February

The primary tasks in the winter garden in February are to monitor the growing environment inside the winter cold frame and to harvest. I avoid opening the cold frame if the temperature is below freezing, and if an extended period of very cold temperatures is predicted, I will harvest enough to last until the cold period ends.

February is spring inside the winter cold frame. The sun is much higher, daylight is longer, and the daytime temperature inside the cold frame can get warm. Sometimes, too warm. During February, you'll need to monitor the inside temperature and crack open the glass covers to cool things down if it's needed. Scrap blocks of wood work perfectly. I also apply a light fertilizer at the beginning of the month.

Since it's spring, the spinach really takes off and grows vigorously. The picture on the right shows panel 4 ready for its second picking of the winter on February 26, 2016. These mature plants are very productive in February.

Note: The January experiment found me planting spinach on January 29, 2016 in blank spots in the winter garden. On February 15, 2016, I noticed my first seedlings from this planting. Germination time was 18 days.

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