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How can I obtain extra crops, earlier and later?

Set out plants of as many vegetables as possible (such as cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant, beets) to get extra-early crops. Be ready to plant succession crops at once, when early crops are finished.
YGS
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Joined: 03/17/11 05:01 PM Mar 19, 2011
MsGentleDude

How can I obtain extra crops, earlier and later?

Read Elliot Coleman's book the winter harvest handbook. We are in zone five and our last harvest was the second week in Dec. and we're hoping for the third week inApril being our first harvest. We use Agribon (my friends call me the queen of agribon). We also use hot beds; using the manure from a local farm. Mizuna, Tatsoi, Komatsuna, turnip greens, and spinach (tyee) we use for our last and first crops. We also create micro-greens inside during the winter. Very simply take your left over seeds that are edible seedlings (Asian greens, lettuce, beets, peas,sorrel) spread over a nursery tray of soil, put in a sunny window, and grow. When the seedlings are about an inch high cut and enjoy as as a salad. Real easy to do- fun to do with kids- and real delicious. Don't be afraid to be adventurous - what works for one gardener may not work for you. Besides, what do you have to lose? A little seed and a little time, but you gain a whole lot of knowledge.
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Joined: 04/12/10 08:59 PM Mar 19, 2011
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How can I obtain extra crops, earlier and later?

MsGentleDude, I agree. Elliot Coleman's book covers almost everything--and he gardens way north in Maine. Coleman grows in hoop houses (simple greenhouses: plastic sheet stretched over hoops made of metal that are tall enough to stand up under). I make a small version from wire hoops and plastic sheet--can't walk in but you just roll up the sheeting when you need access and then roll it down again.

For information about frost-tolerant crops such as mache, arugula, kale, garlic leaves and more that stand ready for harvest through the first frosts of winter, read Winter Gardening in the Maritime Northwest: Cool-Season Crops for the Year-Round Gardener by Binda Colebrooke. 
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