plot. No. I'm not obsessed)
 
*Radishes (Cherry Belle, planted solely for their ease and quick gratification)
 
*Beets (Cylindria. Perhaps planting a long, cylindrical beet in pots wasn't the best idea...)
 
My Summer-grown sugar pumpkins, costata romanesco zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes are doing well. I'm especially thrilled at the prospect of curing and storing my sugar pumpkins.

Buxtehude · Aug 30, 2011

Oh, and lettuce not forget the ornamentals!
 
I have grand, grand, grand plans for a sunny bed in the front yard involving catmint, lavender, bog sage, lion's tail, santa barbara daisy and olive shrubs.
 
Grand.
 
(back to the edibles, our persimmon tree is heaving with green fruit.)

4boysmom · Aug 30, 2011

I have house plants. Does that count?
 
My garden has pretty much been a dud this summer. Tomatoes came on late this year and I'm only getting enough for salads. There will be no canning this year. I did plant an apple and a peach tree. The kids asked why I stuck half dead sticks in the ground. I suspect it's gonna be several years before we get any produce from them--and we'll have to figure out how to keep the deer from eating them!

Buxtehude · Aug 30, 2011

Houseplants certainly count.
 
We didn't have a good tomato year, either. Our nights have been too cool. I'm in USDA zone 9, for what it's worth. We should have decent tomatoes.
 
Have you heard of the "fruit salad" tree? I believe it has four different fruits grafted onto it: apricot, plum, peach and...can't recall the fourth. It's all stone-fruit. That might be a fun tree to grow, as a novelty. Kids would love the idea of a fruit salad tree. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by 4boysmom <a href="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011715"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> I have house plants. Does that count?
 
My garden has pretty much been a dud this summer. Tomatoes came on late this year and I'm only getting enough for salads. There will be no canning this year. I did plant an apple and a peach tree. The kids asked why I stuck half dead sticks in the ground. I suspect it's gonna be several years before we get any produce from them--and we'll have to figure out how to keep the deer from eating them!
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4boysmom · Aug 30, 2011

Yah, I've seen the fruit salad trees. These trees were actually an impulse purchase. Earlier this summer I had planted two trees (maple and ginkgo) in celebration of my 45th birthday. We hadn't planned on planting anything more until we lose our ash trees. But, one day I was at the grocery store and I saw they had fruit trees marked down. I found these two trees looking all sad and lonely. So I bought them. Really, with where we already have mature trees, where I planted the new trees, and where we have buried lines, there wasn't a good place to plant them. Hopefully the peach tree won't get too big as I had to plant it about 5' from the fence. And the apple tree will be shaded most of the late afternoon. But for $5 each, I'm not too worried.

Tech Tee · Aug 30, 2011

Wow. Zone 9 would be nice. Fresh veggies all year long! I live in 6B, so, nothing outdoors in the winter. 
Regarding my tomatoes...I'm up to my knees in them. It's pretty awesome. Been bringing them into work there's so many. Picking about 5 a day, but sometimes 10. 
The rest of the garden, meh. Mild success with cucumbers. Jalapenos are pretty good, but the bell peppers, not too well, which disappoints me. Lettuce did well but it was a variety that was to bitter. I'm about ready to rip it out and replant. But, a different variety, of course. Matures in 50 days, so I can have fresh lettuce in October. it will still be warm enough.

Buxtehude · Aug 30, 2011

Do you envy my zone?
<laughing>
 
Anyway, it sucks that you have more frosts in 6B, but at least your evenings stay warm enough for your tomatoes to make fruit. Have fun with your lettuce-that's a fun and gratifying crop. Fast.
 
We have a strong coastal influence and while we don't actually see fog, the fog from nearby does have a cooling effect on our evenings.
 
Lord, I must be very boring these days, to other folks. I talk a bit too intensely about this stuff.
 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Tech Tee <a href="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011749"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> 
Wow. Zone 9 would be nice. Fresh veggies all year long! I live in 6B, so, nothing outdoors in the winter. 
Regarding my tomatoes...I'm up to my knees in them. It's pretty awesome. Been bringing them into work there's so many. Picking about 5 a day, but sometimes 10. 
The rest of the garden, meh. Mild success with cucumbers. Jalapenos are pretty good, but the bell peppers, not too well, which disappoints me. Lettuce did well but it was a variety that was to bitter. I'm about ready to rip it out and replant. But, a different variety, of course. Matures in 50 days, so I can have fresh lettuce in October. it will still be warm enough.</div>
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Tech Tee · Aug 30, 2011

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011752" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Buxtehude <a href="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011752"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a> 
Do you envy my zone?
<laughing>
 
Anyway, it sucks that you have more frosts in 6B, but at least your evenings stay warm enough for your tomatoes to make fruit. Have fun with your lettuce-that's a fun and gratifying crop. Fast.
 
We have a strong coastal influence and while we don't actually see fog, the fog from nearby does have a cooling effect on our evenings.
 
Lord, I must be very boring these days, to other folks. I talk a bit too intensely about this stuff.
 

