Winter Garden

Designing your winter garden thoughtfully makes the difference between struggling crops and a successful, productive winter harvest. In my years of gardening—from cold Iowa winters (Zone 5) to year-round gardening in Sonoma Valley—I’ve learned how to maximize space, protect crops, and keep them productive under winter conditions. Visit the Winter Garden and Season Extension Learning…

How to plan, plant, and harvest winter vegetables under the protection of low tunnels, cold frames, or caterpillar tunnels—with insights from my years gardening in Iowa (Zone 5). Winter gardening succeeds or fails by the calendar. In cold climates, plants must be established before deep winter arrives—because once day length drops below 10 hours, growth…

Growing vegetables through winter is absolutely possible in zones 5–8—you just need the right protection. Low tunnels and cold frames create a warmer, more stable microclimate that keeps cold-tolerant crops alive and growing even during freezing weather. After years of winter gardening, I’ve found that protected structures are the key to steady greens, crisp roots,…

Winter gardening is one of my favorite parts of year-round growing here in Sonoma Valley. With the right timing, the right crops, and a bit of protection, you can harvest greens, roots, and winter-hardy brassicas even when nights dip near freezing. Winter gardens grow slowly, but they are steady—and with planning, they carry you from…