Gardening in Lander (Cheyenne, Sheridan: houses, construction, university)

[wannahome2]

How easy/hard is it to grow a vegetable garden in Lander?

Are locally produced fruits and vegetables available in grocery stores or farmers markets?

[Kristynwy]

That is a good question...
My guess is Lander would be either zone 3 or 4.

I know Cheyenne just recently changed to zone 5 because of the blacktop and the temperature averaging a little warmer...

I live up in Sheridan though, which is a bit of a banana belt. But we are in zone 4.

I would suggest trying raised beds and mixing in some potting soil to improve the quality. The growing season can be a little on the short side, but if you start plants indoors that helps. Another good idea is to have a greenhouse. My goal one day is to eventually get a greenhouse so I can grow stuff all year long, something nice but not too expensive.

Down in Lander I imagine wind would be an issue, I can't say for sure though cause I have not been down south yet. But you can find greenhouses that are more wind tolerant.

I would try contacting the local University of Wyo extension. I would also see if there is a local Nursery or Green house in Lander and sometimes they not only sell good plants for the area, but usually have a lot of tips and info and sometimes even have a small farmer's market.

I know Landon's Greenhouse in Sheridan, is having a farmer's market this year for produce ect. and they have a lot of hand outs and info about this area.

Best of luck to you.

If you would like I can suggest a really good catalog or two for plants that grow well in this state...

Hope that helps a little...

[wannahome2]

Thanks for the information. I would like your resources on what grows well in Wyoming.

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by wannahome2

Thanks for the information. I would like your resources on what grows well in Wyoming.

Sure I will share all info I have with you

As far as your zone I think you are 4b according to the map I have.

Here are some websites where you can get catalogs and gardening info from...

Prairie Frontier

High Country Gardens

Here is some information from Landon's Greenhouse on Gardening in Wyo *This greenhouse is located in Sheridan, so you may need to adjust dates accordingly depending on what area of Wyoming you live...*

Veggies/To Start Indoors/To Set Outside

Lettuce March April 15

Onions, Leeks February April 15

Cabbage, Broccoli,
Cauliflower, Br. Sprouts March April 20 - May 1

Cucumbers, Squash,
Pumpkins April June 1

Eggplant April June 1

Peppers April June 1

Tomatoes April June 1

FlowersTo/Start Indoors/To Set Inside


Ageratum February June 1

Alyssum March May 1

Asters March May 15

Begonias February June 1

Coleus March May 1

Geraniums February June 1

Impatiens February June 1

Lobelia March May 1

Marigolds April June 1

Pansies January April 15

Petunias February May 1

Zinnias April June 1

[Kristynwy]

Here is a link to a Hardiness Map for Wyoming and what zones each part of this state is...

Wyoming Zone Map

This Website may be able to give you some good gardening and Ag info...
University of Wyoming Extension

Here is a link to many different books on Gardening in Wyoming
Gardening in Wyoming Books

[Kristynwy]

Gardening Time Online/Wyoming

Here is a neat little website I found you may like...

[wyoman]

Originally Posted by wannahome2

How easy/hard is it to grow a vegetable garden in Lander?

Are locally produced fruits and vegetables available in grocery stores or farmers markets?

I WENT WITH MOSTLY STARTERS DUE TO UNUSUALL WEATHER PATTERN WE HAVE HAD THIS YEAR AND PLANTED LATE- MAY 31-THERE ARE USUALLY FARMERS MARKETS IN ABOUT 3/4 OF THE TOWNS I'VE LIVED IN AND THE PRICES WE'R OK. DOUBT IF IT WOULD BE ANY DIFFERENT IN LANDER-KRISTY GAVE A LOT OF GOOD SITE INFO YOU WILL TAKE YOUR CHANCES WITH HAIL ETC.-BUT ONLY GOT HAILED OUT ONCE IN 14 YEARS GOOD LUCK

[sunsprit]

I beg to differ with Kristyn's suggested indoor/outdoor planting schedule for the Lander area. It's simply way way way too early to put the vege's and flowers out in that cold overnight climate, you're still looking at hard overnight freezing and sub-zero temps, let alone very cold daytime tems and a likely late snowstorm or two lasting for a couple of days. Probably by at least a month too early, and that doesn't include the desirability of "hardening" your seedlings with daily outside/overnight inside protected exposure for a couple of weeks, or by the use of "cold frames" which make it more convenient to shelter and expose the seedlings.

