Vegetable Gardening When Mother Nature Doesn t Cooperate Erica Smith Montgomery County Master Gardener
Please Silence Cell Phone Thanks!
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 3
Our Vision: A healthier world through environmental stewardship. Our Mission: To support the University of Maryland Extension mission by educating residents about safe, effective & sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, & communities. 4
Successful Design with Nature in Mind More native plants Right plant, right place Plants with same needs grouped together Reduced water and energy consumption Composting, recycling Follow nature s cues
Vegetable gardening Uses mostly non-native plants Often uses a lot of water Can require supplemental fertilizer Often puts plants with different needs together through necessity Is often designed to keep nature out or battle with it
Why grow vegetables? To keep your food locally sourced To provide fresh and nutritious food To save money To get exercise, relax, have fun To teach children where food comes from To learn about the natural world To take on a new challenge!
Abiotic challenges Abiotic = nonliving, not caused by pests or disease, though symptoms can mimic these A large percentage (maybe half!) of plant problems are caused by abiotic factors Diagnosis can be difficult Problems can be caused by site conditions, cultural practices, or weather issues Weather is the least controllable factor
Weather extremes, local December 2015: warmest December on record, with a 70-degree Christmas February 2016: record-setting blizzard May 2016: record-setting days of consecutive rain (also see June 2015) 1000-year rain event in Ellicott City July/August 2016: 100+ heat index, records set DC area saw warmest fall on record???
Climate change, global
Extreme weather increase linked to climate change: The New Normal Storms Heavier (if less frequent) rain and snow Floods Heat waves Warm overnights Droughts Habitat changes American Scientist, YouTube
If you don t like the weather Pexels stock photo publicdomainpictures.net
Weather issues and solutions Cold Rain Drought Heat Storms and flooding Success despite challenges!
Cold Frost injury wind also a big factor Poor pollination Poor flower and fruit set Low yields Germination delays Buttoning (cauliflower) Fruit deformation, rotting Nutrient deficiency
Effects of cold Phosphorus deficiency Catfacing
Cold soil germination Consult charts for germination ranges For example, peas germinate in 40-85 F soil but optimum is 75 Starting plants inside helps control soil temp Or try pre-sprouting Using raised beds or containers can also help Black plastic warms soil
Chill out! Some solutions Know your average last frost date Look at the weather forecast! Check soil temperature Wait to set out your plants Be ready to protect your plants Use covers and/or mulch
Check that forecast for first frost! Sometimes you can get summer crops through early frost with protection But also know when to give up! Fall chill can be great for cool-season crops Autumn cold
By Darlene Nicholson Rain Excessive soil moisture/poor drainage Runoff/soil erosion Seed/root rot Wilting Late start in spring Poor pollination Poor taste Nutrient leaching Cracking, fruit injury Fungal diseases Slugs
Fungal diseases Choanephora rot Downy mildew
Keep your watering even! Fruit cracking
Dry out! Some solutions Look at the weather forecast! Mulch! Improve soil quality: add organic matter Avoid poorly-drained areas Try raised beds Monitor and remove affected plant parts Water deeply on a regular schedule don t overwater Harvest prior to full ripeness (tomatoes)
Harvesting early Pick at breaker stage, when fruit is just blushing color Ripen on your counter taste is still great! Helps with fruit cracking and other damage Gets in ahead of damage by stink bugs, squirrels, birds
Drought Wilting/death Low yields Bitterness (esp. in cucumbers) and other unexpected tastes Fertilizer burn Blossom-end rot
Blossom-end rot Occurs in tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, watermelon Caused by calcium deficiency Can be caused by inability of plant to take up calcium due to low ph, insufficient watering, or excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer Some varieties more susceptible
Hose off! Some solutions Watch the forecast! Water regularly Use drip irrigation Mulch, keep soil covered Improve soil quality by adding organic matter Pexels.com
Heat Plant stress Low yields Poor flower and fruit set Bolting Germination issues Sunscald
Poor flower and fruit set Beans: above 85 F. Peppers: above 95 (or nights above 75 ) Tomatoes: above 95 Squash and cucumbers: high temperatures can mean insufficient female flower production
Hot soil germination Consult charts for germination ranges - e.g. beets germinate in 40-95 F., but ideal temperature is 85 Cool soil by using shade cloth, planting in shade, watering frequently, covering soil with boards or row cover to keep moist, using nighttime temps Ideal growing temps also important Soil temperature and days to maturity often don t mesh
Start plants inside Control of soil and air temperatures Avoids insect damage Can water evenly Make sure to harden off before setting out Pre-sprouting seeds before sowing outside also helps Or you can buy plants!
Cool down! Some solutions Watch the forecast! Water regularly including plant leaves in high heat Mulch; improve soil quality Use shade cloth Be flexible about planting schedule Start fall seedlings inside Plant quicker-growing spring and fall plants, heat-tolerant varieties Harvest nontraditional plant parts (e.g. broccoli leaves) Take care of the gardener too! Photo by Julie Mangin
Storms and floods Storms can break plant stems and cause plants to fall over Hail can damage leaves Flooding can contaminate soil and plants use caution when harvesting Strong supports can help be aware of forecasted storms and tie plants up ahead Harvest ahead of storms
Hurricane effects
How to succeed despite challenges
Watch the weather forecast! Be ready to leap into action Which means being prepared ahead of time: Access to water Mulch Plant supports Row covers Soil amendment completed Frequent monitoring
Keep the soil covered Mulch helps: Keep soil temperatures even Prevent moisture loss, runoff Smother weeds that compete for water Mulch can be: Organic materials such as shredded leaves, straw, compost, etc. Newspaper with organic material on top Plastic (for warming soil in spring) Also consider using cover crops, intensive planting
Be flexible Don t fix on specific dates for sowing or transplant use the range and the forecast Adapt to longer growing seasons and extreme weather patterns Keep transplants coming Be ready to fill open spots Grow varieties that work for you Relax failure is a learning experience! Keep records of what worked and what didn t
Think like a plant! Know the ideal temperature ranges for seed germination and plant growth Don t let your plants get hungry and thirsty Understand plant reproduction
Work with the New Normal Old reliables may not work try new varieties Look south what can take the heat and drought? Read the catalog or packet description for phrases like heat-tolerant or slow to bolt Try short-season species and varieties Grow in the winter Plant herbs and flowers to attract pollinators and beneficial insects Conserve energy and water, be an informed citizen, respect nature
This program was brought to you by The Master Gardeners Program of Montgomery County University of Maryland Extension