Winter garden

[helomech]

What are some good things I can grow in my temporary aquaponics system? I think Turnips do good in winter, but don't have a clue about anything else.

[TroubleShooter]

Winter wheat? Feed the fish or grind your own flour

[LUNCHBOX]

Peppers, I was still pulling some off my plants in Nov/Dec. Its been to wet to plow/turn it over.

[realist]

If you are looking at root crops take a look at beets, carrots and maybe radishes.

[helomech]

Cool thanks guys keep the ideas coming. Pretty much anything wil grow in aquaponics, except potatoes don't do real good.

[Evolver]

What growing zone are you in and will your system be frost free?

[helomech]

What growing zone are you in and will your system be frost free?

I don't know. I am in east Texas about 2 hours north of Houston. We do have some frosts, but not usually bad. A couple times a year it will get to the teens for a day or so. I have never had a garden before, so I don't know a darn thing. My wife did go to walmart this afternoon and bought everything they had that was for this time of year.

Seven top Turnip
Icicle, short top radish
Cherry Belle Radish
Alaska Peas
Melting sugar peas
Bolero Peas

[bacpacker]

I would think anything in the cole family would work well. Cabbage, brocholi, brussel sprouts, etc. Also carrots, most any greens, lettuce, parsnips, rutabega's, turnips, onions, leeks, shallots.
If your running a greenhouse over the aquaponics system, you can prolly grow many other crops in it thru the winter as well.

[helomech]

Thanks bacpacker. No greenhouse on these temporary grow beds. But when my system is complete it will have a green house. These 2 grow beds I have set up right now, or just to keep my fish tank clean, and if something grows than great. I have to keep water in my fish tank, or risk it popping out of the ground. And I don't want it to get all nasty, so these grow beds should keep it clean.

[Sniper-T]

...My wife did go to walmart this afternoon and bought everything they had that was for this time of year...


Icicle, short top radish

I don't know what the radish has to do with anything... but we can grow icicles up here this time of year:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/NFLD/nfldday6233.jpg

:)


Just make sure you have something to cover your garden with in case it does go down to frost levels. (old bedsheets, tarps etc.)

[helomech]

Too cold for me. I never heard of the icicle radish either. But they look just like the pic above.

[Evolver]

Your probably in hardiness zone 8 right between 8a and 8b. So now is a good time to start seeds indoors for planting in late winter and early spring: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce. Tomato, pepper and eggplant seed should be started in late January for transplanting in March.

Here is a link to a East Texas Garden Calender. Monthly Garden Calendar (http://easttexasgardening.tamu.edu/homegardens/Monthly/calendar.html)

[helomech]

Thanks Evolver, trying to learn all I can.

[ravensgrove]

All your cold weather roots, brasillicas and greens should be ok.....

[helomech]

Great thanks.

[Evolver]

Your welcome Helo. This time of year in our zones the soil temp are too low for good seed germination and root growth so it's best to start seeds inside now then put in the ground after last frost in Feb/Mar depending on variety. That link that I posted is a good fail safe gardening guide to follow.

[Evolver]

Also... In Feb/Mar you should start seeing Berry plants available at your local garden stores so keep your eye out. :)

[helomech]

Cool thanks, I am not worried about ground frost these are going to be grown in my aquaponics system. So the water will stay above freezing.

[Sniper-T]

Awesome Helo... looking forward to pics of your progress.

[helomech]

Thanks Sniper. I am offshore right now, hoping I have some sprouts when I get home next week.

[izzyscout21]

Nice helo. I hope all your projects turn out for you.

[helomech]

Thanks, I will get it up and running. Just going to take a few grand, especially when I go to put it on solar and wind power.

[ravensgrove]

solar....drool.....