Vegetable Garden in the upper Midwest

crash_aly
crash_aly Posts: 112
in Food and Nutrition
This Spring I am planning on making my first attempt at a vegetable garden. I generally frequent farmer's markets in the summer and figured I should try it on my own!

I am looking for suggestions, tips, any information really on the subject. I live in Minnesota so we have a short growing season and I am not exactly a green thumb (quite the opposite in all honesty).

Some things I am thinking about putting in the garden: tomato, onion, cucumber, peppers, carrots....I am open to other suggestions (fruits or vegetables preferably, I am not looking to do a flower garden).

Thanks!

Replies

  • Shuuma
    Shuuma Posts: 465 Member
    I have friends who had great success with a box garden. They put casters on the boxes to extend the growing season by rolling them into their heated garage. I personally love squash, so I'm keen to try that.
  • crash_aly
    crash_aly Posts: 112
    That's a great idea! I will have to see how the boyfriend feels about a garden being in the garage next to his tools and classic car though...not so sure he will support that but never know!

    I don't have a lot of experience with squash but I am definitely willing to try it!
  • Shuuma
    Shuuma Posts: 465 Member
    Another idea is to convert a pallet into a hanging garden which would take less space. Pinterest has a lot of indoor/porch/patio garden ideas using re-purposed items.
  • LucyGrandma2
    LucyGrandma2 Posts: 4 Member
    You may have an agricultural extension office close to you that would have a wealth of information on planting schedules, locally hardy varieties, known pests and ways to control them, etc. We have them in Florida and they are a tremendous help to people relocating to this climate - their motto is "The right plant in the right place". That would hold true for your short growing season, as well. Best of luck with your garden!
  • crash_aly
    crash_aly Posts: 112
    Thanks for all the tips and help!
    I will check out pinterest and the extension office!
  • rllewell
    rllewell Posts: 234
    Contacting your agricultural extension office is a great idea to fully understand what grows best in your area and when.

    Three years ago a guy named Tim Blank developed an aeroponic system (air & water) called a Tower Garden. They are designed for your back patio, front porch, or indoors. We purchased one in 2012 and loved it so much we purchased another in 2013. We enjoyed growing our own lettuces, kale, tomatoes, peas, beans, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, chives, cilantro, swiss chard, zucchini, and others. Here in North Carolina I'll start putting my cool weather plants into the TG by early April.

    Before my 2 TG's I did many years a soil gardens in Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Alaska so I have always had a passion to grow my own food.

    Below are a few youtube videos about the Tower Garden and I can answer any questions you might have.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7EzYmO9u8M&list=PLCB34831328663161&feature=share&index=3

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o5kLBBvj9g&list=PLCB34831328663161&feature=share&index=4
  • evileen99
    evileen99 Posts: 1,564 Member
    vegetables need at least 6 hours of full sun a day to grow well.

    I would recommend growing a variety of pole (climbing) beans. I had 6 bean plants and at the height of summer I was picking a pound of beans a day. A lot of yield for almost zero effort; beans don't usually attract a lot of pests like squash and tomatoes do.

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