Can you really continue growing plants during the winter season?
Yes, and it’s easy, too.
With the cold season fast approaching, green thumbs, micro-farmers, and hobby planters are worried if they’ll be able to plant and harvest anything during the winter months.
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Planting and harvesting naturally stop during these months but fortunately, with simple tools and technology, we can find a way to continue our self-sustaining ways.
The project only needs five tools.
This unbelievably simple project can fit in a backyard patio and other smaller spaces like a balcony for those who are living in an apartment or has limited backyard space.
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The tools:
- a big plastic tub or tote
- potting mix
- a box cutter
- a screwdriver or any poking tool
- lettuce seeds
It is important that you get a transparent plastic tub and nothing else. This setup will work only with transparent tubs.
First, prepare the basic structure.
In the video, Jess from Roots and Refuge used the lid of the plastic tub as the base for her potting mix sack.
The plan is to flip the tub over the potting mix so that we can make an artificial greenhouse.
The advantage of using the tub as the cover is first, you won’t have to drill holes under the tub for drainage. This will allow you to reuse the tub in the future.
Second, if you use the lid as a cover, you’ll have less sunlight penetrating through the greenhouse.
Next, prepare your seed bed.
If you think that this is going to be messy and complicated, well, we have some good news for you. Start by poking holes on one side of the potting mix sack.
You don’t have to go crazy. Just poke enough holes with good spacing to allow water to drain.
Next, flip the sack onto the tub lid. On the new side facing up, cut a “window” using a box cutter.
You will be creating a makeshift pot with the sack, so make sure you leave the sides when you cut.
Scoop up some of the potting mix and place in a separate container or pot. Poke and drag your screwdriver through the potting mix in the bag to loosen the soil a bit.
Next, sow your seeds.
In this project, you’ll be planting and harvesting baby greens. Baby greens are not an entirely different breed of plants.
They are your basic salad greens. The only difference is you’ll be harvesting them at a young age.
Since you’ll be harvesting smaller plants, it’s okay to sow them closer together. You can divide your planting area into different zones for different greens.
Put some of the soil you set aside over the seeds but not too much so they can germinate.
Last, cover with your plastic tub.
During the winter months, you can place hay, leaves, or other light, insulating materials around the tub so it can keep the warmth.
You can also prop the tub a bit during warmer seasons to let some air in and reduce condensation.
Water your greens regularly because the seeds won’t have access to rain.
The best part is when they pop.
And that’s it. Wait for your greens to grow and harvest them. Talk about fresh produce without breaking the bank.
See how Jess creates this makeshift greenhouse in the video below!
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