#vegetablegardens — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #vegetablegardens, aggregated by home.social.
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Gardening expert shares overlooked method that makes food gardens look like flower gardens https://www.allforgardening.com/1869554/gardening-expert-shares-overlooked-method-that-makes-food-gardens-look-like-flower-gardens-2/ #EdiblePlants #FoodCrops #garden #gardening #HuwRichards #VegetableGardens
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Gardening expert shares overlooked method that makes food gardens look like flower gardens https://www.allforgardening.com/1869554/gardening-expert-shares-overlooked-method-that-makes-food-gardens-look-like-flower-gardens-2/ #EdiblePlants #FoodCrops #garden #gardening #HuwRichards #VegetableGardens
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Who says a vegetable garden needs full sun? Some plants do well in shadier spots https://www.allforgardening.com/1862367/who-says-a-vegetable-garden-needs-full-sun-some-plants-do-well-in-shadier-spots/ #CollardGreens #ConventionalWisdom #garden #gardening #LeafyGreens #ProductiveGarden #RootVegetables #ShadeGarden #StarterPlants #sun #VegetableGardens
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Who says a vegetable garden needs full sun? Some plants do well in shadier spots https://www.allforgardening.com/1862367/who-says-a-vegetable-garden-needs-full-sun-some-plants-do-well-in-shadier-spots/ #CollardGreens #ConventionalWisdom #garden #gardening #LeafyGreens #ProductiveGarden #RootVegetables #ShadeGarden #StarterPlants #sun #VegetableGardens
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The Universe, my inner voice and a food journey
A friend recently sent me a link to get a free viewing of the movie shown in the picture above. It’s about the mineral elements of food, their importance to our health, growing food that has all we need, etc. And as I watched I realized I was seeing another example of how the Universe/Divine Self often sends us on a many-years journey that keeps drawing elements of what we need, piece by piece. [The movie was free to watch for a few days when the link was sent; I have no idea if it’s still free or has moved to the $7 cost to view]
The pieces often don’t even seem related as we move along but contemplation can reveal, decades down the road, how each piece fell into place and led to a bunch of stuff working out in a way you can see was intended before you consciously knew you were heading there.
For me this begins, in a way, in the late 1980’s when my health was in increasingly bad shape and doctors weren’t helping. Alternative practitioners were saying “chronic fatigue” and “fibromyalgia” but western medicine was absolutely sure neither existed; for a woman that meant suggestions about seeing a psychiatrist. So alternative medicine was my sole path for a few decades.
Into the ’90’s I was on a spiritual, emotional and physical healing journey, using mostly spiritual and emotional tools though always seeing alternative practitioners. Some of the low energy health stuff slowly lifted as various body workers opened muscles and emotional release freed a lot of energy.
In 1998 my mother and I made a trip to Italy, using the wonderful private guide, Roberto Bechi. Near the end of the trip he knew I was interested in alternative health, so as we tooled around the island of Elba he told us about the cassette “Dead Doctors Don’t Lie” (no idea if it’s still available) and then played it as we wandered along hillsides with magnificent sea views.
The upshot of the discussion in the incredibly interesting tape is that water everywhere used to have all the minerals we need but over years of sewage and running the water through treatments, etc. the water in all but a very few places on earth has been stripped of those minerals. The solution recommended at the time, which Roberto had been using for a long time, was to get Concentrace Minerals, a liquid mineral supplement with all the minerals in it. His recommendation was to mix it in apple juice (I wound up agreeing it’s the best for taste).
My instincts screamed, “Yes.” I figured out I could get it through Vitamin Shoppe and began using it regularly (later Vitamin Shoppe started selling liquid minerals that use Concentrace but under their own label which means the price is several dollars less per bottle). Other than some digestive improvements I was still struggling enough with my health issues I couldn’t say I noticed a huge improvement but it seemed important so I kept at it.
Over the course of the next few years I noticed nutritionists increasingly mentioned how the stripping of minerals in the soil meant most fruits and veggies–especially those not grown organically– don’t supply all the vitamins and minerals we need any more. They recommended increasing the number of helpings per day to 7 or 8. I didn’t grow up liking fruits and vegetables so eating enough helpings even under the lower recommendations had been tough. But, being familiar with the Dead Doctors Don’t Lie info, I took the discussion of losing a lot of the nutrition combined with minerals being stripped from our water really seriously.
