Extending the Growing Season Red Planet Vegetables Some Key Terms to Remember Growing Season The part of the year where temperature and rainfall allow plants to grow For the purposes of this workshop growing season refers to frostfree days ID: 232408
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Northern RI Conservation District
Extending the Growing Season
Red Planet VegetablesSlide2
Some Key Terms to Remember…
Growing Season:
The part of the year where temperature and rainfall allow plants to grow. For the purposes of this workshop, growing season refers to frost-free days.Hardiness Zone: Geographically defined area where certain plants are capable of growingClimate:
The weather conditions of a certain area over a long periodMicroclimate: The climate within a small, specific space as contrasted with the climate of the surrounding area (i.e.. the area in close proximity around a plant or row of plants).
Days to Maturity:
The number of days between planting a seed and the harvest of that crop.Slide3
May 8
th
- October 3rd
Plant Hardiness Zone 6147 frost-free days in 2011120 days with a minimum temperature of 32 degrees and below (on average)The “Typical” Rhode Island Growing SeasonSlide4
Don’t settle
for the “typical” Rhode Island Growing Season
…Slide5
Extend the Season: Grow and Harvest Vegetables All Year!
Grow summer crops that can be harvested through the late fall
Grow hardy crops that can be harvested all winter in altered microclimates
Plant crops later that will be ready to harvest in the springIt’s all about PLANNING, CREATING MICROCLIMATES, CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTSSlide6
What do you want to get out of your garden?
Do you want to keep
it going through the fall and save what’s already growing?
Do you want to harvest all winter?
Where will the garden be located?
What crops do you want to plant?
Do you need to create a protected microclimate?
Make a map!
PlanningSlide7
Site
Selection
Soil quality
Well-drained soils
Avoid areas of excessive runoff
South-facing areas to maximize sunlight
North-South or East-West?
Location that won’t be shaded when the sun is lower in the sky in winter
Wind protection
Access
Frost Pockets?
Protected microclimate?Slide8
Unique
Challenges of Winter
REALLY cold
REALLY windy
Can be extreme- stay warm
It’s Rough out there!!!Slide9
Choosing the Right Plants
To extend your summer garden well into the fall, plant
later in the seasonPlant early-maturing plants (30 days to maturity) in mid- September
ChivesBunching OnionsRadishesEarly CarrotsAsian GreensCilantroPea GreensBroccoli RaabLeaf LettucesMustard Spinach*Great time to plant Lawn Seed!Slide10
Choosing the Right Plants
Plant mid-season maturing plants (60 days to maturity) in mid- August
Early Carrot
LeeksTurnipKohl RabiEarly CabbageWinter CauliflowerCollard GreensPerennial FlowersPerennial HerbsSwiss ChardArugula!BroccoliMustard Greens
Plant late-season maturing plants (90 days to maturity) in mid- July
Beets
Carrots
Parsnip
Globe Onions
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbages
Cauliflower
Fava
Beans
*Give yourself 5-10 extra days to maturity when planting later in the seasonSlide11
Choosing the Right Plants
Select plants that are winter hardy and thrive in the cold
and adjusted microclimates for your winter garden:
Salad GreensSpinachCarrotsLeeksTurnipParsnipKaleBrussels SproutsBroccoliCollard GreensSwiss ChardLettuceMustard GreensWhen directly seeded in fall, these plants can over-winter outside. If they germinate and grow quickly, they may be killed by the cold.
* Days to maturity is greatly increased due to winter climates, even in protected microclimatesSlide12
Planting and Harvesting Schedule
Plan when you want to harvest the crops that you want to grow and plant accordingly
Succession Plantings Plan your season now using readily available tools on the internetPlanting Date Calculator
Harvesting Date CalculatorSuccession Planting(see NRICD.org for links)Keep records! Save seed packets with notes!Learn from trial and error!Every year is different!Don’t get discouraged!Slide13
Microclimates
A microclimate is
small, but distinctly different climate within the greater area that surrounds it
Not just increasing the temperature!Using south-facing slopesProtection from the wind using hedgerows and shrubs & snow fencePlanting in raised bedsUsing
mulch to protect roots and shootsPlanting along stone walls to trap ambient heat
Using other methods to increase plant temperature, increase sun exposure, protect from wind, and maintain moistureSlide14
Tools for Altering Microclimates:Mulching and Raised Beds
Mulching using leaves or wood chips to protect plants
Using raised beds to increase soil temperature
Amending the soil with compost: thermal decay of highly organic soilUse hay to cover leeks and carrotsSlide15
Row Covers
Using Row covers for added protection from the elements
Also protect crops from insects and other pests
Use spun-bonded, lightweight fabrics for best resultsSlide16
Cold Frames
Grow at summer speed through November, then plants semi-hibernate
Equivalent of moving plants 1 ½ USDA zones south
Must ventilate when inner temperature is around 70 degrees, or after March 1st.Make with recycled materials that you already have, such as old windows, plastic sheets and wood!Slide17
Hoop Houses/Low Tunnels
Generally under 6 feet tall
Can use plastic or metal to make hoops
C
over with spun-bound fabric or UV resistant plastic dependant on need
Fully secure in areas with lots of snow using sandbags and tie-downsSlide18
Hoop Houses/High Tunnels
Mainly unheated, non-mechanically ventilated, generally greater than 6 feet tall
Sold as kits, plant directly in the ground
Unheated, 6-7 degrees warmer than outside
Funding may be available for extending your growing season using High Tunnels through NRCS Slide19
Greenhouses
Permanent structures
Usually heated
Many times has a concrete floor
Maintain summer growing conditions year-roundExpensive to maintain!Slide20
Combinations
Use any combination of row covers, low tunnels and high tunnels.
Can be equivalent of moving plants 3 USDA zones warmerSlide21
Other Considerations
Soil health and fertility
Don’t Guess! Soil Test!
Availability of waterAvailability of electricity
Availability of materialsVentilation
Enough lightBudgetTime Slide22
Questions?Slide23
Reference
For more information, please refer to the Northern RI Conservation District website at:
www.NRICD.org
You will find a list of reference materials including:BooksLinks to WebsitesThis PowerPointSlide24
Thank You!
For More Information:
Kate Sayles, Northern RI Conservation District
(401) 934-0840Ksayles.nricd@verizon.netJustin Tuthill, USDA-NRCS(401)822-8839Justin.Tuthill@ri.usda.gov
Matt Tracy, Red Planet Vegetablesmarsfarmer@yahoo.com