Green Acres Blog Post 11.23.2021

Winter is fast approaching, but that does not mean your gardening has to end. You can continue to grow and enjoy fresh produce due to the number of plants that thrive in the winter.

You may want to start with some winter gardening supplies. A cold frame is a simple structure that utilizes solar energy to create a microclimate within your garden. They are used to retain heat and protect plants from strong winds. 

Onions and garlic are both frost-resistant and adaptable, these plants provide a great seasoning throughout the winter season. Onions and shallots can survive incredibly cold temperatures with a little protection

Herbs like chives, thyme, or parsley, are the perfect size for a cold frame. Herbs add so much flavor to perfect winter dishes like soups, chilis, and more. 

Kale grows very well in mild winters and produces sweet, tender leaves during a cold winter if the plants are protected well. 

Roots vegetables like carrots, beets, and parsnips grow well under cold conditions and can even be sweeter than vegetables grown in the summer. 

Gardening may not be for you this winter, and that’s okay! There are some edible plants that grow in nature you may be able to find in your backyard. Rose hips are woody plants that have compound leaves and small, seeded fruits. The pulp and skin of the rose hips can be eaten raw and the entire rose hip can be steeped to make rose tea.

Chicory is a non-native plant that grows throughout the US. The greens of the plant can be used as salad greens, and the root of the plant can be chopped and roasted to create a steeping mixture that can be used like un-caffeinated coffee grounds. 

The cold weather brings an opportunity to explore a different type of gardening. Whether adding some parsley to your loaded potato soup or making your own morning coffee out of chicory, there is a lot of variety in plants you can enjoy this winter. 

Check with your nursery professional at Green Acres Landscape for more ideas.