Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage

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Tips for Winter Gardening in Your Garage

Gardeners in colder climates often despair when the gardening season ends and the long winter moves in. If you have a garage, with the right equipment and knowledge, you can extend your gardening season through the winter. Here are some tips to help you out from Hibiscus and More.

Weatherproofing Your Garage to Regulate Temperatures

Garage doors and windows are not made to be weatherproof, and let in too much cold air for successful winter gardening. If you have a single garage, covering the door with heavy plastic sheeting is effective at keeping out cold air. If windows are in good shape, they can also be covered with plastic sheeting, but this is a good time to assess the need for window repair or replacement. Garage windows are usually smaller, so repair and replacement costs average around $300 per window. Costs vary based on your locality and whether you need simple window repair or a total window replacement. Generally, the cost is offset by grocery savings on fresh, organic food.

Assessing Growing Space

Most homeowners already have numerous things stored in the garage, so creating space for growing plants involves some organization. First, determine how much you want to grow and how you are going to grow it. With inexpensive shop light fixtures and utility shelving, you can grow micro- and mini-greens efficiently and quickly, harvesting a few crops over the winter. For larger plants, such as tomatoes, five-gallon buckets are sufficient and can be placed under an array of lights or single spotlight grow-lights. Spacing suggestions are found on the back of seed packages or online.

Choosing Lighting for Best Growth

Proper lighting is essential for healthy plants. There are several lighting options to choose from, but these two are the most commonly used and more suitable than more powerful solutions for small-space growing.

•             CFL bulbs. The cheapest and often most sensible solution is regular fluorescent bulbs in an inexpensive shop-light fixture. Because they don't produce much heat, they can be used on each shelf of a shelving unit without burning the plants. They are the best choice for growing seedlings and small plants such as micro- and mini-greens.

•             LED lights. LEDs are more expensive initially than CFLs but use less energy. Less expensive LED grow lights often do not produce good results. They are more effective and powerful than CFLs but may not produce the full spectrum of light for some plants.

Controlling Heat, Humidity, and Air Circulation

In colder climates, an uninsulated garage needs supplemental heat, despite putting ample plastic sheeting on the walls. Your heating system must maintain a temperature of 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. Using a propane or natural gas heater requires ventilation and the use of a carbon monoxide alarm system to prevent the gas from leaking into your home. Electric heat costs more but is ultimately safer. The best way to control humidity is with proper air circulation, which requires fans pointed in at least two directions to keep the air moving at all times.

Upgrades to Consider

There are several upgrades to consider that can not only make this space more functional for your green endeavors but also potentially add value to your home. First, consider installing proper insulation to maintain a consistent temperature, crucial for plant growth. Ventilation is another key aspect; installing an exhaust fan can help regulate humidity and air circulation. For watering convenience, you might also think about setting up a small sink or water source. Remember to document your work meticulously, as these enhancements can be appealing to future buyers who might appreciate a versatile, well-equipped garage space. Not only will these upgrades support your winter gardening, but they could also increase the overall appeal and value of your property.

Meeting the Challenge

While growing vegetables in a garage seems challenging, taking it step-by-step can create a successful outcome. With a little planning and effort, you can extend your growing season through the winter months!

For high-quality tropical botanicals and nature photography, visit Hibiscus and More today!

©Larry Waters 2023

March Gardening Calendar

March Gardening Calendar

Fertilize winter flowering annuals with a blooming type fertilizer. Water in all granular type fertilizers.

Tattered Liriope leaves can be cut either with a weed eater or your lawn mower set on its highest setting.

Lawns should have lime at least yearly. Have you limed your lawn lately? Use 40 pounds per 1000 square feet.

Start spring flowers and tomatoes from seeds indoors. It takes about 6 weeks to get strong seedlings.

Spring is a good time to prune your boxwood shrubs.

Peach and Apple trees need to be sprayed with a fungicide recommended for fruit trees, and spray the trees while the blossoms are on the tree.

Prune back Holly shrubs that have gotten too large. If needed, you can prune back to 18 inches.

Need to divide your Hostas? When the leaves start to show you can divide and plant elsewhere in a shady part of the garden. Use a solution of SuperThrive as a root stimulator for best results after planting.

Fertilize Pecan Trees with a fruit tree fertilizer and water in well after.

Check for scale insects on Camellias and Euonymus. Spray with a horticultural oil, if you detect the insects.

March is the last month recommended to prune Roses to half their original size. Fertilize with Bayer Advanced Rose Fertilizer after pruning and apply once a month. Click Here For More Information on Roses.

There is still time to plant winter veggies. Click Here For More Information. All vegetables can be grown in large containers. I prefer to grow my vegetables in containers. Click Here For Cedar Planters.

Fertilize shrubs with a shrub and tree fertilizer and water in well.

Flowering shrubs such as Winter Honeysuckle, Quince, and Forsythia can be pruned after flowering.

One of the best time to plant fruit and nut trees is in early spring. Nurseries have a good selection of these trees in spring, but hurry the selection usually goes fast.

©Cheryl Ann Meola Texas Certified Nursery Professional #1282