Extending the Season: Our First Fall + Winter Garden in Michigan

by Melissa Buehrle

Extending the Season: Our First Fall + Winter Garden in Michigan

If you’ve been following along with my garden journey, you know I’ve been obsessed with our spring and summer garden. There’s just something magical about walking out into your backyard and picking fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs—you name it. But as the season winds down and Michigan’s colder months creep in, I found myself wondering... does gardening really have to stop when the snow starts falling?

Spoiler alert: I don’t think so.

This year, we’re doing something totally new and kinda exciting—we're diving into our very first fall and winter garden. Yep, even in Michigan. I’ve been deep in research mode (like, late-night rabbit holes on cold frames and root veggies kind of deep), and the more I learn, the more confident I feel that we can absolutely keep the garden vibes going through the winter.

Now let me be clear—this is our first time trying this. It’s 100% trial and error. But honestly? I think we’re about to pull off something amazing.

What We're Planting:

We’re going big for our first season (because go big or go home, right?). Here’s what’s going in the ground:

🥬 Lettuce
🥦 Kale
🌿 Spinach
🌱 Arugula
🥗 Mixed Greens
🌶 Radishes
🥕 Carrots
🌰 Turnips
💜 Beets
🧅 Onions + Scallions
🧄 Garlic
🥦 Broccoli
🥬 Cauliflower
🌈 Swiss Chard
🌿 Cold-hardy herbs like thyme, oregano, and parsley

I know, it’s a lot. Maybe even a little ambitious for our first fall/winter attempt—but I’ve got high hopes and a lot of excitement (plus a new batch of cold frames made from old windows we’re recycling—DIY win!).

Why Bother Gardening in the Winter?

Because... why not? Just because we live in a state with wild weather swings and freezing temps doesn’t mean we have to give up homegrown food for half the year. Plus, winter gardening is lower maintenance—fewer pests, less watering, and slower growth means you don’t need to babysit the garden like you do in July.

Tools We’re Using:

  • Cold frames made from old windows (so budget-friendly!)

  • Row covers + frost cloths

  • Raised garden beds we already had from summer

  • A whole lotta trial and error + YouTube tutorials

What I’m Hoping For:

  • Fresh greens all winter long

  • A solid stash of root veggies come spring

  • Lessons learned so next year’s fall/winter garden can be even better

  • And maybe... just maybe... convincing a few of you to try it too 😘

Whether it works out perfectly or turns into a total learning curve, I’m just excited to see what we can grow. If you’ve tried fall or winter gardening (especially here in Michigan), I’d love to hear your tips and what worked for you!

Let’s keep growing 🌱
xo,
Melissa

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