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Extending
the Growing Season
by Sandy
Hollingsworth, Master Gardener
Mountain gardening means adjusting to a shorter growing season.
Many people believe that there is little that grows above 7,500
feet. After some experimenting and consulting with those who have
had more mountain experience, you will find that there are plenty
of plants that will grow at higher elevations. Learning how to extend
the season will make for even more success and diversity.
One method of
extending the season is to start seeds indoors in February or March.
A sunny window works, but tubular grow lights give the added benefit
of more control and height adjustment as the seedlings grow. Seedlings
may be transplanted to a cold frame and some seeds may be sown directly
in the cold frame once you can get to it. Placing a cold frame near
the house with a southern exposure and venting method will mean
greater access and success until the outside temperatures are consistently
above frost.
Using cloches
when transplanting to the main garden will also help. These include
Saylor Caps, Wall of Water, individual covers made of clear plastic
or glass, and wire hoops which support fabric or clear plastic sheeting.
Again, having a method for venting is important to regulate the
temperature and humidity. Some mountain gardeners have had success
adding old tires, black plastic or weed mat, at the base of plants
to capture and retain heat in specific areas of the garden. Others
use jugs of water to increase heat in an area. Additionally, wrapping
the sides of your garden with clear plastic over a wire fence will
both protect your plants from wind and capture heat in the ground.
This can also have the added benefit of keeping hungry chipmunks
and rabbits out of your garden.
Fortunately
most of the above methods are inexpensive and won’t overheat
cool weather crops. Whatever your chosen method, best wishes and
welcome to the mountains.
If you have
further questions, please contact the CSU
Cooperative Extension Office to speak with a Master Gardener
or Extension Agent.
Relevant
Fact Sheets from the CSU Extension:
No Fact Sheets are currently
available.
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