hello and some questions

[tabitha]

hi! my name is tabitha, and i am full of questions.

we are looking to plant a late garden this year in southwest missouri. does anyone here have ideas for heirloom varieties we will have luck with? we can plant after the 4th of july.

i grew up there, but am only recently miving back from california with my family.

if at all possible, we would like as large a garden harvets as we can get- saving food for the winter is in order.

thank you so much!

tabitha

[goldpearl]

Hi Tabitha,
I hope you find some great things to grow in Missouri. I am in Texas, so I am not sure what to recommend to you. I am planning to grow more peas and squash. Squash grows fast and there are some winter varieties that would store well for you. Good luck.

[drobinson]

Tabitha, there IS time to plant a late garden in southwest MO in early July. The average date of the first killing frost is the thing to look out for. Here in mid-Arkansas it is the last of Oct. but it will be earlier in MO by probably 10-15 days. I used to live there many years ago but have forgotten the average frost date. The old timers who live where you do may be able to help with this info. It is also important to note whether your garden in on a hill or in the valley. It will frost quicker in the valleys because cold settles. Anyway, green beans will mature in 60-70 days, corn 75 -85 days, okra 55-60 days, tomatoes 70-85 days, etc. Most seed catalogues have "days to harvest" notes by their seed listings. Assuming that the fall frost date is the first of October where you live, you still have at least 85-90 days for the warm weather crops to mature. I would not suggest any cool weather crops be planted this early, ie., fall crops like turnips, kale, radishes, lettuce, etc.. They are best planted from mid to late August through September in most places because they are frost resistant and do best in the cool weather. You will usually need to water these to get them up and through the hot of late Aug. and Sept. The two major problems to overcome in summer gardens are hot, dry weather, and insects.
Good luck with your garden.

[Wildflower]

hi,

Last August (mid to late), I planted kale, arugula and lettuces. We had an exceptional fall/early winter and we ended up w/ more greens than we could eat. I remember harvesting up until Dec. 11.


I'm trying again this August, but I'm not holding my breath. This area is very unpredictable weather-wise. (NW Arkansas) :)