Gardening in my garage?

Question

I live in Colorado and have been growing several vegetables in pots (cabbage,tomatoes,garlic,onions, radishes, tabasco peppers, green peppers, acorn squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant) i was thinking of bringing all the vegetables in my garage when it starts getting cold. I was wondering if this is possible and if anyone has tried it. also what all i would need to do in my garage to keeps the vegetables growing and producing.

Answer 1

A garage sounds way too DARK to grow veggies in successfully....unless you have a big expensive halogen lighting system.

You can extend your growing season with cold frames, though.  They are simple to make yourself out of discarded materials and old windows.

Answer 2

Lights of the correct spectrum to keep plants growing.  Check the wiring in your garage to make sure you have enough current available for as many lights as you'll need. You also might have to supply heat. Keep in mind that some plants mature and at that point they just aren't going to grow any more. You might want to get selective about what you grow in the garage. Tomatoes are expensive to buy in the winter so they might be good. Cabbage, on the other hand, is pretty cheap to buy.

Answer 3

I've seen tomatoes grown under lights in a greenhouse, so it's possible.

You would need lights and careful control and ability to change the photoperiods to approximate the natural growing cycle.    Also, if you do have to use lights (which is likely unless your garage is actually a greenhouse), the electricity cost might come close or even exceed the cost of buying the vegetables shipped in from the southern hemisphere.  

Because of that expense, people usually only grow things under lights that they cannot buy at the grocery store, or any store for that matter, if'n ya know what I mean!

Answer 4

If you have the right light and it is warm enough, you can extend your growing season.

Answer 5

i would suggest getting a halogin set-up. you can find them pretty cheap on Craigslist sometimes.

It is more energy efficient to run the lights at night, electric rates are lower.

aside from that. . . it should be pretty easy. just keep an eye out for pests that want to munch on your veggies in the nice warm garage.

There are also many books on the subject, your local garden store should have some.

good luck!

-FYI, this is how they grow flowers year round. . .either the warehouse method, or the greenhouse, but where open space is limited-big cities. this is how many companies i know of do it

Answer 6

you must not have anyroom out side or something answer add a green house silly gal gradges are for our krap not gardening but if it floats your boat you go for it i heard of people screening there gradges in but gardening i dont know what to tell you

Answer 7

A dark garage is perfect for dormant plants that sleep over winter, but to grow vegetables you'd need an overhead light or a solar lamp and a heater, as peppers, tomatoes squash also need HEAT to thrive.

The pots would need heated pads underneath to keep their roots warm.

You would basically need the same things as people use to start seedlings in the spring, but the heat and light are important.

Depending on how much you have, why not try a coldframe outside instead?  Cabbage, garlic, radishes and other root vegetables can tolerate light frost, but when it freezes they need to be covered (with a heavy mulch like straw) and a clear plastic tarp/glass.  A coldframe can warm the immediate area up to ten degrees from the outside.