Joel_BC
Super Self-Sufficient
Yeah, we had disappointments too. Last year, and this one, were as challenging - gardenwise - as anything I can remember. This year, most of our sunny weather came in September, when nights were really coolish. During our usual good growing months, (late May, June, July) we had a lot of overcast and rain. No truly warm nights all summer!
On the other hand, we had so much trouble with blight (tomatoes & potatoes) in 2011 that we increased our efforts majorly to pick good varieties of spuds and toms - plus took other measures to protect them. Had our best potato harvest ever, I believe... and, thanks to our greenhouse and other factors, also had probably our best tomato (and cuke) production.
But the corn crop was terrible! Squash got a very late start in fruiting. Disappointing artichoke production. Jalapenos (planted in the garden, as we normally do) was dismal.
I think the only reasonable response is more research about varieties that do well in cooler, overcast weather - plus maybe the use of cloches and such. Nest year, next year...
On the other hand, we had so much trouble with blight (tomatoes & potatoes) in 2011 that we increased our efforts majorly to pick good varieties of spuds and toms - plus took other measures to protect them. Had our best potato harvest ever, I believe... and, thanks to our greenhouse and other factors, also had probably our best tomato (and cuke) production.
But the corn crop was terrible! Squash got a very late start in fruiting. Disappointing artichoke production. Jalapenos (planted in the garden, as we normally do) was dismal.
I think the only reasonable response is more research about varieties that do well in cooler, overcast weather - plus maybe the use of cloches and such. Nest year, next year...