Winter Gardening Update and 2021 Weather Predictions for Spring

We are getting close to the heavy production time for backyard growing, community gardening, back to in-person school and urban farming, so let’s take a look at a few things.

Now that the new season is getting started,  I highly recommend subscribing!   Link to the right –>

I am already seeing and hearing about seed shortages from online seed companies.  Make sure to do your ordering ASAP if you plan to get product that way.  I have noticed a good selection, varieity and amount of seed available locally from nurseries.

Cover Crops Update

This is a mixed planting at the demonstration garden at my building on Waterman Farm.  It is planted in oats and winter radishes.  This should be a winter-killed mix, but is doing good so far as we have not had a very cold winter, plus it is located in a warmer microenvironment.  I may have to terminate that via tillage to plant early in the season.  This should not be as difficultt as winter rye which can be tricky.

A little frost damage, but otherwise growing very well.

CLICK HERE for a link to how to manage Over Wintered Cover Crops

Season Extended Over Wintered Greens

Did you all plant Spinach to Grow Over Winter?  It is really fun to have a harvest in the middle of winter. Here is a quick video on how it is done. 

I made a one minute quick video update on the Season Extended Spinach and Kale at my building’s demonstration garden to show you the progress:

Weather Prediction Update

Here is the most up to date temperature and precipitation update from NOAA, made on January 21st.  It shows greater than normal chance of warm weather and rainfall both.  Take careful note of this.  I will use this information to start some seeds earlier than normal to try to get some plants in the ground,  potentially under cover, to get an early harvest.

I will be starting some seeds soon to plant in my container garden as well as under cover at the demonstration garden.  I will likely start some lettuce, arugula, spinach and bok choi with broccoli, cauliflower and kalettes soon after.  Want to learn how to start some seed yourself?  Check out these links:

 

Intro to Zoom plus a Look at 2021 in the Garden with The Greater Columbus Growing Coalition on February 4th at 7pm.

The kickoff to the 2021 growing season will be a virtual class held in partnership with the Greater Columbus Growing Coalition to talk a little Intro to Zoom plus review the 2020 growing year and take a look at our 2021 growing year.  It is time to get ready to grow!

 

 

The class is free and open to the public so bring your friends and your questions.  Registration to the webinar is required and the link is below.

 

Hi there,

You are invited to a CarmenZoom webinar.
When: Feb 4, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: GCGC Virtual Class

Register in advance for this webinar:https://osu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FqVALkHdTduDqhXKqlvz7w

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Any questions about this webinar should be directed to the webinar organizer.