Imran Saleem – Page 3

Do not leave your balcony pots and boxes empty during winter, because growing vegetables in pots during winter allows you to enjoy a homegrown harvest from your vegetable garden during the cold months. And if you live in an area where winters can be long cold and very icy, growing food in container pots is the easiest way to garden. More and more people are looking to grow edible crops and urban horticulture is now in the process of growing food where you think it is unusable. Everyone is creative enough to use the roofs, balconies, windows, and every corner available to them. This trend shows that green thumb fever is not limited to rural areas. Growing Conditions For Winter Vegetables: Choose plastic for your pots and garden boxes, it has the advantage of not spoiling when it freezes. You can hide the plastic in wooden boxes. Provide depth according to plant. Use quality potting mix. Remember to put something in the bottom of the pot for drainage (clay pebbles and garden clothes) as stagnant water and frost is not a good pair. Likewise, slide a separator between the arrangement of your pots and the floor, to keep them out of the cold and to prevent them from entering pits in the event of rain. Vegetables To Grow On Balcony During Winter: Growing vegetables in containers are not just for urban gardening. They can be a great alternative if the soil where you live is very poor. There are some best cold-tolerant vegetables that will provide you bountiful yields when grown in pots during winter. Kale: Kale is a cold-hardy and resilient plant that belongs to the cabbage family. The vegetable is easy to grow in a container or pot on your patio or in-ground directly into the soil. This frizzy green leaf kitchen staple is easy to grow, even if you’re a newbie to gardening in pots. And covering or protecting young plants from extreme cold allows them to grow steadily for months until the weather gets warm. How To Grow Kale? You can grow kale either from seeds or seedlings. It germinates fast, and you can get the packet of seeds cheaply. Moreover, fall is the best time for growing kale in areas where winter doesn’t fluctuate often. Their curly leaves become sweeter when the plants reach maturity in colder weather. Uses Of Kale: You can enjoy kale in winter as steamed, stir-fried, soups or the young tender leaves as a delicious winter salad. They are also a great addition to smoothies, casseroles, and quesadillas. Keep Reading: How To Grow Kale In A Pot? Lettuce: Growing lettuce indoors is not hard. It allows you to enjoy homegrown crunchy salad even if you are new to indoor gardening. How To Grow Lettuce? It is the grower’s favorite to grow lettuce indoors in the fall or winter as the plant can be economical to maintain because it thrives well even if the temperature has less heat than necessary. And a packet of seeds is cheap. If you live in areas with direct sunlight during the winter months, this will make it much easier for you to get started. Lettuce To Grow In Winter: Some types of lettuce that are suitable for indoor cultivation include the black seeded Simpson and Tom Thumb. But lettuce with loose leaves grows faster than others. It can produce multiple products in different colors and will allow you to enjoy a colorful salad. Keep Reading: How To Grow Lettuce From Seed At Home Microgreens: Microgreens are 100% easy to grow indoors, in the light of a sunny window, all winter long. Microgreens are extremely quick to mature within an average of 7-14 days you are ready to harvest! How To Grow Microgreens? To grow microgreens, you will need an open, flat growing tray with drainage holes (or any type of flower pot will do), and quality potting soil. Simply fill the tray with an inch of moistened potting soil (This organic potting soil is PERFECT for indoor growing of microgreens) spread seed evenly over the soil, gently press seed into the soil, keep seeds moist, at all times, by spraying with a mister bottle of water while germinating, keep in the light of a sunny window or grow light. Harvest by cutting the stem at the soil level as soon as the first or second set of true leaves appears. Keep Reading: How To Grow Microgreen Indoors? Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts are a plant that grows naturally and vertically without any support. The small round vegetables resemble small cabbages, all lined up on clean stalks. This plant grows best in areas with cold temperatures and when you plant it in hot climates it may potentially fail to grow. In addition, the cold weather is long enough for Brussels sprouts to produce maximum yields. When To Plant Brussels Sprout? In addition, sprouts take about three months to form. Therefore, most Brussels sprout growers start planting in early summer. Early planting allows them to harvest in the fall and allows the plant to mature before the summer heat. Beets: Growing beets in containers are no different from planting radishes and carrots. This cool-weather crop is one of the fast-growing vegetables you can grow in pots, particularly in the late fall, winter, and early spring. How To Grow Beets? Most beet growers use one of two main methods of growing beets in containers. Some people prefer to grow seeds by sowing in the ground or transplanting beetroot peaks into the water and later transplanting them into pots to establish strong roots. However, most types of beets do not like to be transplanted. When considering growing in pots, when they reach maturity, choose a suitable container for the plant. And when you grow them from seed, choose healthy sprouts when they reach the right height. After that, thin them out and maintain proper spacing between