By far and away, the "best" source for greenhouse structure kits is FARMTEK. Google them and ask for a catalogue. The descriptions are a little vague and not very good, and their customer (dis)service folks aren't very good at answering your locale and climate conditions. However, I can tell you from firsthand experience that their lower cost "tunnel" type plastic covered greenhouse structures will not stand up to Wyoming winds and winter conditions very well. The pricing on these (from just about any greenhouse supplier, including FarmTek) is more attractive, but they simply won't do in our conditions.

You will need to look at the higher price point greenhouse kits which include the plastic panels and aluminum framing end wall structure, and an entry door. These are much sturdier, and in decent sizes, seem to withstand the winds and exposure much better. We selected a 14' x 26' size, and the height/width/length seemed to work very well for us, withstanding 110 mph wind gusts in some of the recent storms. Our larger, all plastic sheeting tunnel greenhouses (26' x 48') are much taller and sustained significant structural and covering damage. I just got through replacing the damaged rafters and purlins and cover on one of these units, at a cost in excess of $500. (plus my labor). The end walls of reinforced plastic fabric with "zipper" openings will not withstand winds in excess of 35 mph. I had to "frame" in those ends with a wooden structure, and batten down the covering on 18" centers to keep it from tearing apart. In time, I plan on replacing these end walls with the plastic thermopanels that are much stronger.

It is also essential that you "anchor" each rafter end of these structures with an concrete "footer" or an "earth anchor" driven into the ground about 3 feet, and then turnbuckled securely to the rafter. Otherwise, you'll see your tunnel greenhouse next time in another county on a windy day.

We've monitored our greenhouses, and it's not uncommon on a typical sunny cold Wyoming day to see temps into the 80's by 9-10 AM, and on warmer spring days (in the 40'-50's), see 90 degrees by 9 AM. Of course, we'll see 100+++ in the greenhouse on a 60F degree sunny day by 9 AM if we don't get out and roll up the sides a bit to get air circulation.

I would not bother with supplemental heat in your greenhouse in this area. It's simply too inefficient and costly to operate.

The benefit of the greenhouse is a 2-3 month longer growing season in a controlled environment for your vegetables and flowers, and you can grow a lot of heirloom varieties that otherwise would not produce in our climate.

But in the winter, it's too brutal a cold climate exposure to try to overcome. Better to just roto-till it all in and enjoy the winter for other activities.

Your best resource for local knowledge will be the County Extension Office. Ask for your local county horticulturist, that's a public resource. You may even be able to arrange for an on-site inspection of your property, and get assistance with properly siting your greenhouse. Along with valuable information regarding varieties to grow in the area.

Also, contact your local Master Gardener's group through the extension office for a lot of additional local information regarding the growing season. They also may offer on-site advice and consultation that can be beneficial.

If I recall correctly, there is a major regional commercial nursery just outside of Lander. The folks have about 25 greenhouses, and do very well with their local knowledge of plants that will grow in the area. Also, they have a number of the different "hoop tunnel" structures, so you can look at what can be done with some very simple construction techniques for a greenhouse, although they've built theirs to commercial standards and probably a bit larger and sturdier than you'd consider for home use.

