Have you tried carrots? They can grow in negative 8 degrees Celsius (around 19 degrees freedom units)
I think broccoli and Brussels sprouts also do well.
When it comes to cucumbers, however, growing a ton, and pickling them is perfect for using all year round, and pickling is also way easier than I first thought.
I’ve never tried this but how about one of those small DIY greenhouses? Apparently they’re pretty easy to make. I’m not sure how cold it gets at your latitude but with a greenhouse you could manage to lower your zone a level. Maybe enough for those carrots.
Worst case I guess is just grow winter crops during the summer. Half a year of cheaper food is better than nothing.
I’ve never tried this but how about one of those small DIY greenhouses?
It’s super easy to build a greenhouse for very little money. My greenhouse, used commercially, is an old Costco “barn” someone was throwing out. I spent $125 on good quality greenhouse plastic and another $100 or so for automatic vent openers and then reinforced it all with scrap wood. Another small farm down the road built one mostly out of old windows they got from a neighbor who was replacing theirs.
You can also just make a smaller cold frame with an old window and/or plastic. It’s also really helpful to have frost “blankets”, either as old used blankets/comforters or row covers like Remay or Agribon. I use Agribon 50 which gets you about 8F of protection. Not very environmentally friendly though!
Have you tried carrots? They can grow in negative 8 degrees Celsius (around 19 degrees freedom units)
I think broccoli and Brussels sprouts also do well.
When it comes to cucumbers, however, growing a ton, and pickling them is perfect for using all year round, and pickling is also way easier than I first thought.
Nah, not much makes it through winter at my latitude. Though I suppose with the rising temps, there’s always a chance this could be the year.
I’ve never tried this but how about one of those small DIY greenhouses? Apparently they’re pretty easy to make. I’m not sure how cold it gets at your latitude but with a greenhouse you could manage to lower your zone a level. Maybe enough for those carrots.
Worst case I guess is just grow winter crops during the summer. Half a year of cheaper food is better than nothing.
It’s super easy to build a greenhouse for very little money. My greenhouse, used commercially, is an old Costco “barn” someone was throwing out. I spent $125 on good quality greenhouse plastic and another $100 or so for automatic vent openers and then reinforced it all with scrap wood. Another small farm down the road built one mostly out of old windows they got from a neighbor who was replacing theirs.
You can also just make a smaller cold frame with an old window and/or plastic. It’s also really helpful to have frost “blankets”, either as old used blankets/comforters or row covers like Remay or Agribon. I use Agribon 50 which gets you about 8F of protection. Not very environmentally friendly though!