Winter is the perfect time to bring the garden indoors! Grow herbs like cilantro and oregano near a window for fresh flavors all season long.
Before it gets too cold or wet, tidy up your outdoor garden. Cover the soil with leaves to protect against the rain and suppress those pesky weeds. Don't forget to clean up dead plants and tools to keep pests and diseases away. For more gardening tips, make sure to check out our garden calendar.
Get Ready for the New Year
As you gear up for the next garden season, why not learn some new techniques? Succession planting is a method of planting that helps ensure you have a steady harvest over time. You can learn about various methods on this Succession Planting Tip Sheet. Another cool trick is companion planting: put two different crops close together for a staggered harvest. This not only saves space but keeps your plants healthy. You can read more about companion planting here.
Food Hero Update from Philomath Elementary School
Wondering what the Food Hero team is up to at the Philomath School Garden? We have another monthly update from garden coordinator, Tyler Sato Spofford. “It’s almost winter! The sunflowers and zinnias are no longer blooming, and we are starting to clean up and prepare. Before it starts raining nonstop or even snowing, it’s good to get in the garden and do some last-minute cleanup. At the Philomath Elementary School Garden, we are leaving the woody plants for pollinators like bees and removing everything else. Sunflower stalks make great homes for pollinators over the winter.
What’s in Season in December?
Head to your local farmers market and stock up on seasonal items. Onions, garlic, potatoes, winter squash and kale are great December choices!
From the Garden to the Table: Delicious Winter Recipes
Wondering what to make with your seasonal produce? Here are some yummy? recipes to try this winter:
• Kale and White Bean Soup: A warm soup with beans, greens and Italian flavors. Perfect for those cold days and nights!
• Glazed Squash: A simple, three-ingredient recipe to make with any type of winter squash. A lovely side dish for winter celebrations.
• Butternut Squash and Chile Pan-Fry: A tasty recipe that’s great as a side or for quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas or tamales.
• Ham and Vegetable Chowder: A hearty soup with potatoes that’s perfect for cold weather and a great way to use up leftovers!
Looking forward to sharing more gardening tips and tasty recipes with you in 2024!
