Winter Garden

Maintaining proper soil moisture in winter is critical for healthy crops, but watering in freezing temperatures presents unique challenges. From my years of gardening in Iowa’s Zone 5 winters to year-round winter gardening in Sonoma, I’ve developed strategies to keep soil evenly moist without risking frost damage or root freeze. Visit the Winter Garden and…

Frost can be one of the most challenging threats to a winter garden. From my experience growing vegetables in Iowa’s Zone 5 winters to year-round gardening in Sonoma, I’ve found that layering multiple protection methods—row covers, cloches, and tunnels—creates a resilient system that keeps crops thriving through freezes. Visit the Winter Garden and Season Extension…

In winter gardening, maintaining stable temperatures is essential for healthy crops. Sudden cold snaps or warm sunny days can stress plants, slow growth, or even cause damage. From my experience growing vegetables in Iowa’s Zone 5 winters to year-round winter gardening in Sonoma, I’ve found that thermal mass—materials that absorb, store, and release heat—can make…

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive winter garden. Even in cold months, plants need nutrients, good structure, and balanced fertility to survive and thrive. Drawing from my experience growing vegetables in Iowa (Zone 5) and now year-round in Sonoma, I’ve learned which amendments work best for winter crops and how to apply them…