Wow! I loved this video. It validates things I am doing that I wasn’t sure about. And gives me more tips so I can do better. I am torn about his philosophy of not giving plants any fertilizer during growing season–I’ve heard so many positive things about giving plants compost tea during growing season.
Having a low tunnel sure extends growing season. Growing things in containers or under shade cloth helps extend the growing season of cool weather crops like lettuce and radishes.
And then he could add something about storing things–so you extend the time you can eat things–like Jerusalem artichokes can be stored in the ground–maybe beets, carrots, turnips–with lots of mulch.
Here are a few more tips I read in the comments which helped me:
“Utilize vertical space as well as horizontal ground space. For instance, add trellis to the side of your grow beds and grow thing in the ground around. Or add pots onto your decking and grow climbers up the wires along your hand rail.”
El Chaffinch
Patricia says: I have been working with vertical gardening more this year than ever. Cattle panels are really useful. Here is one article about making an arch out of cattle panels. https://ourlittlesuburbanfarmhouse.com/how-to-build-a-cattle-panel-arch-for-vertical-gardening/
“I multi sow for example with beets I grow three or four (or even five) in the same hole. As they grow they push out from each other and as soon as they’re big enough I start harvesting a beet or two from each clump so early in the season I have baby beets (fresh pickled baby beets are utterly delicious) I leave the rest to grow a bit bigger, harvest again and so forth. By the end of the season I harvest the last remaining ones which are full size by this time.
Multi sowing slows down growth so it extends the time and harvest right out. It also means that instead of being able to plant for example 12 beets in a bed I can triple (or more) the number I can grow at once in a bed. I use the same method for leeks, onions and many other veggies. It’s a great way of growing a lot in my very limited space and having fresh produce to use over a longer period of time. I also sow carrots fairly thick and don’t start thinning until they’re just big enough to use meaning I have baby carrots at the start of the season and thin throughout each time getting larger ones until I reach the last lot that are mature. It creates a lot longer season and more produce to use earlier and over a longer period. Of course as you mentioned, success with this method as well is all about good soil preparation in the beginning.” Tas Gardener
Patricia says: I loved this tip–i am inclined to grow herbs in pots, and this is inspiring me even more.
“For herbs like coriander leaves, rosemary, thyme and all the others, those can be planted in pots. So when it starts to get cold, put them inside the house by a bright window in a warm room. I’ve been growing herbs on my window and I can greatly extend the life of the plants like that. Keep pinching or picking off the tops of them and they wont bolt.” Dianne Penfold
