|
Winter Gardening Tips
By Sharon Morrisey,
Consumer Horticulture Agent
Milwaukee County University of Wisconsin-Extension
Week of November 6 - 12
The "cole crops", broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and especially Brussels sprouts continue to grow well in cold weather and can be harvested as long as they are producing. Leave a portion of the stem in the ground when harvesting the main "head" of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage because smaller ones will form just below the point where the first ones were cut off.
Week of November 13 - 19
Cut back fall bearing raspberries immediately after harvest. By pruning all canes down completely each fall, next years harvest will be increased and disease and insect pests as well as winter wildlife damage will be minimized.
Week of November 20 - 26
The pilgrims were just gardeners giving thanks. Think about the dishes they probably actually had at their feast that are still traditions - squashes of several varieties and wild nuts and berries, some of which may have been cranberries. The Indians probably also taught them to prepare corn dishes including bread, pudding and hominy.
Week of November 27 - December 3
If you grew your garden in containers, they should be brought in for the winter and cleaned. Left outside where they will get wet they will break when the soil freezes and expands. Do not save old soil but replace it. This is how you practice rotation for disease control when container gardening.
Week of December 4 - 10
Take a sample of your garden soil before it freezes too deeply. Dig several slices with a spade that are 4 - 6" deep from 5 - 10 different sites in the garden. Mix them together and send about 2 cups of it to a local, state certified soil testing lab. Contact your
County University Extension office for more information.
Week of December 11 - 17
Cut asparagus ferns down to the ground after they have become yellowed by a couple of frosts. This helps prevent infection by rust disease. Now is also the time to control weeds with shallow cultivation.
Week of December 18 - 24
Continue harvesting carrots, potatoes, parsnips, rutabagas, celeriac and leeks that were mulched earlier and left in the garden.
Week of December 25 - 31
Move all garden chemicals and other products to an area where they will not freeze. It should be dry and safely out of the reach of all children.
|
