It might come as a surprise to be thinking about a winter garden when the temperatures are still in the 90’s, but now is the time to get ready for cool season vegetables. Georgia’s relatively mild winters provide an opportunity to keep the vegetable garden productive well into the colder months. With the right crops and a little preparation, gardeners can enjoy fresh vegetables throughout winter and enjoy benefits such as fewer insect pests, less disease pressure and lower irrigation needs.
A successful winter garden starts with choosing the right crops. Cool-season vegetables that perform well include leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, mustard greens, swiss chard and arugula. Cole crops such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are also well suited for winter production. Gardeners can also grow root crops, including carrots, radishes, turnips, beets and rutabagas.
One of the most important things to remember is that a winter garden actually begins during the summer. Planning, soil sampling, correcting soil fertility and preparing the garden site should be completed before planting. Many winter crops need to be planted during late summer or early fall so they have time to become established before temperatures become consistently cold.
Timing varies by crop. Cauliflower and brussels sprouts can be started as early as late July through August, while collards, kale, mustard greens and turnips are generally started during August and September. Broccoli, cabbage, beets and carrots can also be planted during August and September. Lettuce, radishes and spinach can extend into September and October. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and brussels sprouts are often best established using transplants rather than direct seeding.
Once the garden is established, harvesting can continue throughout the winter. Leafy greens can be harvested from the outside of the plant while leaving the growing point intact, allowing the plant to continue producing. Some vegetables may also develop better flavor following frost.
When particularly cold temperatures are expected, row covers and low tunnels can provide protection from cold winds and frost or freezes by trapping heat from the soil. Cold frames can also protect plants while allowing sunlight to reach the crop. For gardeners interested in a more permanent structure, hoop houses or high tunnels provide additional growing space and can be used during both winter and summer.
Winter does not eliminate all garden pests. Insects can remain active during fall and winter, making weekly scouting important. Gardeners should inspect plants thoroughly, including the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, and address pest problems before they become severe.
Winter is also a good time to consider cover crops in areas that will not be planted with vegetables. A combination of cereal grains, such as wheat, rye or oats, with legumes such as clover or winter peas can help prevent erosion, compete with weeds, add organic matter and contribute nitrogen to the soil. With thoughtful planning and the right crops, Northeast Georgia gardeners do not have to put the garden to bed when summer ends. Winter gardening can provide fresh vegetables during the holidays, keep garden space productive for much of the year and make the most of Georgia’s relatively mild growing conditions. For more information, contact your local UGA Extension office. Madison County Extension 706-795-2281
