Considerations for growing plants in the north. Long days affect varieties not suited for the far north by causing bolting- prematurely going to seed- often leaving the gardener without an edible harvest. Bolting is easily overcome by selecting varieties which perform well under long days. Plants grown and tested in the north perform well under long summer days. However, even the best varieties of spinach are a problem and must be planted very early in the spring and again in late summer to avoid the summer’s longest days and reduce bolting.
Low soil temperature, requires a little more effort to overcome. Soil temperature may be near 0 °C at planting time. Warming soil may be accomplished in a number of ways including reducing evaporation, and using solar energy to raise the soil temperature. Reducing evaporation may be accomplished by creating a wind break so that evaporation is reduced. Use a transparent wind barrier so that solar energy still helps warm the soil. Creating beds or soil ridges so that the slopes are at a 45 degree angle facing the sun will warm the mound, but be sure the top of the mound is at least 8-12 inches across to prevent rapid drying of the soil.
If you wish to grow warm weather crops northern gardens should include three types of environments if you wish to grow a variety of vegetables, those that need warm and those that cope well in colder settings..
A greenhouse that extends the growing season is necessary throughout much of Canada if you wish to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers and other warm loving plants. Plants that like heat and sunlight but do not tolerate frosts need a greenhouse environment. The Solar Growing Greenhouse Kits are an example what a northern greenhouse should provide.
Cold Frames with some type of frost covering should be part of your household gardening plan. Plants that do not tolerate frosts but don't mind cooler growing conditions grow well in raised beds. The earlier the start, the better. Raised beds facilitate soil warming in the earlier part of the growing season. Frost covers are needed to protect plants from frost damage. Potatoes grow well in these conditions but do not cope with frost. Plans for cold frames that protect from unseasonable frosts and warm the soil more rapidly in the spring can be found by clicking here.
Raised Rows are best for cold weather plants such as lettuce, radish, spinach, carrots, beets, kale, cabbage, turnips, beets and berries are examples of plants that prefer to be planted in ground beds. These plants cope well with cold conditions, survive light frosts and do not like conditions that are hot. The raised rows make planting, weed management and harvest an easier task. Rows that are 4 to 6 inches high and 15 to 18 wide provide two to four parallel rows of plants like lettuce and carrots. This arrangement makes planting and harvesting an easier task. For more information on raised rows that benefit plants that cope well with cool conditions, click here.
An important part of your garden should include soil development. Making and keeping productive soil is an essential part of gardening.
Low soil temperature, requires a little more effort to overcome. Soil temperature may be near 0 °C at planting time. Warming soil may be accomplished in a number of ways including reducing evaporation, and using solar energy to raise the soil temperature. Reducing evaporation may be accomplished by creating a wind break so that evaporation is reduced. Use a transparent wind barrier so that solar energy still helps warm the soil. Creating beds or soil ridges so that the slopes are at a 45 degree angle facing the sun will warm the mound, but be sure the top of the mound is at least 8-12 inches across to prevent rapid drying of the soil.
If you wish to grow warm weather crops northern gardens should include three types of environments if you wish to grow a variety of vegetables, those that need warm and those that cope well in colder settings..
A greenhouse that extends the growing season is necessary throughout much of Canada if you wish to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers and other warm loving plants. Plants that like heat and sunlight but do not tolerate frosts need a greenhouse environment. The Solar Growing Greenhouse Kits are an example what a northern greenhouse should provide.
Cold Frames with some type of frost covering should be part of your household gardening plan. Plants that do not tolerate frosts but don't mind cooler growing conditions grow well in raised beds. The earlier the start, the better. Raised beds facilitate soil warming in the earlier part of the growing season. Frost covers are needed to protect plants from frost damage. Potatoes grow well in these conditions but do not cope with frost. Plans for cold frames that protect from unseasonable frosts and warm the soil more rapidly in the spring can be found by clicking here.
Raised Rows are best for cold weather plants such as lettuce, radish, spinach, carrots, beets, kale, cabbage, turnips, beets and berries are examples of plants that prefer to be planted in ground beds. These plants cope well with cold conditions, survive light frosts and do not like conditions that are hot. The raised rows make planting, weed management and harvest an easier task. Rows that are 4 to 6 inches high and 15 to 18 wide provide two to four parallel rows of plants like lettuce and carrots. This arrangement makes planting and harvesting an easier task. For more information on raised rows that benefit plants that cope well with cool conditions, click here.
An important part of your garden should include soil development. Making and keeping productive soil is an essential part of gardening.