Winter Vegetable Garden - What plants to consider?

Here are some suggestions for Winter Vegetables for the Western United States and When to Plant:

Beets - Anytime
Broccoli - Fall to early spring
Brussels sprouts - Fall to early spring
Cabbage - Fall to early spring
Carrots - Anytime
Cauliflower - Fall to early spring
Chard - Fall to early spring
Kohlrabi - Fall and winter
Lettuce - Fall to spring
Onions - Fall and winter
Peas - Fall to early spring
Radish - Anytime
Spinach - Fall to early spring
Turnips - Fall to early spring

Here is how to plan what to plant according you where you live: Average First and Last Frost Dates by State http://goo.gl/6Bc8P

Planting the Winter Vegetable Garden at The White House (video)

The White House staff was able to extend the growing season by using a simple, inexpensive cover called a high tunnel or hoop house. A hoop house is a series of metal bars set in a row over one of the beds, and a fabric or plastic pulled tight around the bars. As the sun warms the garden during the day, the fabric traps the heat in, keeping the plants from freezing overnight.

They have planted the following:

- spinach
- lettuce
- carrots
- mustard greens
- chard
- cabbage
- arugula
- turnip

In the area of the garden that is not being planted with vegetables, they are planting a cover crop of rye. This is a technique that farmers use to help re-balance their soil and, most importantly, prevent erosion of top soil during the harsh winter. This is an important technique that all growers can utilize. Topsoil is one of our most valuable commodities, and we must protect it.

Planting the Winter Vegetable Garden (video):



Harvesting the Winter Garden in February (video):



Plant CLeaR in your fall vegetable garden:

Cabbage
Leafy plants - Lettuce, chard
Root crops - Radish, turnip

Cool-season Crops - WSU - Organic Farm http://goo.gl/cU1pI

Hardy
Asparagus
Broad Bean
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Chive
Collards
Garlic
Asparagus
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leek
Mustard
Onion
Parsley
Pea
Radish
Rhubarb
Spinach
Turnip
Parsnip
Potato
Salsify

Half-hardy
Beet
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Chinese cabbage
Globe artichoke
Endive
Lettuce

References:

Vegetables for a Fall Garden in the Midwest

Planting the Winter Garden | The White House http://1.usa.gov/NJlXuw and Harvesting the Winter Garden | The White House http://1.usa.gov/NJlZCy

Gardening Articles - National Gardening Association http://goo.gl/J177f

Plant Lettuce Now for Winter Greens   - National Gardening Association  http://goo.gl/SGGXh

Planting a Vegetable Garden  - National Gardening Association http://goo.gl/7fDj9

Free Seed Starting Calculator - free, downloadable Excel spreadsheet from PlanterTomato website http://goo.gl/HtHn0

Vegetable Planting Guide Worksheet PDF - http://goo.gl/CF9u2

Fall 2011 Square Foot Gardening Plan | My Square Foot Garden - http://goo.gl/DwY8t

Vegetables in Winter http://goo.gl/RLIqC

Hoop House Cold Frame Seed Starting - GardenFork.TV http://bit.ly/XCfFaL

Make a Row-Cover Hoop House - Bonnie Plants http://bit.ly/111UHxd