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THE EDIBLE GARDENER: Cold holds up seeding start

Below-average temperatures continue to make our weather feel chilly. I’m getting more and more seeds started indoors these days, but I’m still hesitant to go overboard.
LV garden club

Below-average temperatures continue to make our weather feel chilly.

I’m getting more and more seeds started indoors these days, but I’m still hesitant to go overboard. If this cool spring continues, there’s not much point in starting seeds early because we’ll just end up with way too many seedlings to manage indoors.  

I was recently reminded of another reason not to plant too much too soon in this cold spring. Biennial crops, like onions, kale, carrots, beets (and many more), will often react to experiencing a spring cold snap by bolting.

As biennials they are programed to live through a growing season, experience a cold winter, and then go to seed (or bolt) the following spring to reproduce. If you set out biennial seedlings too early this spring and we experience a cold snap later in April, it’s likely that your plants will think it’s time to go to seed. It’s frustrating to have a whole patch of crops bolt before you’ve had a chance to harvest, so consider planting these a little later than you have in recent years.

Sustainable soils have been a topic we’ve been pondering a lot at the North Shore Neighbourhood House’s Edible Garden Project these days. With planted gardens located all over the North Shore we’ve found it really challenging to maintain and build healthy soils.

For years we’ve been transporting “browns” (leaves, straw, etc.) and “greens” (kitchen scraps, manure, grass clippings, etc.) to each of our gardens and diligently building and turning compost piles (thank you volunteers).

However, it’s a lot of driving, time and ultimately just barely keeps up with the nutrition our gardens need. Perhaps it would be different if we were all growing food in beautiful alluvial soils, but we don’t have that pleasure on the North Shore.

Is this something that all organic gardeners on the North Shore face? What techniques are you using to keep your soil healthy?

If you’re not sure how healthy your soil is, your plants will tell you. Discolouration, pest infestations, and plants lacking vigor are just some of the indicators that your soil may need some work.

Mulching with leaves or straw, planting cover crops, and incorporating compost are all great ways to build and improve soil. What techniques or practices have you found useful?

If you’re looking for locally grown veggie seedlings for your garden, the Lynn Valley Garden Club is hosting their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Clement’s Anglican Church, 3400 Institute Rd., North Vancouver.

The plant sale raises funds for local garden projects, and Catharine Winstanley, Lynn Valley Garden Club member-at-large, says, “the plant sale is a great way for our club to give back to the community, and share our love of gardening.

The money we make goes to all kinds of local community gardening-related projects, from local seed libraries that enable people to try growing their own vegetables, to supporting gardening initiatives at hospices and care centres.”

The Lynn Valley Garden Club Plant Sale will have thousands of vegetable and herb seedlings, perennials and shrubs for shade, sun, and drought tolerance, and access to the minds of master gardeners who will be available to answer your toughest gardening questions. Admission is free, but bring cash for your purchases.

Emily Jubenvill grew up on the North Shore and is passionate about growing fresh organic food. She works for the North Shore Neighbourhood House’s Edible Garden Project. You can reach her via email at emily@ediblegardenproject.com or ediblegardenproject.com.