At the time I was also really tired of what I consider the peculiarly American weirdness about diets and constantly needing to come up with a new diet requiring stringent abstention from long lists of things or eating only raw, etc. I decided I’d rather concentrate on what I SHOULD eat for good health than hang around feeling deprived and began trying to make sure I had at least 4-6 helpings of fruit and vegetables and one of my main solutions, given I didn’t naturally include multiple helpings in my 3 meals, I began making one meal a day a smoothie with a combo of fruit and veggies.
Shortly after that I ran into nutritionists discussing the “Eat a Rainbow” theory. Basically each of the colors of fruits and vegetables, which are basically the colors of a rainbow, has a different set of vitamins and minerals and each is important for the health of specific systems in your body. My inner voice said, “Yes!”
Now I seriously began to aim for the 7-8 recommended helpings and to cover the colors in doing so. It still has never been my natural bent to fix meals with 2-3 helpings of fruit or veggies each so I set about creating “Leigh’s Rainbow Smoothie” with the goals of having all the colors represented and tasting really good. Even my picky “nothing nutritious shall pass my lips” mother liked ’em. So that’s lunch most days. I make 48 oz at a time with a total of 12 helpings of fruits and veggies, which is enough for 3 16 oz ones, 4 helpings per day.
I also created a salad aiming for a decent selection of veggies with emphasis on green. I finally landed on baby spinach, broccoli slaw, shredded carrots (those 2 are aiming for not having to stand for a long time chopping), 1/2 avocado, sliced black olives and lightly toasted cashews or almond slivers. I’m not vegetarian and have a body that requires pretty good hits of protein periodically so I often add some chicken or tuna or salmon. I generally have one for dinner 2-4x/week.
I also now toss vegetables into a lot of soup and stew recipes that don’t necessarily call for them. For instance, I have a nondairy chicken wild rice recipe to which I add a bag of frozen mixed veggies plus some fresh baby spinach. It doesn’t take anything away from the yummy flavors of the soup & turns it into a one pot meal that gives me a helping + of veggies.
Now, along the way of adding minerals and changing diet, I was still doing emotional work, still doing spiritual practices that were shifting and building energy, still doing my yoga/Robert Masters psychophysical method exercises for the muscles, etc. so I can’t point to only the efforts about vitamins and minerals but after several decades of slow progress my health has noticeably improved and I can feel how happy my body is to drink a smoothie or eat one of those salads.
I’ll add I really love this positive focus for my diet. I work at making the fruits and vegetables with recipes that taste good. I don’t hang around feeling deprived about the long list of things I “can’t have” even though in the interest of health there are things I don’t eat and food allergies mean there are other things I don’t eat or sub for. All those helpings of vegetables keep me feeling full and I believe I suffer much less from cravings since my body is getting a pretty good supply of what it needs.
One of the things some of the experts in the movie talk about is the importance of sulfur in the diet and the things that can go wrong with a deficiency — which at this point most Americans have. In another interesting twist, a while back I started going through some homeopathic remedies, trying to decide which most specifically seemed to fit various symptoms I have plus my emotional go-tos (both key in homeopathic medicine) and I finally landed on sulfur maybe six months ago.
It took a few months to notice a difference — for me mainly for inverse psoriasis though the list of things sulfur can impact is huge — but it really did help. And as I continue to take it I’m noticing other ways in which I just feel better. So it was the sulfur piece of the movie that somehow lit up the whole path from learning about liquid minerals while tooling around Elba to concentrating on vegetables and fruits in my diet and realizing I’ve been drawn onto a journey leading to a combo of eating habits and supplements I’m now finding are pretty close to what more scientists & doctors are now agreeing upon re: providing proper nutrients to my body.
The folks in the movie are providing some quite interesting info about the importance of enriching the soil very specifically to grow vegetables and fruits with all the minerals and I plan to look further into what’s available to buy that’s been grown properly, what I would need to add to soil in order to grow more of my own veggies with proper mineral content, etc. So the journey isn’t over but I feel like I’ve slowly made my way piece by piece to greater health through diet and this movie is about to send me into an even healthier place.
Along the way an important piece came from my intuition reacting to each of these steps and me paying attention to the “look here” happening as I progressed. I love the way our inner beings really do tune in to the energies and, if we listen, lead along the path or progress. So many beautiful ways the right things were brought to me. What a Universe we live in!
