Winter planning for your vegetable garden

There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than by dreaming of this season’s garden. Whether you just have a small garden or a backyard full of raised beds, it’s time to start planning what you will grow.

Before choosing your plants there are a few things to consider about your space, including size, location, soil and amount of daylight it receives. If your space is cool and shady, it’s not worth the agony of trying to grow peppers and tomatoes in Denver’s short growing season. Instead, stick with hearty greens like spinach and kale or roots like radishes and potatoes. If you have a sunny spot on a porch or a patio, you can grow a container variety of tomatoes where they’ll have a better chance.

Small gardens can produce more than you might think. Many seed packets and plant tags list the maximum amount of space a plant or

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Katie Meyer

crop might need. If you take this route, think about putting your tallest plants on the north side of the bed so they don’t shade the others. is method is also easier if you’re transplanting so you don’t have to worry about the timing of getting seeds to sprout and grow before they get shaded out. Interplanting or companion planting is a great option for dense gardens. Try growing basil under tomatoes or transplant lettuces and then seed carrots around them. By the time the lettuce is ready to harvest, the carrots will be up and ready for the extra space. Herbs and edible owers add variety and attract bene cial pollinators to your garden. If you’re planting densely, particularly with heavy feeders like broccoli, corn or melons, you’ll want to make sure they have enough nutrients. Cover crops are a great way to keep your soil covered between crops, and

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DONNA REARDON Marketing Consultant dreardon@coloradocommunitymedia.com the leftover debris will boost your organic matter and feed the microorganisms that are so important to soil health. Including legumes like peas or beans in your cover crop will naturally add nitrogen to your soil. Adding compost is another way to give your soil a natural boost. Try using a natural mulch between rows or beds to retain moisture and exclude weeds.

If you have heavy clay or thin, rocky soils, you don’t want to try growing foot-long carrots. Try building raised beds or opting for a shorter variety. Where sandy soils drain water and lose nutrients quickly, clay soils retain water and hold nutrients much longer. Consider this when adding amendments and planning your garden watering. Smaller seeds like lettuce or carrots will germinate more evenly if they have consistent overhead water but beans, squash and tomatoes don’t like their leaves being wet because

KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DEB HURLEY BROBST Community Editor dbrobst@coloradocommunitymedia.com

RUTH DANIELS Classified Sales rdaniels@coloradocommunitymedia.com they are more susceptible to disease. Once your seeds are up or plants are in the ground, try setting up soaker hoses or drip irrigation so you’re only watering the soil and not the leaves.

Nutrient dense produce comes from plants grown in healthy soils in harmony with nature. Avoid spraying herbicides or pesticides as these will negatively a ect the soil and water, and therefore, you. Instead, encourage birds and predatory insects to control any pest problems, and pull weeds by hand.

Additionally, heirloom varieties tend to have more avor, ensure genetic diversity and have been bred to grow in speci c climates. Search for local seed companies to nd the best option for your area. Not only does this support a local farmer, but you’ll be also able to save your own seed.

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