Winter in the Garden: what the heck to do

As many of us central Texans know, January and February can be quite unpredictable when it comes to weather. Heck, we just had 16 degree days last week worried my pipes would freeze, and this past Thursday I was in shorts! 

While it may be tempting to hang up our gloves and trowels, there’s still plenty we can plant and prep for a thriving spring and summer garden.

Below we’ll outline some to-do’s both indoors and out to keep you busy.

What to Plant

Even though temps swing, there’s still hardy winter vegetables that do well in the cold months. 

Direct sow: 

• Arugula

• Kale

• Spinach

• Beets

• Carrots, 

• Kohlrabi

• Radishes 

• Peas 

Transplant: 

• Broccoli

• Cabbage

• Cauliflower

• Asian Greens

• Swiss Chard

• Collard Greens

• Artichokes

You can find transplants at your local garden center or if you started your own seeds indoors, now is the perfect time to harden them off and move them to your outdoor beds. (Post coming soon on seed starting 101!)

What to Buy 

If you’re a nerd, like us, you may have a plethora of seed catalogs coming to your mail. We find it fun to sit down with a cup of coffee, flip through the catalogs and circle all the seeds you want to buy. Seed companies like Baker Creek Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange are great and reliable companies to order from. Your local garden center will also have plenty of options to choose from. 

What to Prep in the Garden 

Even if you have a current harvest, winter is the perfect time to top off your beds with mulch, fresh soil, and/or compost, giving it time to break down and add nutrients to your soil for a thriving spring and summer harvest. 1-2” of compost and mulch and a high nitrogen fertilizer applied around your plants will ensure healthy plants and fertile soil for the next growing season. Mulch will also help insulate your plants and soil if a cold snap does happen, trapping heat and water near the roots. If you still have your christmas tree lying around, cutting off the small branches and laying them on your beds is a sustainable way to recycle your live tree, if not, any bark mulch or pine needles will do! 

Lastly, if your beds have been around for awhile, now is also a good time to test your soil either by using a soil test kit or this RainTrip soil Ph Meter.

What to Prep Indoors

Late January and early February are the perfect time to plan out your spring garden. Along with ordering seeds, if you’re an experienced gardener, you can start your tomato and pepper seeds indoors. If you don’t already have the tools, this takes a little investment up front but the reward of growing your own plants from seed is exciting!

That about sums it all up. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Happy winter gardening!

Let’s grow some shit!

-Hunter + Chelsea