Page 50 - Bringing out the Potential In Our Children - Gardeners - Food Producers

have nothing come up. This can be done by putting 10 seeds in between damp paper towels
placed in a plastic bag. Keep this in a warm spot and check regularly to see if they have
sprouted. Preferably 8 of the 10 seeds germinated giving you an 80% germination rate. Small
seeds like onions, carrots, lettuce, and parsnips will only keep for a couple years at best so buy
fresh seeds of these. Some seeds will keep for 5,10,20 yrs. To keep seed for many years, they
must be protected from heat and moisture. A cool dry area around 50 degrees will keep larger
seeds for many years. Cooler temperatures will extend seed life, as long as the seeds are
protected from all moisture. You can collect your own seeds from open pollinated plants for
future years’ planting. Again, save the best seeds from the best plants. When setting up your
garden plan to place taller crops on the north and west sides of the garden so they will not
shade shorter plants. Check seed packs for the recommended distance between the plants
and plant accordingly. Make sure to check seed packages too for the right depth to plant your
seeds. The rule of the thumb is about three times the width of the seed. Once planted, they
need water, you can wait for the rains to come but once they receive some moisture, it’s
important not to let them dry out, especially tiny seeds like lettuce and carrots, which are close
to the surface. Carrots take a long time to germinate, so make sure to keep them moist.
WATER AND FERTILIZER- Once seeds have sprouted above the soil, it's time for regular
watering. A general rule of thumb is to give them at least one inch of water a week. Your finger
is a good indicator of when the soil has dried sufficiently to re water: Dig down several inches
into the soil; if the soil is dry to your touch 3 to 4 inches down, it’s time to water. It's best to
water in the morning when possible for disease problems are more likely to get started
overnight on cool, wet leaf surfaces. You want to make sure you're doing deep watering - water
deep into the soil, so the new seedlings will develop deep roots. Vegetable plants and fruits are
75% to 95% water. Succulence, eating quality, plant growth, and productivity are all improved
with sufficient moisture levels but do not over watered. If the soil is waterlogged, roots die from
lack of air. You may consider fertilizing too. Plants will tell you if nutrients are lacking by stunted
growth, pale leaves, and low yields. The best time to feed plants is when they’re at their most
active in terms of growing. Typically, this is when you’re preparing beds, transplanting
seedlings, and when the plants are setting out blooms and fruiting. Plants like corn, spinach,
broccoli and cabbage, especially those whose leaves are eaten, are heavy feeders. Legumes
like beans and lentils, and medium-leafed vegetables like okra need moderate amounts of
fertilizer. Herbs feed sparingly. Fertilize according to package.
WEEDING AND THINNING- As your seedlings start to grow, it’s important to keep the
competition down, so that your desired plants will grow to their full potential. It’s much simpler to
weed when the weeds are small and can be easily removed with a hoe. If you have trouble
weeding around small seedlings, use a table fork to gently pull out awkward little weeds. It’s
important too, to thin your seedlings after they develop two sets of true leaves, thin out those
that stand too close thin your seedlings after they develop two sets of true leaves, thin out those
that stand too close together. Gently pull extra seedlings without disturbing the ones you want
to keep. Some things like carrots you may want to thin later so your thinnings will be big enough
to have as your first harvest. Check seed packs for the recommended distance between the
plants and thin accordingly.
MULCHING- Once you've done your weeding, it’s a good idea to apply a mulch (newspaper,
straws, old leaves or landscape fabric are great mulches).Lay down organic mulch when the