Growing Food in a Short Season

Those fortunate enough to live in northern climes celebrate the warm summers blessed with some of the longest days of anywhere on earth -- albeit for only a short season. This combination of a short temperate season and long hours of daylight presents a unique challenge for northern gardeners with hopes of harvesting before the autumn frosts arrive. Melanie J. Watts, long-time resident of the B.C. Peace Region and a Master Gardener, explains that with the right gardening practices the short northern summer can lead to an explosion of life, producing enough colour and food to see anyone through the dark days of winter. Providing helpful hints and wise gardening philosophy for a productive food garden, Watts begins at ground level with instruction on how to use compost and manure to create fertile soil that will lend its life to plants. A variety of seed options and planting methods are presented -- including start times and placement -- taking into account microclimates that occur in each garden as well as the benefits of companion planting. Additionally, plants that are easily grown in zones 2 and 3 are listed with concise how-to-grow information. Watts provides full chapters on garden maintenance and harvesting, as well as tips on cooking and preserving your bounty with great recipes that focus on eating seasonally. A gardening journey from the ground to the plate, Growing Food in a Short Season emphasizes success through working with nature and using sustainable, organic practices. Watts provides a valuable resource -- even for those gardeners who don’t have to endure the seven long winter months of the Canadian north.