Right now in late July our poly-tunnel at DIGS has cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes (sometimes melon and eggplant too.)
Here's a video showing how crops are changed over in May/June to tomato/cuke/melon/basil and every heat-loving plant that prefers protection from the elements: video.
And here is specific information about tomatoes in the poly-tunnel: video.
At the end of the hot season, the poly-tunnel is often used as a holding area for plants that will grow slowly over the winter, but be harvestably in small amounts: video.
Here's Dowding's poly-tunnel in December where they harvest the outer leaves of salad in winter, as salad is the most in demand food they grow. This video will start right at that part of the entire tour video: video set to start at winter salad.
And more information on salad in the winter (Nov-Feb) from an unheated greenhouse: video.
Another way to grow salad indoors is on trays set on tables (staging.): video.
And here is a longer comparison of greenhouses to polytunnels: video.
And finally, Charles Dowding has had a seeding tray manufactured (in UK and USA) that is unbreakable and lasts for over 15 years, while reducing soil required.
A new market gardening expert has uploaded tons of educational videos that are so helpful. Thanks to Jane T. and Jane F. for forwarding this incredibly valuable information. And please help yourself to the free Charles Dowding's "how to grow" videos. Dowding is a lifelong farmer and market gardener and has dedicated himself to making videos of each season of his garden.
Here is a very quick tour of his garden and greenhouse/polytunnel: quick tour video.
And here is a deliciously LONGER tour: video. (20 min.)
And if you're curious about the validity of the "No Dig" method (putting compost on top of a bed once a year and leaving the bed undisturbed), Dowding has run a ten year trial side by side of two identical beds to prove that "no dig" produces more food and stronger plants: video of No-Dig vs. Dig over ten years.
And to start off with one or two focus areas, perhaps some of the most useful topics for us at a Community Garden would be:
I found while watching that we're already doing so much of what Dowding recommends already at DIGS community garden, that we're ahead of the game here.
Please feel free to comment (comment button below).
Note from future selves: If you haven't planted your carrots by mid-July, you are too late for winter carrots. Plant plant!! Just had to write that as a reminder to our carroty breatheren. Plant early, plant often and keep seed moist. :>)
Now that we're coming into the second half of July the question is: Can any veggies still be planted from seed? The answer is YES! Here's a video to give ten bountiful crops from beets, kale and chard to a few less well known crops (video):
And here, looking ahead, are some educational videos about what to sow in the upcoming months before the sun gets too low in the sky. These are Charles Dowding videos.
Also, if planning ahead to winter edibles, very easy-at-a-glance is Linda Gilkeson's month by month winter planting guide:
More to follow, as we're planning our new greenhouse/polytunnel in the upcoming months! Also the garden is full of produce from garlic and rhubarb to raspberries, blueberries, lettuce zucchini and potatoes. So much going on in July!
