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Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardening
In the Central Highlands
Our Outline for Today
• Introduction• Why Plant in the “Off‐Season”• Vegetables that Like it Cold• When to Plant • Location, Location, Location!• Tips for Extending the Growing Seasons• Fresh Vegetables All Winter – a little secret• A Look Toward Spring
Why Plant in the “Off‐Season”
• Year round garden fresh veggies• Different selection of veggies• Extend edible production of seasonal crops• Improve the soil for the next season• Avoid season binge gardening
BINGE GARDENING• Bad Habit• Leads to an Unproductive Garden• Black Thumb Syndrome• Wastes Time, Money, Energy
ALTERNATIVEDevelop a Routine:• Garden Work Pattern• Planned Daily/Weekly Activities
*Note Routine may vary by season
Vegetables that Like it Cold
1) Roots– Beets– Carrots– Potatoes
2) Greens– Kale– Spinach– Mustard– Leaf Lettuce
3. Brassicas– Broccoli– Turnip– Cauliflower– Radish– Cabbage– Brussel Sprouts
An Alternative to VegetablesPlant a cool season cover crop (green manure)What:
– Hairy Vetch (a legume)– Cereal Rye
When:– October / Early November
Where:– Any / all garden beds
How:– Inoculate vetch seeds with appropriate inoculant– Allow to grow and mature (be sure to water)– Mow and turn into soil 3‐4 weeks before spring planting
When to Plant
Prime Considerations: Is the plant FROST SENSITIVE or FROST TOLERANT How many days does it take for plant to MATURE Considering those two items, what is the POSSIBILITY OF 32.5⁰ at or before maturity
Minor Considerations: How tall will my plant be Can I use an extender to get my plant to maturity
Frost Susceptible VegetablesQuick Maturing (30‐60 days)
Bush Beans, 1.5’ Summer Squash, 3’
Moderate Maturing (60‐80 days)Corn, 6’ Lima Bush Beans, 1.5’Okra, 6’ Peppers, 3’Cherry Tomatoes, 4’ Cucumbers, 1’
Slow Maturing (80 days +)Cantaloupes, 1’ Eggplant , 3’Irish Potatoes, 2’ Pumpkins, 2’Sweet Potatoes, 2’ Tomatoes, 4’Watermelon, 1’ Winter Squash, 1’
Frost Tolerant VegetablesQuick Maturing (30‐60 days)
Beets, 1.5’ Leaf Lettuce, 1’Mustard, 1.5’ Radishes, 1.5’Spinach, 1’ Turnips and Turnip Greens, 1.5’
Moderate Maturing (60‐80 days)Broccoli, 3’ Chinese Cabbage, 1.5’Carrots, 1’ Green onions, 1.5Kohlrabi, 1.5’ Parsley, 1.5’
Slow Maturing (80 days +)Brussels sprouts, 2’ Bulb onions, 1.5’Cabbage, 1.5’ Cauliflower, 3’Garlic, 1’
Temperature is a Factor
Aug Sept Oct Nov
Avg Max 86 82 72 60
Avg Min 56 48 37 27
Average Fall Minimum and Maximum Prescott Temps by Month
Let’s Do Some CalculationsBush BeansFrost SensitiveQuick Maturing (30‐60 days)Thanksgiving? 11/27 – 64 daysOops!
Brussel Sprouts Frost TolerantSlow Maturing (80+ days)Thanksgiving?Christmas? 12/25 – 89 daysProbably
Location, Location, Location!• What’s currently planted in your garden space?• Start inside or outside?• Where does the Fall/Winter sun shine the most?• Full sun – 8 hours isn’t absolutely necessary • Midday sun – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is critical• Veggies that tolerate shade:• Greens• Broccoli• Cauliflower• Root crops (carrots, turnips, beets)• Rotation is critical!
THE KEY IS ROTATION!
ROOT
FRUIT
GREEN
BEAN
Extending the Season
• Some plants like warm soil
• Some plants like warm air
• Some plants just like it really cool
• You have to know what your plants want!
• It’s ok to “take the temperature”!
Prepping the Soil
• Fall and Winter garden soils need to be enriched
• Best to use 2‐3 pounds of a slow release fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden area– Both chemical and organic varieties are available
• You want a higher potassium count (the K in NPK) because potassium helps to protect from winter cold
Tips for Extending the Growing Seasons
• Cold Frames• Hoop Houses• Walls of Water• Floating Row Cover – use to warm temp a few degrees. In fall use well before first frost to extend season an extra few weeks
• Burlap• Plastic – Black or Clear• Hot caps• Water
Fresh Vegetables All Winter “a little secret”
GROW INDOORS!
Indoor Growing Systems
• Hydroponic – Plants cultivated in a nutrient solution rather than soil– Floating – plants suspended in water– NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) – shallow stream of nutrients continually flowing over root system
• Aeroponic – Growing plants in the air with the use of a nutrient solution misting system
• Aquaponic – The marriage of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics
www.aerogarden.com
Table Top Systems
A Look Toward Spring
• Remember to plant long lead time vegies early• Green manures add extra layer of protection• Get your starts growing inside and harden off• Plant earlier than “Mother’s Day• Use season extenders for spring plants
Questions?
Thank You!