Whether a seasoned gardener or not, growing and caring for plants in the Winter and colder climes can present itself a challenge. From the radiating warmth of the summer (although many times raining!), through to the cooling down of Autumn, the change in season and its temperature can be tricky to get just right – especially if you find yourself a little underprepared in the run-up from November to early March.
We don’t fully recommend being reliant on trying to grow seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers all year round – as well as it being naturally impossible, it also takes the joy out of appreciating the four seasons we’re so lucky to experience here in the U.K. But of course, when the bitter cold of the winter hits us, these months can be the toughest for our greenery and other cultivations. Through various forms in the way we can help, let’s educate ourselves in how to grow and care for our plants during the colder months.
A GREENHOUSE IS YOUR FRIEND
Never be afraid to call help from equipment. Speak to anyone who themselves prune, crop and dig around greenery, and they’ll most likely tell you they’ve too invested in a large warm growing house. When it comes to Winter, trusting in a greenhouse is the difference to success and failure with the more sensitive crops.
When thinking about what greenhouse to buy, the things you need to think about are how large space can you offer, are you able to offer temporary/permanent accommodation and how much are you realistically going to grow.
Let’s start off thinking about the small. The most common and smallest greenhouses come in the name of ‘cold frames’. These are very tiny and are low to the ground. Whilst they cannot be exactly be used in the same way as a greenhouse, (cold frames are more targeted towards baby/young plants and fix low on the ground) they are extremely useful for winter when sheltering seeds and new plants. They can be used both outside a greenhouse and inside – making them a suitable addition to whatever you set-up may be. Long and spacious and easy to access. This Outsunny cold frame gives you plenty to work with – take the aluminium frame, paired with the polycarbonate panels, this mini piece is tough and shields the inside effectively.
Okay, so you’re looking for something similar in build – yet much larger and offering plenty more to play inside. Then this 9x6ft beauty could be right up your street. It too has an aluminium core frame, fitted with polycarbonate panels, so you know it’s going to stand steady and shield inside effectively. And inside, there’s lots of open room so you can set it up however you want. Whether you want to get in a potting unit, stand some shelves and create your own equipment storage area, then it’s completely up to you.
Looking for something a little more temporary, with everything you need in one package? Then why not consider this tall 2×4.5ft Outsunny greenhouse? Again, like our other growhouses, this one comes with a metal frame so the core structure is pretty tough. The cover, however, is thick PVC plastic – which makes it temporary: it’s durable enough to provide somewhat prolonged cover for your plants, yet it can be folded and rolled up with ease. Even better, this one comes with shelves, so it’s easy to organise the contents without the need of having to to add anything if you so wish.
ENHANCE THE SOIL
Colder temperatures can play havoc on stripping nutrients from the soil in which plants, vegetables and flowers require to grow. Make sure you give them a little boost by adding mulch onto their growing area for full protection. And even better, it needn’t cost you an extra penny and can be recycled from what’s around you. Mulch can be made from garden chippings, leaf mould and similar plant trimmings. An all-round winner for recycling your gardening work to the best of its natural ability.
CONSIDER SEASONALITY
The best way to grow plants at their best during Winter, is to grow plants which are meant to be grown in the winter. This not only allows your crops to come out the best they could do at any given time, but also means you can grow a variety of different flowers, vegetables and fruits. This brings a really nice variety to look at and taste. Think of parsnips, brussel sprouts, leeks, cauliflowers, carrots – all those hearty vegetables we become so accustomed to when we need something really fulfilling and away from the cold. Bramley apples, clementines, rhubarb and plums are all excellent fruits to consider if you want something on the sweet side in your diet.
CONSIDER THEIR STANDING PLACE
Sunlight is crucial for plant growth, and with the decreasing amount of sunlight during the WInter months, it’s important to think about where your vegetables, flowers and beyond stand. Do they get the best spot during the daytime? If not, and if possible, it’s time to relocate them so they can enjoy that warm glow when the sun does pop its head out.
If needed, then why no consider purchasing artificial light – fluorescent bulbs will provide adequate amounts for crops.