Winter Gardening 4

🌿 Fourth installment in a series about growing greens during winter.

🌱 They have begun harvesting basil and are managing seedling growth with adjustments to lighting due to limited sunlight.

🌞 Adjustments include lowering lights to be closer to the seedlings, ensuring they are 2-3 inches above the plants.

🍅 The tomato plants and bok choy have shown significant growth and are being transplanted as part of the continuous garden production process.

🥗 Harvesting includes individual leaf picking and block usage, integrating them with other lettuces to create substantial salads.

🌞 To maintain steady growth, extra light may be necessary, especially as days become shorter around December 22nd, without inducing premature blooming in the plants.

🔍 Strategies for providing warmth include using heat mats, small heaters, and cost-efficient bulbs to gently raise temperatures in a controlled manner.

✨ Reflective materials are suggested to maximize light during shorter winter days, which can be as simple as using white paint or aluminum to bounce light back onto the plants.

🌡️ Implementing layers of coverage, such as plastic and fabric combined with insulating materials, can protect plants from freezing temperatures and improve heat retention.