Winter Gardening at 6 degrees

[Kathleen Mitchell]

I was really happy to open my garden today and find minimal damage from the super low temperatures this week. I really wasn't sure the tender leaves could survive a low of 6 degrees. On my drive over I was picturing the need to completely replant.  I only lost two lettuce plants that were near the edge.  I was able to harvest a nice bowl of greens for lunch!!!!!  Kale is particularly fabulous when young in the Winter. 

I would love to encourage more gardeners to try Winter gardening. Now is a great time to plant greens. The sun is getting high enough to clear the mountains for a much longer growing day.  Phil (who now runs the Friday Farmer's market in town) can be hired to Winterize your plot.  Having the Winter water source makes it so much easier this year with no water to haul.  I'm watering about once a week lately.

Kathleen

[Karen Marbach]

You're lucky!  I've had mine covered, but what I planted (kohlrabi and lettuces) has barely grown.  Last week, I tried to dig a little fertilizer in, and it was frozen solid about an inch down.  I talked to Phil at the farmers' market, and he said he's lost a lot of things due to the ground being frozen, too.
Karen

[Kathy Smith]

I covered my plot with straw and then plastic over the hoops. My radish seedlings are fine. Most of the spinach looks good. A few days will tell if the kale seedlings made it. My rosemary lost a little foliage but is mostly O. K. The onions & garlic died back a little, but will come back. The Johnny Jump Ups survived. Still looking for the carrots, but they were pretty small to start with. It will take a few days to know. I've also been pouring compost tea on the plot from the worm composter in my garage.

Kathy

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Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:06:42 -0800
Subject: Re: Winter Gardening at 6 degrees
From: kema...@gmail.com
To: kathleenm...@gmail.com
CC: wcgme...@googlegroups.com