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Post by tbird on Feb 18, 2024 15:39:21 GMT -5
So - I am sure we are all watching the sun and the calendar on the 2024 garden countdown!
Feb 10th is the date that I start to get enough sun for plant growth. Unfortunately - my best spot (south side of house, protected, stone foundation wall both reflecting sun and having some residual from heated house, etc.) is still being shaded by the neighbors house! I had my cold frame there to try to capture the best sunny and warm spot, but I did not realize how long that house was going to shade my side yard.Witht he sun at the lowest to the shouth level around Dec 22, we are about 8 weeks out from that and still shaded! Will need to rethink cold frame for next year, unfortunately. No spot is going to beat that one in terms of ambient warmth protection, but without the sun, it isn't going to work for early growth or overwintering.
How are you using property for making microclimates and favorable spots to grow out of season/protected or to better manage more delicate plants like squash or eggplant to get as early a start as possible?
Will be redoing my garden plan (everything, not just the veggie stuff) in the next few years so would be interested to hear how you may be using fencing, rocks, windbreak plantings, etc. in your area.
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Post by emmsmommy on Feb 18, 2024 16:25:38 GMT -5
Honestly it's something I've thought about but never really documented. The new garden resides on top of a hill and gets the full force of the wind, but is also in full sun and drains well. Was thinking of putting a cold frame on both the inside and outside of the new greenhouse (when it's constructed) but in all honesty it's a little too far from the house to be practical. Yes, I can plan to go out and tend to it once or twice a day but closer to the house would be preferred.
With the removal of the maple tree, the southern side of the house now gets full sun. Contemplating building a cold frame against the foundation but plants must be moved first.
I remember watching an old episode of Gardening Naturally when I was still a teenager. Elliot Coleman visited Helen and Scott Nearing and I was in awe of their walled garden and how it helped extend their season. I have the stones (could probably build a wall with the piles of fieldstone along the edge of the woods) but never the time to implement them when I was younger and my back was in better shape.
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Post by datgirl on Feb 18, 2024 18:44:30 GMT -5
My rescued greenhouse will be on the west side of my house behind the garage so there is access from the garage and back deck. Hubby kept saying it was a bad spot due to the strong late day sun. There are trees along the driveway that will shade the greenhouse in the summer when it won't be used as much and in the winter and early spring when there are no leaves on the trees, it will get a lot of sun. Hopefully the concrete pad it will be sitting on will absorb some heat too. My only other example, is my Hibiscus planted up against the house to help keep it warm. Not sure if it really needs it, but it keeps coming back. I used to have a concrete block cold frame, but took it apart to utilize the space for something else. Good luck with your redesign.
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Post by tbird on Mar 7, 2024 13:08:32 GMT -5
Thanks datgirlThinking about all kids of ways to have microclimates to grow things I shouldn't even try, lol! Seems that south side of the house finally got full sun about March 1st. Just a thin strip! Growing wider every day, and not a week later about 3-4' of ground is full sun. If I were to do a minitype greenhouse against the house, would get there sooner for the higher shelves.....but might be better placed at a different spot? One thing this year is that I was totally amazed that my eggplants were getting enough sun just sitting in the south facing windows - but conversely I think now the sun is getting higher they are getting less direct sun in the early morning and late afternoon as the window frame gets in the way more. Always seem to learn new things! Or maybe I learned before and forget? anything is possible these days!
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Post by gianna on Mar 7, 2024 17:12:27 GMT -5
On the S side of my house I have a high bench where I sometimes grow things in winter. It gets direct sunlight all day, and behind it are large, tall windows for reflection. The sun is low, and the days are short, but even with winter sun, there is enough for some heat/light-lovers. This is where I'm going to grow my fancy Zinnias very early so I can save their seeds. There is no other place in the yard where this would work.
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