When to plant the vegetables?

[kiyasmom]

We have this year built a raised vegetable garden bed... wondering when at 3,000ft it's okay to plant... I hear we may have a couple of new big storms coming in - so maybe it's too soon? Or can I put everything in.... beans, tomatoes, red pepper, zucchini, cucumber, wax pepper & then cover them over with something if it gets cold? What's your thoughts & experience - experience wins out over thoughts by the way :-)

[only1alphafemale]

Its best to wait until all danger of frost is gone for most of the things you have mentioned, and warmer temps also help seeds to sprout ~ This frost /freeze (even occasionally is enough to kill a crop :( ) can last well into the end of April, (our mountain weather can be fickle!)

I cover my seed beds at night when the temps may be still be a bit *iffy* and a frost could damage or kill new seed starts. Its ok to start seeds indoors now to get a jump on the growing season, and by the time they are ready to be planted out doors, our weather should be more stable.

You can however grow cool weather crops that do well this time of year. :yes: and require the cooler temps so they dont bolt etc. but I dont usually plant these, and I'm not sure if there is a enough of season left for them now~ :shrug:

Tomatoes are very cold sensitive btw~ along with peppers. :grin:

[kiyasmom]

Thanks! Alpha!

[BooBooBear]

I just started my seeds. I saved some syrofoam sandwich boxes, the ones you get when you order lunch and put potting soil in there and then the seeds and close the lid making kind of a little incubator. Every couple of days I sprinkle with a bit of water. I have them all in a big box. During the day when it's nice and sunny I take the box outside and when I come home from work I bring them inside.

I've lost more tomatoes and chili plants than I care to mention because of the fickle weather up here so I NEVER plant anything outside until Mid May and then sometimes I still will cover them up with trash bags if I think it's going to get to cold.

[concerned1]

The "Old Timers" say not to plant your petunias before May 1 at the 5000' level. We've had snow on Mother's Day several times. In the mountains you need to find short season crops - those ready in 60-80 days as opposed to 100 day harvested, at least that is what I've been told. Good luck and Happy Weeding!!

[only1alphafemale]

The "Old Timers" say not to plant your petunias before May 1 at the 5000' level. We've had snow on Mother's Day several times. In the mountains you need to find short season crops - those ready in 60-80 days as opposed to 100 day harvested, at least that is what I've been told. Good luck and Happy Weeding!!

Yes! I have always ran out of time when I've tried to grow crops that took longer than just 60 -80 days to come to harvest. Its always a good year for zucchini though! LOL :D

[concerned1]

Zucchini and weeds are two of my better crops!!

[kellieflan]

This Sat. at Willow Bridge Books (2pm) there's a garden lecture that is supposed to be very good - FYI.

Chickens are a good crop, too.

[only1alphafemale]

Zucchini and weeds are two of my better crops!!

:lol: Mine too! ;)

[Iris]

Hubby had planted leaf lettuce (mixed variety) seeds in the raised beds in the greenhouse late last summer, and apparently all of the seeds did not germinate; this worked out great as we now have lettuce "volunteers" ready to cut and eat! :grin:
See attached pics...

[monkey]

Zucchini and weeds are two of my better crops!!
Unfortunately, I do well at growing gophers.

[Iris]

Unfortunately, I do well at growing gophers.
Monkey, don't give up, try the Black Hole gopher trap. I don't like killing critters, but if it is a choice between veggie garden, roses and irises, gophers will lose every time!
We have tried MANY methods in the past, and last year we tried the Black Hole. This trap is amazing!! We purchased several on eBay, but I'm sure that you should be able to get them at the hardware stores. Good Luck!
To follow is an epinion link, so that you can see what other people think:
http://www.epinions.com/reviews/Dexol_Blackhole_Rodent_Trap

[Lookout Lee]

I've heard that Dutchmen proclaim the soil warm enough to plant in when they can pull down their britches and comfortably remain seated on the bare ground!

But for better advice relevant to our area, I second Kelliflan's advice to attend the Master Gardener's talk at Willow Bridge Books this coming Sat @ 2pm

[BooBooBear]

Just saw this on Martha Stewart and thought I'd share.

Salad Table/Salad Box:
http://www.growit.umd.edu/Salad%20Tables%20and%20Salad%20Boxes/index.cfm
This is similar to what I'm planning for my above ground garden.

Here is their tips for planting veggies too...
http://www.growit.umd.edu/Gardening%20Basics/index.cfm

Beginner Gardening tips....
http://www.growit.umd.edu/Vegetable%20Profiles/index.cfm

[Iris]

It may be common, but I never realized that strawberry plants could weather the snows, but they did. We really have quite a few and some already have blossoms!... Yummmm!

[BooBooBear]

It may be common, but I never realized that strawberry plants could weather the snows, but they did. We really have quite a few and some already have blossoms!... Yummmm!

My strawberries come back each year too!! The deer love them :yes: My kind of plant...I don't have to do a thing and there they are ; )

Think this year I'll try to relocate them.

[Iris]

My strawberries come back each year too!! The deer love them :yes: My kind of plant...I don't have to do a thing and there they are ; )

Think this year I'll try to relocate them.
Cool! :cool: