Even though our yards are parched from the summer heat, it’s time to start thinking about winter, your winter garden, that is.

When we moved to the Island in June 2011, we promptly got our vegetable garden started. One month later, we found out that you can grow veggies throughout the winter. We had heard West Coast gardening expert, Linda Gilkeson speak, and learned where to start. We raced to all the garden centres to see what plants were left.

THE CONCEPT
The whole idea of growing vegetables in winter sounds crazy, especially if you are from the prairies. We were pleasantly surprised. Here’s how it works.

When you plant root crops in July, they will grow until October and then stop. Once they are mature, they stay in the ground, in a holding pattern, until you harvest them. It’s like your garden is a refrigerator that keeps them all fresh until you need them.

As far as greens go, you buy certain varieties that are specific to winter conditions, and they do actually keep growing. It’s the same with brassicas (cabbages, broccoli etc.). They just keep producing. It’s truly a wonder.

ROOT CROPS
I’m talking about carrots, beets and parsnips. Oh, and then there are leeks and rutabagas too. They grow in the ground, so snow and frost doesn’t seem to harm them. Remember, by winter they have already grown and are just resting until you want to pick them.

BRASSICAS
Yummmm. Purple sprouting broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower … you pick these fresh when they are ready, and plants like the broccoli just keep on producing all winter. It’s amazing.

GREENS
Kale and collards are popular crops to grow in the winter. They are very hardy and packed full of those great fresh green nutrients.  We hate kale. Just sayin’.

Corn Salad: Image courtesy of pennywoodword.com.au

But, we do love spinach and lettuce. There are winter varieties that you plant in the fall and closer to spring, so that you have year- round pickin’s for your salads.

Our magical find is something called corn salad, which has absolutely nothing to do with corn. We sow seed right into the ground in August or September. It’s a lovely dark green rosette-looking plant and it supplements our salads all winter long. It’s sweet tasting and incredibly hardy. It seems to thrive with frosty weather.

PLANTING SCHEDULE
I must apologize for being tardy with this article, as most of your veggies should be in the ground by now. You can still find many of them in garden centres, so please rush out and give them a try.

Over time, you will create your own schedule for your particular microclimate. For more details on planting schedules, check out Linda Gilkeson’s website.

GROWING CONDITIONS
We live across the street from waterfront property. Our little peninsula is 20 meters above sea level and surrounded by ocean water, so our backyard climate is pretty mild. We do have a few cold spots, so we just don’t plant there.

If you are living further inland or at higher elevations, you will have a cooler climate which will affect the progress of your plants.

Also, remember that the sun will be hitting different places in your yard, on your deck or under your overhangs. You can find different places to plant things for winter gardening than you normally would in the summer.

GET TO KNOW LINDA
I’ve merely opened your eyes to the winter growing opportunities. Now it’s time to start your own garden experiments, just like we did.

I encourage you to check out all of what Linda has to offer – her website , books (especially Backyard Bounty), and I see she has several speaking engagements coming up, a great opportunity to ask her direct questions.

She is also an entomologist, so can decipher all your bug, pest and fungus issues, which we all inevitably have to deal with in our West Coast gardens.

GO FORTH AND GROW!
If you are new to the idea of growing winter vegetables, you will soon find that you can have year-round, fresh produce.  Go out and try something new and share your knowledge with your friends and neighbours.  Let’s keep up the momentum for people to grow their own food, and promote living on a 10 mile diet.  Enjoy the sunshine while you can.

Happy gardening.

Bonnie Chomica
Content Marketing Specialist
Marketing Communications for Small Business
Nanoose, Bay, BC
250-667-7647
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