Navigating gardening during the winter months can be quite a challenge. However, for those eager to indulge their green thumbs despite the cold, understanding the suitable winter crops to plant and mastering techniques to shield your Vegepod during subzero temperatures becomes essential...
For some, winter typically halts gardening endeavors. But with Vegepod, cultivating cold-tolerant plants becomes feasible. Ground frost poses a greater threat to plants than air frost. Elevating your Vegepod off the ground offers a solution, enabling the growth of vegetables even in the harshest months. This approach opens doors to cultivating diverse produce that might have been out of reach during wintertime.
1. Speed up the harvest timeframe by planting these veg:
Depending on your zone, starting those hardy crops early means they can nap through winter and then perk up when it warms up. That way, you’ll be grabbing fresh veggies just as spring rolls around, leaving you more time to get another batch ready for summer harvesting!
Broad Beans: (Can only withstand temperatures up to -10 (14°F)) Sow in December to harvest Early May using a layer of straw for insulation.
Garlic: Great for early-winter planting, as this veg needs a cold dip in temp to form a strong bulb. Rather than seed, garlic is best grown from a clove. Harvest in the Summer.
Root Vegetables: The most common root vegetables we recommend planting is carrots, kohlrabi, turnips, and radishes. They will survive temperatures above -15 (25 °F), but to ensure the plants thrive, we recommend a layer of mulch, straw, or a tarp to try and insulate the vegetables when experiencing subzero temperatures.
2. Create warmth:
To nurture seedlings and shield growth during chilly months, your Vegepod will need the Hothouse Cover. Crafted from PVC, this cover holds in warmth by reducing airflow. It's a smart move to use the Hothouse Cover when temperatures drop, safeguarding your garden from unexpected cold snaps. But, once your soil freezes and growth becomes impossible, it's best to take off the entire canopy to prevent snow from cracking your connectors due to its weight. If you've planted a winter crop, insulating your plants with a layer of straw will help protect them until the next growing season kicks in.
3. Winter maintenance and soil:
In the winter months, you can let the soil and water stay in your Vegepod without worry. Instead of risking expansion and cracks in the plastic base container, our design allows the units to push the infill out, just like popping ice out of an ice cube tray. The soil you've got in your Vegepod can last for the next 3-5 years, but over time, especially in winter, it might condense. To keep things running smoothly, make sure the drainage points in your wicking beds are clear so the soil can drain when it thaws. As the next season rolls in, top up with more soil to keep it always filled right up to the brim of the Vegepod.
4. Indoor growing:
Vegepod has been going all out to bring cold-climate countries an unbeatable indoor growing solution—the Kitchen Garden. Say goodbye to seed pods and water conditioning! This soil-based garden lets you grow any plant from seed or seedling. We've tested heaps of lights to make sure we give you top-notch quality. Our light gives your plants everything the sun does, and then some. It lasts over a decade and only costs around 4 cents a day to use. You can pop the Kitchen Garden in any room, even ones without natural light. We've made it super easy to plug in and control the light with a phone app. Just like the Vegepod, it's self-watering, and there's a water gauge to keep that reservoir topped up. Growing all year round? Yup, with the Kitchen Garden, you can grow whatever you fancy, whenever you fancy it.
