The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
Whether you are planting for your first season in one of the boxes at the MTC or this is your 44th year on an acre plot, Wyoming gardeners face unusual challenges. These articles will help identify, prevent and resolve problems we all tackle during the growing season.
Before you actually begin preparing the soil this spring, this is a good time to consider a few issues, including:
Water that is often low in quantity and poor in quality
Low relative humidity
Poor native soils that are alkaline, low in organic matter, shallow, rocky and cold
A growing season that can be VERY short
Growing season temperatures that are often too low and include untimely frosts
High winds that cause damage to plants and erode soil
Hailstorms that can damage gardens during the growing season
Let’s talk about water. First, check your soil fertility and pH before starting a garden and have it checked every three to five years.
Wyoming water may contain large amounts of dissolved salts, thus requiring occasional leaching of the garden. How much water you will need to apply depends on weather, soil types and the microclimate; A healthy plant is 75-90 percent water and most vegetables require at least 1 ½ inches of water each week near maturity.
When planning your garden, think of a good place to make your own irrigation gauge using a simple jar or can. Sprinklers and other methods of irrigation (furrow, etc) are fine and most common in our yard and box gardens, but must be managed properly as too much water deprives the plant roots of oxygen and the plants drown and frequent, light watering encourages shallow rooting, which can stress plants during dry periods.
Water in the morning before work or before breakfast to allow the leaves to dry, moist conditions encourages plant disease.
Remember to check the soil, sandy soil will dry faster than clay.
This is an interactive conversation and questions are welcome. Please email [email protected] or write to the Master Gardener c/o Moorcroft Leader, P.O. Box 67, Moorcroft, WY 82721.