With proper planning, there’s still time for garden season
Q. With the state of the world, and aiming to keep them busy, the kids and I did grow a fairly successful vegetable garden this summer. A lot of our “crops” are finished but their excitement isn’t. Are there any vegetables that we could plant this time of year and still be able to get a harvest? K.B., Albuquerque
A. You are in luck since we still have at least 60 days until the season is done. The length will depend on Mother Nature, of course, but there is still some vegetable gardening time left for you and the kids. First get out and tidy up all the “finished” plants and give the area a good turning. Rake the areas smooth and then go find seed. This time of year the garden centers are actively changing over to holiday decor but you might still find a seed rack or two to shop from. Your best bet for finding a bevy of vegetable seed will be true nurseries here in the Albuquerque area.
Now when choosing your next “crop” you’ll need to read the packaging to make sure the seeds have enough time to come to fruit. On the package it should list a “days to harvest” figure. Your choices will be limited to ones that offer a 60 to 75 day harvest.
Look for peas, both snap and oriental sugar types. Probably you’ll find green beans, shorter variety carrots and radishes too.
Just remember that all of your choices will be determined by that “days to harvest” figure. In order to protect and get this late crop to fruit consider creating a pole frame so you’d be able to cover the garden with sheet plastic making a tent if and when we do go from ridiculously hot to very chilly temperatures at night.
Our average first frost here in the metro is Oct. 17, but that isn’t written in stone.
By being prepared to tent the garden before hand you’ll effectively extend the garden’s growing season.
So get out there and tidy up the “finished” and shop for vegetable varieties that offer a 60- to 75-day harvest.
Q. I purchased two hanging baskets of bougainvillea this spring and they have been a continual delight. I am wondering if they can stay outside during the winter months? H.E., Los Lunas
A. You will need to bring the bougainvilleas indoors for the winter. They can not and would not survive the winter if left outdoors.
I suggest that you give the plants a good going over visually to see if there are any pests lurking around the plants to get them ready to come inside. You could, as a preventative, start to offer a protection spraying of a pesticide containing either pyrethrin or insecticidal soap, every 10 days to two weeks, to get the plants “pest free” in the next several weeks before the transfer inside.
Meanwhile, be on the lookout for places indoors for the bougainvillea to spend the winter. Being sun lovers a southern or south-east facing window that offers lots of light would be best. If you can arrange to hang them indoors be sure to consider any heat vent in the ceiling that would blow directly on them.
Happy Diggin’ In!