Start Planning for Winter

As promised, here is Linda Gilkeson's post on what you need to do now if you are planning a winter garden.

Here is the Get Ready for Winter part:
Do you have all the seeds you need for fall and winter crops? As local garden centres are increasingly tuned in to mid-summer seed demand it has been getting easier to find seeds later in the season. However, in past years seed suppliers have run out of some of winter varieties so don't leave it too late to order seeds.

Right now is a good time to sow the hardy fall and winter cabbage varieties that take the longest to grow (Danish Ballhead, Melissa Savoy, Embassy, etc.). These take a long season to produce large, heavy heads.

Next week is a good time to start Brussels sprouts. I start them the first week of June so the plants begin to form sprouts in late September. This timing avoids the period when cabbage aphids are most active and can really mess up the sprouts. If you have already planted Brussels sprouts, be vigilant in August for the first sign of aphids attacking the sprouts. Blast them out with water and keep the plants well watered (aphids thrive on drought stressed plants).

If you are starting your own plants, you will need seeds for winter broccoli and winter cauliflower ready to sow in mid-June.
By July 1 you will want plenty of carrot and beet seeds on hand for the crop to be eaten over the winter. Other seeds to have for fall through spring harvests: winter lettuce, leaf beet, kales of all sorts, Chinese cabbages, leaf mustards and other leafy greens, Komatsuna, spinach, corn salad.