As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s not just you who requires warm food or quilts to keep you cosy. If you have a home or kitchen garden in place, the harsh winter weather comes with some challenges that can damage the harvest and even disturb the healthy growth of your fruits, vegetables, or herbs.
To make sure that you get a high and healthy yield from your kitchen garden, you must take certain precautions before the temperature becomes extreme. Not only will you have to take steps to protect your plants from frost and snow, but you must also prepare your home garden in a way so that the plants can withstand the cold season.
Add Mulch To Soil
One of the most effective ways to safeguard your plants against cold temperatures is by applying a thick layer of mulch around them. A layer of mulch will act as a natural insulator, thus protecting the roots from low temperatures. You can spread 2-3 inches of mulch made with materials like straw or leaves around the base of the plant. This step becomes more important if you have root vegetables planted in your home garden.
Cover The Plants
If you live in hilly areas, protecting the fruits or vegetables from the frost is extremely important. You can do so by covering the plants with row covers. This can help protect the plants from frost while allowing air and sunlight to get to the plants.
Watering Techniques
Right watering techniques are often overlooked, but it is important to prep your home garden before the winter season. Before frost or a cold spell, you must water the plants, preferably in the morning, to ensure that the roots absorb water throughout the day, thus preparing for the night frost. If your kitchen plants are planted in pots, they will dry faster and will require more water.
Use Windbreaks
Winter winds can damage the delicate kitchen garden plants. It can break the smaller branches, stems, and leaves and even dry out the soil. If you use a windbreak, it will help maintain the temperature of the plants, protecting them from the cold gush of air. You can use garden screens or even trellises that can easily be taken off after the winter season.
Harvest Before Frost
For typically colder regions of India, like the Northern Hills, where snowfall is a common occurrence, the best way to protect your plants is to harvest whatever you can and preserve them. A lot of common vegetables growing in the kitchen garden, like carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and even herbs, can be harvested, dried, and then frozen to preserve the garden produce.