Wyoming’s growing season is short, temperatures fluctuate from cold to hot and there are untimely frosts.

High or steady winds can cause physical damage to plants, soil erosion and rapid drying. The native soils are usually alkaline, low in organic matter, shallow, rocky and cold.

Innovative home gardeners find many ways to tailor the garden to Wyoming’s environment, such as putting the garden on a gentle slope facing south, southeast or southwest to allow the soil to warm faster in the spring.

Vegetables planted on the south side of a building often mature sooner because of the reflected heat from the building and protection from the wind.

Select early maturing plants. Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons, winter squash, pumpkins and sweet corn, must have hot weather and a long growing season to produce well. A gardener can gain a few days or even weeks of growing time by setting out transplants at the normal time for outdoor seed planting.

Protect vegetables from frost early in the season. Individual plastic plant covers or circular plastic tubes filled with water can help. A fabric cover over a row of plants will give some frost protection and will speed growth by raising air and soil temperatures. The cover can be removed during the day.

Wyoming soils usually lack organic matter. Materials such as compost will lighten heavy clay soils, improve the water-holding capacity for sandy soils, allow better water penetration, enable air to reach root systems (roots must have oxygen) and provide essential nutrients.

As an added benefit, organic matter helps soil microorganisms make nutrients available for plants. Never add sand to a clay soil because compaction and density will become problematic.

Most vegetables require at least 1 1/2 inches of water each week as they near maturity. Gardens growing in sandy soils will require more frequent watering than those in clay soils. Foliar disease problems could occur if sprinkler irrigation keeps leaves wet for long periods.

Mulching is an excellent home-garden practice. It helps maintain uniform moisture and temperature in the soil, and it reduces erosion, water loss and weeds.

Tall vegetable plants, such as corn and tomatoes, should be placed on the north side of the garden so shorter plants will not be in the shade. Early maturing crops can be planted in the same row or between rows of later-maturing crops.

Vegetables suitable for spring or fall gardens are beets, carrots, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes, spinach and turnips.

Harvest vegetables in the early morning when sugars in the plant are at their maximum.

**For more tips on gardening, see the following University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service bulletins at {M7http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/plantsci.htm: B-1115, Gardening: Vegetables in Wyoming; B-1148, Gardening: Extending the Vegetable Growing Season; B-1151, Gardening: Hot Beds & Cold Frames.

source : www.jacksonholestartrib.com