Fall Gardening is a Lost Art

Gardening in the fall seems to be a lost art. Not many people garden in the fall, so they can harvest it in the winter months. This is a wonderful contribution to sustainability that I believe people bypass. You can still garden in the winter months, as long as you plant it before the soil hardens. Best time to do this is right about this time of season. Keep in mind you will not be able to grow vegetables such as tomatoes.

The types of vegetables that grow well in winter are onions. Onions of all kinds thrive in winter growing and so does the brassica family of vegetables. These include vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards, brussel sprouts and all members of the brassica family can be harvested in the winter months.

Building a cold frame from scratch will make the garden more effective, and protected at the same time. A cold frame is similar to a green house effect; however with some plastic sheeting, which can be reused every year, you can build a cold frame for a relatively low cost.

Here are some great links on homemade cold frames to give you some ideas. Use your creativity. Ask local farmers if they have any extra chicken wire. If you can make a box, you can make a cold frame garden.

• http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/top-tips/home-made-cold-frame-lean-greenhouse_12358.html

This one is a cold frame built out of bales of straw, great idea. Ask your local farmers how much for a few bales of straw.

Plexiglas pieces that are taped together to make a box would also work.

You can also purchase a cold frame already made for you. If it is a matter of cost, canvas your neighbors and ask them to pitch in so they can share it with you. This year you buy one, and then the following year you buy another. They can be reused and end up saving you money on vegetables, and you would be participating with the environment.

Spending one hundred dollars is a great investment.

• http://www.gardeners.com/Cold-Frame-with-Greenhouse-cover/37-443RS,default,pd.html

Another idea is a treasure chest or child’s toy box, remove the lid, and add the plastic sheeting to the top of the chest. The whole point is for the sun to filter in to warm the winter garden.

Winter gardening is contributing to sustainability by growing your vegetables year round. Keep in mind not all vegetables will grow or live through freezing weather. The ones I listed have been known to endure through the coldest of seasons.

Happy winter harvest!