EASY, YEAR-ROUND GARDENING
For a decade I have been claiming that I do not want to garden in winter.
I LOVE growing food three seasons of the year, but have always considered winter to be my time to rest and recharge.
A retraction may be in order.
The reason I have never declared a battle for veggies in winter is because the struggle is real.
THE GREENHOUSE HEADACHE
Do you know why I will never have a greenhouse?
WATER
I HAVE AN EPIPHANY FOR GREENHOUSE-COVETERS EVERYWHERE
It never rains in greenhouses.
Just let that soak in.
No rain.
Ever.
You are responsible for providing all the water for any plants inside a greenhouse.
No thank you.
Call me lazy, but I do not like watering plants. I don’t water my gardens. I don’t water my seeds. I don’t water in droughts. I don’t water.
I believe in deep, fertile beds and loads of mulch. When roots can run deep, and plants are heavily mulched, moisture stays in the soil and watering isn’t necessary.
And, there is also the fact that I live in Kentucky and it is always raining.
Seriously.
I am not kidding.
Kentucky is only 4 rainy days away from beating Seattle for the wettest place in America.
In addition to the constant drizzle, we also have 4000% humidity all summer long. The world is a greenhouse here – which makes things grow… big time.
We’ve got moisture galore.
A-hem.
As I was saying, whenever watering plants is optional, I opt to decline.
No thank you for the greenhouse.
I FOUND A WATER-FREE GREENHOUSE!!!
We all know about using hoops and row covers for keeping pests away from our cabbages.
I also know that hoops can be a great way to ‘warm-up’ soil in spring for super-early planting.
But, did you know that you can use hoops and row covers to grow vegetables in winter?
For real.
The right hoop covering can create a year-round growing environment.
MIND BLOWN
It is true.
THE HOOP GREENHOUSE
These are also called “Low Tunnels”
There are so many great reasons to install a little covered row (or two) in your garden.
- Early planting in spring
- Extended season gardening
- Frost Protection
- Insect Repellent
- Protection from heavy rain
- Hail protection
Low tunnels are super easy to create and can grow cool season crops all year long in most areas.
Crops to consider for your low tunnel: Greens, kale, cabbage, spinach, hardy lettuces, arugula
As long as the plant is frost friendly, it should thrive in a low tunnel all winter long.
You can choose lightweight, medium weight, or heavyweight covers depending on your needs. The packaging on the row cover will be marked with the levels of frost protection and sunlight transmission.
To create this super easy greenhouse in your existing garden – simply bend some pipes and cover the rows.
Benefits of using Hoop and Covers in your existing Garden
ONE: When it rains – it waters your plants.
Even with covering on the rows, they still get plenty of watering! Because these beauties are rooted in the earth, the rain reaches the root systems of the plants.
Adding to the amount of water, the hoop rows are narrow with plenty of space between them for full saturation.
In short, the ground in these little hoop rows always stays moist.
TWO: Easy to manage
This row cover cloth is so simple to remove on nice days and recover on frosty ones.
This allows you to maximize sunny days and protect your plants during colder nights.
THREE: Portable
Unlike a greenhouse structure, a hoop and row cover design can be erected, taken down, and MOVED easily. You can reuse the pipes and fabric for as many years as the fabric holds up (with care, it can last over 3 years).
FOUR: Warm and toasty
Installing a hoop row in your garden can be just as warm as a traditional greenhouse and less of a headache.
FABRIC OR PLASTIC?
Now that we all want a hoop greenhouse in our garden the big question is should I get plastic or fabric for the cover material?
- Plastic is stronger.
- Plastic will typically last a little longer (four years v/s three).
- Plastic is warmer (be careful, on warm days you can fry your plants if they are covered in plastic).
TIP: Whenever daytime temps reach 55 degrees, be sure to pull back plastic covers so plants don’t bake.
I chose fabric
Remember, I am a lazy gardener who doesn’t like to water her plants. I also don’t want to keep running out to the garden and remove row covers (oh – and recover them before nightfall) so I am going to recommend the easy route…
Fabric all day long.
FABRIC WON’T BAKE PLANTS
Fabric can breathe, so when temperatures soar on weird December days (yesterday it was 58 degrees here) plants won’t bake.
If I had plastic over my plants – I would have spent yesterday morning yanking plastic off my hoops. OH and get them covered before night because temps dropped below freezing last night.
RAIN CAN PENETRATE FABRIC
Fabric allows rain to travel in.
‘Nough said.
FABRIC CAN BREATHE
The fabric allows airflow and breathing. Plants need air to breathe just like us. Unlike plastic, the fabric row covers will provide plenty of fresh air.
FABRIC IS WARM
If you live in a super cold area and feel you need the plastic version to keep plants warm, you can consider using two layers of fabric instead. It will provide ample warmth and allow for air circulation and rain penetration.
Plastic is really only needed if you happen to live at the North Pole.
Happy Gardening!!
XO,
Candi