plants to get quality yields. Read More: HOW TO GROW BEETS IN A RAISED BED? Carrots: Carrots are a cold-season crop that is usually planted when the temperature is around 50 ° F. This sweet and savory plant prefers moist but not soggy soil. How To Grow Carrots? However when planting carrots in the container make sure to provide as enough space as possible. Carrots need about 1-2 inches of space in the middle, so it is important to know what kind of carrots you grow. Finely thin the carrots to maintain the correct distance. This process allows the plant to get adequate nutrients, moisture, and adequate air. More dense plants compete with each other, resulting in lower quality or no production at all. Besides, thinning will ensure your carrots are high-quality and full of flavor. On the other hand, thinned carrots can be roasted or used as a topper for a fresh salad. Read More: Growing Carrots In Containers Spinach: Spinach grows best with nitrogen-rich neutral soil. Nitrogen is an important component in growing winter spinach, which helps the plant survive the cold for up to seven months. This vegetable prefers modified soil with a wide layer of compost and balanced organic fertilizer. These will act as booster feeds to meet the nutritional needs of the plant as new growth appears at the end of winter. Well-fed spinach often produces sweet and large leaves. Read More: How To Grow Spinach In Containers? Potatoes: Potatoes make an excellent early spring crop of any size in the middle of the garden. They grow well whether you plant them in mounds, containers, or potato bags. However, you may want to look for disease-free certified potatoes when considering planting and growing in the winter. And depending on the variety, potatoes usually take 90-120 days to have the first harvest and about 60-70 days if you want to have a smaller size of potatoes. Care For Potatoes: Also, if you live in the cooler parts of the country, you probably want to consider adding lots of potassium and nitrogen into the soil. Doing so allows you to produce a second crop in May and a third crop in late August or early September. Moreover, potatoes prefer 6 hours of sun exposure and cooler weather but not frost. The plant also requires frequent watering. Read More: Simple Steps To Grow Potatoes In Bags In Greenhouse Radishes: Radishes are small crops belonging to the broccoli and cabbage family. These vegetables come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. It takes only 23 days to harvest a plant. However, from a gardener's point of view, it is very fast. And that is why urban gardeners prefer to grow radishes in containers, especially in winter. Unlike other garden vegetables that need to be grown indoors and transplanted outdoors, radishes are often sown directly in their final container. That way, you don't have to worry about transplants. Read More: How To Grow Radishes From Scraps? Broccoli: Broccoli is one of the most loved vegetables year-round that belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is typically grown as an annual. Growing Broccoli In Containers: This plant is naturally large, and you may wonder how to grow it in containers. Urban dwellers usually have compact space, but this plant is still preferred by many and is grown in pots indoors, either on their balcony or patio. And even if the vegetable can spread about three to four feet as it reaches maturity, you can always squeeze the plant among your patio or balcony, particularly if you have no backyard. Growing broccoli in containers can extend the plant’s growing season. The reason is that you have more control over the temperature to meet the needs of this cool-season crop. Read More: How to Grow Broccoli in Your Raised Beds? Care For Broccoli: With consistent watering and by providing the nutrients sufficient for the plants to survive, broccoli can thrive even in small and overcrowded spaces. Swiss Chard: Like lettuce and kale, Swiss chard is a cold-season crop that you can grow in containers and enjoy fresh vegetables at your fingertips. It can be difficult for farmers to grow plants in tropical areas. But some varieties can grow successfully when planted in the colder months. Uses of Swiss chard: In addition to providing you with fresh and delicious food from the courtyard, Swiss chard is both antioxidant and attractive, enhancing the beauty of your backyard. The stalks and large leaves look beautiful and elegant in vibrant colors. Snap peas: Planting sugar snap peas between early November-January allows for a super early spring harvest. Sugar snap peas are a huge favorite; they’re nutritious and totally yummy. Not to mention, if bought at the grocery, expensive. The Optimum Temperature For Snap Pea: Most importantly, sugar snap peas are very easy to grow and produce abundantly. Peas are able to do just fine in temperatures as low as 28 degrees F (-2 C.) If temperatures don't fall below this mark, peas and pea seedlings will be just fine. Read More: How to Grow Peas in Raised Beds Outcomes: Growing vegetables in pots during winter is a great way to enjoy homegrown produce. Many cool-season plants can be successfully grown in containers with proper care. There are a few cold-hardy vegetables that can withstand chilly temperatures once fully established. Vegetables in pots require more attention than plants grown in-ground. But tasks like watering and weeding are significantly fun and easy. Elderly gardeners and children may find it enjoyable, knowing the whole family will enjoy fresh produce from the garden. And if you have given up growing vegetables due to lack of space or because of physical limitations, why not give container vegetable gardening a try.