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  • 1.  Gardening in short growing season

    Posted 06-07-2023 04:22:00 PM

    Hello All,

    I am from South Dakota, where we have a very short growing season.  Wondering if anyone has tips for how to navigate this.  Also, I will be new to the gardening  "thing" taking on a part time position coordinating our newly immerging Farm to School program.  I have minimal gardening knowledge so I will take ALL ideas!  :)   Many thanks.



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    KARLA SAWVELL
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  • 2.  RE: Gardening in short growing season

    Posted 06-08-2023 12:33:00 PM

    Yay for gardening in South Dakota! You have a short season but super productive. I live in Texas but garden in South Dakota during summer. 

    Lettuce, Swiss chard, kale and greens are great.

    Plant seeds of radish, green beans, squash, too. 

    Peppers and tomatoes work, but you may be a little late unless you can find some large transplants. 

    if you are long range planning, fruit trees and berries do well too. 

    Remember it's a learning curve for all of us, no one is truly an expert when nature is involved. Good luck and happy planting!


    Kim

    Grow Garden Grow



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    Kim Aman
    Grow Garden Grow
    Dallas TX
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Gardening in short growing season

    Posted 06-08-2023 01:51:00 PM

    I started with very little gardening experience. Do a mixture of veggies, herbs and flowers if you can. Flowers often attract pollinators and keep away bad bugs. You can make bouquets from zinnias, etc.  Here, marigolds grow fast. I mulch around my plants to keep soil damp a little longer and control the weeds. I use straw (not hay!) for mulch because it can get absorbed into the soil later. Signage is important and kids can do this. You can use just about anything, paint sticks, rocks, a small stepping stone, the seed packet. You can start a simple composting pile. For fun lessons, look at this site under resources plus South Dakota Ag in the Classroom, and maybe Ithaca's Children's Garden can give you some ideas (they have a summer camp). You can introduce a new tool of the day, a new plant/flower of the day and a farm/garden fact. I teach kids how to read the back of the seed packet. I'm learning about square foot planting and nature journaling. Add garden art, journaling and cooking (fruit kabobs?) to your summer! I end all my garden lessons with asking the kids for an offer of gratitude. Sounds fun. Enjoy!!



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    Evelyn Margolin
    Sacramento, CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Gardening in short growing season

    Posted 06-09-2023 11:49:00 AM
    Hi Karla, 

    I totally agree with all of Kim's suggestions. 
    You can also extend your season with pretty creative workarounds. In the spring, start everything inside -- those little Jiffy mini greenhouse things with peat pots are your friends!   We just keep potting them up to larger sizes until it's time to put them in the garden.  You do need to harden them off by putting the pots outside for progressively longer every day before planting.  https://ferrymorse.com/products/jiffy-72-pellet-professional-greenhouse-with-superthrive?gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxk4d2cTc_D12s6JYMYswHGG-F2s8_yj7e1KRmkRRB-THH287lBFlBYxoC1GcQAvD_BwE
    There are some great season extending fabrics (that grant money will pay for!). I am fond of Agribon because it's durable.   https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=agribon&search-button=&lang=en_US
    Cloches are also a nice little season extender. These also provide rabbit and deer protection!!! 
    When I lived in Colorado, wall-o-water was how people got tomatoes to produce in our short season. They look goofy, but do work.    https://www.planetnatural.com/product/wall-o-water-3-pack/

    Have fun and happy planting! 

    --
    Michelle Zupan
    Curator 
    Hickory Hill & the Tom Watson Birthplace
    502 Hickory Hill Drive
    Thomson, GA  30824
    706-595-7777
    FAX: 706-595-7177

    Visit us at www.hickory-hill.org or on Facebook.
    Follow us on Twitter: HHEducation

    Historic homes of the Watson-Brown Foundation, Inc. 






    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Gardening in short growing season

    Posted 07-20-2023 12:25:00 PM

    In South Dakota's short growing season, consider starting with cold-hardy and early-maturing crops like lettuce, radishes and peas. Use season extenders such as row covers or cold frames to protect plants from frost. Contact local gardening groups for area-specific tips and advice. Embrace the learning process and don't hesitate to ask questions on the forum. Happy gardening and best wishes with your farm-to-school program!



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    waqar mir
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    Original Message


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