Bentley Seed Co. Blog

When it comes to gardening, one of the critical factors for success is to consider your climate. Different plants have different temperature and weather preferences, and what will thrive in one region will struggle or die in another. To help gardeners understand the unique characteristics of their local climate, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a system of gardening zones to differentiate the growing seasons in various regions across the country.

Great gifts for Mom- 5 great ideas for gardening gifts.

Admittedly, we write a lot about gardening, especially on how to grow vegetables in the northeast, which makes sense when you consider that we’re located in upstate New York (generally zone 4-5, depending on the elevation). However, we recognize that many of our customers are fortunate enough to live in climates mild enough for an extended gardening season, allowing you to grow vegetables throughout the winter. In nod to you lucky folks, following is a beginner’s guide to growing winter vegetable crops in zones 7-10. Choose Cold Weather Crops As a starting point, we’ll focus on growing vegetables—and herbs—that can tolerate cool winter temperatures. And, obviously, since there is great variability in fall temperatures between zones 7-10, you’ll have to use your best judgement to decide when, exactly, to plant your seeds. Changing weather patterns make traditional planting schedules unreliable; your local cooperative extension service might be able to help. The important point is that you want to give the seedlings time to establish themselves before the first hard frost, which is usually 8-10 weeks. On the other hand, you don’t want to plant cool weather crops too early because they won’t germinate effectively in the heat. Local Growing Conditions will Vary We provide a list of cold-hardy herbs and vegetables below, but keep in mind that local conditions (elevation, rainfall, wind, etc.) will affect your crops differently, as will the exposure where you’ve planted them in your yard. Ideally, you would plant a winter vegetables in the sunniest spot available. One of the biggest challenges of growing crops in winter is that daylight is in short supply, causing many plants to grow more slowly than they do in summer; maximum sunlight is important. Waning daylight is another reason to ensure your young plants are established before winter begins in earnest. Planting a Winter Vegetable Garden If you’re interested in how to grow vegetables effectively, experienced gardeners recommend planting vegetable crops—but particularly winter vegetable crops—in raised beds. This is especially important If you live in a rainy climate, as the raised beds allow for effective drainage. Plants hate having soggy roots!  Raised beds also make it easier to cover your crops to protect them during cold snaps—an important point for those of you in zone 7. On the flip side, plants in raised beds can dry out more quickly than those in the ground, which requires vigilance in watering during dry periods. Compost-rich soil is particularly important for winter vegetables, as is a healthy layer of mulch. Don’t add fertilizer when you plant your seeds; wait until the seedlings’ true leaves appear. Then apply a long-lasting organic formulation that’s not to heavy on nitrogen (which makes plants more susceptible to the cold). Any kind of mulch will do; many experienced gardeners swear by dead leaves gathered during fall clean up or straw. With edible crops, it’s always a good idea to plant in waves—particularly with green leafy vegetables—so you’re ensured an uninterrupted harvest throughout the winter. Tactics for Protecting Plants during Cold Snaps As mentioned above, those of you in zone 7 must have a contingency plan for protecting your crops during cold snaps. There are a variety of tactics you can employ including: Cover them with an extra layer of leaves or straw Use temporary row covers (these can be repurposed old sheets) Protective cloches to serve as mini–greenhouses. These can take many forms including glass domes, overturned baskets, used milk/soda jugs, etc.) Just be sure not to leave the protective covers on too long, once the freezing threat has passed, as plants need air circulation in addition to sunlight to grow! It may also be necessary to protect your young plants from intense rainstorms in certain regions of the country. Hardy Winter Herbs and Vegetables Herbs and vegetables that can tolerate the coldest temperatures (as low as 10°F) include the following: Chives Cilantro Collards Kale Leeks Onions Parsley Scallions The next-cold-hardy group (down to 20°F) includes: Arugula Broccoli Brussel sprouts Winter cabbage Winter cauliflower Chard Spinach Slightly less-cold-hardy (down to 25°F): Beets Carrots Fennel Lettuce Radishes Rosemary Thyme Of course, those of you in cooler USDA zones can try growing these winter vegetables as well—many gardeners do—but it requires much more effort and vigilance to keep the plants safe during the sustained cold periods common in northern winters. You would need to construct semi-permanent cold frames or hoop houses to protect your crops not only from the cold and wind, but from potentially heavy, damaging snow. Cold weather gardening in the northeast is definitely not for the faint of heart. The rest of us will get vicarious pleasure thinking about those zone 7-10 winter garden crops you “southern folk” are able to grow.

One of the most popular culinary herbs, parsley is a common seasoning and garnish that packs a ton of vitamins and minerals.

Known for its "cool" menthol fragrance and flavor, mint is also extremely easy and fast to grow, making it a perfect starter plant for the aspiring gardener.

Cilantro might be the ultimate "love it or hate it" herb, with a lemony-peppery flavor that registers for some people as "soap," but which has also made cilantro a staple of Asian and Mexican cuisines.

Chives are an easy-to-grow perennial herb that can be used in a variety of recipes, while also offering medicinal benefits and a bit of decorative appeal.

One of the most popular herbs in America, basil is not only a delicious ingredient, but also boasts a number of medicinal and therapeutic qualities.

