While other parts of the country are currently shrouded in snow, we here in coastal northern California are lucky enough to be gardening outdoors during the shortest days of the year! The mild coastal climate rarely dips below freezing, and the plentiful rain triggers the grass to green up before the new year. For those of you who also enjoy mild winter weather, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your outdoor garden this winter.
WHAT TO PLANT: Green, leafy plants like lettuce, spinach, and chard can thrive in lower temperatures, so they are a good choice to plant in your winter garden. Other plants that will do well include those from the Brassica family (including broccoli, cabbage, and kale) and short day onion varieties.
WHAT NOT TO PLANT: Leave the tomatoes and peppers indoors under your HID lights. Those plants like long days and a bit of heat; 15 hours of darkness and 31 ̊ nights, not so much!
JUST RELAX: Happy Frog Fertilizers are a great, low-maintenance way to keep your plants healthy when there is too much rain to use liquid nutrients. Simply mix some of this granular organic fertilizer into the soil of your new container or in-ground plantings or work some into the top inch of your soil around the base of your plants monthly.
TAKE IT EASY: Since the days are shorter and the sun is less intense, your plants will slow their metabolism and photosynthesize less. This means that growth will be a little slower, but it also means that you can use a bit less fertilizer than you would in the full sun of the summer. Reduce your fertilizer application rates by 20-30% in these more harsh growing conditions.
KEEP ‘EM COZY: use our Happy Frog Soil Conditioner as a mulch around the base of in-ground perennials. This will insulate sensitive roots from colder temperatures over the winter as well as add beneficial biology and organic nutrition to your soil.
And if your winter weather is not so mild (or even if it is), maybe it’s time to think about building a greenhouse for next year to take advantage of the best light source around! Cheers!
