The Most Amazing Gardening Hack for Winter Abundance 

A huge thank you to Yen from instagram.com/apple_acres_dk for this incredible tip!🌱 I really hope you find it as inspiring as I do. Btw for anyone who is a Patreon I have a book title and cover on tonight's live stream! Have a great weekend😊

Hi Huw 🤗 Thank you so much for having me be a guest in your video. It was so much fun talking with you on such a great subject as winter gardening 🙌🤗🤩

Words I never thought I'd say: 'What a beautiful poly tunnel!'

My husband has been amazed watching me lift up plants and relocating them. I find best transition happens when you take the plant with the surrounding soil. Most plants don't appreciate having their roots exposed.

Sometimes you see ideas and wonder why we've never thought about it ourselves! It makes perfect sense to move larger plants into the protected space of a polytunnel or greenhouse over the winter period. I will certainly be giving it a go. Thank you Yen for the idea and thank you Huw for hosting this on your channel. Kind regards. Gary

Great hearing about these tips from a fellow Danish gardener. And a compliment to you Hugh for asking short precise questions instead of waffling on, as many others do, and let her answer your questions.

I’ve been using any leftover water from boiling veg at home for dinner.. for watering my plants as a tonic. I dilute it and my house plants have gone crazy. Such healthy green leaves and flowers. Now I’ve started to water plants outside too if I think they could do with a tonic. The results are amazing. 😁👍

What a beautiful poly tunnel she has and very well planned and planted.

I do not have a walk in poly-tunnel. For those like me without such, I simply lay garden fleece over the plants, or erect low tunnels over my beds. Which depends on the plant type. Basically similar concept to extend gardening into winter. And I can endlessly lay down fleece or make low tunnels, as needed and on demand. Over any and all beds as needed. Maybe not as posh as a walk in tunnel, and yes a little more work to harvest the daily crop, but still gives similar results: being able to garden over winter. Hope this helps.

I was like yahaaaa another Dane ... 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰♥️ We are a nation of Gardner's , but we never see it on tv/internet .. so thanks you Yen and Huw .. ♥️♥️

Thank you for another great idea! Also appreciate the introduction to another wonderful gardener!🌿💕

thank you for sharing this great idea and for inviting Yen! ❤

Such a great idea. We do something similar but under a low tunnel with triple cover. 2 layers of greenhouse plastic, one layer of bedsheets. So far we are still eating Swiss chard, 3 types kale, red and green lettuce and some corn salad as well as parsley. We’ve gone down to -2 but expect to still be harvesting through -20, perhaps even -30! Nova Scotia Canada

Huw, though I don't have a poly tunnel I find myself challenged/encouraged by this video to think outside the box and to create some type of area that I could use to grow through the winter in our area. This video as well as others you have done have allowed me to think differently about the winter months and how it is possible to utilize this time to continue to grow our own food. Have a great weekend and, as always, thanks for being Professor Richards to all of us!

Thank you. Tomorrows to do list sorted. Don't have much to move but the parsley is definitely going.

Awesome share Huw!!! I love love love when people are able to open more gardeners eyes to the vast ideas out there for 4 season gardening in colder climates. Located in the NE of Canada I use anything I can to extend & or overwinter as many vegies as I can (people around here don't even believe me when I tell them haha, unless they see it of course! 99.5% of them around here think we have only one season! 😅) Although a polytunnel is ideal so is just erecting what some refer to as a 'mini hoop Tunnel' over existing beds. For most cold hardy veg (mentioned in this vid) its enough to keep them stored well, even growing when lucky enough to get mild or sunny weather & especially nice is the early regrowth early on in the spring (hungry gap!). I use PVC conduit piping, sometimes metal clips to secure them to the beds. Other times it's more of a last minute effort of just shoving the ends of PVC into the soil (sometimes onto rebar) then cover with 6mm construction Vapor Barrier! (This stuff actually last for YEARS) Secure the Vapor Barrier to PVC with large Binder clips from office supply! Use your imagination though! Some beds like my all winter spinach raised 4x8 beds I put a 2x4 frame hinged onto the bed and attach the PVC dome- mini hoop tunnel, (however big I want) to that frame so that access and venting is very smooth....Again I know this isnt quite the same as the polytunnel but for those that see this video and their eyes are widening with amazement (haha I know because i was one of those gardeners about 7 years ago!! I've NEVER looked at gardening the same) There are just so many possibilities...dont stop experimenting because it is amazing what I've learned from what I thought were massive fails in my season & just last minute ideas! Infact, its NOV so gardeners new to all of this if you have the right veg left out there now, try it 😊 I'm zone 5 with first frost Oct 1-15th NB Canada Sorry for the long post but I hope it helps fuel even more excitement for someone seeing this topic for the first time 😊 Happy planning everyone!!

