When did we decide {especially those of us who live in the mild temps of the southeastern United States} that winter was a time to simply exist {except of course on Christmas when we're merry and bright}? Sure the colder temps make me want to stay in bed a little longer in the mornings, and the darker nights make me want to curl up at home instead of spending the evening out & about, but winter time has a lot to offer us, especially in the garden.
You're not a squirrel. Have you seen any of the 15 Ice Age movies? If so, you know where I'm going with this. That raggedy squirrel is always trying to protect his acorn and store it away so that when the cold weather hits, he's got food to munch on. And don't we do our fair share of "squirrel-ing" away for winter too?
We pickle veggies. We make jams. We blanch & de-seed those excess tomatoes and freeze them for a winter sauce. We store up for winter.
But unlike the squirrel, these aren't our only options. We can plant for the winter.
As you've probably figured out from reading my blog, I love greens, especially kale and spinach. They are jam-packed with nutrition and so versatile in the kitchen. But in the warmer summer temperatures, kale can attract unwanted insects and spinach will wither in the heat. These guys, and many other delicious, healthy cold-hardy veggies, produce well in the winter. Other popular cool-weather crops are: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, carrots, & cauliflower.
Fall is the time to plant so that you can harvest these crops in the winter. Mix a little freshness in with the pickles & jams this season!
{CHARLOTTE RESIDENTS: Now is also a good time to start thinking about banding your trees for the Spring cankerworms. Help protect Charlotte's beautiful trees & foliage by banding this Winter. Shout out to Renfrow's Hardware in Matthews. They are not only the best damn place to buy seeds in the greater Charlotte area, but they also carry all the supplies you need for banding. Read more about Charlotte's Cankerworm problem here.}
TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED:
Look into your Plant Hardiness zone when determining when & what to plant in your garden, particularly a Fall garden. You can get a ton of details from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Many seed packets will reference zones, so it's important to know your zone!
North & South Carolinians: I of course am partial to Clemson & NC State when it comes to tips on horticulture & agriculture. They have great resources for planting in the Carolinas. Here are a few: NC State Horticulture: Growing a Fall Vegetable Garden, Clemson Co-op Extension: Vegetable Gardening
