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It's that time again boys and girls...... spring time!
It's time to get dirt under your fingernails again. Some of us are
already planting outdoors. For others, we must settle for indoor seed
starts, to satisfy our gardening urges. If you've been a good
gardener, you've spent the past few months studying, learning, and
refreshing yourself on gardening techniques, and how to produce even
better flowers, vegetables and herbs. Fruits, too!
Armed with new tips and techniques, you have every right to believe
that your green thumb will result in a spectacular gardening season.
So, lets get growing..... ....
1. In this Issue:
1. The Very Important First Test
2. Edible Row Markers
3. A Perennial Reminder
4. Indoor starts, or direct sow?
5. Ph Balanced
5. Community News
6. On the Light Side
1. The Very Important First Test
Now that the snow has melted away in your garden, I have a little
test for you to take. As soon as you can get to the garden, take a
soil sample and check your soil's pH and fertility.
It's the very important first step towards a successful victory
garden. Proper soil pH helps to grow bigger tomatoes and pumpkins
than your neighbor! It helps to produce lots of healthy blooms on
your roses. It doesn't matter what you're growing, the soil pH needs
to be in balance. And, your soil's fertility needs to be "right on",
not too high, not too low.
To take this test, you have three choices:
1. An Electronic Soil Tester - quick, easy, use over and over again.
2. Soil Test Kit - a chemical test, quick, easy, but use once.
3. Send out for Professional Analysis- A thorough analysis, takes a
few weeks for results.
You wouldn't put your baby in the bath water without testing it
first, would you!? Perform a soil and fertility test before your
plants set root in their new home. Your plants will thank you, and
reward your efforts.
See tables on ideal pH levels for hundreds of flowers and vegetables
at: http://www.gardener snet.com/ atoz/ph.htm
Buy an electronic soil tester or soil test kit today: http://www.goestore s.com/home. aspx?Merchant= PremierStarCompa ny
************ Electronic Soil Tester****** ******
Electronic Soil Testers are a basic essential for all gardeners.
Providing your plants with the proper pH, allows them to grow healthy
to their full potential. And, it helps to grow a better garden than
your neighbor!
************ Thanks for Supporting The Gardener's Network ************
2. Edible Row Markers
You're ready to plant a row of your favorite vegetable. Several days
later, they have yet to appear. But, the weeds are already growing.
You can't quite tell where the row is.
Try putting a few row markers every several inches to a foot in the
row.
The best row marker is an edible one, a vegetable whose seed sprouts
in just a couple of days. You've probably guessed the perfect row
marker are radishes! They sprout in just a few days. Most varieties
reach maturity in about 30 to 35 days.
************ Thanks for Supporting The Gardener's Net ************
4. An Indoor Start or Out?
As the highly anticipated spring gardening season begins, you may be
asking yourself: "Should I start my seedlings indoors, or directly
sow them into the garden?" It's an excellent question.
Some growers start their plants indoors, because growing indoor
starts is part of the fun of gardening. The growing season in some
areas is short, making an indoor start a necessity. Sue, you can by
young plants from the garden stores. But, why let them have all of
the indoor gardening fun?
How long should you grow seedlings indoors? It depends upon the
plant, and how long of a start you want to provide them.
Most plants can be started indoors for transplanting later. And, its
a lot of fun.
Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants can be started six to eight weeks
before the last frost in your area. Small, plastic celled trays work
well and roots will tolerate a little tight space.
Flowers can be started for a few weeks to several weeks early, so you
will get earlier blooms. Plastic celled trays or peat pots will work
well for most flowers.
Fast growing pumpkins, squash and cucumbers, should be just a couple
of weeks. While the seeds take several days to germinate, your
seedling will spread it's roots quickly. You don't want them to get
root bound, as this will restrict their growth. Once the roots emerge
from peat pots, they need to get outdoors. We recommend 4" pots to
give your seedlings plenty of room to spread their roots. Peat pots
also work well to minimize and eliminate transplant shock.
Tip: Most seeds like warm soil to germinate. A seed propagation mat
is beneficial.
************ Thanks for Supporting The Gardener's Network ************
6. On the Light Side
Gardening is all about "Green". Nothing is more green than St.
Patrick's Day, when everyone is a little Irish. See http://holidayinsig hts.com/stpat/ index.htm
I propose that everyone participates in this day: http://holidayinsig hts.com/moreholi days/March/ proposalday. htm
In Our Next Issue:
1. A Pumpkin or an Eggplant?
2. What's that Scent!?
3. Greenhouse Dreaming
4. The Joy of Herbs
5. Cold and Frost Protection
6. And, much, much more!
Until Next Month: Collect your seed and seed starting supplies. Start
tomatoes, peppers and eggplant indoors anytime now. Determine how you
will provide adequate sunlight for your indoor starts.
Bob Matthews
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