The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 85 – May 25, 2018 – Protecting Plants In The Heat of Summer.
Question For Today’s Podcast Episode:
Randy Asks – What are some strategies for protecting veggie plants in heat of summer? We have a lot of 95+ degree days here and it would be nice to hear some new strategies of keeping plants shaded/cooler to improve production.
I Discuss:
- What problems can occur from heat-stressed plants – withering from excessive sun and lack of water, lack of production due to blooms falling off, bolting; the plant is in survival mode.
- Heat tolerant varieties
- Shading
- Cover crops
- Mulch
- Other ground cover methods
- Alternatives to traditional growing in harsh climates – hydroponics, aquaponics, and wicking beds.
Recommendations:
- Learn Organic Gardening at GrowingYourGreens –https://www.youtube.com/user/growingyourgreens
The Homestead Life:
A segment where each episode I share something that’s better in my life because of homesteading.
This week I’ve been eating a lot of lettuce and tons of strawberries from the garden and I’ve really been enjoying the peace of mind I have about my family eating things that are safe for us to eat. There was a recent scare about Romaine lettuce being sold having E. Coli and of course, conventionally grown strawberries are some of the worst for retaining pesticide residues even after being washed.
I watch my grandson occasionally grab a strawberry straight from the patch and eat it as I did with fruits and veggies all my life without washing them first and guess what, I don’t freak out or panic. I would prefer they be washed for obvious reasons but I know there is nothing dangerous on my fruit and vegetables.
This is something better in my life because of the homesteading life.
