So its before the first frost, what can I plant?
The following are what they call hardy to semi-hardy plants I regularly plant in the garden here in Nipigon. They are cold weather friendly and can be planted directly into the garden as soon as the soils are workable down to a foot or two (Frost comes out from the top down).
Seeds require a slightly higher daytime temperature to germinate, and they may still die off from freezing to cold (consider germination time as well). Its risky but rewards will give you a good crop up to a month early.
I tend to put my last frost date around June 10th or so do to our little Nipigon micro climate. Adjust accordingly as the Almanac states to plant after the first full moon in June which happens to be June 17th this year. I like to live on the edge.
The per square number me using the square foot planting method.
Peas (pod and sugar snap)
Can be planted directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked down to at least two feet. Between 4-6 weeks before last frost date. Eight per square (modified to grow up a trellis).
Kohlrabi
Can be planted directly in garden four weeks before last frost date. Eight per square foot.
Swiss Chard
Plant directly in garden two to three weeks before last frost date. Four per square foot. These things absolutely love the cold, I brush snow off to pick them in the fall sometimes.
Kale
Plant directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Two per square foot.
Spinach
Plant directly in the garden four to six weeks before last frost date. Nine per square foot.
Turnip
Plant directly in the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Nine per square foot. Will need to be thinned.
Radish
Plant anywhere in the garden as soon as the soil is workable. They grow so fast they can grow amongst slower growing plants. Nine per square.
Beets
Plant 2-4 weeks before the last frost. Nine per square foot. New plantings every 3-4 weeks will allow for a staggered crop and some tasty beet greens. They will need to be thinned, however.
Seeds and planting
Links and Resources
Recommended Products
(These are some of what I use)
These nursery bags
These Grow bags
Pages
mybackyard.ca Seeds Page
Get a Head Start on Spring: The Benefits of Starting Your Seeds Indoors
Saving Vegetable Seeds: A Comprehensive Guide to Gardening Success
myBackyard.ca Planting Guide
Pollock Tomatoes (North hardy Tomato variety)
Tomatoes (Useful information on starting tomatoes from seed)
DIY Garden Irrigation System: A Detailed Guide for Northwest Ontario
Blog Posts
When to start planting seeds
Germination testing your seeds
Looking for sources for seeds?
Heirloom seeds
Chitting your way to more potatoes
So it's before the first frost; what can I plant?
Individual seed and plant information is available in the "Gardening Shortcut Links" above under "North Hardy Plants to grow". I have successfully grown all of these, and most I grow year to year.
Disclaimer
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