#Fruits #Healing #InnerVoice #intuition #Minerals #nutrition #personalJourney #Universe #VegetableGardens #Vegetables #Vitamins -
Gardener spots ‘groggy’ toad hibernating in their peppers https://www.allforgardening.com/1818899/gardener-spots-groggy-toad-hibernating-in-their-peppers-2/ #garden #gardener #gardening #PepperPlants #PhotoCredit #reddit #toad #VegetableGardens
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Gardener spots ‘groggy’ toad hibernating in their peppers https://www.allforgardening.com/1818899/gardener-spots-groggy-toad-hibernating-in-their-peppers-2/ #garden #gardener #gardening #PepperPlants #PhotoCredit #reddit #toad #VegetableGardens
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The Edible Mulch Strategy for Vegetable Gardens and Beyond https://www.allforgardening.com/1812903/the-edible-mulch-strategy-for-vegetable-gardens-and-beyond/ #EdibleLandscapes #garden #GroundCovers #LivingMulch #SquareFoot #VegetableGardens
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The Edible Mulch Strategy for Vegetable Gardens and Beyond https://www.allforgardening.com/1812903/the-edible-mulch-strategy-for-vegetable-gardens-and-beyond/ #EdibleLandscapes #garden #GroundCovers #LivingMulch #SquareFoot #VegetableGardens
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Why So Many Americans Are Turning Front Yards Into Vegetable Gardens https://www.allforgardening.com/1807517/why-so-many-americans-are-turning-front-yards-into-vegetable-gardens/ #Families #FoodProduction #FoodSecurity #FreshVegetables #FrontYard? #FrontYards #garden #gardening #GroceryStores #HealthierEating #SenseOfPurpose #VegetableGardens
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Why So Many Americans Are Turning Front Yards Into Vegetable Gardens https://www.allforgardening.com/1807517/why-so-many-americans-are-turning-front-yards-into-vegetable-gardens/ #Families #FoodProduction #FoodSecurity #FreshVegetables #FrontYard? #FrontYards #garden #gardening #GroceryStores #HealthierEating #SenseOfPurpose #VegetableGardens
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1,150 Gallons of Rainwater: Practical Harvesting Methods for Desert Gardens https://www.allforgardening.com/1800538/1150-gallons-of-rainwater-practical-harvesting-methods-for-desert-gardens/ #AlkalineSoil #arizona #garden #gardening #mesa #RainwaterHarvesting #VegetableGardens
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1,150 Gallons of Rainwater: Practical Harvesting Methods for Desert Gardens https://www.allforgardening.com/1800538/1150-gallons-of-rainwater-practical-harvesting-methods-for-desert-gardens/ #AlkalineSoil #arizona #garden #gardening #mesa #RainwaterHarvesting #VegetableGardens
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This Under-$15 ALDI Find Is A Must-Have For Gardeners
Spring gardening season is upon us here in the South. We’re choosing colorful flowers from the nurseries for…
#Germany #DE #Europe #EU #Europa #Aldi #gardentools #raisedplanter #Springgardening #Süd&Nord #vegetablegardens
https://www.europesays.com/germany/29243/ -
8 Perennial Vegetables Gardeners Plant Once and Harvest for Years With Almost No Extra Work https://www.allforgardening.com/1799462/8-perennial-vegetables-gardeners-plant-once-and-harvest-for-years-with-almost-no-extra-work/ #credit #garden #GardenDesigner #gardener #gardening #GettyImages #hardiness #JerusalemArtichoke #KieraFaulknerJekos #LaurenCraig #PerennialVegetable #PerennialVegetables #permaculture #plants #VegetableGardens
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8 Perennial Vegetables Gardeners Plant Once and Harvest for Years With Almost No Extra Work https://www.allforgardening.com/1799462/8-perennial-vegetables-gardeners-plant-once-and-harvest-for-years-with-almost-no-extra-work/ #credit #garden #GardenDesigner #gardener #gardening #GettyImages #hardiness #JerusalemArtichoke #KieraFaulknerJekos #LaurenCraig #PerennialVegetable #PerennialVegetables #permaculture #plants #VegetableGardens
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Master Gardener Shares the Best 11 Plants That Thrive in a Part-Shade Vegetable Garden https://www.allforgardening.com/1798461/master-gardener-shares-the-best-11-plants-that-thrive-in-a-part-shade-vegetable-garden/ #garden #gardener #gardening #NicoleJohnseyBurke #PartShade #PartialShade #VegetableGardens
