The U.P. Growing Season

In this week's U.P. Mondays topic, I will discuss the opportunities for people to grow their own food during the Upper Peninsula's short growing season. So I am sure for those familiar with the U.P. understand that the winter's last quite long. It's not uncommon for the snow to stay well into April and even into early May in some cases. But with the increasing daylight and the strengthening rays of sun, the snow eventually will melt away. Before long, people begin to think of the growing seasons and preparing their gardens to plant. In general, people with gardens do have decent success in the U.P. You have to know when to plant, however, otherwise if you plant too late, then it's difficult to harvest anything in the fall as frost and freezes do have a tendency to sneak up on you if you're not prepared.

Over the years I've helped my mom grow a garden in her backyard and some years have produced better than others. Lately, the garden spot where we plant hasn't done very well, which I think is largely because it's been used for so many years that it needs more nutrients. This year we decided largely on just planting mostly tomatoes and a few other selected vegetables and flowers; those that have done well for us over the years. But this year with our crazy spring/summer weather, the garden has so far looked rather meek. Hopefully with the dry weather this week and warming temperatures, the garden will begin to perk up. It's just been so wet lately that the garden hasn't been given much of a chance to grow. I do, however, believe that will change after this week.

Farmers markets are becoming a more popular event here in the Upper Peninsula. In fact, I think a farmer's market is held each week at the Commons in Downtown Marquette. And as the season progresses, more and more people join in the event to sell their produce. Right now, the strawberry season is in its peak and you'll see a lot of strawberry stands begin to sprout up around the area (and that's not including the variety of strawberry farms located throughout the Upper Peninsula that allow you to pick berries at their particular locations). If you are looking for a farmer's market to sell produce, search some of the area media websites or ask around (especially if you're in one of the U.P's bigger towns). You should be able to find what you're looking for.

And if you are a U.P. farmer, then you are likely getting ready to start cutting hay. Typically just before the Fourth of July, farmers begin to start cutting hay for the animals at their farms. And you are beginning to see that happening across the U.P. So, despite the climate challenges that exist in the U.P. in regards to a growing season - people do make the most of the summer months up here and plant a variety of crops. Personally, we've never had much success in growing corn, but I know of others who have. It just all depends on the type of vegetables or flowers you intend on growing. It helps to check with local agricultural organizations like 4-H clubs or county agricultural offices to find out exactly what does well. If you plant in late May, be prepared to deal with frost from time to time because it still can get quite cool at night during the early growing season - and the same can be true about the early fall. Just be sure to cover your tender vegetation well and you'll be fine. It doesn't involve too much work when planting a garden up here. You basically just have to work around the snowy and cold season in order to have success.