basic gardening for wise women for helen
TRANSCRIPT
A collaboration between the Family Nutrition Program and Consumer Horticulture
Physical Exercise
Mentally stimulating
Encourages creativity
Exposure to fresh air & sunshine
Grow vegetables not available in markets or stores.
Promotes a sense of accomplishment and increases self-esteem
Site selection
Crop selection
Site preparation
Planting
Water, weed and watch
Harvest
Prepare for next year
Sun exposure – 6 hour minimum 8 is better ~ exception shade for some plants
Flat as possible
Easy access: water, ease of care & harvest
Soil
Well drained
Fertile
A soil test is always good idea
Grow what you like to eat
Experiment with new vegetables
Early maturing varieties for northern gardens
Seeds vs. transplants
Remove sod & weeds
Manual removal
Solarization – 4 to 6 weeks
herbicides
Till to loosen soil
Double dig
Rototiller
Placement
Cultural requirements
Thinning
Spacing
Depth
Mulching
Row planting
Raised beds
Containers
Vertical gardening
Square-foot Gardening
Poor or hard soil
Improve drainage
Improve access for those gardening with physical challenges
Use soilless mix
Necessary drainage
Special varieties
Good option for patio, deck or apartment dwellers
Trellised or staked
Hanging Baskets
Library or internet researchSeed packet
SunlightWhen to plantSpacing depth Days to germination Days to maturity
Water
Weed
Watch for problems
Insects
Disease
Abiotic issues
Learn when and how to harvest each food plant.
Learn the best way to keep or preserve your produce
Garden clean up reduces possible future problems
Plan your rotation and selection for next years bounty