Natural way of living, with real fun too. Good.

WOOOHOO Yen!!! Way to go!!! 😀😍🙌

I absolutely love following Apple acres 😃 polytunnel of dreams! Tak for deling 😀

I learn so much from you and the wider gardening community. Thank you

This is an absolutely fabulous idea and so simple that I'm amazed I've never seen it before. It's the way forward for winter veg.

I’ve did this with chili peppers and parsley, rosemary, sage .

Great technique and thank you for bringing Yens garden to our attention Huw. I've been doing this for a couple of years without recognising it as a technique. I dont think people give enough attention to the possibilities of winter growing. When food security is an issue this really makes sense

SO FUN! I’m so thankful for the wisdom I’m gleaning from so many amazing gardeners. Each video helps me feel more prepared for what’s ahead on our new homestead!🙏🏻🙏🏻

I just set up a small greenhouse here in Canada in October. Not knowing much, I decided to transplant some lettuce and Swiss chard from my outer garden and moved them inside to my greenhouse raised bed, some growth has begun. I will share this with my Canadian greenhouse growers. Please do more winter gardening videos.

I just started doing this on a much smaller scale almost by accident. I have 3 row covers, and for the first time, and I had some Red Mustard volunteers growing in a path that I squeezed into one of the low tunnels. I'm also growing Swiss Chard, Kohlrabi, Beets, Salsify and Radishes.

That is a very useful polytunnel trick you have shared there Huw, and thanks also to Yen. Transplanting to AND from polytunnels and undercover spaces is key to getting the best from what is expensive real estate. I transplanted Chard into my smallest tunnel a while ago. You yourself Huw, had a Kale nursery bed outside and no doubt you transplanted some of them indoors too. But one thing this video has given me an idea for is my Celeriac, I will try transplanting some of that inside/undercover, so thanks Huw, and of course thanks Yen also...Steve...😃😃

Inspirational! Last year my purple sprouting broccoli heads didn't enjoy the wet winter they endured in my garden. Their heads rotted. I have just dug up a good looking candidate and transplanted it into my greenhouse bed. Maybe this year I will have some PSB. I love that gardening is not an exact science; that there is always more to learn. Thank you Huw & Yen.

Hungry gap solved? Perhaps! Thank you for sharing this, Huw!

What a great idea. Before coming here, I was searching for a poly tunnel and seeing Yen in November is revolutionary. I live in Denmark. This gardening is beneficiel on severeal levels. Grounding during winter season. I'm very Greateful to see this Huw.

I'm just building my first hoop house and have pulled some mature chard and sorrel, as well as some brassica "runts," from my in-ground bed to go into the hoop house. My timing isnt perfect this year, but everything is a big experiment! Thanks for this reassurance to keep moving forward! From Michigan USA zone 5b.

khu vườn đẹp và tốt quá ạ

What a lovely video. I love hearing different methods of gardening and most importantly ways of prolonging plant life! Diolch o galon, Huw!

