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Common sense dictates that gardening in the winter is impossible. The only activity that any gardener can do during winter or more specifically late winter is pruning. However, there is more to gardening in the winter than pruning. A lot of preparation and planting activities can be done during the frosty months. In fact, gardening in the winter can improve soil condition and prepare it for crop propagation in spring.
Preparatory gardening in the winter such as composting and mulching are timely since these will help build up organic material in the soil. Start composting in warmer seasons and monitor your compost during fall and winter. The frosty season is the best time to turn compost piles and add organic material to it. Mulching is another activity that can be done in the winter. Three to four inches of a good layer of mulch will not only protect the soil from external elements, it will help prevent the growth of winter weeds. Mulching is also a good way to insulate the roots of plants.
Full-fledged gardening in the winter is perhaps greatly possible in warmer states like California and Florida. Wet and cool states like Washington, on the other hand, may be an impossible place to do gardening in the winter since constant rain can attract pests and diseases. In North and South Dakota and other north central states, growing plants in greenhouses, cold frames, and other areas where temperature can be controlled may be the only choice gardeners have. Indoor gardening in the winter can be another alternative. Container gardens that can be placed on windowsills and in rooms that get enough sunlight are another way to enjoy gardening in the winter. A better climate can give crops better conditions to grow in, especially cover crops like rye, vetch, and clover. These plants, also known as green manures, can add helpful substances to the soil and even fix its nitrogen content.
Plants that can be good winter crops are mostly bulbs, vegetables, and other frost hardy plants. Bulbs that blossom during late winter and early spring like daffodils, lilies, tulips, and iris can be grown in the earlier part of the season. A lot of vegetables, on the other hand, can be planted during fall and harvested in winter. Varieties of winter squashes, pumpkins, rhubarb, arugula, and spinach are excellent choices for vegetable gardening in the winter. Other crops that can withstand light to medium frost are artichokes, sweet peas, and fava beans. They can be planted in late fall for an early spring harvest.
Contrary to popular belief, gardening in the winter is not something you should forget. Just try to read all the guidelines and religiously follow them to make your garden come alive in the season that is otherwise seen as dull and dreary.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about winter gardening and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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