Can be started from seeds 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost.Ĭarrots: like in most root vegetables, cold temperatures will stimulate the sugar accumulation in carrots. Light frosts will improve the sweetness of cabbage. You can harvest the beets as soon as they are the size of a brussels sprout.Ĭabbage: often planted later in the year for a fall harvest. Start harvesting the leaves to be enjoyed as baby greens in a salad or grow them a touch larger to be used in dishes. Plants can be started by seed indoors or you can buy one year old crowns from the greenhouse or garden center.īeets: Plant beets directly in the soil as soon as the ground can be worked in early spring. It loves full sun so keep that in mind when choosing a spot. You want to find a good sized permanent spot that will be only used for the asparagus, much like Rhubarb it is a perennial that will produce for up to 20 years. Where Should I P lant My Cool Weather Crops?Īsparagus: Plant in early spring as soon as the bed can be worked. Covering the rows with garden fabric is an extra layer of protection in case of extreme cold weather days. When you are confident they have acclimated to the outdoors fully you can proceed with planting. Over the next week or two allow the plants to stay outdoors for a longer period of time. A protected greenhouse or cold frame is an ideal location to move the seedlings to. Place the plants where they will receive some sun, where it is warm but not hot and protected from any harsh winds. Start this once the days are a bit warmer. To harden off your plants you gradually move the plants outdoors. The elements like wind and sun as well as extreme cold can kill tender seedlings if rushed. Hardening Off is the process of getting plants acclimated to the outdoor environment. In this Kick Start Your Garden Post we go into detail on everything you need to know to start seeds indoors. Starting them early assures the seedlings will be strong enough to survive being transplanted outdoors. Many cold weather food crops can be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost of the season. Starting your own seeds give you the chance for an extra early start. Garden centers and greenhouses will not have seedlings until late winter to early Spring. To get a super early start you may want to consider starting some seeds indoors. Once planted you can cover the rows with tunnels of garden fabric.įor fall and winter harvested crops, start your seeds early to mid summer. If you are planting in the garden you can warm the soil with a plastic covering before you plant the seeds. We have some great information about Cold Frame Gardening in this earlier article. If you have a cold frame you can get a nice early start on your plants. With many of these early crops extreme heat may cause them to bolt or attempt to go to seed. There are many great choices when it comes to growing your own cool weather vegetables.Ĭool weather crops should be planted so that they mature when the weather is still cool before the summer heat arrives. Many crops can tolerate colder weather and soil, and can be planted as early spring vegetables or started late in the summer to be harvested during the fall and winter months. With multiple plantings we can take advantage of all the seasons, creating a 4 season garden. Top Tip: Sow carrot seeds directly into the garden as they don’t like being transplanted or having their roots disturbed.Cool weather crops are the first parts of the garden we start and are the last sections we harvest. Avoid over fertilising your carrot plants as you will end up with prolific green tops and no carrots below! Relatively easy to look after, carrots only need regular watering to keep them growing rapidly. Don’t plant carrots too close together and always thin seedlings out to stop overcrowding. If there are obstructions, the root will grow around it and into a strange shape (forking), which you want to avoid.Įnrich the soil you are planting in by adding a good quality soil mix such as Daltons Garden Mix or Daltons Vegetable Mix and plenty of Daltons Compost. Before you plant your carrots, remove any stones, old roots or anything else in the soil that will get in the way of the carrot roots. They prefer well drained, light, sandy soil and a warm sunny location. The key to a perfect crop of carrots is soil preparation before planting. Carrots are traditionally grown as a winter crop, but with a little bit of care they can be grown throughout the year.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |