Fruit and Vegetable News

Author: Natalie Hoidal It's garlic planting season. Here are a few quick tips to guide you. 1. Delaying planting due to heat? We've seen mild fall conditions across the state this year, and the first frost date is significantly delayed. The standard recommendation is to plant one to two weeks after the first killing frost, which typically falls in late September in northern Minnesota, and early October in southern Minnesota. Planting too early can lead to frost damage if the shoot emerges above the soil before winter. So, should you wait to plant? I asked a few colleagues to weigh in, and the general consensus was: No. Stick to the typical planting schedule, which means plant soon if you haven't done so already! Adding a thick layer of straw mulch sill help to keep your plants insulated through the winter. This will be particularly important if you see the shoots poking through the soil before a hard frost comes. Garlic planted with 6” row spacing and 6” between cloves in a...

Authors: Natalie Hoidal & Annie Klodd   The ideal pH range for growing fruits and vegetables is 6.0 - 7.0 (with the exception of a few specific plants such as blueberries, which thrive in acidic conditions). Outside of this range, nutrients become less available to your plants, even if they are abundant in the soil. This article will cover some strategies for improving the pH of your soil, including longer-term management practices to keep it in the ideal range. Soils that are too acidic (below 6) can be amended with agricultural lime . A basic soil test will provide instructions for the amount of lime needed to adjust your soil. Soils that are too basic (above 7) also need to be amended, but a soil test will not provide specific guidance. A high pH in soil is caused by a few things: Some soils simply have a naturally high pH (or a naturally low pH) Soils that have received excess compost, especially composted manure, tend to have a higher pH due to the build-up of base catio...