This is the time of year when so many of us are dreaming of the perfect homestead, growing all of our own food, and getting anxious or overwhelmed about starting seeds, and doing all of the garden chores.
But I am hear to tell you - don't worry you still have plenty of time! We can start small and learn as we go. We can do this together.
I am not a very good planner, and don't particularly enjoy the process. Some people find great joy in planning. But if you are like me, or don't know where to start, this is for you!
Learn a few of the First Principles about plants and soil.
Try lots of different things, learn, and have fun.
Develop a system that works for you based on your available resources and what you enjoy eating. Play to your strengths!
FIRST PRINCIPLES:
Stressed plants are more susceptible to disease and pests, produce less food, and are less competitive with weeds. Plant stress can be reduced by choosing varieties that are well adapted to your climate and growing season. Look up your USDA plant hardiness zone here. If you are in Wyoming, this free book has a very helpful chart on page 4.
Choose crops and varieties based on what kind of stress they will most likely experience. Plants need sunlight, water, air, nutrients, and appropriate temperatures to thrive. For a longer lesson on seed selection, you read my blog post on the topic here.
In the Big Horn Basin we typically have very hot and dry summers with a cool spring and fall.
The primary stressors for cool season crops will be the heat in the summer so we should choose heat and drought tolerant varieties.
The primary stressors for warm season crops will usually be cool spring weather, and the potential for an early frost. We should choose warm season crops like tomatoes and melons that will mature within our limited growing season and have some tolerance of cool weather.
If you are growing food in a maritime climate, your primary stress may be lack of heat for some warm season crops, and high disease pressure due to humidity. You may also need to choose crops that do well in the shade if you live in a heavily forested area. However, you will have a longer growing season and less heat stress for cool season crops.
There are "warm season" and "cool season" crops. Plant the warm season crops once, and the cool season crops more than once in a season (depending on your location).
Cool season crops can be planted twice (or more) for multiple harvests. They thrive in cooler weather. For example: lettuce, spinach, peas, broccoli, cabbage, beats, radish, and carrots.
Warm season crops are planted once and harvested once. For example: tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, melons, squash, and cucumbers.
The only vegetables that I have found must be started indoors for success in our area are peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes.
Some vegetables transplant well and some do not.
Start indoors and transplant: peppers, tomatoes, eggplant.
Start indoors or direct seed in the garden: broccoli, cabbage, corn, cucumber, melons, and squash.
Plant directly in the garden: carrots, beans, peas, greens, potatoes, beets, radish, garlic, and onions.
Work back from your average last frost date to determine when to start plants inside. In the Big Horn Basin we have a growing season (days between first and last frost) that ranges from about 100-130 days depending on the year and location.
TOOLS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE PLANNING
I like this little garden planner that shows you when to plant for both summer and fall harvests and is full of all sorts of other helpful information. We have them on order - please sign up here if you want to be notified when they arrive.
If you would rather have an app for your phone, or use your computer, here are two good options: create your own spread sheet using the template below or use the SeedTime app.
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