by Emily Casner
Living in North Dakota, I’ve come to understand that gardening here is as much about patience as it is about skill. The growing season is short, and the weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Yet, there’s something so fulfilling about watching seeds grow into something beautiful or bountiful despite the challenges. Every year, I learn a little more, and I’ve come to appreciate the satisfaction of a successful harvest.
One of the first things I had to learn was how to make the most of the brief growing season. In North Dakota, we’re lucky to get about 90 to 120 days of warmth before the frost hits again. That means I had to become strategic in what I planted and when. I purchased a small indoor greenhouse, grow lights, and heating pads a few years ago. The greenhouse allows me to start seeds early, giving them a jump on the short season. I strategized my plant selection to focus on short-season varieties that maintain rich flavors. I utilize resources from the NDSU extension to learn something new and answer questions when I hit a roadblock. From online articles or webinars to soil sampling, I appreciate the valuable resources they offer.
I am a huge fan of starting my seeds in soil blocks for a variety of reasons. First off, it allows me to cut down on the cost of materials since I can eliminate the need for pots. I have found that these blocks are easier to water. For the first few weeks, I water at the top of the blocks to maintain moisture, then once seedlings emerge, I transition to flooding the tray, which allows water to soak up through each block and target the developing roots. This year, I had success starting tomatoes, peppers, and marigolds in two-inch blocks spaced out into 11” by 21” trays. I've also become a big fan of raised beds. Raised beds warm up the soil much faster than traditional ground planting, which is essential in those first few weeks of spring when the temperatures are still hovering around freezing.
I think one thing that I value most about the garden is the time it provides for spending with my family. With a busy life, the ability to step out and enjoy time together is always needed. Having a young child who likes to help by pulling up my pepper plants isn’t always the most effective strategy to a bountiful harvest, but the memories made working together are worth it. It’s a practice of trial and error, of learning from each season and adjusting for the next. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about eating products that you’ve grown yourself, and knowing that you’ve navigated the challenges to make it happen.
Emily is the District 6 representative on the NDFB Promotion and Education Committee. Learn more about the committee and its programs