When I approached having a winter garden this year, I made some assumptions based on what I knew and what I read, but the reality of winter here in Lancaster, CA was different than I expected in many cases. Lancaster, CA is zone 8b, which really only speaks to the high and low average temperatures throughout the year and not the variability.
The low temperature for the last week has been forecasted in the mid to upper twenties, but the actual temperatures were much lower than average:
Low temperatures:
1/1/13 18 degrees
1/2/13 14 degrees
1/3/13 19 degrees
Needless to say, the carrots are not germinating and the lettuce and spinach is in a state of suspended animation.... Not dead, just not getting bigger!
Some things I've learned this year:
1. Actual low temperatures can be much lower than average low temperatures
2. Carrots don't germinate at 15 degrees
3. Although lettuce and spinach can grow in very cold temperatures, they do not flourish and they grow much slower than they would over 40 degrees.
4. An indoor plant rack with fluorescent lights is a good idea!
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