Winter Gardening – Conditions That Offer the Best Protection from the Cold

Just a week ago, garden beds were extremely dry. Not a concern for most of the garden because I knew sooner or later the rains would come and all would be well. I was, however, concerned about beds planted with lettuces and other greens that have already required covering for protection from cold temperatures.

Here’s why.

If those beds remained dry and severe cold moved in, there would be a greater chance of the plants being damaged by the cold even under two layers of protection.

If I had to, I was prepared to use several 5 gallon buckets of reserved rain water. While that will help in a pinch, I know from experience it won’t help like a soaking rain with temperatures in the 40s.  Fortunately, that’s just what we’re getting here today.

(And yes, I know we can’t always have that.  But if we want the best winter garden we can have, we’ll take advantage of the opportunities when nature gives them to us.)

Best Results

You’ll get the best results from a gentle rain that totally soaks the soil accompanied by temperatures in the 40s that give the plants time to absorb the moisture before the freeze comes.  Then when temperatures drop, the water in the plants acts as an insulator against the cold.

And There’s More

Even though daytime temperatures are forecast to be mild for the next few days (45º to 55ºF), I’m gonna pull both coverings over all the frames tomorrow since the nights are forecast to be in the 20s off and on for at least the next 10 days. (I’ll harvest a good supply of lettuce before I secure the covers in place.)

The moisture that has been evenly distributed throughout the beds will continue to work for the plants over time. As day time temperatures and some sunshine heat up things under the covers, the moist soil will better retain that heat than dry soil would. This will serve to protect plant roots as well.

(Mulch, already in place, helps keep that much needed moisture in the soil a lot longer.)

And More

On warm days when water starts evaporating, the resulting humid air will also retain heat and form another layer of protection for the plants.

Follow Other Good Principles to Insure These Great Results

Good Drainage

To get these great results you’ll need to have been working on your soil and have great drainage. If soil doesn’t drain properly and moisture puddles and sits there, your plants will be more susceptible to damage from cold.

Air Circulation

In most areas that experience freezing and bitter cold in winter, there are times that protective  coverings have to stay in place over the plants.  That can be because of freezing temperatures and/or because ice and snow make it impossible to remove the covers.

As soon as conditions allow, open up at least enough of the covering to get the fresh air flowing around the plants. Even one day of good air flow can make a difference in preventing unhealthy conditions.

You can plan for this when you first position your coverings by securing the ends in a manner that will be easy to open.  (I use bricks that can be easily laid aside in order to loosen the ends.)

Final Thoughts

Hope you have an abundance of lettuces growing and that you’ll be able to enjoy them throughout the holidays and cold winter ahead.

Related Posts:

Winter Gardening – Making it Easier – Air Circulation – Note about Slugs

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