I think it’s safe to say I somewhat mastered summer gardening in year one. My plants grew surprisingly well and I got many delicious vegetables including peas, carrots, onions, bokchoy and tomatoes. I’m sure there will be challenges to come but I’m feeling successful and very happy!
Tending to my garden is a great time for thinking and well, it provides tasty snacks too. What does gardening do you for? Why do you love it so much?🌱🌽
But winter is coming! Where I live is fairly mild, the weather usually doesn’t go below -1C(30 degrees F) We live in hardiness zone 8b if that means anything to you. I don’t know much about planting vegetables in the cooler months so I’m reaching out to all of you! Obviously I can’t grow tomatoes and peppers, but what vegetables am I able to grow successfully in cooler weather? Are there any things I need to know before I jump into winter gardening? Another concern of mine is seeds – I haven’t found anywhere that sells seeds past August…will I need to stock up? Do you order from a website? Save seeds from your harvests?
I’d love to grow broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes and am open to all your suggestions. What success have you had with winter gardening? Which veggies do you grow? I’m really looking forward to hearing from all of you🌱🍄
nannygrannie 
Your vegetables are so nice! They look delicious. I continue into the colder months to grow kale, lettuce, beets. You can also grow flowers…calla lily’s, nasturtiums, pansies, calendulas. I’m building more cold frames now too, to prepare for the colder months. I enjoy growing plants mostly because I think it tastes better. I like knowing what is in my foods/how it’s grown (organically). I also get a kick out of seeing a seed grow into a plant! I want to say I appreciate your follow and your kind words. Be well and happy gardening! Koko:)
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I didn’t know flowers survived cold weather – I guess I just don’t see many in the colder months. This is so exciting to learn! Plants from our gardens certainly do taste better and I understand about seeing a seed grow into a plant – mind blowing 🙂 happy growing!
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I’m incorporating more flowers into my garden. They just make me so happy to see!
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You can plant turnips, beets and carrots now for winter and mid August put in some arugula, spinach and lettuce you like. All of them will continue growing until snow or freezing rain stops them–and if that happens, you’ll still have some early crops come March!
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I was wondering exactly the same thing. I’m afraid I might have to steal all the great suggestions for my garden!!
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Haha no, that’s not stealing! Let’s do it:)
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Winter gardening is kind of an experiment for the first few times. When you look for seeds, look for there cold hardiness. A lot of all year gardeners have to turn to greenhouses, but I think you’ll be a little better off in your climate.
Leafy greens are the easiest and it is said that since the days are shorter, the greens take a little longer to mature, and have a more intense flavor because of it. Winter spinach is supposed to be much better to enjoy than summer-grown varieties. Carrots and beets and such like colder weather, but will also take longer to grow and some of them might halt at the coldest weather, but will start up again when it warms a couple degrees.
You also still have time before the frost to get another group of peas and carrots now. Peas always stop in the hottest moths of the summer (I think you said yours stopped already) but you can get a new batch in before the frost if you plant them soon.
Have fun with it. Experiment. I saw a pretty cool cheap greenhouse where someone took hay bales, made a foundation around their winter garden and covered it with plastic or old windows for the roof. And yes, stock up on seeds now or find a good company online, they are fleeting in the winter.
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Wonderful advice, thank you so much! I’m determined. Headed to the seed store this morning! I’ll look for some leafy greens and check for the cold hardiness. More peas!? I wonder if I will have time to start peas from seeds(my current peas were bought as small plants)… perhaps I’ll try! The hay bale greenhouse sounds so interesting! I’ll experiment and see how it goes 🙂 thanks again!
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Peas grow quick from seed. My spring planted peas only took maybe 70 days to harvest. And you probably shouldn’t freeze until, what, November? Should be able to sow now and harvest in roughly October. ☺
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Hello, I would love to offer you some tips for the cooler months however, this year my crop of Kale and Broccoli have been munched away by snails (lots of rain). Kale leaves are looking small but okay the Broccoli however, all the leaves have disappeared. My Swiss Chard, also known as Silver Beet is looking good, as are my Leeks. My Dill has blossomed from seeds and I am looking forward to the weather improving here in Melbourne in order for the winter veggies to really take shape???? Garlic grows very well in winter and in the past I have had much success with my crop. During the winter months in Melbourne the wind and rain can be bitter. All the best with the winter garden. Milanka
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Hi, here in the UK I would plant broad beans and garlic in the autumn and as others have said some salad crops will keep going. Also, as mentioned, you can get in another crop of peas as the weather cools.
For next year you could try sowing parsnip in late spring – they are supposed to taste better if frosted and will survive the winter.
Just enjoy what survives
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I think I’ll try another crop of peas for sure, let’s hope these ones have longer lives. Parsnip sounds great, thanks for your advice, and happy growing!
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Hi, I’m in Zone 9a and have had a veggie winter garden for the last 4 years, its really nice to walk out in the middle of winter or early spring to pick you own veggies. You do still have time for peas but i think in your zone its too late for carrots, our last date to start them is July 1st.
If you an find a good book written by a local gardener that would be a great source of information for you, I would also check out your local garden groups and shows , or if you have Seed exchanges , anything like that can get you going in the right direction.
Check out this guide for winter/ spring gardening, it doesn’t include everything but it does give you a good idea how to plan for it.
Click to access Linda%20Gilkeson%20Planting%20Schedule.pdf
West Coast seeds also has a really good planting guide in their catalouge which you can download on line or order.
I have several posts about my experience on my blog , I wrote this one recently
https://mywestcoastgarden.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/planning-a-winter-spring-garden-for-the-pacific-northwest/
It does take a bit of effort when there is frost. I cover most crops with old blankets , or with frost cloth, I think its worth it 🙂
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I think I will be growing saled veggies this fall/ winter. Carrots, lettuce, califlour all sound good. I have alot of left over seeds but may order some more online as well. I live in zone 8 and want be planning cool weather plants for another month or so. Hopefully this triple digit heat will be gone by then.
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