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Halifax nova scotia

I am planning on digging three feet down by about 5 foot across for the patch this year. Going to layer my mix of seaweed, aged cow manure and compost with soil and straw.

Thermostat heating cables, and drip hoses spaced in soil.

Small cloche early season. Hoop house after hottest period of summer.. In Nova Scotia.

Any thoughts or suggestions or links to good info would be appreciated. 3rd season and going for a 500 pounder in a bakyard.

3/25/2014 5:21:58 PM

Western NY

For links go to BP cover page and look under main menu on left side of page and click links and there is way more info than you need.

3/25/2014 7:11:18 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If you put too much straw in it will tie up a lot of nitrogen. Aged manure has lost a lot of its nitrogen through the decomposition process.

3/25/2014 11:10:19 PM

Colorado

Do so with moderation in mind. Slow and steady wins the race when adding amendments.The temperature control with starting and finishing structures can really help.

3/26/2014 12:54:11 AM

Hinckley MN

Many growers tend to kill their plants with kindness. Halifax is probably a little cool in summer for great growth. The plant wants maximum time between 75F and 85F. Minimize the time above 95F and time below 65F. For cold climates, soil cables make a huge difference. The plant will just sit there until the soil gets to 60F and won't really take off until around 70F. Floating row cover can warm large areas without the risk of frying the plants. It can be held off the leaves with hoops of metal pipe bent with a conduit bender.

Instead of digging down 3 ft, you could try building up. I have been experimenting with straw bale raised beds. 6 straw bales make a square bed with a hole in the middle. fill the bed with your mix of soil, seaweed, and compost. fertilize the bales accorging to directions for straw bale gardening. Keep the straw bales and raised bed moist with drip irrigation.

just some thoughts, your milage may vary.

3/26/2014 9:36:02 AM

Halifax nova scotia

Thanks a lot everyone. Much thanks Farmer Ben. I was just wondering on optimal temp as I was reading one of Don Langevin's books.

Cheers and good luck for the season all!

3/26/2014 1:49:28 PM