Getting started with high-altitude vegetable gardening

Learn the basics of high altitude vegetable gardening with Susie Nothnagel from Summit Landscaping in Breckenridge, Colorado.

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "Getting started with high-altitude vegetable gardening" by Blossom Flower Delivery

Key insights about video Getting started with high-altitude vegetable gardening

🌱 Starting a vegetable garden requires proper planning, including selecting a manageable number of vegetables and creating a layout for easy access and maintenance.

🌞 Raised beds in a community garden setting offer control over soil quality and are often pre-amended with compost, reducing the need for extensive soil preparation or fertilization.

📓 Keeping a garden journal with notes on planting dates, varieties, amendments, and observations can be invaluable for learning and improving gardening practices over time.

🔍 Maintaining ideal seed depth and spacing according to packet instructions is critical for ensuring proper germination and growth of vegetables.

👩‍🌾 Regular weeding is an inevitable part of gardening, and raised beds can make the process more manageable by limiting the soil area where weeds can grow.

💧 Consistent and adequate watering is essential, with a preference for morning irrigation to help plants cope with the day's heat.

☔️ Mulching the garden can help retain soil moisture and reduce watering frequency, as well as inhibit weed growth.

🌼 Incorporating herbs alongside vegetables can add variety to the garden, and many can be transplanted indoors at the end of the growing season for continued use.

🚫 Organic or natural pest control methods are necessary for community gardens with organic-only policies, and include solutions for voles, aphids, and deer deterrents.

🔄 Succession planting and second plantings of crops with short growing seasons can extend the harvest and provide a continuous supply of fresh vegetables throughout the summer.

Timestamped Summary

00:00 Susie McNagle from Summit Landscaping introduces the beginner vegetable gardening class.

01:01 Attendees are identified as plot holders at various Summit County gardens and their experience levels are discussed.

02:00 Discussion on which vegetables grow well in Summit County, a handout is mentioned but not yet distributed.

04:08 The benefits of having a raised bed for gardening in Summit County.

07:23 Advice for keeping a gardening journal or notebook and the importance of planning and proper maintenance.

10:00 Explanation of planting methods: direct seed, transplant, and from bulbs or sets. Success rates for different types of plants are discussed.

12:50 A history of the handout and how it is updated based on the community's feedback on what grows well in Summit County.

13:19 Suggestions on how to plant lettuce and the concept of not sticking strictly to rows, but utilizing space effectively.

17:02 Recommendations on growing herbs, which ones might require transplants due to a longer growing season.

21:04 Guidelines on which vegetables might require protection from cold temperatures, particularly tomatoes, which need to stay above 50 degrees.

22:59 Recommended times to water the garden, and particular attention to watering during drier months.

27:00 Addressing pest control, especially focusing on voles and their unusual abundance due to mild winters.

33:57 Various natural methods to prevent pests, such as deer and voles, including human scent, castor oil, peppermint oil, and human urine.

38:00 Suggestion to plant seeds shallow as burying too deeply can hinder germination, emphasis on proper seed spacing to avoid crowding and promote growth.

41:22 The possibility and strategy of performing second plantings or succession planting to ensure continuous harvest throughout the growing season.

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Q&A

What does the term "direct seed" mean in vegetable gardening?

Direct seed refers to the method of planting where you take seeds, such as packs of lettuce seeds, and directly put them into the soil where they are intended to grow, rather than starting the seeds indoors or purchasing starter plants to transplant into the garden.

Can I grow warm season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers in Summit County?

It's generally challenging to grow warm season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers in Summit County due to the cooler temperatures, especially since they need to be kept above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the nights often get cooler than this. However, with the use of a greenhouse or by starting plants indoors, it may be possible to grow these types of vegetables.

When should I start planting in Summit County?

You can typically start planting in Summit County around the first to the second week of June, keeping an eye on the weather forecast for frost. The raised beds at the community gardens tend to warm up appropriately around this time.

How often should I water my vegetable garden in Summit County?

Watering needs can vary based on weather conditions, but in June (a typically dry month), your garden may need more frequent watering, potentially even daily. Later in the summer months, less frequent watering may be needed due to monsoonal rains.

How can I naturally deter pests like voles and deer from my vegetable garden?

For voles, options are limited in an organic garden, but natural deterrents like castor oil, peppermint oil, and garlic oil may help. For deer, human hair and human urine (not directly on the plants) can help deter them due to the human scent.

Can I do a second planting in my garden during the summer?

Yes, a second planting is possible, especially for vegetables that have a short growing season, such as radishes that can mature in 30 to 40 days. This allows you to plant seeds later in the summer and still harvest the vegetables before the end of the growing season.

What are "succession planting" and its benefits for vegetable gardening?

Succession planting involves planting new seeds at intervals, like every few weeks, to ensure a continuous supply of fresh vegetables. This is particularly useful for greens, as many of them taste best when they're young and tender. It allows for a constant cycle of harvesting as older plants mature and new ones begin to grow.