It’s 25°F in Shoreview, but inside my covered garden it’s a delightful 83°F—and I just harvested
Zone 4. Bring it.
arugula, baby kale, spinach and tatsoi for a savory salad. When I tell people about my new covered gardens, reactions range from excited (‘Wow! I didn’t even know that was possible!’) to absolutely bewildered. I have several reasons why I have extended my gardening hobby into the winter. Namely, I enjoy growing healthy food for my family and reducing our carbon footprint by eating locally. I also get an emotional boost from seeing vibrant greens against the snow. And, I always love a challenge. Anyone can plant during fair weather, but can I keep this garden going all winter?
I have even wondered if my covered gardens are the settled, suburban, 40-something’s version of winter camping. There was a time when braving the elements in negative temperatures was a thrill for me. Now, perhaps I’m living somewhat vicariously through my tough little greens as I sit inside my comfortable house reading the temperature in the garden via my remote thermometer. I am still thumbing my nose at old man winter, but my plants are doing the hard work for me.
The next question curious people want answered is how are my covered gardens built. Mine were built in a factory somewhere and shipped to me (for my dear husband) to assemble. I briefly considered building my own cold-frames, but the cost of the cedar, hinges and poly-carbonite covers, called “lights”, quickly made me realize I couldn’t even buy the materials for the cost of the kit I ordered online. Handy people may enjoy building their own cold-frames, but the directions typically instruct a person to use old windows or storm windows. The risk of old windowpanes shattering and/or lead paint near my garden made the kit seem like an even better idea to me.
Another key to year-round harvesting is knowing what and when to plant. Warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers will perish in this environment, but cool season crops work well. Gardens need to be planted at the end of the summer so plants have time to establish. The plants do not continue growing in cold weather so they do not need to be watered. In essence, cold-frames amount to extra-large refrigerator crisper drawers where the greens are stored until harvested.
As I mentioned, this is a new venture for me and I enjoy a challenge. However, I thought the biggest challenge would be the weather. Much to my surprise, I learned yesterday, that my biggest challenge are the rodents that tunneled their way into the cold-frames, made clever subway systems, and devastated my harvest. Live and learn! Next year I’ll be installing hardware cloth below ground.
Now, if only I could figure out how to miniaturize myself so I could fit inside that cold frame, I wouldn’t be longing for a mid-winter escape to a tropical climate.