Best source of "heirloom" varieties of vege's ... Seed Savers Exchange. Call them and get their catalogue, it's quite a treasure trove of the best we've ever found. You'll have to experiment each year with what grows in your greenhouse; some years, only a few of the varieties will flourish. Some years, they'll all do well. We have a lot of fun with this and sell out everything we can grow at our local Farmer's Market. Super flavors in the non-commercial varieties of vege's ....

Gardening in Wyoming is challenging and labor intensive, but can be very rewarding. We easily raise much more than we can consume and sell a lot at the local farmer's market. We also can a lot of tomato sauces and paste, and freeze a lot of vege's each year. I'm not sure we're on the "saving money" over store bought side of the expense curve yet, but we're getting much better quality and organically raised produce for our efforts. Worth it to us for the health advantages that we believe come with our efforts.

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

I beg to differ with Kristyn's suggested indoor/outdoor planting schedule for the Lander area. It's simply way way way too early to put the vege's and flowers out in that cold overnight climate, you're still looking at hard overnight freezing and sub-zero temps, let alone very cold daytime tems and a likely late snowstorm or two lasting for a couple of days. Probably by at least a month too early, and that doesn't include the desirability of "hardening" your seedlings with daily outside/overnight inside protected exposure for a couple of weeks, or by the use of "cold frames" which make it more convenient to shelter and expose the seedlings.

By far and away, the "best" source for greenhouse structure kits is FARMTEK. Google them and ask for a catalogue. The descriptions are a little vague and not very good, and their customer (dis)service folks aren't very good at answering your locale and climate conditions. However, I can tell you from firsthand experience that their lower cost "tunnel" type plastic covered greenhouse structures will not stand up to Wyoming winds and winter conditions very well. The pricing on these (from just about any greenhouse supplier, including FarmTek) is more attractive, but they simply won't do in our conditions.

Best source of "heirloom" varieties of vege's ... Seed Savers Exchange. Call them and get their catalogue, it's quite a treasure trove of the best we've ever found. You'll have to experiment each year with what grows in your greenhouse; some years, only a few of the varieties will flourish. Some years, they'll all do well. We have a lot of fun with this and sell out everything we can grow at our local Farmer's Market. Super flavors in the non-commercial varieties of vege's ....

Gardening in Wyoming is challenging and labor intensive, but can be very rewarding. We easily raise much more than we can consume and sell a lot at the local farmer's market. We also can a lot of tomato sauces and paste, and freeze a lot of vege's each year. I'm not sure we're on the "saving money" over store bought side of the expense curve yet, but we're getting much better quality and organically raised produce for our efforts. Worth it to us for the health advantages that we believe come with our efforts.

Great tips on Gardening...

I am very new to this area.. so I am still learning myself...

However those dates are not my own, they are provided by Landon's Greenhouse, they said "Wyoming" dates, so I assumed it meant the whole state, but I would adjust accordingly. Up here in Sheridan, we are in the banana belt, and Landon's Greenhouse is in Sheridan, so maybe the dates were meant more for Sheridan area. I am not sure... just passing along info from their hand out.

I get Farmtek in the mail also. They have some great stuff in there and looks like pretty good quality. I haven't ordered anything from them yet, but I want to if we every get our own property, (hopefully this year).

[wyoman]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

I beg to differ with Kristyn's suggested indoor/outdoor planting schedule for the Lander area. It's simply way way way too early to put the vege's and flowers out in that cold overnight climate, you're still looking at hard overnight freezing and sub-zero temps, let alone very cold daytime tems and a likely late snowstorm or two lasting for a couple of days. Probably by at least a month too early, and that doesn't include the desirability of "hardening" your seedlings with daily outside/overnight inside protected exposure for a couple of weeks, or by the use of "cold frames" which make it more convenient to shelter and expose the seedlings.

By far and away, the "best" source for greenhouse structure kits is FARMTEK. Google them and ask for a catalogue. The descriptions are a little vague and not very good, and their customer (dis)service folks aren't very good at answering your locale and climate conditions. However, I can tell you from firsthand experience that their lower cost "tunnel" type plastic covered greenhouse structures will not stand up to Wyoming winds and winter conditions very well. The pricing on these (from just about any greenhouse supplier, including FarmTek) is more attractive, but they simply won't do in our conditions.

