Winter is coming! Well, not too soon at the beginning of October, but it's definitely on its way. With the cooler weather we know what's on everyone's minds - 'how can I keep my plants alive and healthy when it’s freezing outside?!’

If you’re concerned about your plants or just want tips on how to manage them better this winter, keep reading! We have some pointers, as well as insider knowledge from our resident expert gardener, Angus Stewart, of gardeningwithangus.com.au.

Consider the Vegepod’s Position

Reposting: Hannah Ford

Winter means less sun, so re-evaluate where you've placed your Vegepod. Is it north facing? Does it sit in the shadows for long periods? If yes you'll want to reposition your Vegepod to a spot where plants can get the maximum amount of sunlight. Wiggle and shimmy your Vegepod or alternatively, wheel them into place if you're using one of our Vegepod, wheeled trolley stands.  

Change Your Watering Habits

Reposting: @farmtoyouma

Watering in winter can be a bit of a confusing and tricky prospect to navigate. Our best advice is - if you are growing winter plants in winter then you'll need to use a lot of water (especially in the beginning stages) no matter the weather because rapidly growing plants need water while growing within their season. If, however, you're trying to grow year-round plants in winter (e.g. thyme, oregano, or mint) we do recommend trying to reduce the amount of water they get in the cooler season. This is simply to prevent root rot and account for the lack of sun they'll be receiving this time of year. 

In fact, if you are just trying to maintain your spring/summer plants. The Vegepod is self-watering so unless they are wilting, leave them be.  

Aerate Your Soil

In winter time, if it’s raining, it’s more than likely that your soil is getting compacted. If this is the case, you may want to poke some holes in your soil or turn it over at intervals, to let oxygen and organic matter crawl in. Worms are good at doing this naturally, so add some of those in any time! This video 'Worm Towers from 5 Gallon Buckets' provides a good example of how to create a 'worm tower' in a raised garden bed.

Angus's Tips

Foliar Feed Your Plants

"Once a week use a watering can of dilute worm juice or an organic liquid fertiliser, such as Gogo Juice (Neutrog) or Powerfeed (Seasol)."

Heat Retention

"Make sure the cover is on at all times to maximise the retention of heat under the cover. Alternatively, use plastic or the winter propagation cover to create a hothouse effect.”

Choose Winter Plants

"For winter, try to choose plants specialised for winter growth such as kale, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and peas."

See our blog 'How To Grow Autumn/Winter Veggies in A Raised Garden Bed' for how to grow winter plants and 'The Many Uses of the Vegepod's Winter Greenhouse Cover' for more tips on growing garden veges during winter time. 

We hope this helps anyone worrying about their plants during the winter season. Good luck, as always, and happy planting!