Extending Our Gardening Seasons Ted Lambert

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Isn’t six months enough? With planning and not that much more effort Harvest up to 10 or more months in MD Increase variety and flavor

Philosophy to garden by My garden must deliver the most food with the least amount of work!!! In warm weather, focus on warm weather crops. Never force cold weather veggies in the hot weather. Extend the growing season by at least 5 weeks at each end by using fabrics and contraptions to produce significantly greater harvest. Use salad boxes to grow excellent salad greens and some herbs in winter.

Overcome Vegetable Bigotry Many based on childhood trauma Cold hardy veggies are bitter and tough(ouch) Systematically harvested at the wrong time so we assume they’re supposed to be bitter Tendency to overcook root veggies Many veggies mature in summer but shouldn’t be harvested! They become considerably sweeter after a few frosts Others like lettuce become bitter when stressed and will never become sweet again

Seed Starting Mantra Garden centers sell plants to warm-weather gardeners Selection is very limited; rarely any fall selection Use soil-less medium, not soil from yard Low-cost shop lights/common fluorescent bulbs Transfer to cold frame Harden off Window sills rarely work well Buy fall seeds in spring/ they may not be available

Floating Row Covers First line of defense against frost Increase germination rates when you cover A second layer under other contraptions Protection for tender plants/seedlings from heat/sun Great defense against insects ‘Hold-ups’ (support)=pvc pipe, blocks, ladders, reinforcing wire,, and nine gauge wire are just a few; be creative!

Many Uses of Cold Frames Harden off indoor started plants Start seedlings Five or so week jump for summer crops Force bulbs in winter Grow a great salad Early herbs Be VERY careful if you put glass in garden Cold frames must be vented to let hot air out on sunny days!

Five rules for effective use of cold frames Wetter isn't better: allow soil to become nearly dry to encourage deep roots Don’t be mean…lean: no footsteps inside; lean in or install stepping boards Survive a freeze, you’ll be pleased: throw a blanket or old carpet on top to retain heat High/low will show: place a high/low thermometer for easy monitoring Eat in season, there's a reason: our goal is to help nature, not dominate it.

Tunnel uses Protect late summer planted hardy veggies Overwinter late fall planted veggies for spring Protect plants till threat of frost past Raise soil temps in spring

Warming Soils in Tunnels and Frames Painted jugs and water bottles/dark food coloring Black drums Soil warming cables Fresh manure Hot compost Rocks?

Cloche basics Cover individual tender plants Give heat-loving plants head start Warms soil area underneath Longer harvest times Tiny propagation plots for cold hardy plants Soda bottle, milk jugs, commercial, lamp shades, plastic and paper bags and plastic wrapped tomato cages Must plan for venting!

Shading Starting seeds during summer Slows bolting Cools soil Shade cloth, plywood, fencing

Mulch, Mulch and More Mulch Large flat stones = 1 degree warmer Black plastic = 1 degree warmer IRT plastics = 9 degree warmer Clear plastic = at least 12 degrees warmer (hot enough to kill seeds and roots! Straw = 7 degrees cooler My garden has mulch everywhere At least 2 to 3 inches worth Pull very few weeds Need to water much less!!!

Lettuces – Numerous cultivars -- look for seasonal packets – Loose-leaf easiest to grow and longest lasting in heat. Try ‘Tango’ as its vigorous root system shines in the cold – Butterheads aren't heat-tolerant, do well in cold - try Buttercrunch – Mesclun mix designed to be used as baby greens; have had little luck allowing to mature! – Only negatives- short storage times and bolts in heat – Don’t forget spinach (needs to grow in cool weather)

Brassica Family Prominent hardy members: Cabbage, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, Cauliflower and Chinese Cabbage I cant say enough about kales -- try them! Lesser known but great-tasting: Arugula, Collards, Cress, Mustard, Rape, and Turnip greens all are easy to grow Most taste better after frosts Don’t forget Beets, Turnips, and other root veggies; they are all great.

Perennial Veggies Chives, asparagus, and sorrel are up early spring with little effort and many years of harvest. Horseradish – homegrown is incomparable to bought! ( Careful - it can spread) Jerusalem artichokes – native staple that’s sweet and nutty and the sunflower like flower has a chocolate scent. (Can also spread)

Salad Box Great for growing salads and some herbs Uses same equipment as seed starting bed Simple design, see hand-out Use soil-less mix Make sure its up off bottom to allow some drainage Pick young and re -plant often Work/pick left to right Either buy mix or create your own Enjoy!

My Garden May/August

Possibilities of Pesto A great way to capitalize on winter greens One green as a base and another as a taste kick Combination like kale and mustard greens, spinach and sorrel, spinach and beet greens and chives to any. The Master Mix: 5 parts greens to 1 part nuts and 3 garlic cloves in processor, then add 2 parts cheese, mix well and add 2 to 3 parts oil slowly while running. Use all types of nuts Use pine nuts if you have nut allergies!!

Oops!! Garden Mistakes Letting weeds go to seed Over-fertilizing Saving seeds from hybrid plants Planting too closely together Buying plants already in bloom, fruiting or root bound All work and no relaxation makes gardening a chore!

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This program was brought to you by the Maryland Master Gardener Program Howard County University of Maryland Extension