A Vegetable Planting Guide for North Idaho

Even tender tomatoes can be grown in most areas of Northern Idaho.

Idaho is a leading producer of many vegetables, including potatoes, peas, beans, onions and lentils. The weather conditions and soil in Northern Idaho are suited to growing many types of vegetables successfully, although for best results, some areas may require careful selection of cool-season crops. The good news is, vegetable gardening in North Idaho is relatively easy, provided that gardeners plan ahead and understand their growing conditions.

Considerations

Select a site receiving a minimum 6 hours of sun each day. The soil should drain well and, ideally, be rich with organic matter, writes Susan M. Bell and colleagues in "Planning an Idaho Vegetable Garden." Avoid any areas where soil tends to stay wet in the spring. Test the soil with a home testing kit, available from gardening centers, and amend the soil according to the manufacturer's directions. Ideally, soil testing and amendment should take place the autumn before planting. Till the soil or hand dig it several feet down.

Design

There are many acceptable ways to lay out vegetable gardens; the choice is mostly a matter of taste. Traditional rows are a favorite, although they take up more space without producing more food than raised beds or berms, says the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. Raised beds also offer more warmth, which is of special concern in colder areas of Northern Idaho.

Types

Most vegetables can be grown throughout Idaho, according to the authors of "Planning an Idaho Vegetable Garden." Perennial vegetables, those that come back year after year, include asparagus and rhubarb. Among annual vegetables, those needing replanting each year, select spinach, chard, lettuce, kale, turnips, carrots, beets, parsnips, potatoes and sweet potatoes, radishes, cucumbers, squash, beans, peas, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, onions, chives, leeks, garlic, corn, peppers and tomatoes (if started indoors in the spring).

Time Frame

In some colder areas of Idaho, the growing season is short. This means crops can't be planted out in May and grown through October. In these areas, choosing cool season vegetables is vital, say Jo Ann Robbins and William Michael Colt, authors of "Short-Season Vegetable Gardening." Starting seeds indoors, or purchasing seedlings from a nursery, help gardeners get a jump on the growing season. In addition, laying plastic mulches to warm the soil or using row covers can greatly improve yields.

Planting

If directly sowing seeds in the soil, plant as soon as the soil can be worked, following seed packet directions for spacing and depth. If planting out seedlings, first acclimate them by placing them in a shady location for a few days. Then dig holes in the soil with a trowel and plant so the existing soil around the stem is level with the garden soil. The exception to this rule is tomatoes, which benefit from having the first few leaves buried in the ground. Water in seeds and seedlings well and supply consistent water throughout the growing season.

References

• University of Idaho Extension: Vegetable Gardening in Idaho
• Scribd: Planning an Idaho Vegetable Garden
• University of Idaho Extension: Short-Season Vegetable Gardening
• University of Tennessee: Raised Bed Gardening