Post date: Aug 6, 2020 9:10:22 PM
Here is a summary task list and dates for the winter garden:
1. We grow beets, cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leeks, Asian cabbages, and kohl rabi in seedling trays. Refer to seed starting notes at the blog for more instructions should you need them.
Only carrots we direct sow from early aug to end sep. Carrots must form fully before frost.
2. We begin to sowing the above seeds from early August and baby the seedlings for 6 weeks. We transplant them into larger pots by week 3. Then after three more weeks we put them in the soil. By Oct 15 they are all transplanted in the soil. The blog also holds notes on transplanting.
3. We clear summer plants and put a layer of compost late sep/ early October. Then we begin sowing directly - radishes, turnip, parsnip, spinach, Asian greens, lettuce, arugula, kale, Swiss chard, methi, Kasuri methi, coriander, and mustard. We check temps before we sow. Day temps must be 65 or less.
All these seeds will germinate only in cool weather. Some of them will remain small during winter. Some will yield a winter harvest. But they will take off in Jan and yield until May.
4. We transplant all seedlings by mid October. We need them established before frost. They will all look tiny. No worries. They will make roots.
5. By end October we sow onion sets, garlic pods. Direct sow. Buy seed onion sets and garlic from seed stores.
6. By mid November, we check winter forecasts and decide if any beds need frost cover. I cover the beds with greens. I let others live through snow. We mulch all beds with crushed leaves collected during the Fall. This one task is what protects your garden. The live roots and mulch cover will let beneficial nematodes to breed and eat all the pest eggs in the soil. Next spring you garden will thrive.
After that we take a winter break. No work at the yard. No watering. No fertilizing. No weeding. Nothing. We return in Jan and begin harvests soon after.
I hope this clarifies all doubts and enables all your Fall and Winter gardening. All the best!
Ask your questions and doubts here at the comments or at the forum.