 
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More frosts? Do you call -2 F frost? Last frost is usually about mid-May. We can grow until late October. 
Yeah, we have warm nights. Blech, some of them, especially this year, we too warm. Like, 70s and 80s. Blech. Since Irene has moved through, though, we're down in the 50s, and it's wonderful. I'm sure it will get horrible again in a week or so.

runfishhunt · Aug 30, 2011

The only thing that grows at my house in the winter are the mountains of dog poo.

RaisingArizonainNH · Aug 30, 2011

<img alt="icon_thumleft.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif" style="width:22px;height:20px;"> This SO made me giggle ! So true so true.. how do they create so much um, "fertilizer " ( want to keep this on topic! )
Quote:
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by runfishhunt <a href="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011761"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> The only thing that grows at my house in the winter are the mountains of dog poo.
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I was thinking that I would be daring and plant some peas and lettuce and use a cold frame just to see what happens. All gardens here are pretty much done for in September unless you have a magic green house !

Buxtehude · Aug 31, 2011

On an aside, sort of...
 
We just started vermicomposting, with red worms, in addition to regular composting. We bought a worm bin cheaply from the county.
 
Anyway, I'm damn sure these red worms will change my life for the better.

Buxtehude · Aug 31, 2011

Oh, and tech tee, I saw your other comment about growing potatoes in another thread.
 
I've also heard folks rave about homegrown potatoes,as if they really do taste better. I may try them next summer, if I decide they're worth the extra space they require. I've heard you can grow them in a grow-bag. But yes, afficionados seem to think there is a substantial difference in flavor when homegrown. My curiosity will overwhelm me, I'm sure.
 
Speaking of next summer, I may try growing honeydew melons in buckets, with drainage holes drilled into them. But I cannot, for the life of me, find a compact honeydew variety. I thought I'd just let the vines sprawl onto unused concrete flooring.
 
Well, I'm starting to bore my own damn self.

4boysmom · Aug 31, 2011

We had a neighbor who would compost dog poop. They cut the bottom off a bucket, then buried it to just below the lip, then put a lid on it. They scooped about once a week. I don't remember if they added a layer of dirt or not. Once it was full, they'd remove the bucket and start all over again. I haven't gone that far, but I have buried dog poo. I mean, you can't compost it. You can't put it in with regular trash. And you have to scoop. What are you supposed to do with it?!

Tech Tee · Aug 31, 2011

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011847" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by 4boysmom <a href="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011847"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a> We had a neighbor who would compost dog poop. They cut the bottom off a bucket, then buried it to just below the lip, then put a lid on it. They scooped about once a week. I don't remember if they added a layer of dirt or not. Once it was full, they'd remove the bucket and start all over again. I haven't gone that far, but I have buried dog poo. I mean, you can't compost it. You can't put it in with regular trash. And you have to scoop. What are you supposed to do with it?!
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I thought carnivore poop was a no-no for composting.

4boysmom · Aug 31, 2011

I don't know that they were composting to augment the soil. They were basically burying it. I 'spose similar to a septic system???

Grizzly · Aug 31, 2011

Multi comments:
 
On composting dog poop. Did it. Didn't put it on the vegetable patch, but it is possible. Not advisable, but possible.
 
On potatoes: Until I found out that I shouldn't eat 'em, we grew several varieties. Wonderful. No bugs. Worked well in our 3a climate. Viking were the absolute best.
 
On what we're planting: HA! We have perennials (rasps, strawbs, herbs, rhubarb... but nothing annual that will over-winter.

Tech Tee · Aug 31, 2011

<div class="quote-container" data-huddler-embed="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011887" data-huddler-embed-placeholder="false">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Grizzly <a href="/t/75034/your-winter-garden#post_2011887"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif"></a> Multi comments:
 
On composting dog poop. Did it. Didn't put it on the vegetable patch, but it is possible. Not advisable, but possible.
 
On potatoes: Until I found out that I shouldn't eat 'em, we grew several varieties. Wonderful. No bugs. Worked well in our 3a climate. Viking were the absolute best.
 
On what we're planting: HA! We have perennials (rasps, strawbs, herbs, rhubarb... but nothing annual that will over-winter.
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Asparagus is a perennial that does well in colder climes, I believe. i thought I read one time that you can have an asparagus patch that would last 10-20 years. 
Too bad I don't like asparagus.

Grizzly · Aug 31, 2011

While it can grow here, it takes a lot of care and tending. 
 
What we grow: Zukes, squash (HA - more than 50% of the time the crop is ruined by hail or early frost), beets, snap peas, onions, carrots, lettuce, garlic, self-seeding spinach, strawberries, raspberries, dill, chives, rhubarb, broccoli
 
What was eaten by rabbits this year: lettuce, carrots.
 
What we used to grow but don't anymore due to *$&(*# dietary concerns: Turnips, potatoes.
 
What we used to grow but don't anymore because of lack of desire: radishes, beans, sunflowers,

Buxtehude · Sep 1, 2011

Speaking of the care it takes to grow things in ill-suited climates,
 
I'd like to take a shot at rhubarb, gooseberry, apple, cherry and pear.
 
But they need more chill than we get here.
 
I shall find a way to carry on living...

Your Winter Garden

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