Country Places, Inc.

Many land buyers are looking to escape the city and obtain some sort of self-sufficiency. Gardening is a key element to that change of lifestyle.

We all know the benefits of growing our own food, but many feel the cold of winter coming on and start to rely more and more on the local grocer during these months, especially during the busy holidays.  The following outlines tips to extend your gardening through the winter, while preparing for the next year.

    •    Plant cold-hardy vegetables like spinach and lettuce. They thrive and are better in cold weather, as they are sweeter with more flavor and tenderness.

    •    Protect your winter garden with a covering. This could be a row cover, low tunnel or hoop house. Avid gardeners grow year-round with the knowledge that proper covering is key to growing in cool-to-cold temperatures.

    •    Start seeds indoors to get a head-start on the next full growing season. This tip can save you up to six weeks of sprouting/seedling time. Don't forget to hold a few plants back from transplanting and grow them inside until the threat of frost passes.

    •    For handy gardeners, look into building a cold frame. This serves two purposes as it will not only help extend your gardening into the winter but also serve as a raised bed in the spring to allow for an earlier start.  Raised beds drain better, dry out quicker and warm up faster than natural growing areas.

    •    Local retailers seem to stock shelves later than the prepared gardener needs, so preview seeds online to be fully prepared for the new grow year/season.  Then ask your trusted merchant when they plan to stock those items.