Celery, Kale and lettuce, tomatoes absolutely amazing. Another great inspiration video thanks for the share. 😁

I have put some winter salads in my tunnel but this has given me the idea to try cabages and beets inside. 👍

Khu vườn lên tốt quá a

The simplest ideas are often the best. It's really astonishing that I've never had this idea before. Thank you for sharing!

Just now ( winter ending) doing the opposite in Australia…..taking things from my greenhouse to the outside garden. 😃

Bloody amazing idea! I am going to move some things into a small tunnel I have tomorrow afternoon.

This method works with leeks as well. So if you live in a cold climate moving your leeks into the tunnel works great.

Trop bien Richards ! J'adore ton enthousiasme et la qualité de tes vidéos ! Ainsi que celle de ton jardin ;D

We have extremely harsh winter. I used to bring some plants indoor. Grew tomatoes over 10 years ago inside the house. Patrick at One Yard Revolution in Chicago USA has many videos on this topic but I think he grows the green in the poly tunnel ahead of time. Thank you for showing a beating way to extend gardening season over the winter.

This was super! I’ve got chard plants outside that are still small so I think they’re getting dug up and they’ll be moving into the polytunnel for the winter! Loved this ❤️

I've been following her Instagram channel for some time. Happy to see her on your RU-vid channel. Two of my favorite gardeners.

Put some beetroot in outside that are not doing much so will try shifting some of them tomorrow and see what happens. Have usually only used the polytunnel for over wintering tender plants so this will be something new🙏😊.

Sharing is caring.. Thank you very much🙏🌻☺️💕

Just in time, I will be transplanting into my low tunnels next week after this info. Just harvested 200 liters of part decomposed seaweed from the seaside to add to soil and the compost bins A great idea, its the opposite of the spring process.

Wow. Great video👍🇨🇦

Thanks for this video and sharing the garden hack from Yen and it's great to see her.

Hi Hugh great video and so nice to see a female gardener in her polytunnel explaining how she does things, very nicely put together thank you so much, I would love a garden where I could have a polytunnel however I have to share with two german shepherds one who's getting an old boy and one 5-year-old very energetic girl who never stops running around the yard; still I love them so making a small sacrifice is not too bad; the only other thing is you have to be watching her around the tubs when she is on the go or something gets paw marks in the soil. thanks again for another good video.;

Great content… I started to this since last year without even knowing it’s a practice method 😀

What a beautiful polytunnel !

This was a great video, learned a lot and started my creative juices flowing for the coming winter. I was thinking to get different veggies growing in grow bags so they're mature by late fall and just bring the entire grow bag into the poly tunnel!

This year I had to start squash 3 times because of squash bugs devouring my plants. The third planting was doing well--before our first frost, I wished that I had a polytunnel/greenhouse! I tried to cover them with a thick tarp, but squash plants are so sensitive. I do dig up my lemongrass and bring them inside. I heard of someone who brought in a prolific bell pepper plant into a greenhouse--it grew into a large bush with a thick trunk and is still going strong. Thank you for your great channel, Huw!

I did this with my new polytunnel this year, moving some mature pepper and eggplants to get a few more harvests at the end of the season.. they did really well until temps dropped below -6°C 🥶 Will definitely try moving some of my cold hardy stuff before they get buried in the snow! ❄

Very tidy

Awesome ideas. I am also a fibre artist and love love love your sweater.

that was great

This is an exciting video!! Thanks for sharing this information. Great editing too.

Great video! Great tips! Thanks from London 👍

This is great! I will try this as my greenhouse is definitely underused during winter. Only thing I don’t know how to do is increase the light levels, as one wall is brick and connected to a building..

I love planting way you❤

That is fascinating! We may have a smaller area where we could put up a poly tunnel. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this ingenious concept for extending the growing period. Judi

Wonderful visit, I really enjoyed this video, lots of info and a visit to Denmark.thank you

Wow, it would been so wonderful if we could of done in south east Texas.. But such a beautiful video.

I already cleared my raised beds for the year, But will be working on my poly tunnels this month. I'll be ready to grow in late winter/early spring and look forward to this method next fall! Thank you for sharing.

