|
Fishburn noted to the audience that there are many
gardeners who enjoy the mid-season vegetables they grow such as
green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and more. However, many gardeners
are a bit intimidated about gardening in cooler temperatures. There
is an uncertainty about planting in the colder climate that gives
gardeners pause because they have the mid set that plants need warm
temperatures to grow and thrive.
However, some vegetables grow better and even have a better taste
after harvest when grown in those cooler conditions.
Fishburn talked briefly about different styles of
growing, from the traditional garden to using fabric pots, raised
beds and “salad tables.” She dwelt a bit longer on salad tables
explaining they can be built waste high to save on time on the knees
and stress on the back. The tables are good for shallow root system
crops such as lettuce and spinach, thus the name salad table. They
can also be a good place for radishes.
The tables have a fine mesh wire bottom for drainage
and the air that passed underneath the table serves as a natural
pruner for roots.
She also talked about the “soil” to use in raised beds and container
gardens and said it was best to use a soilless potting mix. Later in
the session she was asked to define a soilless mix. She said the
gist of it is not to go out to the garden or a field and scoop up
soil for the beds. She said it would cause too much compaction and
hinder the growth of the roots and plants. She said that Master
Gardeners do not recommend specific products, but she uses a lot of
the Miracle Grow soilless potting mix. Choices are to purchase a
premixed product, or to make your own using ingredients such as
vermiculite, Spaghnum Peat Moss, organic matter from the compost
pile, and shredded leaves. She said the point is to use material
that will not compress, but rather will stay light and loose.
She also issued one word of warning concerning use of
manure. She said that cow or horse manure from the farm should be
used with caution. Fishburn explained that for the garden, the
manure product should be well aged or cured. It should look more
like soil than waste. She told guests that a good rule of thumb
would be if you don’t want it on your hands, you don’t want it on
your garden. The reason for the caution, she said that manure that
is not well aged carries the opportunity for EColi, and that putting
it on the garden can contaminate the vegetables.
Fishburn said that one good hint is to buy all your garden seed
early in the season, even if it is a fall weather seed. The reason
being that most retailers will remove their seed displays in the
early summer, so by summer’s end, it is impossible to find seeds for
those fall crops.
She also shared that there are many spring seeds that can be planted
in the very near future such as radish, carrot, and onion. She said
for summer seeding, the best rule of thumb is not to plant anything
that needs warmth of soil and air temperature for proper germination
before Mother’s Day.
Radishes, carrots, lettuce, spinach, and peas can be planted after
the last freeze but before the soils are warmer.
For fall crops, a good plan is to look at the predicted frost date
in the area, then count backward according to the seed packets
recommended days to maturity. She added that some plants will
actually taste better if harvested after that first frost.
Fishburn went through a PowerPoint presentation talking about
several vegetables that can be grown in the early spring or late
fall. She offered guidance on some of the issues that can occur.
She talked about growing carrots and said that they
needed loose soil. One warning she gave was that they have a long
germination date, so don’t loose patience waiting on them to sprout.
She also warned gardeners to be aware of raised shoulders on the
carrots. The portion that sticks above the ground is not good to
each, so soil should be pulled up against the plants when they are
growing.
She said that carrots can grow into the late fall. The cooler
temperatures also increase the sweetness of the carrot, making it
more flavorful.
[to top of second column] |
Another good product for fall harvest in Cauliflower.
She did warn that gardeners should be alert to the cauliflower
heads. Many times, the plant will naturally grow a wrapper around
the head protecting the vegetable from sunlight. She said if that
wrapper doesn’t come naturally, gardeners should pull outer leaves
up around the head and secure them with ties or clips.
Fishburn also talked about cabbage. She said to watch
the heads and when they are the right size and the leaves are nice
and tight the heads can be harvested. She warned that if gardeners
have heads ready to harvest and rain is predicted, to get out there
and do that harvest because once the heads are tight, rain will
cause them to split.
She added that when harvesting, if one cuts the head off high on the
stalk, additional cabbages may grow.
Fishburn addressed growing several other cool to cold
weather vegetables such as Kohlrabi, Kale, Turnips, peas and
potatoes.
A final bit of advice that she offered was that gardeners should pay
head to the growing instructions on seed packets. She said it was
the best guide to when to and how to plant various vegetables
throughout the season.
At the end of the session, she opened the floor for
questions and comments. Guests shared questions about soil
compaction and organic matter. Fishburn said a good soil test will
not just give nutrient levels but will also tell gardeners how much
organic matter is in their soils.
Another guest said that she plants radishes and plants together. She
said radishes harvest earlier than carrots, but having that fellow
root crop helps break up the soil for the carrot growth.
Fishburn also shared a couple of websites gardeners
can utilize and added that the guest packets handed out at
registration has additional websites listed.
[Nila Smith] |
