Mild Winter Gardening Tips: What Will Grow In A Warm Winter Garden
In most of the country, October or November signals the end of gardening for the year, especially with the arrival of frost. In the southernmost part of the country, however, winter care for warm climate gardens is just the opposite. This can be the most productive time available in your garden, if you live in USDA zones 8 to 11. The weather is still warm for most of the winter but not too hot, the sun's rays are weaker, so they won't burn tender seedlings, and there are fewer insects to deal with. Gardeners in the warmest parts of the country can grow year-round gardens, simply splitting up the planting duties into cool weather and warm weather crops.
Year-Round Gardens
Winter gardening in warm climates is almost upside down from what northern gardeners are used to. Instead of taking a break from planting during the dead of winter, gardeners in the warmest regions are worried about protecting their plants in the middle of summer. Weeks on end of 100 degrees F. (38 C.) heat can endanger the toughest of vegetables, and those that are used to cooler weather simply won't grow at all. Most gardeners split the season into two planting times, allowing the spring plants to grow through the summer and the fall plants to grow over the winter. When northern gardeners are pulling dead vines and putting their garden beds to sleep for the winter, gardeners in zones 8 to 11 are adding compost and putting out a new set of transplants.
Winter Gardening in Warm Climates
What will grow in a warm winter garden? If you would have planted it in the early spring in the north, it will thrive over the new year in a southern winter garden. The warmer temperatures encourage the plants to grow quicker, but as the year draws to a close the sun isn't hot enough to affect cool weather plants like lettuce, peas, and spinach. Try planting a fresh batch of carrots, put in a row or two of broccoli, and add some spinach and kale for healthy dishes over the winter. When looking for mild winter gardening tips, look to spring gardening tips for northern climates. If it works in April and May in Michigan or Wisconsin, it will do even better in Florida or southern California in November. You'll probably have to protect the plants through the end of January and parts of February if you have a rare frosty morning, but the plants should grow until early March when it's time to put out the tomatoes and peppers.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
-
Why You Should Eat Invasive Plants – A Tasty Way To Control Unwanted Species
Eat invasive plants for nutrition and their amazing varied flavors, but be sure to properly identify the plant and know how to eat it.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Try These 7 Small Flower Bed Ideas For Big Blooms In Compact Corners
Looking for easy wins in your flower beds in the year ahead? Make room for these gorgeous small flower bed ideas – and you’ll see big results in the smallest spaces
By Tonya Barnett
-
How Many Vegetables To Plant Per Person For A Year
Gauging how much to plant in a vegetable garden can eliminate waste while still producing enough for your family. Click for more.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
13 Perennial Fruits And Vegetables You Only Have To Plant Once
Looking to set it and forget it? Find out which fruits and vegetables can be grown as perennials.
By Laura Miller
-
11 Edible Plants For A Year-Round Garden In A Bucket
Want to know how to grow food inside your house and which foods do best indoors? Click here to learn all about it.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Frost Tolerance Of Vegetables From Least To Most Hardy
How cold can vegetables tolerate? Knowing which veggies will survive frosts and freezes is essential for the success of your garden. Click here for more.
By Laura Miller
-
Best Vegetables To Pickle Straight From The Garden
Pickles aren’t limited to just cucumbers. Read on for tips on pickling your fresh veggies.
By Amy Grant
-
Benefits Of Planting In Fall Vs. Spring Vegetable Plots
Learn why some vegetables do better if you plant them in fall instead of spring.
By Laura Miller
-
Interplanting Vegetables In The Fall Garden
Learn all about the benefits of interplanting vegetables for your fall garden.
By Laura Miller
-
Best Vegetables For Growing In Perlite
Perlite is a natural growing medium that comes from super-heated volcanic glass. In some cases, it works better than soil. Read on for more info.
By Laura Miller