Episode 111: Veggie Patch Retrospective (Part 3)

Part 3 of the Veggie Patch Retrospective wraps up with 4 more short segments about gardening for edible food crops. Master Gardener Volunteer, Teresa Golden, continues to provide advice to the beginner and experienced gardener about how to tend a successful vegetable garden.

The first segment focuses on root crops including beets, carrots, radishes, onions, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, among others. The category gets its name because their edible roots grow under the soil. Knowing the growing season of the specific crop you are growing i s one key to success. They tend to be directly sown into the soil but proper spacing is also very important. Consistent watering is also key as is storing them properly once harvested.

Next is all about garden maintenance and tools. Maintenance revolves around weeding, watering, and fertilizing.  Make sure to water the soil, not the plants. One way to control weeds is to mulch, but whatever you do, don’t let the weeds got to seed to prevent an even bigger challenge in the future. Adding organic matter (like compost) is the preferable way to fertilize but if you do use supplemental chemical fertilizers, make sure to read the labels and apply them correctly. The right tools can make garden maintenance easier so listen in to learn the best tools for the job.

The segment on extending the gardening season focuses on various ways to keep the soil warm.  Cloches, cold frames, row covers, low tunnels and high tunnels are all discussed. Hopefully, this discussion can help you decide which approach might work best for you.

Finally, the Veggie Patch series ends with a segment about putting your garden to ‘bed’ for the winter. Once your crops are harvested, this involves pulling all dead or unproductive plants and either composting them (if they don’t have seeds) or discarding them. Remove all cages and supports, making sure to clean them before storing them for the winter. Testing your soil pH in the fall will inform you of any needed amendments (like compost). This is a great time to sanitize, oil, and sharpen your garden tools for the next season.

We hope this series gives you the confidence to start and nurture your home vegetable garden.

Host: Teresa Golden

Photo by: Teresa Golden

Production Support : Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski

Resources:

• 10 Root Vegetables You Can Successfully Grow (thespruce.com)
• Explore Cornell - Home Gardening - Vegetable Growing Guides
• Sustaining the Garden | Cornell Garden-Based Learning
• garden_tool_maintenance.pdf (illinois.edu)
• Season Extenders and Growing Fall Vegetables (psu.edu)
• Extending the growing season: start early, end later | UMN Extension
• Getting Your Garden Ready for Winter: CCE Suffolk County Family Health & Wellness Strengthening Families & Communities (cornell.edu)
• Prepare your vegetable garden for winter | UMN Extension

Last updated March 7, 2024