The document outlines techniques for successful four-season gardening, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate planting times and methods to extend the growing season. Key practices include using mulches, cold frames, and successive planting, as well as growing various crops throughout the seasons. It also highlights the benefits of winter gardening for nutrition and self-sufficiency, encouraging experimentation with different plants.

1. 4-Season GardeningEnjoying the garden after a summer’s harvest!By: Magan Meade

2. An ExperimentFour Season is going to be a new experiment for everyone because no one can tell how a certain plant is going to react under certain conditions. For beginners: the trick is to sow your seeds every two weeks and to use a variety of the same plant throughout the growing season.

3. Review of Gardening BasicsDo not work the soil when wet, causes soil to lose textureDo not plant related vegetables together (crops in the same family)Create a plan. Can refer to packet, “One Garden Plot: Three Garden Seasons” for planting dates and refer to Farmer’s Almanac for frost datesLexington frost dates: April 15, October 25Igrowveg.com to get free templates and informationRemember to keep the soil moist and not wet. Water in the mornings(even in cold frames and plastic rows).Plant at middle or top of hillHarden off plants if transplanting outside

4. Methods to Prolong the SeasonsBurlapShade Cloth- curtain sheersCold FramesGreenhousesMulch (use after May 1st for spring crops)Sheets/CoversPlastic containers (milk jugs, 2-liter containers)Be inventive!Polyethylene (plastic) row covers with wires or sugar cane for support. (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers in the summer)

5. Mulch3 to 4 inches deepUse a light mulch when you need the soil to cool down and prevent weeds such as (straw or paper shreddings)Use a dark mulch to heat the soilExamples of mulch; grass clippings, straw, leaves, newspaper

6. Plastic Row CoversPoles 3 to 5 feet apartBury the edges on nights when frost is predictedVentilation through perforations or slits (5 inches long, ¾ inch apartPut a thermometer in the tunnels to monitor temperature.

10. Easy Cold Frame Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6bWeYCV53A&feature=relmfu

11. Cold Frames BoxesConstruction:Can add onto to a raised bed or construct from scratch, many different modelsHay bales, scrap wood, bricks, concrete blocksFind old storm windowsMaintenance:It is important to provide ventilation during day and to close up at nightProp up with stick, a notched prop, or buy a frame that automatically opens on its own

16. Other methodsBurlap (upper left), cloches (bottom left), and 2-liter bottle (right-side)Can also use; milk jugs, cookie jar, pots and pans, etc.

17. Spring PlantsCover crops such as wheat and snow peas (this will maintain the soil)Late winter to late spring cropsStart your spring gardens in the cold frame boxes, indoors, or in a greenhouseGrown at 50 to 65 degrees FarrenheitCan drape burlap or sheets to shade spring/ fall crops during hot summer days

18. Snow Peas

19. Chinese Cabbage

20. Lettuce, radishes, and onions

21. Brocoli Cauliflower

22. Collard Greens

23. Kohlrabi

24. KaleEscarole/Endive

25. Summer PlantsIf starting summer plants early, can use burlap or other fabric to keep summer plants warm during cool spring nightsPlants need the ground to be warm in order to begin and extend growthCan extend summer crops by successive planting and planting varietiesCan grow fall/winter crops in the summer if shaded. (netting) Use caution with winter crops in summer

26. Summer Crops

27. Fall PlantsExtend the growing season by sowing seeds every two weeks throughout the summer, experiment to see how long each crop lastsShould also consult seed packageTake bulb plants indoors to save over the winter to pop up in the springCan extend summer crops into the fall by covering up during frosts

28. Green Beans, Bush

29. Brussel Sprouts

30. Radishes

31. Turnips GreensSweet Corn

32. Winter PlantsLearn and love to eat greens!Mache- staple crop of the winterDandelion, lettuce, onion, spinachPlant growth slows down or stops but can still be harvested (cuttings). Use successive planting.Use winter greens in a nutritious shake, has more vitamins than broccoli.Put on sandwich, in soups, pasta, create salads, on a pizza, etc…

33. MacheMache

34. Carrots and Beets

35. Swiss Chard

36. Argula

37. Chicory Greens

38. Claytonia

39. Dandelion

40. Escarole/Endive

41. Mizuna

42. Parsley

43. Tatsoi

44. Fall and Winter Consumption

45. Winter and Spring Consumption

47. KY Perennial HerbsAnise-HyssopGarlic Chives- treats infectionWormwood- digestionPurple Cone FlowerHyssopLavender- pain reliefMintBeebalmOregano-help digestionRue Sage- treats menopause (tea)Thyme- ear, nose, and throatCan start or keep indoorsMake into herbal teas over the cold fall, spring, and winter.

48. ResourcesKentucky CanePlastic tarpScrap WireStorm windowsScrap woodSheets (to drape or tie)PVC pipeNewspaperLeaves

49. RecipesHandout Search the name of the crop in images or google, click the picture and bring up recipe.

50. Benefits to a 4 Season GardenThe vitamins and nutrition contained in winter crops are well worth it.It’s self-rewarding.When economic times are hard, you have another food source.It’s fun to have a garden in the winter while no one else does.Better taste in different seasons (crisp carrots in fall planting)Saves transportation in winter monthsLess chemicals in your food

51. Remember….This is an experimentTry to figure out what works and when… can start out with a one or two plants for late gardening.Sign up sheetFacebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Bird-Mission-GROW-Appalachia/237711932907941Blog: http://growappalachia.blogspot.com/

52. ReferencesColeman, E. (1999). Four-season harvest. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing Company.University of Kentucky College of Agriculture , Cooperative Extension Service. (2011). Home vegetable gardening in kentucky (ID-128). Lexington, KY: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id128/id128.pdfDamerow, Gail. (1994). 14 ways to extend your gardening season. Mother Earth News, June/July94(144), 58-63. Epler, M.B. (2008, September 16). How to grow a four-season garden- part i and ii. Retrieved from http://1greengeneration.elementsintime.com/?p=292

53. Questions?