Winter Gardening 101: Keep It Green Even When It’s Frosty 🌱❄️

1. Radishes

Time to Harvest: 3-4 weeks

• Choose a Location: Select a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
• Prepare Soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6 inches and remove any debris.
• Sow Seeds: Plant radish seeds about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.
• Harvest: Pull radishes when they are about 1 inch in diameter. They mature quickly, so check often.

2. Lettuce

Time to Harvest: 30-45 days

• Choose a Location: Lettuce grows well in partial shade or cooler areas.
• Prepare Soil: Add compost to the soil for fertility and ensure good drainage.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep and 1-2 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• Harvest: Pick the outer leaves when they reach 3-5 inches. You can also harvest the whole plant.

3. Spinach

Time to Harvest: 30-40 days

• Choose a Location: Spinach prefers cooler weather, so plant in spring or fall.
• Prepare Soil: Mix compost into the soil for extra nutrients.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist. Water regularly to prevent wilting.
• Harvest: Start harvesting leaves when they are large enough. Pick from the outer leaves for continuous growth.

4. Green Beans

Time to Harvest: 50-60 days

• Choose a Location: Green beans love full sun and need space to grow.
• Prepare Soil: Use light, loose soil enriched with compost.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 3 inches apart.
• Watering: Water deeply but don’t overwater. Beans are drought-tolerant.
• Harvest: Harvest beans when they’re tender but still firm. Pick them regularly for continuous yield.

5. Peas

Time to Harvest: 50-60 days

• Choose a Location: Peas thrive in cooler weather and need plenty of sunlight.
• Prepare Soil: Amend the soil with compost and make sure it's well-drained.
• Sow Seeds: Plant peas 1-2 inches deep and space them 2-3 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not too wet.
• Harvest: Pick peas when the pods are full but tender. You can pick them as they ripen.

6. Cress

Time to Harvest: 2-3 weeks

• Choose a Location: Cress grows in cool, moist environments, ideal for windowsills.
• Prepare Soil: You can grow cress in damp paper towels or shallow trays with potting soil.
• Sow Seeds: Sprinkle seeds evenly on the surface.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist at all times. Mist the seeds if growing indoors.
• Harvest: Snip leaves once they grow 2-3 inches tall. They grow back quickly.

7. Mustard Greens

Time to Harvest: 30-40 days

• Choose a Location: Mustard greens prefer full sun or light shade.
• Prepare Soil: Work compost into the soil to provide fertility.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and 2 inches apart.
• Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Harvest: Harvest leaves when they reach 4-6 inches. You can pick leaves continuously for a longer harvest.

8. Arugula

Time to Harvest: 3-4 weeks

• Choose a Location: Arugula grows well in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
• Prepare Soil: Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and space them 2 inches apart.
• Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
• Harvest: Harvest leaves when they’re 3-5 inches long. You can harvest multiple times.

9. Zucchini

Time to Harvest: 50-60 days

• Choose a Location: Zucchini needs full sun and well-drained soil.
• Prepare Soil: Amend the soil with compost to improve fertility.
• Sow Seeds: Plant zucchini seeds about 1 inch deep and 2-3 feet apart.
• Watering: Water deeply, ensuring that the soil stays moist.
• Harvest: Pick zucchini when they are 6-8 inches long. Harvest early for tender, flavorful fruit.

10. Basil

Time to Harvest: 3-4 weeks

• Choose a Location: Basil thrives in full sun and warm conditions.
• Prepare Soil: Use well-drained, fertile soil. Add compost if needed.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep and 12 inches apart.
• Watering: Water regularly, but don’t let the soil stay soggy.
• Harvest: Pinch off leaves starting from the top to encourage bushy growth. Harvest frequently.

11. Tomatoes

Time to Harvest: 50-70 days

• Choose a Location: Tomatoes need full sun and warm temperatures to grow.
• Prepare Soil: Add compost and ensure the soil is well-draining.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep, spacing them 24 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
• Harvest: Harvest tomatoes when they are fully colored and firm to the touch.

12. Carrots

Time to Harvest: 50-75 days

• Choose a Location: Carrots grow best in well-drained, loose soil.
• Prepare Soil: Loosen the soil to at least 12 inches deep. Amend with compost.
• Sow Seeds: Plant carrot seeds ¼ inch deep and 1 inch apart.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Harvest: Harvest when the roots reach a good size, typically 1/2-1 inch in diameter.

13. Swiss Chard

Time to Harvest: 50-60 days

• Choose a Location: Chard needs full sun or partial shade.
• Prepare Soil: Use fertile, well-drained soil with compost added.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 6-12 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist.
• Harvest: Pick outer leaves when they are 4-6 inches long.

14. Chard

Time to Harvest: 55-65 days

• Choose a Location: Chard thrives in full sun or partial shade.
• Prepare Soil: Loosen the soil and add compost to improve fertility.
• Sow Seeds: Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist.
• Harvest: Harvest leaves when they reach 8-12 inches long.

15. Sweet Potatoes

Time to Harvest: 90-120 days

• Choose a Location: Sweet potatoes need a warm, sunny location with well-drained soil.
• Prepare Soil: Loosen the soil and add compost or well-rotted manure.
• Sow Slips: Plant sweet potato slips 4-6 inches deep and 12-18 inches apart.
• Watering: Water deeply but don’t overwater. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Harvest: Harvest when the leaves start to yellow, typically after 90-120 days.