Northeast Gardening: Edibles - '09 - Part 2, 1 by WNYwillieB

WNYwillieB wrote:
Awe, Robin .... Don't fret .... sometimes these setbacks don't matter in the long run, esp. if they happen early enough and things aren't decimated.

I have found the with veggies, they tend to catch up by the end of the season. Even if planting late.

Otherwise, I am sure I will have a plethora of bounty to share .... we'll just have to overnight you some!

Not sure how I know what I am doing here, Patti!! Could there be such a thing as genetic memories?? Maybe some elders of mine were superb gardeners?? That, along with the GH and CFrame!!!!

I was fortunate (I guess!) that my mom was into growing veggies. Probably for the same reason I am now .... they cost WAY too much to buy fresh at the grocer! Plus, dad was in construction (Asbestos Insulator '60s - '80s) and there were times between projects when things were on the tight side.

From what I have been gathering, broccoli likes it cool, Jan .... almost chilly cold. Like Brussel Sprouts, they do not like the heat of summer, and don't do well in the south very much at all, unless thought of as a winter crop, I think.



And .... it's a date! Let's start our seedlings together next winter!! I started this year March 1, which was WAY too early, but worked well! I just started to run out of room as the weather improved enough to allow the move out to the cold frame. (Now, remember my cold frame is more like a tiny, "mini" GH, just unheated. Not those low to the ground type, where you lift the top during the day)

The only things I wouldn't start so early are the broccoli raab and the basil .... Well, it was nice having fresh basil all winter, so plant that at any time! A bit early for the summer savory, too.

I was thinking that for 2010 I would not start until March 15 or April 1 (If I can stand it to wait that long!!)

I might start the perennials March 1 next year, as they aren't as scheduled as veggies. I started them much later than the veggies this year. I think I got those around April 1... I'll have to check that.

Here is a shot of my cold frame from last year behind the ficus elasticus. The roof is peaked to 7 foot in the center, and simply covered with poly on the lumber, inside and out (separated by the 2x4). I built it with recyclables from home improvements when replacing house windows and adding on the GH.

It's probably 9 or 10 foot by maybe 5 foot wide. Has two levels. One at window sill level and one at the top of the window, where the roof meets the sides (which can only hold shorter things).

I wonder if I have any pics that show the inside ..... hmmmm.