GROWING VEGETABLES
IN OUR COASTAL CLIMATE
Practical Ideas
for
Success
with Vegetables
Sally Reill
Lincoln County
Master Gardener
YOU CAN GROW YOUR OWN FOOD
save
COASTAL CLIMATE
PROBLEMS………..
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WIND
RAIN
FOG
LOW LIGHT
COOL DAYS
COLD NIGHTS
CHOOSE THE BEST
GARDEN SITE
• Sun, 8 hours
minimum
• Exposure
• Avoid windy or tree
shaded areas
• Consider structural
shadows
THE BENEFITS OF
RAISED BEDS
• Good drainage
• Warmer soil
• Control of fertilizer
and amendments
• Avoid soil
compaction
• Grow more food in
less space
RAISED BED DETAILS
GET DOWN AND DIRTY, IMPROVE
YOUR SOIL
• What kind of soil do
you have?
• Get a pH test
• Add amendments
• Start with organic
fertilizers
• Add more compost
each year
DEFINITION OF A CLOCHE?
A cover for plants!
• Protection from
wind, rain and
hail
• Grow heat
loving plants
• Extend the
season
• Exclude pets
and pests
DO YOU NEED A CLOCHE?
• YES..….if you want to grow
tomatoes, peppers, basil and
heat loving vegetables.
• YES…...if you want to grow
vegetables in the off season.
• PROBABLY…...if you live close
to the ocean where salty
wind is a problem.
• NO…...if you want to grow
mostly greens and root crops.
VEGETABLES IN THE GREENHOUSE
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More options
Heat loving plants
Winter vegetables
Spring and late
crops
• Seed starting
nursery
• Potting shed
WARM THE SOIL FOR HAPPY
PLANTS
• Roots grow slowly in
cold soil
• Nutrient availability
• Warm soil promotes
fast growth
• Warm soil radiates
heat at night
TO MULCH……..OR NOT?
PROS:
• Moisture retention
saves water
• Weed suppression
saves work
• Organic mulches
improve soil
• Use weed free
compost
CONS:
• Keeps soil cold
• Good cover for pests
IRRIGATION: WHAT DO
VEGETABLES NEED?
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A steady supply
Rain….?
Drip systems
Soaker hose
Hand watering
Overhead sprinklers
Don’t let your
veggies get thirsty!
COMMON PESTS
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Slugs
Cabbage worms
Cut worms
Aphids
Root maggots
Cucumber beetles
Earwigs
Flea beetles
KNOW YOUR ENEMY!
• Be proactive
• Use the least
harmful remedy
• Four footed pests…?
FOUR FOOTTED PESTS
• Some are cute!
• Some are not!
• Barriers are best.
DISEASES…..YUCK!!
• Damp climate
promotes fungus
diseases
• Sanitation is
important
• Prevention is key
• Many organic
products available
• SPRAY is not a bad
word!
INVITE BENEFICIAL INSECTS
INTO YOUR GARDEN
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Include flowers
Lure pollinators
Attract predators
Spiders are your
friends!
• Be careful with
insecticides!
• Don’t kill bees!
STARTING FROM SEEDS
• Benefits of seed
starting
• Direct seed or
transplant?
• Bottom heat…..?
• A jump start
on the season
CHOOSING YOUR SEEDS
• Choose similar climates
• Catalogs offer many
more choices
• Best cultural info
• Days to maturity..?
• Read descriptions
carefully!
• Be realistic about what
you can grow.
THE BENEFITS OF HYBRIDS
• What is a hybrid?
• Good qualities of
both parents
• F1……?
• Disease resistance
• Size of plants
• Flavor, size, color
• “Hybrid vigor”
WHAT ABOUT HEIRLOOMS?
• All open pollinated
• Nature does the
hybridizing
• Handed down for
generations
• Variable results
• Good flavor…..?
• Little disease
resistance
BUYING VEGETABLE PLANTS
• Buy stocky plants in
a right size pot
• Avoid overgrown,
blooming or off
color seedlings
• Select plants that
have been kept in
sheltered area
• Don’t shop in a
parking lot!
SETTING PLANTS OUT
• Harden off seedlings
• Water first
• Plant late or on a
cloudy day
• Use transplant
solution
• Stop predators!
• Protect from wind
and frost
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GROW
V/S What will grow?
• Be practical!
• Consider your space
• How hard do you
want to work?
