This Week at the Garden: Frosty Farewell

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Written By Brookelyn Mitchell

Date: October 20, 2022

Blog Post by: Brookelyn Mitchell

The end of fall harvest has officially begun, as the garden experienced its first bit of frost last night. MKG gave a saddened farewell to our eggplants, peppers, outdoor tomatoes, and basil beds, but we will see them again next season when the weather is optimal for successful growth. As we prepare for the transition from autumn to winter, we are growing cool weather such as carrots and radishes in soil and then tomatoes in our greenhouses.

Damaged Basil Beds

Designed to store solar heat, greenhouses are vital infrastructures to farms and gardens during colder times, as they prolong the duration of the growing season by increasing the inside temperature to a more ideal level for crops. Other solutions can include covering your crops with blankets, increased irrigation before the frost settles in, or investing in cold frames which all have various advantages and disadvantages. Planning ahead, watching the temperatures, and understanding different crop characteristics is key!

Preparation For Frost

Ultimately, crop resilience is dependent on several factors: the type of crop, stage of development, the consistency and duration of the cold temperatures, and more. Crops will inevitably be lost season to season, as not every crop is able to thrive in specific environmental conditions. Join us at one of our last few Volunteer Days of the semester as we construct the garden to endure the winter months!

Stay warm and happy sweater weather!  Brookelyn Mitchell, MKG Student Intern

 
 

MKG Contact

General email:
morvenkitchengarden@virginia.edu

Follow us on Instagram @morven_kitchengarden

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Brookelyn Mitchell
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