Gardening in All Times of the Year

Using Organic methods of gardening is something that can be pursued easily year around-or at least extended- in warmer climate zones, and with some thought and planning, even in the colder regions. Organic practices are designed to feed the soil, giving the plants the nutrition and protection that only healthy soil can produce. While it may not always give the "instant fix" that we seem to need in our society, organic methods are solid and well tried, and will not only provide the healthiest and most toxin free food available, while providing the gardener with some contemplative time and a sense of accomplishment hard to find in our fast paced world.

One of the important things a beginning gardener needs to know is what USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you are in. This will tell you first and last frost dates (average) and will help you decide when and what you may plant and have a good chance of having a good harvest. I live in Zone 7, and I can look at first frost date and know that if the seed package says 60 days til harvest, I can confidently plant a vegetable that needs 60 days to mature on or about August 15th. A bit earlier is always best, but there are ways of extending the season too. A thick layer of good quality mulch can insulate the ground and roots without any other assistance if the plant itself is fairly hearty. Tender plants like tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers need more protection as well. A row cover to keep the temps a few degree higher, a plastic "tent" to deflect frost, water filled jugs left in the sun to warm during the day, then moved close to the plants before covering them for the night, all have their places in extending the season.

Even tho you may be in a particular zone-like zone 7 for me-you also have to take in land elevation, humidity, surrounding terrain features, wind direction and force, and sometimes even if you are on the east or west slope, which may make a difference in sunlight time and quality. These last items are things that can be used to "tweak" your garden once you gain expertise in your specific area.

Now is the time to begin planning for next year's garden, cleaning it of spent plants, adding compost (you do have a compost pile don't you?) planting a fall crop of whatever works in your vicinity and zone, and even sowing a winter cover crop-sometimes called "green manure" as it builds the soil and adds quality organic matter to your garden in the spring. Typical cover crops are winter greens such as: mustard, kale, spinach; cereal grains such as wheat, oats, buckwheat, rye; winter or sweet peas or clover or hairy vetch, depending on zone and when your garden is ready to plant. I typically wait until the crop is past, while some may take the summer crops out once they have picked, eaten and preserved all they want. In my Zone 7 area, I usually have a few weeks after first frost to plant my cover crops, as the crops tend to be very hearty, and we usually have some warm days until Thanksgiving or later. The crops go dormant in freezing weather but most will recover during warm weather, and some, like the greens, will provide a tasty salad or some mixed greens or spinach to liven up the palate.

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Having been introduced to organic gardening practices in the 1960's I have known for many years that organic practices were the healthy way to produce fresh, nutrient rich and delicious produce with the least amount of toxins possible. This site is designed to give information and a quick, all in one access for further education, tools and products for the family organic garden. Sign up for my RSS feed to receive other posts and informational material.