In your winter garden ...

By Paula M. Christensen, Special to the Journal | Thursday, January 04, 2007

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The end of September, for most, marks the end of the gardening season.

But there are a few gardeners here and there who know that this time of year is the best time to grow fresh vegetables and fruit in a greenhouse.

The new greenhouse structures and coverings today have all but replaced the glass and wooden frames of the original conservatories of the 16th century, thus costing less to heat and cool while requiring minimal maintenance.

And with advances in lighting systems along with hybridized (but not genetically modified) seeds and dwarf to semi-dwarf fruit trees, it is easier to grow more vegetables and fruit for a year-round harvest of nutritional food. It’s like having your very own farmer’s market just outside your door.

Some people still believe that owning a greenhouse is for someone who has a lot of spare time and money — but this is simply not true. There are greenhouses in all price ranges. All you have to do is decide if you want to use your greenhouse simply to extend the growing season by a few months on either end, or if you want a structure you can garden in through the winter months that will hold up in the years to come.

Next you will need to decide just exactly how much time you want to spend gardening in your greenhouse.

Many people either don’t have any spare time or have health restrictions, so a greenhouse that is more automated is the route to go. It will cost more to start up, but in the long run it will save time and stress down the road.

The biggest advantage to owning a greenhouse, aside from eating better, is that there is no weeding (depending on the flooring) and you’re conserving water too.

And for those gardeners who don’t have the space for a greenhouse, there have also been great strides in container gardening allowing for gardening in a spare room or heated enclosure.

Now you can choose from a variety of garden in a box growing systems geared from the novice to the expert. Then with an accompanying lighting system, all you do is add seeds or seedlings, depending on your choice of container, and you could be eating fresh, vine ripened tomatoes, fresh salad greens or whatever your heart desires through the winter months.

Also, for individuals concerned about synthetic versus naturally or organically grown food, there is a wide variety of organic plant foods and nutrients now available to the home gardener which creates peace of mind, knowing how your produce is cared for and where it comes from.

Imagine picking fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and salad greens for a salad in February and the look of delight on the faces of relatives and friends who are served this bountiful feast.

Paula M. Christensen is the manager of Grapevine Hobby Greenhouses & Acc., Inc. in Rapid city. She has more than 30 years experience in agriculture. She has worked in commercial greenhouses and has been gardening in her own greenhouse for eight years.

Send questions or comments to bill@grapevinehobby.com or call 605-342-1307.