growing a garden as a family

Your garden may only seem worth the effort when the warmer months approach. However, there are plenty of ways to have a beautiful and functional garden, even when the weather seems inhospitable.

Give Plants A Bed

Use bedding materials to reduce the chance of hard freezes that can destroy the root system of some winter plants. Consider adding a dark colored tarp or mesh as part of your ground covering. This will inhibit weed growth when the weather warms, but it can also can help more rain run off your plants in the colder months. You want your plants to have enough water to flourish, but too much water at the wrong times during the winter can increase the chances of freezing.

On top of the tarp, a layer of wood chips or mulch can help keep the root system of your plants warmer by absorbing more sunlight. When the weather becomes warmer, simply remove the tarp while keeping the wood chips or mulch as a ground covering. Since both of these ground coverings break down over time, they work well as fertilizer during the warmer months.

Plant Hearty Edibles

Many vegetables thrive in the colder months, such as leafy greens, or as the weather cools it is the best time to start planting some vegetables for harvesting in the spring. Potatoes are a popular vegetable that can sustain the cooler weather, mostly because it grows underground. As long as you live in a climate that does not typically experience prolonged periods of hard freezes, potatoes should be on your list of winter vegetables. In addition to considering which edible plants can be grown during the colder months, you should also choose varieties that store well. Since fresh produce can be limited or expensive during the colder months, you want to gain the most use out of the foods you grow.

Include Pops Of Color

Vibrant colors seem impossible when the weather is colder, but some plants continue to produce foliage or fruit throughout the winter, which can add warmth to an otherwise cool colored winter landscape. Witch hazel is overlooked as a garden addition, but it produces beautiful color during the cooler months.

Holly is another popular winter plant, but you may be concerned about planting a holly tree. To avoid the lengthy growth time, choose varieties that grow as shrubs. They are easy to maintain and often produce brightly colored berries at many times throughout the year. If you enjoy wildlife, holly is also an excellent addition because hungry birds may stop by to eat holly berries when food is otherwise scarce.

Your gardening does not need to hibernate when the colder weather approaches. With strategic effort you can transform your drab winter garden into a winter wonderland. Contact a business, such as The Bushel Stop, for more information.