5. Start Plants Indoors to Get a Head Start

The growing season up north is much shorter than in the southern states. Plants that require a long growing season will need to be started indoors for best results. Make sure they have plenty of light, water, and are kept out of drafts to provide them an optimal environment to germinate in.

4. Choose Plants That do Well in Cooler Weather

Peas, cabbage, and radishes all prefer cooler weather over hot steamy weather. Wisconsin is the perfect state for cold weather crops. They do very well and you should have very little difficulty getting them to grow successfully.

3. Protect New Plants from Cool Air

Cold frames are a life saver! These protect fragile plants and give them a head start outdoors. There is less chance of a rogue frost nipping your new plants when they are protected under a cold frame. The sunlight is able to help the plants grow and the sun also warms the air inside the framed area.

2. Till the Soil in the Fall

The spring thaw can render a garden spot un-tillable for quite some time. It’s best to run the tiller right before all the snow hits. This will give you a chance to break up the soil, turn under any dead plants, and mix in any compost or manure too. You can still run the tiller once the ground has dried out quite a bit. If you till in the fall, then you can always use a small trowel to get started planting even if the ground is too wet for the tiller.

1. Know Which Plants Need to Be Covered for the Winter

Some plants need to have protection from winter weather, such as strawberries. Wait until the frost has killed all the leaves and stems, then cover all strawberry plants with a thick layer of straw. Be sure to not uncover the plants too soon in the spring.

I hope these tips are useful ones or that you know someone who can benefit from them. What other tips would you give to someone starting a garden in Wisconsin or another state with a short growing season?

Top Photo Credit: andrews.larsen