GROWING VEGETABLESIN OUR COASTAL CLIMATE

Practical Ideas

for

Success

with VegetablesSally Reill

Lincoln County

Master Gardener

YOU CAN GROW YOUR OWN FOOD

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COASTAL CLIMATEPROBLEMS………..

• WIND

• RAIN

• FOG

• LOW LIGHT

• COOL DAYS

• COLD NIGHTS

CHOOSE THE BEST GARDEN SITE

• Sun, 8 hours minimum

• Exposure

• Avoid windy or tree shaded areas

• Consider structural shadows

THE BENEFITS OF RAISED BEDS

• Good drainage

• Warmer soil

• Control of fertilizer and amendments

• Avoid soil compaction

• Grow more food in less space

RAISED BED DETAILS

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

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

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.

VEGETABLES IN THE GREENHOUSE

• More options

• Heat loving plants

• Winter vegetables

• Spring and late crops

• Seed starting nursery

• Potting shed

WARM THE SOIL FOR HAPPYPLANTS

• Roots grow slowly in cold soil

• Nutrient availability

• Warm soil promotes fast growth

• Warm soil radiates heat at night

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

IRRIGATION: WHAT DOVEGETABLES NEED?

• A steady supply

• Rain….?

• Drip systems

• Soaker hose

• Hand watering

• Overhead sprinklers

• Don’t let your veggies get thirsty!

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…?

FOUR FOOTTED PESTS

• Some are cute!

• Some are not!

• Barriers are best.

DISEASES…..YUCK!!

• Damp climate promotes fungus diseases

• Sanitation is important

• Prevention is key

• Many organic products available

• SPRAY is not a bad word!

INVITE BENEFICIAL INSECTS INTO YOUR GARDEN

• Include flowers

• Lure pollinators

• Attract predators

• Spiders are your friends!

• Be careful with insecticides!

• Don’t kill bees!

STARTING FROM SEEDS

• Benefits of seed starting

• Direct seed or transplant?

• Bottom heat…..?

• A jump start

on the season

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.

THE BENEFITS OF HYBRIDS

• What is a hybrid?

• Good qualities of both parents

• F1……?

• Disease resistance

• Size of plants

• Flavor, size, color

• “Hybrid vigor”

WHAT ABOUT HEIRLOOMS?

• All open pollinated

• Nature does the hybridizing

• Handed down for generations

• Variable results

• Good flavor…..?

• Little disease resistance

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!

• Harden off seedlings

• Water first

• Plant late or on a cloudy day

• Use transplant solution

• Stop predators!

• Protect from wind and frost

SETTING PLANTS OUT

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?

Asparagus and Artichokes

• Good drainage

• Feed and water well

• Pests….?

• Perennials

• Sow seeds or buy plants

BEANS

• Bush beans or pole beans?

• Many colors and types

• Sow indoors for transplant

• Fava, Soy and Lima

• Dry shelling beans

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.

BROCCOLI

• Easy to grow

• Prefers to be cool

• Requires high fertility and plenty of water

• Best from transplant

• Varieties for all seasons

• Common pests

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!

CAULIFLOWER

• The “prima dona” of the family can be tricky.

• Doesn’t like heat or extremes

• Bolts easily

• Slug haven

• Some wild new colors!

CARROTS OF MANY COLORS

• Prefer deep sandy soil

• Need plenty of water

• Direct seed, keep moist

• Wireworms and carrot rust fly

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

CUCUMBERS ARE COOL

• Appreciate some protection

• Good in the cloche

• Start seeds inside

• Improved hybrids

• Select seedless

• Keep fruits picked

• Few problems

A WORLD OF GLORIOUS GREENS

• Escarole

• Endive

• Arugula

• Spinach

• Chard

• Italian

• Asian

LOADS OF LETTUCE

• Easy coastal crop

• Protect from weather

• Needs consistent moisture

• Many colors and sizes

• Succession plant

• Slug heaven

GROW GREAT GARLIC!

• Easy crop

• Not your grocery store garlic!

• Different types

• Big bulbs with huge cloves

• Plant in October

• Pest free

AWESOME ONIONSand family members

• Full sun

• Fertile, loose soil

• Seeds are best

• Long day and day neutral types

• Keep well watered

• Few problems

• Harvest and storage

PEAS, SHELL AND SUGAR

• Good everywhere

• Easy to grow

• Types

• Pre sprout inside

• Plant outside with protection

• Support vines

• Aphids, mosaic and mildew.

PEPPERS, HOT OR SWEET

• Heat loving crop

• Cloche or greenhouse

• Hot are easier

• Choose early maturity

• Support plants

• Watch for slugs and aphids

.

POTATOES: BURIED TREASURES

• Good crop anywhere!

• Easy to grow

• Prefer light soil

• pH below 6

• Moderate fertility and water

• Many varieties

• Few problems

SUMMER SQUASH• Almost fool proof!

• Need protection

• Pollination

• Large variety of shapes and colors

• High fertility and water

• Keep picked

• Prevent mildew

MALE OR FEMALE……?

WINTER SQUASH ANDPUMPKINS

• Need room to run

• Good fertility and adequate water

• Good pollination

• Harvest before frost

• Store in the house

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

IMPORTANT TOMATO DETAILS

• DETERMINATE=DET SHORT PLANTS

• INDETERMINATE=IND TALL PLANTS

SOME TOMATO “ISSUES”

• Diseases

• Prevention

• Destroy diseased plants

• Clean up in fall

• Rotate crops

• No smoking!

• Pests

BLOSSOM END ROT

• A condition, not a disease

• Causes

• Irrigation

• Corrective measures

• Susceptibility

• Beauty is only skin deep!

ODDS AND ENDS…..?

• Eggplant

• Arugula

• Fennel

• Celery

• Kohlrabi

• Brussels

sprouts

• Tomatillos

BASIL BASICS

KEYS TO SUCCESS WITHVEGETABLES

• Healthy soil

• Good fertility

• Adequate water

• Fast and steady growth

• Protection from weather

• Prevention of disease

• Control of predators