Winter Progression of the Greenhouse and Seeds to Sow Immediately
The author of a popular gardening blog is sharing an update on their winter garden and the seeds they are starting now. Last fall, the progress of their winter garden seeds was not successful due to neighborhood rabbits eating the shoots, causing disappointment as they had hoped to have broccoli, spinach, and cabbage ready to harvest in early months of the year. However, some spinach is starting to come back, suggesting it might not be a total loss.
In an effort to make the most of their space, the author structured a more vertical garden last year using twine and cages, which allowed them to fit more items into their garden. They also added a lot of compost, worm castings, and fertilizer to their garden beds to improve the soil, a crucial aspect the author learned is essential in gardening after depleting their soil over a few growing years.
The author had a garden consultation with Seed and Nourish last year, which provided valuable insights into the specific needs of their garden. They also read "Square Foot Gardening" to further enhance their knowledge of effective gardening methods.
For those interested in following the author's gardening journey, they have made it easy to subscribe to their email list via their website. The author's email address for subscribing to their website is [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
### Indoor Seed Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors) The author is currently starting cool-season crops like spinach, lettuce, peas, and radishes indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost, typically in late winter (February–March). Warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers will be started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date to give them a head start and then transplanted outdoors in mid to late spring (May). Herbs like parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, and oregano also benefit from indoor starting or year-round indoor growing, ideally placed in a very sunny window (preferably east-facing) to maximize light, especially in early spring.
### Outdoor Seed Sowing and Planting The author will be planting arugula, kale, peas, spinach, carrots outdoors on the South Coast of BC. Early spring (March–April) is the ideal time to direct sow hardy vegetables such as peas, lettuce, radishes, spinach, and green beans, which tolerate the cooler soil. Late spring to early summer (May–June) is the best time to transplant or sow warm-season crops outdoors, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and beans. This coincides with the warming temperatures and reduced risk of frost.
Successional planting of fast-maturing crops like lettuce and radishes every few weeks from early spring to mid-summer can extend the harvest period. Watering is typically deep about three times per week, adjusting for rainfall to maintain approximately 1 inch of water per week for vegetable growth.
### Other Considerations for South Coast BC The mild coastal climate allows for an extended growing season, but careful attention to frost dates is important for timing transplanting from indoors. Strawberries, though not vegetables, have a specific management timeline that includes stages of care throughout the year, which might be helpful for planning companion planting or garden rotation. Container gardening is a popular method on the South Coast, allowing for year-round growing of some plants if conditions and light are optimized, especially in smaller urban or mobile spaces like RVs.
For more precise timing, consult local frost date forecasts and microclimate conditions in your specific garden location. The Westcoast Seeds planting chart by region can help determine when to sow or start plants for a garden. With these tips and advice, gardeners in the South Coast of BC can enjoy a bountiful harvest this season.
The author, with their newly gained knowledge from "Square Foot Gardening" and the expertise gained from Seed and Nourish consultation, has started sowing cool-season crops like spinach, lettuce, peas, and radishes indoors, aiming for a bountiful harvest in the upcoming spring. Considering the plans for outdoor gardening, they will be planting arugula, kale, peas, spinach, and carrots on the South Coast of BC this early spring.
