winter gardeningi n buncombe county, north carolina, gardening guidebook for north carolina
TRANSCRIPT
Cold Frames
Cold Frames
farmtek - 8mm Twin-Wall Polycarbonate 4' x 8'
Sheet
on a 4’ planter bed
1” tilt per foot – 4’ = 4”
2x4 – 2x8
2x8 – 2x12
Use the yellow 4’ bungee cords from Lowes to
tie down to eye hooks
Close up all but the angle for venting
What to Grow
• Planning the winter garden starts with choosing suitable hardy crops, which would include Asian Greens, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels Sprout, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Chicory, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnip and more. You also have to choose the right varieties for winter growing, as there can be considerable variation within a crop. You want cultivars bred to tolerate cold temperatures and short day length.
What to plant in the fall for winter
• Onion – Pick early July
• Kale
• Garlic
• Leek
• Collards
• Spinach
Can be uncovered in winter or use frost blanket
These items don’t need a cold frame . . .
Soil
• 1 part Coco Coir – 5th Season
• 1 part Compost – Homemade or any kind of generic brand
• ½ part Perlite – Southern Ag
Feeding the soil
Urea and Potash needs to be in a water soluble form. This can be used in any type of drip irrigation. This is an organic low salt mix that encourages healthy microbes, bacteria and feeds the soil. • 1 Part Urea Micro Prill – Southern Ag • 1 Part Sulfate Potash – Southern Ag • 2 Parts Bonemeal – Nelons Feed Use 1 Level teaspoon per gallon Don’t use more
Feeding the soil
For specialized use:
• Cottonseed meal – Typical analysis is 5-2-1, and somewhat acidic so it can be used on plants that thrive in lower pH soil such as azaleas, rhododendrons, potatoes, and roses.
Feeding the soil
For specialized use:
• Alfalfa meal – A great source of trace elements for fertilizing and soil conditioning, Alfalfa Meal is loved by roses and earthworms alike. Works very well as a compost bio-activator due to its remarkable nitrogen to carbon ratio and also makes a great mulch for use in the planting and growing stages of your plant’s life.
Feeding the soil
• 1 Part Urea
• 1 Part Potash
• 2 Parts Bonemeal
Use 1 level teaspoon per gallon of water
For 5 Gallons use a slightly heaping tablespoon
Lights
200W CFL Fluorescent Bulb Grow Light Hood Reflector Hydroponics Kit - 200 Watt $94.99 Item # 129799
virtualsunhydroponics.com 1-800-629-3325
Lights
85 Watt CFL - 5000k Full Spectrum 400 Watt Equal Lasts 9 years Item # FC85-S50OD $15.99
1000bulbs.com 1-800-624-4488
Energy Miser R100UR R100 Aluminum Reflector - For 85 and 105 Watt Energy Miser Big U Lamps - Increase Light Output by 80% in Can Lights Item # FC85105-R100UR $22.92
Lights
New 7 ft Photo Video Light Stand Support Stand Item# 160454655833
New Flash Holder Bracket Umbrella Light Stand Socket Item# 120352945414
Pest Control
• Pick or spray off • Diatomaceous Earth • Neem Oil • Pyrethrin • Yellow Sticky Insect
Killer -ebay Item#151161243617
Where to obtain trees
• Fruit trees: Willis Orchard
866-586-6283 willisorchards.com
• Specialty dwarf trees: Fast Growing Trees
888-504-2001 fast-growing-trees.com
Rockwool to start seeds in 1.5” fit nicelly in 2” net cups
Starter Cubes for larger Deep Water Culture (DWC)
Where to obtain hydroponic nutrients
• Master Blend 4 – 18 – 38
Morgan County Seeds (573) 378-2655 pg.78
• Calcium Nitrate CaNO3 15.5 – 0 – 0
• Magnesium Sulfate MgSO4 – Epsom Salt
Crop Production Services (828) 692-0214
How to mix nutrients
Hydroponic Fertilizer mix – Per 5 Gallons Recommended PH 6.4 – 6.7 ppm around 1000-1200 Flowering Fruiting: 20-18-38 Tomato , Peppers, Cucumber – 12g Master Blend – 12g CaNO3 – 6g Epsom Salt – Seedlings ½
How to mix nutrients
Per 5 Gallons Lettuce – 10g Master Blend – 10g CaNO3 – 5g Epsom Salt (15-15-36) – Seedlings ½
Assembly of parts
Items Needed: • 5 Gallon Bucket • Mesh Pot Lid • GH Farm Kit #4116 • Grow Media – Hydroton – Rinse first • Hydroponic Neutrients • Aquarium Air Pump