You will need to look at the higher price point greenhouse kits which include the plastic panels and aluminum framing end wall structure, and an entry door. These are much sturdier, and in decent sizes, seem to withstand the winds and exposure much better. We selected a 14' x 26' size, and the height/width/length seemed to work very well for us, withstanding 110 mph wind gusts in some of the recent storms. Our larger, all plastic sheeting tunnel greenhouses (26' x 48') are much taller and sustained significant structural and covering damage. I just got through replacing the damaged rafters and purlins and cover on one of these units, at a cost in excess of $500. (plus my labor). The end walls of reinforced plastic fabric with "zipper" openings will not withstand winds in excess of 35 mph. I had to "frame" in those ends with a wooden structure, and batten down the covering on 18" centers to keep it from tearing apart. In time, I plan on replacing these end walls with the plastic thermopanels that are much stronger.

It is also essential that you "anchor" each rafter end of these structures with an concrete "footer" or an "earth anchor" driven into the ground about 3 feet, and then turnbuckled securely to the rafter. Otherwise, you'll see your tunnel greenhouse next time in another county on a windy day.

We've monitored our greenhouses, and it's not uncommon on a typical sunny cold Wyoming day to see temps into the 80's by 9-10 AM, and on warmer spring days (in the 40'-50's), see 90 degrees by 9 AM. Of course, we'll see 100+++ in the greenhouse on a 60F degree sunny day by 9 AM if we don't get out and roll up the sides a bit to get air circulation.

I would not bother with supplemental heat in your greenhouse in this area. It's simply too inefficient and costly to operate.

The benefit of the greenhouse is a 2-3 month longer growing season in a controlled environment for your vegetables and flowers, and you can grow a lot of heirloom varieties that otherwise would not produce in our climate.

But in the winter, it's too brutal a cold climate exposure to try to overcome. Better to just roto-till it all in and enjoy the winter for other activities.

Your best resource for local knowledge will be the County Extension Office. Ask for your local county horticulturist, that's a public resource. You may even be able to arrange for an on-site inspection of your property, and get assistance with properly siting your greenhouse. Along with valuable information regarding varieties to grow in the area.

Also, contact your local Master Gardener's group through the extension office for a lot of additional local information regarding the growing season. They also may offer on-site advice and consultation that can be beneficial.

If I recall correctly, there is a major regional commercial nursery just outside of Lander. The folks have about 25 greenhouses, and do very well with their local knowledge of plants that will grow in the area. Also, they have a number of the different "hoop tunnel" structures, so you can look at what can be done with some very simple construction techniques for a greenhouse, although they've built theirs to commercial standards and probably a bit larger and sturdier than you'd consider for home use.

Best source of "heirloom" varieties of vege's ... Seed Savers Exchange. Call them and get their catalogue, it's quite a treasure trove of the best we've ever found. You'll have to experiment each year with what grows in your greenhouse; some years, only a few of the varieties will flourish. Some years, they'll all do well. We have a lot of fun with this and sell out everything we can grow at our local Farmer's Market. Super flavors in the non-commercial varieties of vege's ....

Gardening in Wyoming is challenging and labor intensive, but can be very rewarding. We easily raise much more than we can consume and sell a lot at the local farmer's market. We also can a lot of tomato sauces and paste, and freeze a lot of vege's each year. I'm not sure we're on the "saving money" over store bought side of the expense curve yet, but we're getting much better quality and organically raised produce for our efforts. Worth it to us for the health advantages that we believe come with our efforts.

THAT WAS GREAT INFO! Grew up on home grown and am real disapointed with flavor of store bought! The satisfaction of the harvesting of your own garden is awesome