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Master Gardener Shares the Best 11 Plants That Thrive in a Part-Shade Vegetable Garden https://www.allforgardening.com/1798461/master-gardener-shares-the-best-11-plants-that-thrive-in-a-part-shade-vegetable-garden/ #garden #gardener #gardening #NicoleJohnseyBurke #PartShade #PartialShade #VegetableGardens
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We Asked Gardeners Which Perennial Vegetables Are Lowest Maintenance for Endless Harvests—They Named These 8 https://www.allforgardening.com/1765037/we-asked-gardeners-which-perennial-vegetables-are-lowest-maintenance-for-endless-harvests-they-named-these-8/ #credit #garden #GardenDesigner #gardener #gardening #GettyImages #hardiness #JerusalemArtichoke #KieraFaulknerJekos #LaurenCraig #PerennialVegetable #PerennialVegetables #permaculture #plants #VegetableGardens
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We Asked Gardeners Which Perennial Vegetables Are Lowest Maintenance for Endless Harvests—They Named These 8 https://www.allforgardening.com/1765037/we-asked-gardeners-which-perennial-vegetables-are-lowest-maintenance-for-endless-harvests-they-named-these-8/ #credit #garden #GardenDesigner #gardener #gardening #GettyImages #hardiness #JerusalemArtichoke #KieraFaulknerJekos #LaurenCraig #PerennialVegetable #PerennialVegetables #permaculture #plants #VegetableGardens
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Mother’s Day kicks off gardening season for Kansans https://www.allforgardening.com/1762194/mothers-day-kicks-off-gardening-season-for-kansans/ #FreezingTemperatures #garden #gardener #gardening #MasterGardeners #Mother'sDay #SpringTemperatures #SummerCrops #VegetableGardens
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Mother’s Day kicks off gardening season for Kansans https://www.allforgardening.com/1762194/mothers-day-kicks-off-gardening-season-for-kansans/ #FreezingTemperatures #garden #gardener #gardening #MasterGardeners #Mother'sDay #SpringTemperatures #SummerCrops #VegetableGardens
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This Under-$15 ALDI Find Is A Must-Have For Gardeners https://www.allforgardening.com/1740220/this-under-15-aldi-find-is-a-must-have-for-gardeners/ #ALDI #garden #GardenTools #gardening #RaisedPlanter #SpringGardening #VegetableGardens
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This Under-$15 ALDI Find Is A Must-Have For Gardeners https://www.allforgardening.com/1740220/this-under-15-aldi-find-is-a-must-have-for-gardeners/ #ALDI #garden #GardenTools #gardening #RaisedPlanter #SpringGardening #VegetableGardens
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Cindy Farmer shows you how to build a garden stand https://www.allforgardening.com/1698406/cindy-farmer-shows-you-how-to-build-a-garden-stand/ #CindyFarmer #garden #PIEDMONTTRIAD #VegetableGardens #WGHP
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Cindy Farmer shows you how to build a garden stand https://www.allforgardening.com/1698406/cindy-farmer-shows-you-how-to-build-a-garden-stand/ #CindyFarmer #garden #PIEDMONTTRIAD #VegetableGardens #WGHP
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Warm weather brings early rush to garden centers, but experts warn cold snaps could still damage plants https://www.allforgardening.com/1666802/warm-weather-brings-early-rush-to-garden-centers-but-experts-warn-cold-snaps-could-still-damage-plants/ #DarrellPothorst #garden #gardening #OklahomaCity #plants #VegetableGardens
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Warm weather brings early rush to garden centers, but experts warn cold snaps could still damage plants https://www.allforgardening.com/1666802/warm-weather-brings-early-rush-to-garden-centers-but-experts-warn-cold-snaps-could-still-damage-plants/ #DarrellPothorst #garden #gardening #OklahomaCity #plants #VegetableGardens
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TY for sharing this resource, @diegartenfrau ! Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!
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TY for sharing this resource, @diegartenfrau ! Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!
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TY for sharing this resource, @diegartenfrau ! Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!
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TY for sharing this resource, @diegartenfrau ! Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!
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TY for sharing this resource, @diegartenfrau ! Tagging for #SolarPunkSunday!
