IN OUR COASTAL CLIMATE

Transcription

1 GROWING VEGETABLES IN OUR COASTAL CLIMATE Practical Ideas for Success with Vegetables Sally Reill Lincoln County Master Gardener

2 YOU CAN GROW YOUR OWN FOOD save

3 COASTAL CLIMATE PROBLEMS.. WIND RAIN FOG LOW LIGHT COOL DAYS COLD NIGHTS

4 CHOOSE THE BEST GARDEN SITE Sun, 8 hours minimum Exposure Avoid windy or tree shaded areas Consider structural shadows

5 Good drainage Warmer soil Control of fertilizer and amendments Avoid soil compaction Grow more food in less space THE BENEFITS OF RAISED BEDS

6 RAISED BED DETAILS

7 GET DOWN AND DIRTY, IMPROVE YOUR SOIL What kind of soil do you have? Get a ph test Add amendments Start with organic fertilizers Add more compost each year

8 DEFINITION OF A CLOCHE? A cover for plants! Protection from wind, rain and hail Grow heat loving plants Extend the season Exclude pets and pests

9 DO YOU NEED A CLOCHE? YES...if you want to grow tomatoes, peppers, basil and heat loving vegetables. YES...if you want to grow vegetables in the off season. PROBABLY...if you live close to the ocean where salty wind is a problem. NO...if you want to grow mostly greens and root crops.

10 VEGETABLES IN THE GREENHOUSE More options Heat loving plants Winter vegetables Spring and late crops Seed starting nursery Potting shed

11 WARM THE SOIL FOR HAPPY PLANTS Roots grow slowly in cold soil Nutrient availability Warm soil promotes fast growth Warm soil radiates heat at night

12 TO MULCH..OR NOT? PROS: Moisture retention saves water Weed suppression saves work Organic mulches improve soil Use weed free compost CONS: Keeps soil cold Good cover for pests

13 IRRIGATION: WHAT DO VEGETABLES NEED? A steady supply Rain.? Drip systems Soaker hose Hand watering Overhead sprinklers Don t let your veggies get thirsty!

14 COMMON PESTS Slugs Cabbage worms Cut worms Aphids Root maggots Cucumber beetles Earwigs Flea beetles KNOW YOUR ENEMY! Be proactive Use the least harmful remedy Four footed pests?

15 FOUR FOOTTED PESTS Some are cute! Some are not! Barriers are best.

16 DISEASES..YUCK!! Damp climate promotes fungus diseases Sanitation is important Prevention is key Many organic products available SPRAY is not a bad word!

17 INVITE BENEFICIAL INSECTS INTO YOUR GARDEN Include flowers Lure pollinators Attract predators Spiders are your friends! Be careful with insecticides! Don t kill bees!

18 STARTING FROM SEEDS Benefits of seed starting Direct seed or transplant? Bottom heat..? A jump start on the season

19 CHOOSING YOUR SEEDS Choose similar climates Catalogs offer many more choices Best cultural info Days to maturity..? Read descriptions carefully! Be realistic about what you can grow.

20 THE BENEFITS OF HYBRIDS What is a hybrid? Good qualities of both parents F1? Disease resistance Size of plants Flavor, size, color Hybrid vigor

21 WHAT ABOUT HEIRLOOMS? All open pollinated Nature does the hybridizing Handed down for generations Variable results Good flavor..? Little disease resistance

22 BUYING VEGETABLE PLANTS Buy stocky plants in a right size pot Avoid overgrown, blooming or off color seedlings Select plants that have been kept in sheltered area Don t shop in a parking lot!

23 Harden off seedlings Water first Plant late or on a cloudy day Use transplant solution Stop predators! SETTING PLANTS OUT Protect from wind and frost

24 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GROW V/S What will grow? Be practical! Consider your space How hard do you want to work? How much sun do you have? What is your microclimate?

25 Asparagus and Artichokes Good drainage Feed and water well Pests.? Perennials Sow seeds or buy plants

26 BEANS Bush beans or pole beans? Many colors and types Sow indoors for transplant Fava, Soy and Lima Dry shelling beans

27 BEETS?...YOU BETCHA! Easy to grow, direct seed or transplant Require boron and +6 ph Irrigate well Open pollinated varieties are good Red, yellow and striped.

28 Easy to grow Prefers to be cool Requires high fertility and plenty of water Best from transplant Varieties for all seasons Common pests BROCCOLI

29 CABBAGES, SMALL OR TALL Loves our cool weather Needs good fertility and ample water Many colors and shapes to choose from Early, late and overwinter varieties Slug magnet!

30 CAULIFLOWER The prima dona of the family can be tricky. Doesn t like heat or extremes Bolts easily Slug haven Some wild new colors!

31 CARROTS OF MANY COLORS Prefer deep sandy soil Need plenty of water Direct seed, keep moist Wireworms and carrot rust fly

32 HOW ABOUT CORN? Not near the ocean Corn needs full sun and some heat Corn is BIG grass Know the types Direct sow Ensure proper pollination

33 CUCUMBERS ARE COOL Appreciate some protection Good in the cloche Start seeds inside Improved hybrids Select seedless Keep fruits picked Few problems

34 A WORLD OF GLORIOUS GREENS Escarole Endive Arugula Spinach Chard Italian Asian

35 LOADS OF LETTUCE Easy coastal crop Protect from weather Needs consistent moisture Many colors and sizes Succession plant Slug heaven

36 GROW GREAT GARLIC! Easy crop Not your grocery store garlic! Different types Big bulbs with huge cloves Plant in October Pest free

37 AWESOME ONIONS and family members Full sun Fertile, loose soil Seeds are best Long day and day neutral types Keep well watered Few problems Harvest and storage

38 PEAS, SHELL AND SUGAR Good everywhere Easy to grow Types Pre sprout inside Plant outside with protection Support vines Aphids, mosaic and mildew.

39 PEPPERS, HOT OR SWEET. Heat loving crop Cloche or greenhouse Hot are easier Choose early maturity Support plants Watch for slugs and aphids

40 POTATOES: BURIED TREASURES Good crop anywhere! Easy to grow Prefer light soil ph below 6 Moderate fertility and water Many varieties Few problems

41 Almost fool proof! Need protection Pollination Large variety of shapes and colors High fertility and water Keep picked Prevent mildew SUMMER SQUASH

42 MALE OR FEMALE?

43 WINTER SQUASH AND PUMPKINS Need room to run Good fertility and adequate water Good pollination Harvest before frost Store in the house

44 CAN YOU GROW TOMATOES? Choose a good site Make good variety choices Keep them warm Feed them well Easy on the nitrogen Constant water Growing in pots

45 IMPORTANT TOMATO DETAILS DETERMINATE=DET SHORT PLANTS INDETERMINATE=IND TALL PLANTS

46 Diseases Prevention SOME TOMATO ISSUES Destroy diseased plants Clean up in fall Rotate crops No smoking! Pests

47 BLOSSOM END ROT A condition, not a disease Causes Irrigation Corrective measures Susceptibility Beauty is only skin deep!

48 ODDS AND ENDS..? Eggplant Arugula Fennel Celery Kohlrabi Brussels sprouts Tomatillos

49 BASIL BASICS

50 KEYS TO SUCCESS WITH VEGETABLES Healthy soil Good fertility Adequate water Fast and steady growth Protection from weather Prevention of disease Control of predators