Winter Gardening

What does winter gardening mean?

Winter gardening is about harvesting your vegetables in winter, not planting them at that time. Winter gardening is really about extending the growing season. Many people start their gardens in April and end them in September or October. But some vegetables can be grown earlier in the spring and later in the fall and some can even overwinter.

Why winter gardening?

When?
Winter gardening isn't hard but it is easier in places with a mild climate like the Willamette valley. There are less of the pests that bother summer crops as the weather gets cooler. The exception is the slug which thrives in cool, moist conditions, but even slugs slow down when the temperature drops. Because there is plentiful rainfall in the winter, watering is usually not needed for a winter garden. You may even want to cover part or all of your winter garden so they do not get too much water. By growing vegetables of your own in the winter you might save money because produce in stores is more expensive in winter. Plus you won't have an empty plot after your summer vegetables are finished. Instead your garden will stay lush and green.


Planning a winter garden begins in spring. Remember that the plants you grow in spring will finish up at the end of summer. Then you will have the room to add your fall and winter crops. The time to plant most winter garden vegetables is in summer or late summer so they are strong and ready for when the temperatures drop. Depending on what you grow, you can harvest in winter and early spring.

What?

Unless you have a heated greenhouse, you can't grow warm weather vegetables like tomatoes or squash in the winter. But there are many others you can grow. Here's a list of some of them with suggested planting dates and harvest times. For specific varieties that are best suited for winter gardening check out some of the resources at the end of this section. Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Collards, Brussel Sprouts and Cauliflower are members of the brassica family. They are ideal for winter gardening. You can plant them in July for harvest in late fall or in September to harvest in winter or early spring. Garlic, Leeks and other members of the Onion family are called alliums. They are an easy and carefree crop. If planted in late summer, they are ready for harvest the following June or July. You can also grow Green Onions or Garlic for greens that can be harvested in winter and early spring. With a little protection you can grow Lettuce and other greens for use all winter. Greens might include Lettuce, Spinach, Mustard, Chard, Kale and Collards. Greens can be planted in September or October for winter and early spring use. You can also try greens in late summer in a cool shaded spot for use in the fall and to over winter and get a head start on spring. Roots crops such as Beets and Carrots can be planted in July and August for use in late fall, winter and early spring. You can try a summer sowing of Peas for use in late fall, or you can plant Peas in late summer to over winter for an early start in spring. Peas planted for an early spring harvest should be well mulched. Some herbs do fine in a mild winter, examples might be Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. You can plant Parsley and Cilantro in late summer for use over winter. If you still have empty spots in your garden or areas that you think need improvement, you can try planting cover crops. Cover crops help keep weeds down and improve the soil for next spring's garden. Some cover crops are planted in summer so they can grow before it gets too cold and others are planted in fall to overwinter. Fava beans are an edible cover crop that grows well in this area.

How?

Some vegetables such as Kale will survive over winter with no protection, others are more likely to survive if they are covered. You can make or buy a cold frame to protect crops, some of the books listed above have plans and designs to make this easier. Another solution is to make a cloche by bending ½ or ¾ inch PVC pipes over a raised bed and cover the arches with clear plastic. A tunnel like this should protect most crops except in periods of extreme cold. There are many designs for winter coverings for your garden. With a little research you should be able to find one that fits your budget and your garden. A covered area will also let you control how much water plants get in winter when it rains a lot. When getting your fall or winter seedlings started remember not to use too much nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen makes plants grow fast and the new growth will be soft and full of moisture. The soft new growth is usually damaged when temperatures drop below freezing. The best fertilizer for your winter garden is probably a light mulching of compost. Compost will provide your plants with the nutrition they need and the mulch will keep the ground from freezing as quickly. Some people put a small amount of compost into each planting hole or mix it into the planting area before sowing seeds or seedlings. You can put down mulch when the temperatures are close to freezing. Some ideas for mulch include grass clippings, shredded or crumbled leaves or straw (avoid hay as it contains many seeds). Remember that slugs will love the warm moist environment created by your mulch. If you want to learn more about Winter Gardening you can look for these books in the library Gardening Under Cover by William Head, Winter Gardening in the Maritime Northwest by Binda Colebrook, Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman. Catalogs from local seed companies can be of great help also. Some like Territorial Seed Company put out a fall/winter catalog which has varieties suited to this area and a lot of good information about winter gardening in this climate.