Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES
It's summertime! there's hazards to face and things to do!
The biggest job for the summer is making sure tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are not falling all over the place. Of course, the best way to control that is when the plants are small but it can be done even now.
Let's consider tomatoes this time. If they have been planted in rows, it will be fairly easy to tie them up so you can pick the ripe fruit. Place tall stakes at each end and between every second orthird plant. Tie a hemp or sisal string near the top of the shortest stem and place the string on the outside and go to your next stake. Wind the string around this stake and do the same to the next stake. Repeat this process until you get to the end of the row. As the plants grow, you can do this again and as offten as needed. This is an excelent way to keep tomatoes visible so the ripe fruit can be picked. Until the fruit is all gone, happy picking and enjoy your labors. Another time we will talk about what to do if the plants are not in rows. Just remember, this will be much harder and time consuming
The biggest job for the summer is making sure tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are not falling all over the place. Of course, the best way to control that is when the plants are small but it can be done even now.
Let's consider tomatoes this time. If they have been planted in rows, it will be fairly easy to tie them up so you can pick the ripe fruit. Place tall stakes at each end and between every second orthird plant. Tie a hemp or sisal string near the top of the shortest stem and place the string on the outside and go to your next stake. Wind the string around this stake and do the same to the next stake. Repeat this process until you get to the end of the row. As the plants grow, you can do this again and as offten as needed. This is an excelent way to keep tomatoes visible so the ripe fruit can be picked. Until the fruit is all gone, happy picking and enjoy your labors. Another time we will talk about what to do if the plants are not in rows. Just remember, this will be much harder and time consuming
Monday, June 18, 2012
Healthy Garden
Here are some key steps in having a healthy garden. First of all in the fall the soil must be prepared for the winter sleep. Compost should be put on the beds and black plastic placed over it so it cooks the weed seeds all winter long. In the spring the soil needs to be tilled up, then the garden is ready for planting.
Weeding needs to be done on a very regular basis. Try not to let the weeds get more than an inch or two tall. Their roots are usually quite shallow which makes it easier in weeding.
Another way to keep the plants healthy is to mulch with straw this help to eliminate so much watering and the straw holds in the moisture. Fertilizing the plants every two weeks is also very helpful. Check your soil for nutrient value. Watch the appearance of the plants as they begin to mature. Be watchful for insects that will eat your plants as well and lay eggs, also watch for plant disease.
The most exciting part about gardening is to see those little flowers forming because you know fruit will follow close behind then the fun really begins picking all the produce and enjoy eating and sharing with your neighbors is so very rewarding.
Flower garden soil is easier to prepare especially if you have prenniels just cut down the old flower stocks and then mulch the soil for the winter sleep. It is also fun to leave the seed head stocks there for the birds winter feast. Gardening is very rewarding for the eyes as well as the helping the neighbors with their supply for fresh produce.
Weeding needs to be done on a very regular basis. Try not to let the weeds get more than an inch or two tall. Their roots are usually quite shallow which makes it easier in weeding.
Another way to keep the plants healthy is to mulch with straw this help to eliminate so much watering and the straw holds in the moisture. Fertilizing the plants every two weeks is also very helpful. Check your soil for nutrient value. Watch the appearance of the plants as they begin to mature. Be watchful for insects that will eat your plants as well and lay eggs, also watch for plant disease.
The most exciting part about gardening is to see those little flowers forming because you know fruit will follow close behind then the fun really begins picking all the produce and enjoy eating and sharing with your neighbors is so very rewarding.
Flower garden soil is easier to prepare especially if you have prenniels just cut down the old flower stocks and then mulch the soil for the winter sleep. It is also fun to leave the seed head stocks there for the birds winter feast. Gardening is very rewarding for the eyes as well as the helping the neighbors with their supply for fresh produce.
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