just built a veg plot, any ideas on what i can grow now and over the winter. any tips or hints??? i`m a newie.

Question

I HAVE PUT IN TWO TON OF TOP SOIL, AND HAVE STRAWBERRIES AND LEEKS TO GO IN.....BUT WOULD REALLY APPRICIATE SOME ADVICE ON GROWING SOME STUFF I COULD FEED MY FAMILY, AND ALSO TO HAVE AN EXCUSE TO GO OUT IN THE GARDEN IN WINTER.....PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

If you live in a warm winter area the local garden center should be able to advise you on what you can plant. When we lived in Florida we were able to plant corn, beans etc. Now that we are here in Indiana we either just add cut up leaves and compost to the garden and till it in for the winter, or plant some annual rye grass which will grow, die off and be tilled in as soon as possible after the winter. Both ways will help build your soil to feed your veg. roots and help keep the weeds out. Good luck.

Answer 2

I am not sure where you are located, but one suggestion is check out seedrack.com. We buy lots of our garden seeds from there as they have all the areas and seeds zoned off so that you know what will grow in your area and when. Living in Canada there is not much that will grow through the winter up here. But, my hubby's step dad use to keep the carrots growing all winter ~ covered with the leaves from the fall season. The leaves would keep them insulated and the family would have fresh carrots all winter. I am sure this would work with almost anything that grew in that matter, like potatoes and beets.

Answer 3

There are some types of lettuce that you can grow in the winter . . . but there really isn't many things that "grow" in the winter. There are many things you can plant now however that will be dormant over the winter and sprout in the spring. I'm planting garlic this fall for next spring !!! I'm a newbie too . . . Happy Gardening !!!

Answer 4

you kinda have to give us a general idea of where you live before anyone knows what you can plant for the winter. Fer instance, here in Illinois, I can not plant anything to grow in the winter. It is too cold and we will have snow in a couple of months, won't be able to plant anything or get out and garden until April.

Answer 5

Turnips - Bulbs 1" dia, boil, butter, mash, salt, pepper - taste like mashed potatoes - Also boil tinder leaves with ham hock, bulbs or bacon. Taste like cooked greens.
Collard Greens -
Lettuce - Non head types.
Cabbage - Eat before freeze
Collards -
Rape -
Broccilli -
Irish potatoes - Dig before ground freeze.
During clear, frosty nights, cover all growing plants with 6" loose straw to prevent heat loss by radiation to clear sky.
After ground freezes, allow straw covered but utherwise undisturbed plants to survive until early spring at which time new leaves become edible and tasty.

Answer 6

Tell us where you live and we can advise you further. Follow the link below and enter your zip code. This will tell you which hardiness zone you live in.

Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/usda-hardiness-zones.html

Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!