A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
What winter crop plants to use?
Its Jan. 1st. today Happy New year everyone!
I'v been wondering what winter crops to plant in my small 50 gal. system now that its cold out. Its Santa Cruz Ca. here but it's been dipping into the 40's F. lately and everything is ending its cycle.
Anyone have a good suggestion for water rooted (raft style) plants. I have a basic idea of what grows in winter climates I.E. Kale, brocoli, winter letuce etc. but even these plants dont like the cold water. any real winter crop winners to suggest. Appreciate any help.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Scott Roberts on
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Only thing that likes cold more than kale is mache.
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Permalink Reply by George on
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We've been cutting kale here (north Fl) for two or three months and that will continue thru March. Spring planting will be next. We're expecting strawberry blooms any day now.
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Permalink Reply by Alex Veidel on
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[Alex has "liked" this comment]
Scott Roberts said:Only thing that likes cold more than kale is mache.
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Plants are far more likely to tolerate colder weather if their root zone is warm. I'd warm your water just a little to keep your plants happy :)
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Permalink Reply by Pierre Riche on
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Ya, i might just go in that direction. I was trying to avoid more "Power" driven accessories but that might be the ticket. Thanks.
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Scott, Great suggestion. Never knew about Mache. That sounds just like what i'm looking for. Thanks
Scott Roberts said:Only thing that likes cold more than kale is mache.
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Yes George, Kale is a good one although i think i might want to warm the water a tad for that. Thanks.
George said:We've been cutting kale here (north Fl) for two or three months and that will continue thru March. Spring planting will be next. We're expecting strawberry blooms any day now.
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Mache is good. If you haven't used corn mache, heads up: it's small. It's a tiny little plant that doesn't get past the size of a flourette. But it's the hardiest thing out there. Might be a good thing to put in between plant rows....
Also known as miner's lettuce.
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Alex, that's great to know. thanks for the warning. I have seen some images of it and yes some images looked tiny yet others i saw looked somewhat bushy and large. I will have to experiment and see what i come up with. Will share results down the road.
Alex Veidel said:Mache is good. If you haven't used corn mache, heads up: it's small. It's a tiny little plant that doesn't get past the size of a flourette. But it's the hardiest thing out there. Might be a good thing to put in between plant rows....
Also known as miner's lettuce.
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Here at the crest of the Cascade Mtns we have frozen repeatedly, had snow. I still have water cress growing in our AP system in our unheated greenhouse. It is in our flood and drain media bed. I am shocked it is still thriving.
According to 'authoritative" articles it is supposed to be happy down to around 40 degrees, so you should be safe with that. I am pleased that ours is still hanging in there so far this winter! This might be an option for you too.
- Converse
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Converse, right, water cress. I have grown it before very successfully but wasnt sure how cold it could get. Great suggestion. Thanks
Converse said:Here at the crest of the Cascade Mtns we have frozen repeatedly, had snow. I still have water cress growing in our AP system in our unheated greenhouse. It is in our flood and drain media bed. I am shocked it is still thriving.
According to 'authoritative" articles it is supposed to be happy down to around 40 degrees, so you should be safe with that. I am pleased that ours is still hanging in there so far this winter! This might be an option for you too.
- Converse
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