There are a number of floral species that would thrive in a winter garden.
(Jen Dublin at flickr.com)
Most gardeners believe that once the cold winds start blowing and the snow begins to fall, then it’s time to take a little vacation from tinkering with the garden and caring for the lawn. If you are an energetic soul with a green thumb, then you may retreat down into the basement of your home and work on your indoor garden.
However, you stout and hearty garden hobbyists who are bored inside and wouldn’t mind challenging the cold can still pursue your passion. The answer is to plant and cultivate crops that can handle the cold, frigid temperatures.
You can put your energy into growing a fruits and vegetables garden. It won’t only calm your green thumb; it will provide you with produce that you can use for free rather than suffer through the price rise on produce in the stores.
One more thing is that the pursuit of growing a winter garden will provide you with exercise during a time when you would usually be sedentary.
So if you are feeling courageous and you’re ready to challenge old man winter, then you need to determine what to grow.
First, you should probably do a little research to determine what plants do best in the winter in your region of the country. Here is some produce you can start with.
· Tomatoes
· Carrots
· Potatoes
· Rosemary
· Parsley
· Kale
· Parsnip
· Broccoli
· Mustard
· Spinach
· Turnips
And, what about flowers that can provide beautiful colors while beating off the cold?
· Snowdrops
· Bergenia
· Hellebores
· Camellias
· Pansies
· Petunias
· Snap Dragon
· Iceland Poppy
· Cyclamen
· Calendula
· Sweet Pea
· Bachelor Button
· Larkspur
There are also tree species you can work with.
· Japanese Maple
· Crape-Myrtle
Then there is some out-of-the-ordinary flora.
· Ornamental Grass
· Winter Berries (Nandina, Evergreen Hollies and Beautyberry)
The results of your research will assist you in adding more to the lists.
You need to pick a location for your winter garden where sunlight is predominant from September to April. Since the position of the sun is different during the seasons of the year you need to do your observations during the winter months. In addition, select an area that is somewhat protected from cold winter winds. Areas near trees, fences, and buildings that provide shielding would be ideal.
Experts suggest that you start planting the winter garden as early as July. You can grow ornamental plants in your summer garden or in trays and then transplant them into the winter garden later. Produce can be planted directly into the winter garden in early October. Early spring is the best time to plant winter-blooming bulbs like hellebores.
Although you selected plants and produce that can handle the cold of winter, the floras still need to have some kind of protection from the cold temperatures. Rows of PVC pipe can prove ideal for this. The pipes are easily available and are sold for affordable prices. Use the pipe to hold plastic so that the garden can be covered and protected from snow, frost, and extreme temperatures. Roll covers can also be used.
Experts suggest that you provide the garden with plenty of water and harvest as often as is needed to assure new growth. If the winter garden is properly cared for it can provide color and edibles all through the winter.
