After some unseasonably warm weather this Fall, it has finally gotten cold in the northeast and started to snow. We have been winterizing the house and garden and thought we would offer a few tips here to embrace the season.

Embrace Winter Composting

One of our favorite winter activities is composting. Even when the temperatures drop, we continue to collect kitchen scraps and yard waste. To keep our compost pile active, we insulate it with straw and leaves, which helps maintain the internal temperature. This practice ensures that by spring, we have rich compost ready to nourish our garden. For more tips on winter composting, check out this article from Better Homes & Gardens.

Protect Perennials and Shrubs

Winter can be harsh on plants, especially those not native to our zone. To help our perennials and shrubs survive the cold, we apply a thick layer of mulch around their bases. This insulation protects the roots from freezing temperatures. Additionally, we prune dead or diseased branches to prevent issues in the spring. The Spruce offers a terrific guide on overwintering plants.

Grow Cold-Hardy Vegetables

Believe it or not, some vegetables thrive in cooler weather. We enjoy growing kale, spinach, and Brussels sprouts during the winter months. These cold-hardy crops not only provide fresh produce but also add greenery to our garden when most plants are dormant.

Use Cover Crops

To maintain soil health, we plant cover crops like clover and rye. These plants prevent soil erosion, suppress weeds, and, when tilled into the soil, add valuable nutrients. It’s a natural way to prepare our garden beds for the upcoming growing season.

Create Winter Containers

For a splash of color, we assemble winter containers with hardy plants such as pansies, hellebores, and ornamental grasses. These arrangements brighten our porch and provide visual interest during the gray winter months. The Times has some great recommendations for winter containers.

Get the Kids Involved

Gardening has become a family affair year round. We (do our best to) involve the kids in planting, composting, and caring for the garden. It’s a great way to teach them about sustainability and, as always, the effort that goes into putting food on the table.

Enjoy and stay warm!

Rebecca and I lived in New York City in our twenties and heard rumors about rooftop farms in Gowanus that grew enough vegetables to meaningfully supplement what came from the local co-ops. But growing food on a NYC rooftop was a daunting proposition to most city dwellers.

These days, “urban farming” is more accessible and a lot easier if you’ve defected to the suburbs, like we have. As always, urban farming is an amazing way to transform small spaces into productive gardens. Here are a few tips we’ve collected on how to get started:

1. Choose Your Space: Especially if you’re right in the city, use balconies, rooftops, or even window boxes to grow plants. Vertical gardening techniques can maximize space.

2. Select Crops Wisely: Grow herbs, leafy greens, and small vegetables that thrive in limited areas. We have had a ton of success growing herbs, which makes cooking with fresh herbs easier and always makes your food better.

3. Use Containers: Pots, planters, and grow bags are essential for urban farming. Ensure they have good drainage. You can even move these into a garage or enclosure when the weather gets colder and keep some plants alive during the winter season.

4. Compost for Nutrients: Turn kitchen scraps into compost to enrich your soil naturally. We have had varied success with composting — one year we created the world’s largest muck bucket full of black fly larvae. 0 out of 10, do not recommend.

There’s a company called The Compost People near us in Southwestern PA. Look for something similar in your area if you’re not up for DIY.

5. Embrace Community: Farming is more fun together. Look for a community garden or even your local nursery or hardware store to share resources, knowledge, and produce. We have found that urban farming not only provides fresh food but also helps us build community and promote sustainability in our neighborhood.