urban ag quiz 3

Basic requirements for plant growth

Air, water, soil/media, nutrients, light, temperature.

Types of models for urban ag

Containers, hydroponics, in soil, raised beds

Advantages of containers

Beginner friendly, transportable, flexible, protection from pests and weeds.

Disadvantages of containers

Difficult to re-wet, but also can’t let dry out completely, nutrients need to carefully monitored, can be hard to move.

Examples of containers

Tiered raised beds, recycled barrel, elevated garden beds, hanging basket.

Advantages of raised beds

Eliminates soil issues, easy weed control, flexible design.

Disadvantages of raised beds

Cost, aesthetics, soil temperature

Raised bed exposure to sun

Minimum 8 hours a day

Advantages to in-ground garden

Inexpensive, efficient horizontal + available resources use, easy water management, helpful with good soil, drainage.

Disadvantages of in-ground garden

Depends on environment for how good it will be, could need more work

Indoor/greenhouse grown plants

Thin stems, thin cuticles, adapted to constant temp and water, no exposure to wind or rain.

Before transplanting outside

Harden off the plants to prevent transplant shock, slowly bring plants outside for intervals to adapt to environment, do not let soil dry out.

Cold frame transplanting

Turn off any present heating cables, slowly open frame for longer periods, keep closed at night.

Root-bound plant

Tease out roots so they do not continue to wrap

Thinning

Provide plants with adequate space, reduce competition for water and nutrients.

Short-season — hardy crops

Can be planted directly into the garden, grow well under cool conditions allowing them to be planted earlier.

Examples of short season hardy crops

Beets, carrots, leaf lettuce, peas, potatoes.

Long-season — hardy crops

Grows well under cool conditions, requires a longer season to mature, better to start indoors.

Examples of long season hardy crops

Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, onions, tomatoes.

Short-season — tender crops

Sensitive to frost — sown directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, protect from cool temperatures.

Examples of short season tender crops

Green beans, yellow wax beans, early sweet corn varieties.

What happens if you seed tender crops too early

Slow development and increased risk of early disease problems.

Long-season — tender crops

Needs to be started indoors for early harvest or to mature within MB growing season, nighttime temp needs to be >5, very frost sensitive.

Examples of long season tender crops

Peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers.

Life Cycle 1: Annuals

Complete their life cycle in one growing season. Ex. Peas, beans, corn, zucchini.

Life cycle 2: Biennials

Complete their lifecycle in two growing seasons. Ex. Beets, onions, carrots, etc.

Life cycle 3: Perennials

Persist for multiple years, alternating growth cycles with periods of dormancy. Ex. Strawberries, rhubarb, Saskatoon berries.

Things to keep in mind when planting

Average frost-free period for your area and hardiness zone for your area (important for perennials.)

annual plant examples

Peas, beans, corn, zucchini

Biennial plant examples

Beets, carrots, onions

Perennial plant examples

Strawberries, rhubarbs, saskatoon berries