586: Niki Jabbour on Growing Under Cover

The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

Nikki Jabbour on Growing Under Cover.

Protecting gardens from cold weather and pests and extending growing seasons.

An intriguing conversation on how to garden year-round in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Niki Jabbour illustrates her growing techniques that she claims to be a ‘game-changer’ in her garden. Niki describes the different types of crop covers used for various plants that can allow you to garden during winter as well as maintaining resilience against pests. She also emphasizes the importance behind creating microclimates in her space to produce the best tasting vegetables.

Niki is the author of four books on food gardening including The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Growing Under Cover. She’s also a two-time winner of the prestigious American Horticultural Society Book Award. Niki writes for newspapers and magazines and has hosted a weekly radio show for the past 14 years. Growing Under Cover, her latest book focuses on techniques for a more productive, weather-resistant, pest-free vegetable garden. Nikki gardens in zone 5B in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Has about 20 raised beds, assorted cold frames, and a polytunnel in her garden. She harvests year round without adding heat by using garden covers like row covers, shade cloth, mini hoop tunnels, cold frames, a 14 by 24 foot polytunnel and deep mulching. Her techniques not only allow her to enjoy a year-round harvest but they reduce pests. They also create a microclimate around her plants which allows growing heat loving veggies in a short season climate.

Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/03/30/586-niki-jabbour/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!