OUTDOOR GARDENINGTHE BASICS VEGETABLE ESSENTIALS 1. Vegetables need the sun and require a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day. 2. Good, loamy, well-drained soil is essential for a healthy garden. Unfortunately, most backyard soil is not perfect and needs a helping hand. Aged manure is the absolute best possible fertilizer for a garden. When tilled, or well spaded into the soil, it makes a nutrient rich soil that plants thrive in. A local nursery or county extension office can give you more information on your specific soil. 3. Locate your garden away from trees, as water and nutrients will be taken from your plants. If possible, locate the plot near your home. This will discourage pests, and also make access from the home more convenient. 4. Water your garden at least one inch per week. 5. A good beginner size garden is 10 X 16 feet and can easily feed a family of four with enough extra to can or freeze each summer. The garden size can be adjusted to the family it will be providing, limited only by the available space. Run the rows north and south to get the most sunshine. Rows should be approximately 1 1/2 feet apart. All staked, bush, or vining plants should occupy a corner, shaped into an L for easier access and picking of produce. To learn more about growing vegetables and easy vegetable gardening, here is a source of information that will help you with the wonderful rewards of growing your own produce. Easy Vegetable Gardening Outdoor gardening can be as basic or varied as your taste. The suggestion below is for a "starter" garden. Simple, basic, and healthy produce. You choose what you like in your garden. Try a less known vegetable, Jerusalem artichoke, for example, for variety once you have mastered the basics. WHAT TO PLANT Using the above 10 X 16 plot: Bush beans Temperature Temperature is a very important factor in an outdoor garden. Planting seeds too soon will effect germination, and your crop may not yield as much. The chart below will help you decide when to plant your vegetables. Temperature of the soil in degrees Fahrenheit Beans 48° Other important tips for your outdoor garden. Do not rush to start tomato seeds. Wait until early April in the Northeast and Midwest, and start indoors in a sunny spot at about 70°F. Keep the soil barely moist, water in the morning and let dry throughout the day to prevent damping-off disease. Peppers germinate best when the soil temperature is 70° to 80°F. Water from the top with warm water. Start cucumbers early indoors, but keep them at a temperature of about 70°F. Best place is on top of the refrigerator, or water heater. Instead of waiting to plant, you may wish to start your seedlings early, and have a head start on the season. Be sure to: 1. Choose a good brand name potting mix, one that contains vermiculite. 2. Containers can range from tin cans to styrofoam cups. Plastic yogurt containers are perfect size and are reusable. The plastic covers work well to retain soil moisture, which helps the seeds germinate. Another great seedling tray is an old icecube tray. Make sure all of your containers have at least 3 holes in the bottom for drainage. Recycle a stryofoam meat tray to set your containers on and off the counter or refrigerator. Holds water and any soil spills. 3. Label your seedlings. To make your own: take a popsicle stick and an indelible marker, label on the stick and simply transfer it from the container to the garden when planting outdoors. 4. Allow seedlings to grow to at least 4" before moving to a sheltered area to acclimate to outdoor fluctuations in temperature. After 3-5 days plant in your garden. 5. Plant when the sky is overcast, and early in the day. Water in well, but do not allow the ground to be soaked. Depending on the variety of plant (see the seed packet for this information), leave adequate room between plants. Although at first, the small seedlings look lost and forlorn, they will soon grow up and out, and fill in those open areas. A terrific place to find more information on organic gardening is Food From The Garden. Find information on compost, garden ecology, even aquaponics. Great information source. Love your outdoor gardening journey, tend your crop, and enjoy the healthful, tasty, pesticide free produce that you have grown!
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