I love this type of interview! all very helpful, thanks huw!

i would love to have a polytunnel in my back garden

Aaaaah! Wonderful video!!!!! I enjoyed her tips... I'm laughing so hard, almost peed my pants! Question: What are you doing in the garden this morning? I'll step outside with the intention of doing two tasks then end up spending 3-5 hours out there. Always feels like five minutes! This morning I went out with the intent to sterilize some soil...ended up separating then transplanting herbs to prep for indoors this winter, planted potatoes, fertilized tomatoes (my coffee cup filled with rain!), topped off beans and okra with clean soil, etc...... After watching this video I think I'll begin winter cold frame preps. THANK YOU!!!!!❤ HSTL zone 6

Wow, I remember this when it first came out. It still makes me smile, and I'm going to do this in this autumn. How did your transplants do, Huw?

Love this Huw, thamk you xx

She is growing an impressive amount of food in a poly tunnel that is hard to grow food in this time of year. Good on her! Smart girl! Thank you! I’m going for it this year. I’m planting vertically and protecting as much as I can from the elements and see what I can make happen! Prayers in Jesus name are appreciated!

A very nice vlogs...Sincere follower of your channel from France.

I did the same thing this year, bc the plants in my tiny greenhouse were too small🤗

...oh...my....gawd!!!! 😃

Grear ideas, just wish I had a polytunnel to plant into! Do dig up self sown lambs lettuce and move into my 6ft hexagonal greenhouse which means it can be used throughout winter. Not much space as one side has overwintering plants but am experimenting with what else can be grown apart from salad.

Aunque no entiendo el idioma. Disfruto de las imágenes. Saludos desde Argentina

Oh this is really helpful! I am in USDA zone 8, so we do get frost, ice and snow BUT this does not happen until Jan/Feb, and I have a small garden, so I will do is put covers over the veggies I want to over winter (celery, chards and lettuces).

Thank you for sharing this video.. Getting some ideas

my experience is that this works very well with Swiss chard.

Bloody useful! Thank u. 😊 From Aus.

Brilliant! Bravo!

Huw thank you that was so interesting and helpful for those lucky enough to have a beautiful poly tunnel.

Clever!!

What a great idea!

Hi Huw! So sorry for the random question! My brother in-law Radha Sivyer final of Handmade: Britain’s Best Wood Maker and he’s starting a RU-vid channel and I just wanted to check what mic system you use? Your mic quality is always PHENOMENAL. Only want to learn from the best. 😉 Thank you so much! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Yay! I follow apple acres, and I love watching your videos. That was a sweet Lil treat

wow..Amazing 👌

Certainly a bright idea for the more tender winter veg, although I do wonder as some winter brassica, like savoy cabbage seem to benefit in taste for a bit of frost. 🤔 I know Denmark can get a lot colder than most of western and southern UK, may be good for plants like kohlrabi as she said. Something nice about pulling a fresh leek from the cold ground tho 😉 Good video Huw

Huw I like your videos .I am new to gardening but learning from you makes it easy for me .thank you

Thanks for sharing.🙏💚💚💚

Brilliant!

Fabulous video. Thanks

Jen (sp?) is delightful! And genius. :) Grateful for this share Huw. Cheers!

Superb!!! So inspiring, and achievable. Thanks for sharing! Will definitely do this year. Did I see broccoli in the polytunnel? How about purple sprouting?

Transferring into a poly tunnel🤔 I have a few seedlings I wanna try n move to my greenhouse

All chinese vege grow very fast in autumn for greenhouse

Wonderful video thank you! I wonder how much cold temps the poly tunnel can handle with these tips….living in Canada zone 5a we get snow and -20c or colder for at least 3 months…I’m always looking for ways to outsmart Mother Nature 😊

I’ve been doing this with chard and lettuce, I’ll try with kale and cabbage now too :)

Thank you for the winter tips.