Transcript 600k
Emergency Preparedness Gardening Gardening Also available at www.tbpetersen.net Extracted from www.providentliving.org ”Living" storage A few basic rules Topics we will Cover Acquiring Seeds Selecting a Garden Site Selecting Crops Planning Your Garden Deciding When to Plant Preparing the Soil Fertilizing the Soil Topics we will Cover Planting Watering Controlling Weeds Mulching Preventing Pests and Disease Harvesting Correcting Common Garden Problems Acquiring Seeds Buy rather than save from garden Buy for two years to keep one year supply Selecting a Garden Site Full or near-full sunlight Deep, well-drained, fertile soil Near a water outlet Free from shrubs or trees Selecting Crops Good portion of nutritious food for the time and space required Plant according to family needs - resist over-planting Selecting Crops . . . Home Garden Vegetables Small Garden Vegetables Beets Broccoli Bush squash Cabbage Carrots Eggplant English peas Garlic Green beans Lettuce Onions Parsley Peppers Radishes Spinach Tomatoes Large Garden Vegetables Cantaloupes Cauliflower Collards Cucumbers Mustard Okra Potatoes Pumpkins Southern peas Sweet corn Sweet potatoes Watermelons Planning Your Garden Separate Long-term from short-term crops Plant tall crops where they will not overshadow small ones Consider rate of maturity Rotate to prevent diseases and insect buildup Deciding When to Plant May plant 10 days to 2 weeks earlier than commercial fields Varies widely by area. April in Georgia? Preparing the Soil Add organic matter and/or sand Turn in late winter or early spring Periodically: composted materials, peanut hulls, rice hulls, grass clippings, etc Gypsum: tight, heavy clay Soil should be granular Fertilizing the Soil Clay soils absorb and store fertilizer three to four times the rate of sandy soils. For clay soils add 10-20-10 or 12-24-12 at 1 to 2 pounds per 100 sqft. Fertilizing the Soil . . . Plant Food Elements on front of bag 10-20-10 N-P-K Potassium % Nitrogen % Phosphorus % Fertilizing the Soil . . . Method • • • • Apply few days before planting Spade the garden plot Spread Work the soil Fertilizing the Soil . . . pH is too high (alkaline) • Add sulfur to recommended amounts pH is too low (basic) • Add lime to recommended amounts • When close to proper pH 5lbs/100sq. Ft. every 2-3 years should keep soil at good levels • Beans, peas, onions require high pH levels Planting Plant as early as possible Transplant where possible Seeding Cover the seed 2 to 3 times its widest measurement - (Rule of thumb) For smaller-seeded crops such as carrots, lettuce, or onions, an average planting depth of ¼ to ½ inch is usually adequate. Thin Transplanting Avoid transplanting too deep or too shallow. Starter solution: • 2 to 3 cups of fertilizer to 5 gal. Water • Apply 1 to 2 pints per plant Transplanting Table 2. Ease of Transplanting Easily Transplanted Beets Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Chard Lettuce Onion Tomatoes Require Care Carrots Celery Eggplant Okra Peppers Spinach Very Difficult without Using Containers Beans Cantaloupe Corn Cucumbers Peas Squash Turnips Watermelons Watering Equivalent of 1 inch of rain per week If sprinklers, water in the morning to allow foliage to dry - prevent disease. Drip irrigation • helps prevent disease • most efficient use of water Controlling Weeds A long-handled hoe is the best tool for control of undesirable plants Chemical weed control • doesn’t kill all weeds • likely kill vegetables crops Seedling Mulch stage Mulching Increase yields Conserve moisture Prevent weed growth Regulate soil temperature Decrease losses caused by ground rot Mulching Organic mulches • straw, leaves, grass, bark, compost, sawdust, or peat moss • Will improve the soil condition, aeration, and drainage. • Apply 1 to 2 inches around growing plants. Fertilize prior to turning. Preventing Pests and Disease Mild winters and long growing seasons Avoid spraying if possible, but use chemicals where necessary. Dispose of crop residue (leftovers) Preventing Pests and Disease Rotate Use treated seeds Use resistant varieties Diseases can be prevented but not eradicated. Harvesting Harvest vegetables when they are mature. Harvest the day it is to be eaten or preserved. Correcting Common Garden Problems Plants stunted in growth Holes in leaves Plant leaves with spots Plants wilt even though sufficient water is present More…see document Questions?