Winter might seem like the end of gardening season for many, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Off-season and indoor gardening can be a lifesaver for garden enthusiasts like us when winter rolls in and outdoor gardening slows down. While you might be ready for a break after a busy season, it's still tough to stop growing for months on end during winter.

But, with the following six methods, you can keep growing even after the season ends. No need to stow away your garden gear just yet!

1. Sprouting: This involves soaking seeds (like alfalfa, herbs, broccoli, clover, radish, peas, lentils, cabbage) to activate them, and then allowing them to grow just enough to get some stem length. They are highly nutritious and can be used in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes.

2. Microgreens: This is a similar method to sprouting, but it is taken one step further. Microgreens can be grown in soil or hydroponically, with seeds sprouting and growing for about a week before they are harvested and used in various dishes. My favorites are sunflower and pea, but kale, lettuce, and herb mixes are popular, too.

3. Overwintering Plants: This involves taking mature plants, or ones close enough to maturity to survive, and providing them with the shelter or protection they need to make it through the wintertime. This is suitable for plants like kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and even peppers and tomatoes in some climates.

4. Flower Bulbs: To keep flowers indoors over winter, try this method of planting flower bulbs indoors by replicating outdoor growing conditions. It allows you to have indoor blooms during the winter. It's called forcing, and you can grow the bulbs in water or soil.

5. Winter Sowing: This method involves sowing seeds outside before the typical planting time. Seeds are placed outside in a plastic gallon jug which acts as a mini-greenhouse, protecting the seeds from frost until the weather warms up.

6. Standard Indoor Gardening: This method can range from a simple herb kit on your windowsill to a temperature-controlled germination chamber with lights. This is a more involved system that requires monitoring humidity, pests, and lights.

Which one will you try?

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