For those of who enjoy cooking—in addition to gardening—creating your own herb garden is a delightful endeavor. Having a variety of fresh herbs on hand provides an easy way to enhance the flavor of just about any culinary creation. For example, fresh cilantro can make the difference between, say, Mexican cuisine that is simply ho-hum and that which is truly mouth-watering. And, a mint julep on a hot summer day just wouldn’t seem as refreshing without the mint. Herbs have also long been valued for their medicinal and healing qualities. Although it requires an experienced herbalist to know how to extract the beneficial substances from many herbs, some can be easily prepared for use in soothing teas and balms. Herbs are easy to grow from seed by those armed with a little knowledge and can be continuously harvested throughout the growing season, requiring little maintenance. And, you don’t need a lot of space to grow herbs; most are relatively compact, and well suited to container gardening, especially given their esthetic appeal. Not only are herbs a fragrant, attractive addition to containers and garden beds, they also serve a purpose beyond their culinary value: some ward off insect pests and attract beneficial ones. You don’t have to have a green thumb to grow and enjoy your own herbs successfully. Here are some tips for getting started: Growing Herbs from Seed While fledgling gardeners may feel trepidation growing herbs from seed, it’s really not hard, as long as you adhere to a few basic guidelines: Light: Almost all herbs need full sun in order to grow properly. If you’re growing herbs indoors, you’re likely to require grow lights during certain time periods, unless you happen to reside in a year-round sunny region with an exceptionally sunny spot in your home. Soil & Air Temperature: While some mature herb plants tolerate very cold air temperatures, seedlings like it warm. And, if soil temperatures are too low, your seeds won’t even germinate. Generally, in order for seeds to sprout, air temperatures should be over 50° and soil temperatures should be 70° F or warmer. For this reason, gardeners in the northern half of the country are advised to start seeds indoors—where temperatures can be controlled—in early spring, and to transplant seedlings outdoors once spring has progressed and temperatures have moderated. Water: It’s really important to keep your seeds and seedlings consistently moist, but NOT soaked. Otherwise, the seeds won’t germinate. Regular, gentle watering is important, which is another reason to start seeds indoors in a controlled environment. Mature plants, while much more resilient than seedlings, will need supplemental watering during periods of drought and may not thrive during particularly wet, cool summers. Fertilizer: Once your seedlings approach maturity, you can apply an organic, time-release fertilizer to ensure healthy growth. Indoor plants will need regular application. Pinch-off Flower Buds: While it may seem counterintuitive at first, you must pinch-off any flower buds that appear. Herbs produce flowers as they reach the end of their life cycle; flowering is a way to set seed for the next generation. By pinching off the flower buds, you will force the plants to put all their energy into growing more yummy foliage. Harvesting Herbs You can start harvesting your herbs at any time after they’re about 6-8” high and/or have developed enough healthy foliage there’s clearly some to spare. When harvesting herb foliage, you always want to be sure to leave enough behind so that the plant can continue growing. As you may remember from Biology class, plants need some foliage to photosynthesize. The preferred method of harvest will vary from herb to herb. When harvesting chives, for example, you will want to cut off the stalks close to the ground. Basil, on the other hand, is best harvested by cutting stalks and leaves from the top of the plant, to encourage bushy re-growth. Eventually (sadly!), as the days of summer start to wane, you may decide to try and forestall the inevitable end of your glorious herb crop. You have two choices: you could harvest it in its entirety and preserve it; or, you can move it indoors if you have the space and light. Preserving Herbs To preserve fresh herbs for use throughout the fall and winter, you have two choices: you can dry them or freeze them. Different herbs lend themselves to each of these methods. Air drying works well for herbs that have a low moisture content such as oregano, thyme, sweet marjoram, summer savory, and sage. You can air dry these herbs naturally or you can use an oven. The latter, though it uses more energy, is faster and more reliable. To oven dry your herbs, spread them on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet (to avoid off flavors from the metal) and bake them at 150° F with the oven door slightly open. Keep a close eye on them and remove them when they crumble to the touch (times will vary from one to several hours). Pack them in an airtight container for use until the following summer. Freezing works well for herbs with a higher moisture content such as basil, chives, cilantro and parsley. Our favorite method is to chop up the herbs and pack them into ice trays topped off with water or vegetable broth and freeze them. For best results, transfer the frozen herb cubes into an airtight container to remain in the freezer for use over the course of the next few months. Continuing Growing Herbs Indoors If you’re lucky enough to have the space and light indoors, it’s a no brainer to move your herbs indoors to continue growing throughout the colder months. Obviously, it’s easiest if you’re already growing the herbs in containers; otherwise, you can transplant them from the garden into containers. Growing plants indoors is not without its challenges, but herbs are relatively easy. Growing your own herbs is easy and satisfying and something we highly recommend. If you’re thinking about starting a garden, we say herbs should be first on the list. Whether you simply enjoy them for their appearance and fragrance, or use them as herbal remedies or to enhance your culinary creations, they are enormously appealing. And, once you start, you won’t be able to stop, much to the delight of your visiting friends, family, and neighbors. 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