Gardening In The Far North- Zone 4b

[bp fick]

Gardening is favorite topic this time of year. Those in the deep south are just about wrapping up your spring gardens, but those of us in far north are really just beginning.

OK, it's 2011 and I thought I'd post a video link of how things are going this year. There are many small plants, almost too small to video. We only have around 100-110 frost free days here, if we're lucky. Our soil is sand/gravel which lacks nutrients and the ability to hold moisture. We're organic, of course, and thanks to a couple dozen hens who donate, we're able to enrich the soil.

Hope you enjoy the photos and do check out the youtube link.

YouTube - ‪Garden June 2011 Display‬‏

 

[tungularafishcamp]

BP, It looks great!!! I am jealous, we can hardly grow anything unprotected like that because of the wind as well the frosts. I just put up a 20x50 hightunnel and it has upped our production immensely makes our 10x30 seem tiny. That would be nice just to till the ground and just put stuff in.
Rick

 

[bp fick]

BP, It looks great!!! I am jealous, we can hardly grow anything unprotected like that because of the wind as well the frosts. I just put up a 20x50 hightunnel and it has upped our production immensely makes our 10x30 seem tiny. That would be nice just to till the ground and just put stuff in.
Rick

Rick, thanks. Absolutely, those field tunnels work extremely well. They also extend the growing season by a month on either end, typically. I'd love to have a couple of them. First, a greenhouse.

I start all my plants from seed, as we don't buy any set plants. That means, I'm starting indoors 60 days prior. First the little 2" cell trays, then transplant to 4" pots, and transplant again into 8" pots. The plant that goes into the field is pretty large and healthy by Memorial Day, our traditional "safe" planting day.

With over 400 potted plants, I tend to take over the house. My wife would very much like me to have a green house.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Sounds like you already have a greenhouse, at least until you put the plants outside:laughing:

 

[bp fick]

Some may wonder, how can you grow vegetables in such a short growing season? Good question.

The farther north one goes, the more the curvature of the earth creates the "midnight sun" effect, with extremely short winter days, but very, very long summer days. Since the sun just dips below the horizon for a few hours, the long days, with high UV, what the season lacks in length, it makes up for in daylight periods.

Of course, we have to take into account cold nights, but this usually makes a heavy dew, which is very beneficial in "resting" and cooling the plants for 4 to 5 hours.

Variety selection comes into play, of course. No sense choosing varieties that do not suit the northern climes. Set plants? Determinate tomatoes work best, as the early frost will "determine" the end anyhow. By first frost, most of our tomatoes are about done anyhow. I like the Heinz commercial variety (forget the number) and the Manitoba Cold Set varieties.

Of course with our sand based soils, potatoes are a wonder!!! Idaho, Michigan and Maine lead the nation in potato production for a reason, I guess. But the cabbage family, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage all done very, very well. Lettuce, sweet peas, summer squash, green beans, radishes, spinach are also easy. Carrots do fine as well. All the berries do great, as do orchards.

But, long season sweet corn, onions, green and hot peppers, and long season winter squash present an enormous challenge. They are on the cusp of being beyond our capabilities.

 

[oldmech]

Hi! Here in 4b. I seed tomatoes. peppers etc in house Holy Friday this year. Later I transplant in a forcing bed under glass. A square pine frame 6 ft.x 6ft 16 in. height with sliding glass. They are traditional two kind. The hot with horse manure. and the cold. I plan use electric heating cables with thermostat next year. A lot less expensive than a greenhouse. When young I remember a Lady grows delicious muskmelons for sale under glass. Good luck Oldmech

 

[blueriver]

Very Nice ... I sure like a good garden!!

 

[bp fick]

Hi! Here in 4b. I seed tomatoes. peppers etc in house Holy Friday this year. Later I transplant in a forcing bed under glass. A square pine frame 6 ft.x 6ft 16 in. height with sliding glass. They are traditional two kind. The hot with horse manure. and the cold. I plan use electric heating cables with thermostat next year. A lot less expensive than a greenhouse. When young I remember a Lady grows delicious muskmelons for sale under glass. Good luck Oldmech

oldmech,

The greenhouses of old, with their high heating costs, are a thing of the past, in most places. The "greenhouse" of today incorporates many, many new, energy saving ideas, such as heating pads. I've been studying and going to see other's operations for a few years now and processing the many ideas I've seen.

I stagger plant indoors. Second week of March, then again April 1st and again on April 15th. This allows me to have slightly different ages of plants, although there is always a certain amount of "catching up" and getting even. I prefer to have a slightly staggered harvest to supply various markets. But, I can only do what I can do, as there's only so much staggering one can pull off up here, as you know.

 

[bp fick]

Very Nice ... I sure like a good garden!!

blueriver, I know you do!!!! I've been watching yours all spring,:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Egon]

Nice Garden:thumbsup::thumbsup:

am jealous, we can hardly grow anything unprotected like that because of the wind as well the frosts./QUOTE]

There is a difference from the Far North and really being North.