If you are truly passionate about your garden plants and take great joy from a colorful bloom, then you probably want your garden to survive all winter long. In frosty and snowy climes, this task may seem impossible. However, there are certain flowers, shrubs, trees and plants that have been known to survive from November through March. The hellebore will bloom white, green, red or purple from November to March. The honeysuckle will give you small white flowers starting in winter. The Erica carnea heath can even bloom in a sheltered location down to -25 Fahrenheit! Witch Hazel shrubs are hardy throughout December and January, despite snow or ice. And of course, who could forget the classic winter holly bush? Your gardening experience can last the whole year through if you know what to plant and how to plant.
During the winter, you may also want to add late growing plants to the mix. You can plant ornamental cabbages that come in stunning foliage colors such as yellow, lilac, deep purple, white and pink. This heath is the hardiest winter flower, as it’s able to withstand temperatures as low as -25. Parsley survives from May through November. From June through November, you can harvest broccoli, chard and kale. Beets can even be harvested into December and potatoes can be dug up from July into December. Starting in August (through November), you can harvest broccoli raab, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, rutabagas and turnips. Starting in August (through December), you can harvest leeks, pears, carrots and winter squash. September through November, you’ll gather your pumpkins, shelling beans and celery root. October through November, you’ll pick fennel and from October through December, you can gather cranberries and parsnips. Mushrooms can be cultivated year-round. Home vegetable gardening is not only enjoyable when you see the fruits of your labor, but it’s also practical because you can feed your family, while saving hundreds at the grocery store.
Mulching is essential to help your garden plants survive the winter. In late October/early November, you should begin prepping your garden for the cold rains, the winds and the frosts ahead. When you mulch, you’re insulating the plants, protecting the root systems, discouraging weeds, reducing moisture evaporation during dry spells and preventing the soil from eroding away during the wet storms. Conventional garden advice says to use peat moss or shredded newspapers. Bark and sawdust can also be used, but you must ensure there is adequate nitrogen from mulch material in the soil. Mulching is especially important for rutabagas, turnips, parsnips, onions, carrots and beets. Every so often, you’ll need to dig down into the soil to check for sufficient moisture. In the summer, you should brush away some of the remaining mulch to enable the sunshine to penetrate the soil.
It’s recommended that you plant your gardens full of four seasons worth of flowers and garden plants. Some people create special gardens set aside for cutting if they enjoy beautiful flowers indoors but don’t want to sacrifice the beauty of their main gardens. Using a blend of foliage, berries, flowers and shrub branches can add texture, height and dimension to any year-round garden.
More articles