Vegetable Gardening When Mother Nature Doesn’t Cooperate

Erica Smith

Montgomery County Master Gardener

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College of

Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Our Vision:

A healthier world through

environmental

stewardship.

Our Mission:

To support the University

of Maryland Extension

mission by educating

residents about safe,

effective & sustainable

horticultural practices

that build healthy

gardens, landscapes, &

communities.

Successful Design with Nature in Mind

• More native plants

• Right plant, right place

• Plants with same needs grouped together

• Reduced water and energy consumption

• Composting, recycling

• Follow nature’s cues

Vegetable gardening

• Uses mostly non-native plants

• Often uses a lot of water

• Can require supplemental fertilizer

• Often puts plants with different needs together through necessity

• Is often designed to keep nature out or battle with it

Why grow vegetables?

• To keep your food locally sourced

• To provide fresh and nutritious food

• To save money

• To get exercise, relax, have fun

• To teach children where food comes from

• To learn about the natural world

• To take on a new challenge!

Abiotic challenges

• Abiotic = nonliving, not caused by pests or disease, though symptoms can mimic these

• A large percentage (maybe half!) of plant problems are caused by abiotic factors

• Diagnosis can be difficult

• Problems can be caused by site conditions, cultural practices, or weather issues

• Weather is the least controllable factor

Weather extremes, local

• December 2015: warmest December on record, with a 70-degree Christmas

• February 2016: record-setting blizzard

• May 2016: record-setting days of consecutive rain (also see June 2015)

• 1000-year rain event in Ellicott City

• July/August 2016: 100+ heat index, records set

• DC area saw warmest fall on record

• ???

Climate change, global

Extreme weather increase linked to climate change: The New Normal

• Storms

• Heavier (if less frequent) rain and snow

• Floods

• Heat waves

• Warm overnights

• Droughts

• Habitat changes

American Scientist, YouTube

If you don’t like the weather…

Pexels stock photo publicdomainpictures.net

Weather issues and solutions

• Cold

• Rain

• Drought

• Heat

• Storms and flooding

• Success despite challenges!

Cold

• Frost injury – wind also a big factor

• Poor pollination

• Poor flower and fruit set

• Low yields

• Germination delays

• Buttoning (cauliflower)

• Fruit deformation, rotting

• Nutrient deficiency

Effects of cold

Phosphorus deficiency Catfacing

Cold soil germination

• Consult charts for germination ranges

• For example, peas germinate in 40-85° F soil but optimum is 75°

• Starting plants inside helps control soil temp

• Or try pre-sprouting

• Using raised beds or containers can also help

• Black plastic warms soil

Chill out! Some solutions

• Know your average last frost date

• Look at the weather forecast!

• Check soil temperature

• Wait to set out your plants

• Be ready to protect your plants

• Use covers and/or mulch

Autumn cold

• Check that forecast for first frost!

• Sometimes you can get summer crops through early frost with protection

• But also know when to give up!

• Fall chill can be great for cool-season crops

Rain

• Excessive soil moisture/poor drainage

• Runoff/soil erosion• Seed/root rot• Wilting• Late start in spring• Poor pollination• Poor taste• Nutrient leaching• Cracking, fruit injury• Fungal diseases• Slugs

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Fungal diseases

Choanephora rot Downy mildew

Fruit cracking

Keep your watering even!

Dry out! Some solutions

• Look at the weather forecast!

• Mulch!• Improve soil quality: add

organic matter• Avoid poorly-drained areas• Try raised beds• Monitor and remove

affected plant parts• Water deeply on a regular

schedule – don’t overwater• Harvest prior to full

ripeness (tomatoes)

Harvesting early

• Pick at “breaker” stage, when fruit is just blushing color

• Ripen on your counter –taste is still great!

• Helps with fruit cracking and other damage

• Gets in ahead of damage by stink bugs, squirrels, birds

Drought

• Wilting/death

• Low yields

• Bitterness (esp. in cucumbers) and other unexpected tastes

• Fertilizer burn

• Blossom-end rot

Blossom-end rot

• Occurs in tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, watermelon

• Caused by calcium deficiency

• Can be caused by inability of plant to take up calcium due to low pH, insufficient watering, or excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer

• Some varieties more susceptible

Hose off! Some solutions

• Watch the forecast!

• Water regularly

• Use drip irrigation

• Mulch, keep soil covered

• Improve soil quality by adding organic matter

Pexels.com

Heat

• Plant stress

• Low yields

• Poor flower and fruit set

• Bolting

• Germination issues

• Sunscald

Poor flower and fruit set

• Beans: above 85° F.

• Peppers: above 95° (or nights above 75°)

• Tomatoes: above 95°

• Squash and cucumbers: high temperatures can mean insufficient female flower production

Hot soil germination

• Consult charts for germination ranges - e.g. beets germinate in 40-95°F., but ideal temperature is 85°

• Cool soil by using shade cloth, planting in shade, watering frequently, covering soil with boards or row cover to keep moist, using nighttime temps

• Ideal growing temps also important

• Soil temperature and days to maturity often don’t mesh

Start plants inside

• Control of soil and air temperatures

• Avoids insect damage

• Can water evenly

• Make sure to harden off before setting out

• Pre-sprouting seeds before sowing outside also helps

• Or you can buy plants!

Cool down! Some solutions

• Watch the forecast!• Water regularly – including

plant leaves in high heat• Mulch; improve soil quality• Use shade cloth• Be flexible about planting

schedule• Start fall seedlings inside• Plant quicker-growing spring

and fall plants, heat-tolerant varieties

• Harvest “nontraditional” plant parts (e.g. broccoli leaves)

• Take care of the gardener too!

Photo by Julie Mangin

Storms and floods

• Storms can break plant stems and cause plants to fall over

• Hail can damage leaves

• Flooding can contaminate soil and plants – use caution when harvesting

• Strong supports can help – be aware of forecasted storms and tie plants up ahead

• Harvest ahead of storms

Hurricane effects

How to succeed despite challenges

Watch the weather forecast!

• Be ready to leap into action

• Which means being prepared ahead of time:

– Access to water

– Mulch

– Plant supports

– Row covers

– Soil amendment completed

– Frequent monitoring

Keep the soil covered

• Mulch helps:– Keep soil temperatures even– Prevent moisture loss, runoff– Smother weeds that compete

for water

• Mulch can be:– Organic materials such as

shredded leaves, straw, compost, etc.

– Newspaper with organic material on top

– Plastic (for warming soil in spring)

• Also consider using cover crops, intensive planting

Be flexible

• Don’t fix on specific dates for sowing or transplant – use the range and the forecast

• Adapt to longer growing seasons and extreme weather patterns

• Keep transplants coming

• Be ready to fill open spots

• Grow varieties that work for you

• Relax – failure is a learning experience!

• Keep records of what worked and what didn’t

Think like a plant!

• Know the ideal temperature ranges for seed germination and plant growth

• Don’t let your plants get hungry and thirsty

• Understand plant reproduction

Work with the New Normal

• “Old reliables” may not work – try new varieties

• Look south – what can take the heat and drought?

• Read the catalog or packet description for phrases like “heat-tolerant” or “slow to bolt”

• Try short-season species and varieties

• Grow in the winter

• Plant herbs and flowers to attract pollinators and beneficial insects

• Conserve energy and water, be an informed citizen, respect nature

This program was brought to you by

The Master Gardeners Program of

Montgomery County

University of Maryland Extension