Garden Experiment #2. I want edible crops in the winter. Is it wishful thinking in Chicago?
Can I keep the frost at bay using what I already have?
I have yet to see a backyard greenhouse besides my own around my neighborhood. When we lived in Portland, I saw them in backyards all the time. Granted, Portland has much friendlier growing conditions, which probably means more gardeners, and thus more greenhouses. However, as previously discussed here, the stubborn Scorpio gardener that I am refuses to relent. Cold, snowy, windy winters be damned!
The discovery…
The greenhouse does a decent job of warming up during the spring. It’s often a cozy retreat where I can sow seeds while it’s 40F outside. And during those cold months, it gives protection from the wind and the precipitation. And here’s what else I’ve discovered: I can make a greenhouse within my greenhouse (exploding head emoji). And you can do this even without a greenhouse!
How though?
I personally discovered this last Spring, though I’m sure many its not news to many a seasoned gardener. I was sowing annual flower seeds probably a bit too early in the greenhouse. After a few weeks, many seedlings still had not popped up. I gave up on them, figuring they didn’t have the right conditions (too cold). Because I’m frugal, I dumped the soil back in my clear soil storage container, resowed new seeds, and went on with my work.
After that, I’d go into the greenhouse everyday to check on seedlings and do some watering. I paid no mind to the storage container until a couple of weeks later when I needed more soil. I was gobsmacked when I saw it was full of happy, healthy, and big seedlings.
Apparently the seeds I tossed were not rotted out, they were just waiting for the right conditions. The warmth of the storage container must have been enough for the seeds to germinate. Nature is so amazing. I always forget how much plants want to survive.
So we’re leaning in…
We’re taking this concept to another lever and thus begins the Middle Garden’s Experiment #2: Winter Crops in Chicago. If you don’t have a greenhouse, you could try this with a large clear storage container (with a lid), and put another smaller storage container with a lid inside that where you’ll sow the seeds. Or get creative with whatever you have around thought house! Clear plastic with a lid is the key here (maybe a gallon milk jug?).
Hypothesis: A double-greenhouse scenario will provide enough warmth and sunlight for veggie crops in a Chicago Winter.
Method: This October, I loaded up two storage containers full of regular peat free potting soil. They don’t have drainage holes in the bottom, I’ll water when they start to look a bit dry.
I went through my seed box and found some cold tolerant veggie seeds:
kale,
pak choy
mixed lettuce
spinach
mesclun
shiso
sorrel
Had I thought of this sooner, I would have planted these in August or September to give them a running start. As it is, sowed these on October 25th, so we might be doomed from the start. But let’s do it anyway!
In my two clear storage boxes, I sowed a row or two of each seed. If we get good growth, I’ll thin the seeds, water, and fertilize as needed. If it’s not too cold, I’ll leave the lids and greenhouse door slightly open to allow ventilation.
Overall results are TBD. Here are updates so far:
On November 1, I noticed a bunch of teeny tiny seedlings had popped up (namely mesclun, kale, pak choy, and lettuce). Cue squeals of excitement. Temps were above freezing.
On November 6, things were still growing strong! More squeals. Temps were still above freezing.
On November 11, good growth after 2 nights in a row of below freezing temps (27F).
On December 5, the seedlings were still alive after 5F overnight temps. Brrr! Way to go boo boos! While they are alive, they have not put on any growth.