• How much sun do
you have?
• What is your
microclimate?
Asparagus and Artichokes
• Good drainage
• Feed and water well
• Pests….?
• Perennials
• Sow seeds or buy
plants
BEANS
• Bush beans or pole
beans?
• Many colors and
types
• Sow indoors for
transplant
• Fava, Soy and Lima
• Dry shelling beans
BEETS?....YOU BETCHA!
• Easy to grow, direct
seed or transplant
• Require boron and
+6 pH
• Irrigate well
• Open pollinated
varieties are good
• Red, yellow and
striped.
BROCCOLI
• Easy to grow
• Prefers to be cool
• Requires high
fertility and plenty
of water
• Best from transplant
• Varieties for all
seasons
• Common pests
CABBAGES, SMALL OR TALL
• Loves our cool
weather
• Needs good fertility
and ample water
• Many colors and
shapes to choose
from
• Early, late and
overwinter varieties
• Slug magnet!
CAULIFLOWER
• The “prima dona” of
the family can be
tricky.
• Doesn’t like heat or
extremes
• Bolts easily
• Slug haven
• Some wild new
colors!
CARROTS OF MANY COLORS
• Prefer deep sandy
soil
• Need plenty of
water
• Direct seed, keep
moist
• Wireworms and
carrot rust fly
HOW ABOUT CORN?
• Not near the ocean
• Corn needs full sun
and some heat
• Corn is BIG grass
• Know the types
• Direct sow
• Ensure proper
pollination
CUCUMBERS ARE COOL
• Appreciate some
protection
• Good in the cloche
• Start seeds inside
• Improved hybrids
• Select seedless
• Keep fruits picked
• Few problems
A WORLD OF GLORIOUS GREENS
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Escarole
Endive
Arugula
Spinach
Chard
Italian
Asian
LOADS OF LETTUCE
• Easy coastal crop
• Protect from
weather
• Needs consistent
moisture
• Many colors and
sizes
• Succession plant
• Slug heaven
GROW GREAT GARLIC!
• Easy crop
• Not your grocery
store garlic!
• Different types
• Big bulbs with
huge cloves 
• Plant in October
• Pest free
AWESOME ONIONS
and family members
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Full sun
Fertile, loose soil
Seeds are best
Long day and day
neutral types
• Keep well watered
• Few problems
• Harvest and storage
PEAS, SHELL AND SUGAR
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Good everywhere
Easy to grow
Types
Pre sprout inside
Plant outside with
protection
• Support vines
• Aphids, mosaic and
mildew.
PEPPERS, HOT OR SWEET
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• Heat loving crop
• Cloche or
greenhouse
• Hot are easier
• Choose early
maturity
• Support plants
• Watch for slugs and
aphids
POTATOES: BURIED TREASURES
• Good crop
anywhere!
• Easy to grow
• Prefer light soil
• pH below 6
• Moderate fertility
and water
• Many varieties
• Few problems
SUMMER SQUASH
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Almost fool proof!
Need protection
Pollination
Large variety of
shapes and colors
• High fertility and
water
• Keep picked
• Prevent mildew
MALE OR FEMALE……?
WINTER SQUASH AND
PUMPKINS
• Need room to run
• Good fertility and
adequate water
• Good pollination
• Harvest before frost
• Store in the house
CAN YOU GROW TOMATOES?
• Choose a good site
• Make good variety
choices
• Keep them warm
• Feed them well
• Easy on the nitrogen
• Constant water
• Growing in pots
IMPORTANT TOMATO DETAILS
• DETERMINATE=DET
SHORT PLANTS
• INDETERMINATE=IND
TALL PLANTS
SOME TOMATO “ISSUES”
• Diseases
• Prevention
• Destroy diseased
plants
• Clean up in fall
• Rotate crops
• No smoking!
• Pests
BLOSSOM END ROT
• A condition, not a
disease
• Causes
• Irrigation
• Corrective measures
• Susceptibility
• Beauty is only skin
deep!
ODDS AND ENDS…..?
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Eggplant
Arugula
Fennel
Celery
Kohlrabi
Brussels
sprouts
• Tomatillos
BASIL BASICS
KEYS TO SUCCESS WITH
VEGETABLES
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Healthy soil
Good fertility
Adequate water
Fast and steady growth
Protection from weather
Prevention of disease
Control of predators