Winter gardening

Tomatoes, peppers, and flowers thrive in Indiana’s changing climate clear into November these days. In the wake of climate change, Indiana’s landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. When I embarked on my gardening journey, the northern reaches of Indiana were firmly situated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s hardiness zone 5a. However, in recent years, …

Winter may conjure images of barren landscapes, but it’s also a time when nature surprises us with the delicate beauty of winter flowering plants. These resilient blooms defy the cold, offering a touch of vibrancy and hope during the frosty months. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the enchanting world of winter gardening, where …

I invite you to step into my Indiana garden on November 2nd as we explore the resilience of winter vegetables in my hoop house., to a closer look at my Indiana winter vegetable garden, where every day brings new discoveries and challenges. As we stroll through my hoop house on this brisk November 2nd, we’ll …

Growing a variety of cool season vegeatbles is the easiest way to have fresh food in your own backyard from fall through spring. Today I want to talk to you about the types of vegetables that do good in the fall garden. Almost any vegetable that you plant in early spring, such as lettuce or …

When winter’s chill descends upon your garden, it might seem like your green thumb has to take a long hiatus. But wait, there’s good news for gardening enthusiasts – the cold season doesn’t have to mark the end of your horticultural endeavors, especially once you understand vegetable garden frost protection methods. With the right techniques …

Before planting the vegetable garden, it is a good idea to make a plan on paper then prepare cold frames or tunnel houses to protect the crops from unexpected frost in spring. Planning a vegetable garden on paper is something many gardeners do, but they often forget about planning an early spring vegetable garden. Planning the …

There are a number of vegetables to plant in January and by planting early you get a  head start on growing early spring vegetables. Planting cool weather crops in January means you will need cold frames and row covers if you live in a cold climate unless you plan to start seeds indoors. Here in Indiana …

Yes, you really can use frost to your advantage in the garden. While often times gardeners don’t worry about frost until fall rolls around, it is an issue in early spring as well. Once you learn the basics of using frost to your advantage, you can get a head start on your spring garden and …

Tunnel house, greenhouse and cold frame garden structures are all great choices growing plants in the winter, but what, exactly is the difference between the three of them? Technically they do the exact same job which is protect plants from the cold weather outside during the winter months. However each one has a slightly different …

There are many tropical looking plants that will thrive in U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zones 6 through 8. Plants will adapt to the climate they are grown in. By using minimal winter protection, such as a cold frame, it is possible to raise the temperature around the plant and get it to survive the …