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1600279/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-14/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1600279/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-14/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599983/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-13/ #BackyardGardens #garden #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599983/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-13/ #BackyardGardens #garden #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599976/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-12/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599976/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-12/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599837/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-11/ #BackyardGardens #garden #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599837/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-11/ #BackyardGardens #garden #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599714/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-10/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardener #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599714/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-10/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardener #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599697/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-9/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours https://www.allforgardening.com/1599697/backyard-vegetable-gardens-are-healthy-for-people-and-the-planet-heres-how-to-start-yours-9/ #BackyardGardens #garden #gardening #VegetableGardens
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Why Do #Maine #VegetableGardens Benefit From Cold-Hardy Varieties?
Cold-hardy vegetable varieties are not just a convenience in Maine – they are a foundational strategy for reliable, productive gardening. Maine’s coastal breezes, inland winters, and short, capricious growing season make plant selection a critical decision. Choosing varieties bred or selected for cold tolerance can extend harvest windows, stabilize yields, reduce losses, and simplify season-extension tactics. This article explains why cold-hardiness matters in Maine, how it affects different crops, and what practical steps gardeners can take to maximize success.
Excerpt:
"Examples: Cold-Hardy Crops and Varieties That Work in Maine
Different vegetables respond to cold in different ways. Here are practical examples with general guidance – always check local extension resources and seed catalogs for specific varieties tested for northern climates.
- Brassicas: Kale, collards, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. Many kales (e.g., ‘Winterbor’, ‘Red Russian’) can tolerate light snow and multiple freezes. Brussels sprouts and cabbage often become sweeter after frost.
- Leafy greens: Spinach, arugula, mache, and winter lettuces. Spinach and mache are among the first greens to go in the ground and can survive early spring and late fall frosts.
- Root crops: Carrots, beets, parsnips, rutabagas, and turnips. Par-snips and rutabagas can remain in the ground under a mulch and be harvested in late winter.
- Alliums and bulbs: Garlic planted in the fall overwinters and produces robust bulbs the next year. Certain onion varieties are cold-hardy as sets.
- Peas: Early peas (sugar snap, shelling) tolerate cool soil and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable.
- Potatoes: Early varieties planted in cool soil will tolerate light frosts to foliage until tuber set; new potatoes are often harvested before fall freezes.Bear in mind that tolerance varies by variety and local conditions. For example, some kales survive to -10degF when properly acclimated, while others are less hardy.
Season Extension Techniques That Complement Cold-Hardy Varieties
Cold-hardy varieties multiply the effectiveness of season-extension methods. Combining variety choice with modest infrastructure yields big returns.
- Row covers and low tunnels: Lightweight fabric raised over hoops provides 2-8degF of protection and can be used to extend harvests and harden transplants.
- Cold frames and cloches: Simple cold frames capture solar warmth and protect seedlings during cold snaps.
- Mulches and snow as insulation: Straw or leaf mulch protects overwintering roots and garlic. In some years snow acts as a natural insulator for winter-killed plants vs. exposed soil.
- Raised beds and black plastic: Raised beds warm earlier in spring; dark surfaces absorb heat and reduce frost risk in micro-sites.
- Succession planting and relay cropping: Using short-season, cold-hardy varieties in succession ensures continuous harvests despite weather variability."Learn more:
https://cultivatingflora.com/why-do-maine-vegetable-gardens-benefit-from-cold-hardy-varieties/#SolarPunkSunday #CoolWeatherGardening
#GrowYourOwn #Gardening #GardeningInMaine -
Why Do #Maine #VegetableGardens Benefit From Cold-Hardy Varieties?
Cold-hardy vegetable varieties are not just a convenience in Maine – they are a foundational strategy for reliable, productive gardening. Maine’s coastal breezes, inland winters, and short, capricious growing season make plant selection a critical decision. Choosing varieties bred or selected for cold tolerance can extend harvest windows, stabilize yields, reduce losses, and simplify season-extension tactics. This article explains why cold-hardiness matters in Maine, how it affects different crops, and what practical steps gardeners can take to maximize success.
Excerpt:
"Examples: Cold-Hardy Crops and Varieties That Work in Maine
Different vegetables respond to cold in different ways. Here are practical examples with general guidance – always check local extension resources and seed catalogs for specific varieties tested for northern climates.
- Brassicas: Kale, collards, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. Many kales (e.g., ‘Winterbor’, ‘Red Russian’) can tolerate light snow and multiple freezes. Brussels sprouts and cabbage often become sweeter after frost.
- Leafy greens: Spinach, arugula, mache, and winter lettuces. Spinach and mache are among the first greens to go in the ground and can survive early spring and late fall frosts.
