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"Lilac and cherry bloom in May
And soon the trees are clothed in leaves
Before the month has past halfway
Winter's blast is summer's breeze"
~By David Squire~
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Tips for vegetable gardening
- Transplant warm season vegetables outdoors in May. Seeds can also be planted outdoors now too.
- Make sure to give your vegetable garden plenty of water but don't overwater. It is best to do your watering in the early morning or later in the evening. Apply water to the soil rather than overhead watering. Seeds and young plants don't require as much water as more mature plants with better developed root systems.
- Weed it and reap. Weeds steal valuable nutrients and water from your vegetables and will often choke them out before they are well established.
- A few vegetables need pollination of male & female plants to produce edibles. Squash is an example of a commonly grown plant that needs pollination. Both the male and female flowers must be in bloom at the same time.
- When planting your vegetable garden, take into consideration that pests may be just as interested in your garden as you are. Consider companion planting to deter pests naturally. Companion planting can also be used for better flavor and pollination.
- Many plants are affected by different diseases. Each year there are different varieties of vegetables developed that are more resistant to diseases than others. Check your local garden center for the latest information on the most disease resistant varieties.
- Rotate your crops for better production each year.
Planting from Seed:
- It is warm enough to plant seeds directly in the soil once it reaches 15C or 60F.
- After the seedlings are about 1 or 2 inches high, thin them out leaving only the healthiest plants.
"When I plant. I use the end of the hoe to make the hole for my seeds that are being planted. I once, on a hoe taped a piece of tubing to it, so that i could drop the seed down the tube and it would fall right into the freshly dug hole" - Krista
Carrots:
- Carrots grow well in most climates. They prefer full sun.
- Carrots do not require much fertilizer. They will fork and develop lots of "root hairs" if they are planted in rich soil.
- During the winter you can add ashes from the fire place to an area where you want to grow carrots the following spring.
- Onions are great companions plants for carrots.
- Thin carrots when they are about an inch tall.
"Spread coffee ground between rows of carrots to prevent carrot rust"
Potatos
- Potatos like rich soil and sunny well drained beds. Buy potatos that are certified virus free for planting rather than grocery store potatos.
- Plant potatos a couple weeks before your last expected frost date. Potatos like loose soil.
- Add plenty of compost and plant aproximately one foot deep. Water them regularily.
- Avoid planting in a spot where tomatos, peppers or eggplants have grown in the past year or two.
- To prevent green potatos mound your soil up around your potato plant once a few leaves sprout.
- Harvest potatos once the foliage has died back; after the weather has been dry for a couple of days. You can lift the whole plant.
- Potatos are from the same family as tomatos.
"Old nylons make a good strong tie for tomatoes in your garden"
Tomatoes:
- Tomatoes are easy to grow but grow best in full sun in well drained beds.
- Do not plant tomatoes in the same area each year or they may be affected by nemotodes.
- Tomatoes are officially a fruit but are commonly considered a vegetable.
- Plant marigolds, borage, basil and parsley near your tomatos for improved flavor, pest control and increased blooms.
- To prolong the life of your tomatoes in the fall, take a 3 inch piece of copper wire and poke it right through the main stem of your tomato plants to protect from blight.
"I have no idea WHY this last tip works. It was passed down in the family and it really does work."
"Protect your tomatoes from cutworms by placing a cardboard tube from a frozen juice can around the base of your tomato plants when they are young. Make sure you press the can into the soil a ways."
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Vegetable Gardens
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