In the colder weather, it is difficult to know what you can do out in the garden. If, like me, you have filled almost every conceivable space in the patch with cool weather plants (think brassicas, peas, and turnips), kept the weeds down, spread the cow manure, and trimmed the woody herbs – what else is left to do?
Honestly, it is a conundrum. Eyeballing the slow growing veggies is not making them grow any faster in this cold weather, although I do give them a good staring in the hope that it will nudge them along (spoiler alert: it doesn’t).
There are still a few more useful tasks I can do in the wintry weather to prepare for the busier seasons coming up.
Plan your Spring/Summer veggie patch
It may be cold outside, but the seed catalogues don’t know that! I’ve spent a lovely time ordering my seeds, taking advantage of a couple of EOFY sales, and an even lovelier time sorting them into my various seed collections (once a librarian, always a librarian). I now have all the seeds I will need to start raising seedlings in the greenhouse in just a couple of weeks’ time.
My husband, bless him, is also making plans for some building out there (new retaining wall, stronger trellising). Winter is a great time to make gardening plans, preferably with a hot cuppa in hand.
Keep on composting!
Even in the cold weather, the compost keeps on composting. It definitely slows down in the cooler months but turning it regularly and activating it with some chicken manure will keep it working its mojo. This weekend, I gave the compost bins a turn and was even able to pull some out of the bins, making room for more litter from the chook yard. I’m not going to fib, it was a chilly job, but worth it to keep the compost going.
Succession Planting
While most of the patch is planted up with the aforementioned brassicas, peas and turnips, we are still picking veggies from the garden. Just last weekend, I picked a whole container of greens, peas, and some onions for a fresh stir fry. With each picking, the garden is a little depleted, and although the weather is cool, I need to think about replanting what I have taken out. My tip for keeping a steady supply of something coming out of the patch is to ABP – Always Be Planting. To do that, I try to be either regularly raising seedlings in the greenhouse, or planting a cheeky row of greens, onions, or root veggies somewhere in the patch. Right now, I have baby turnips and carrots in the patch, and trays of leeks, onions, spinach, lettuce, bok choy, and silverbeet in trays in the greenhouse, to replace the veggies I pick over the next couple of weeks. I just planted out a heap of purple kohlrabi, which I may live to regret as it hardly ever forms decent bulbs in my garden – but my gardener’s eternal optimism makes me hope that this year will be different (if anyone has kohlrabi advice, please let me know in the comments).
This approach also helps to prevent the so-called Hungry Gap, that time in Spring after the brassicas and turnips are done and before the Summer flush.
Garden Wanders and Tidying Up
Although it’s cold, I do a quick wander around the garden a few times a week. I don’t have a great deal of choice right now, tbh, as our kitchen has been demolished and we are cooking and eating outside in our covered patio, fetching water for washing up from the tap. I see the garden daily from this quite chilly vantage point. It has allowed me to keep an eye on any weeds, pick out any that I see and toss them to the chickens and then go about my business of trying to feed four people using a single hotplate (fun times). As with most things, regular attention reduces the workload and sharpens your focus on what needs to be done.
I do this with my houseplants as well. Houseplants generally sulk through the Winter months: the combo of the cold weather, dry air, and indoor heating leads to dormancy and browning off on leaves. Add to that a lovely hit of dust from indoor construction, and I have some very sad plants. I often take a closer look at my houseplants though because I love them and I enjoy looking at them, and noticed my favourite Neon Diffenbachia was looking peaky on one branch. It kept flopping over, while the other canes stood up tall. On inspection, I found a small patch of scale, which I was able to scrape off before it became a big patch of scale. Now that I have noticed this issue, I will make sure to pay more attention to this lovely lady.
A Garden Enthusiast’s Delight
This is a fantastic post that captures the essence of winter gardening. It’s inspiring to see your dedication to your garden, even in the colder months. Your tips on succession planting and keeping the compost active are incredibly helpful.
I’ve always admired the patience and foresight required for successful gardening. Your approach to planning for the upcoming seasons, even during the quiet winter months, is commendable. It’s a testament to your passion and commitment to your garden.
I’m particularly intrigued by your experiences with plant communication and the impact of human attention. Your observations about the Embelia ribes and other plants are fascinating. It seems that a little care and kindness can go a long way in cultivating healthy and thriving plants.
Your mention of the importance of microhabitats and companion planting is spot on. Creating a balanced and supportive environment for plants can significantly enhance their growth and resilience.
I’m also curious about your experiences with kohlrabi. It can be a challenging crop, but with the right conditions and a bit of patience, it can be a rewarding addition to the garden. I’ll be interested to hear how your kohlrabi experiment turns out.
Overall, your post is a valuable resource for anyone interested in gardening, especially those who want to make the most of the winter months. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences. I’m looking forward to more of your gardening adventures!
Additional tips for a thriving winter garden:
Protect tender plants: Use frost cloth or row covers to protect delicate plants from freezing temperatures.
Start seeds indoors: Get a head start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors under grow lights.
Clean garden tools: Clean and disinfect your garden tools to prevent the spread of diseases.
Mulch your garden: A layer of mulch can help retain moisture and protect plant roots from freezing temperatures.
Plan for spring: Use the winter months to plan your spring garden and create a detailed planting schedule.
By following these tips and taking inspiration from your post, we can all create beautiful and productive gardens, even in the harshest winter conditions.
Great article and some good ideas – landscaper here based in Cardiff! Rhidian
Great advice on staying proactive in the garden during the colder months! Caring for trees in Harrow, UK during winter can be just as tricky. It’s important to check on their health regularly, especially after a cold snap. Simple tasks like trimming dead branches, checking for pest activity, and making sure young trees are protected from frost can make a big difference come spring. A quick walk around the garden, like what you’re doing with your plants, can help catch any issues early.