- Root crops: Carrots, beets, parsnips, rutabagas, and turnips. Par-snips and rutabagas can remain in the ground under a mulch and be harvested in late winter.
- Alliums and bulbs: Garlic planted in the fall overwinters and produces robust bulbs the next year. Certain onion varieties are cold-hardy as sets.
- Peas: Early peas (sugar snap, shelling) tolerate cool soil and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable.
- Potatoes: Early varieties planted in cool soil will tolerate light frosts to foliage until tuber set; new potatoes are often harvested before fall freezes.Bear in mind that tolerance varies by variety and local conditions. For example, some kales survive to -10degF when properly acclimated, while others are less hardy.
Season Extension Techniques That Complement Cold-Hardy Varieties
Cold-hardy varieties multiply the effectiveness of season-extension methods. Combining variety choice with modest infrastructure yields big returns.
- Row covers and low tunnels: Lightweight fabric raised over hoops provides 2-8degF of protection and can be used to extend harvests and harden transplants.
- Cold frames and cloches: Simple cold frames capture solar warmth and protect seedlings during cold snaps.
- Mulches and snow as insulation: Straw or leaf mulch protects overwintering roots and garlic. In some years snow acts as a natural insulator for winter-killed plants vs. exposed soil.
- Raised beds and black plastic: Raised beds warm earlier in spring; dark surfaces absorb heat and reduce frost risk in micro-sites.
- Succession planting and relay cropping: Using short-season, cold-hardy varieties in succession ensures continuous harvests despite weather variability."Learn more:
https://cultivatingflora.com/why-do-maine-vegetable-gardens-benefit-from-cold-hardy-varieties/#SolarPunkSunday #CoolWeatherGardening
#GrowYourOwn #Gardening #GardeningInMaine -
Why Do #Maine #VegetableGardens Benefit From Cold-Hardy Varieties?
Cold-hardy vegetable varieties are not just a convenience in Maine – they are a foundational strategy for reliable, productive gardening. Maine’s coastal breezes, inland winters, and short, capricious growing season make plant selection a critical decision. Choosing varieties bred or selected for cold tolerance can extend harvest windows, stabilize yields, reduce losses, and simplify season-extension tactics. This article explains why cold-hardiness matters in Maine, how it affects different crops, and what practical steps gardeners can take to maximize success.
Excerpt:
"Examples: Cold-Hardy Crops and Varieties That Work in Maine
Different vegetables respond to cold in different ways. Here are practical examples with general guidance – always check local extension resources and seed catalogs for specific varieties tested for northern climates.
- Brassicas: Kale, collards, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. Many kales (e.g., ‘Winterbor’, ‘Red Russian’) can tolerate light snow and multiple freezes. Brussels sprouts and cabbage often become sweeter after frost.
- Leafy greens: Spinach, arugula, mache, and winter lettuces. Spinach and mache are among the first greens to go in the ground and can survive early spring and late fall frosts.
- Root crops: Carrots, beets, parsnips, rutabagas, and turnips. Par-snips and rutabagas can remain in the ground under a mulch and be harvested in late winter.
- Alliums and bulbs: Garlic planted in the fall overwinters and produces robust bulbs the next year. Certain onion varieties are cold-hardy as sets.
- Peas: Early peas (sugar snap, shelling) tolerate cool soil and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable.
- Potatoes: Early varieties planted in cool soil will tolerate light frosts to foliage until tuber set; new potatoes are often harvested before fall freezes.Bear in mind that tolerance varies by variety and local conditions. For example, some kales survive to -10degF when properly acclimated, while others are less hardy.
Season Extension Techniques That Complement Cold-Hardy Varieties
Cold-hardy varieties multiply the effectiveness of season-extension methods. Combining variety choice with modest infrastructure yields big returns.
- Row covers and low tunnels: Lightweight fabric raised over hoops provides 2-8degF of protection and can be used to extend harvests and harden transplants.
- Cold frames and cloches: Simple cold frames capture solar warmth and protect seedlings during cold snaps.
- Mulches and snow as insulation: Straw or leaf mulch protects overwintering roots and garlic. In some years snow acts as a natural insulator for winter-killed plants vs. exposed soil.
- Raised beds and black plastic: Raised beds warm earlier in spring; dark surfaces absorb heat and reduce frost risk in micro-sites.
- Succession planting and relay cropping: Using short-season, cold-hardy varieties in succession ensures continuous harvests despite weather variability."Learn more:
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