Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness

GardeningGardening

GardeningGardening

Also available at www.tbpetersen.netAlso available at www.tbpetersen.net Extracted from www.providentliving.orgExtracted from www.providentliving.org ””Living" storageLiving" storage A few basic rulesA few basic rules

Topics we will CoverTopics we will Cover

Acquiring Seeds Acquiring Seeds Selecting a Garden Site Selecting a Garden Site Selecting Crops Selecting Crops Planning Your Garden Planning Your Garden Deciding When to Plant Deciding When to Plant Preparing the Soil Preparing the Soil Fertilizing the Soil Fertilizing the Soil

Topics we will CoverTopics we will Cover

Planting Planting Watering Watering Controlling Weeds Controlling Weeds Mulching Mulching Preventing Pests and Disease Preventing Pests and Disease Harvesting Harvesting Correcting Common Garden Problems Correcting Common Garden Problems

Acquiring Seeds Acquiring Seeds

Buy rather than save from gardenBuy rather than save from garden Buy for two years to keep one year Buy for two years to keep one year

supplysupply

Selecting a Garden SiteSelecting a Garden Site

Full or near-full sunlightFull or near-full sunlight Deep, well-drained, fertile soilDeep, well-drained, fertile soil Near a water outletNear a water outlet Free from shrubs or treesFree from shrubs or trees

Selecting CropsSelecting Crops

Good portion of Good portion of nutritious food for nutritious food for the time and space the time and space requiredrequired

Plant according to Plant according to family needs - resist family needs - resist over-plantingover-planting

Selecting Crops . . .Selecting Crops . . .

Home Garden VegetablesSmall Garden Vegetables Large Garden Vegetables

BeetsBroccoliBush squashCabbageCarrotsEggplantEnglish peasGarlic

Green beansLettuceOnionsParsleyPeppersRadishesSpinachTomatoes

CantaloupesCauliflowerCollardsCucumbersMustardOkra

PotatoesPumpkinsSouthern peasSweet cornSweet potatoesWatermelons

Planning Your GardenPlanning Your Garden

Separate Long-term from short-term Separate Long-term from short-term cropscrops

Plant tall crops where they will not Plant tall crops where they will not overshadow small onesovershadow small ones

Consider rate of maturityConsider rate of maturity Rotate to prevent diseases and insect Rotate to prevent diseases and insect

buildupbuildup

Deciding When to PlantDeciding When to Plant

May plant 10 days to 2 weeks earlier May plant 10 days to 2 weeks earlier than commercial fieldsthan commercial fields

Varies widely by area. April in Georgia?Varies widely by area. April in Georgia?

Preparing the SoilPreparing the Soil

Add organic matter and/or sandAdd organic matter and/or sand Turn in late winter or early springTurn in late winter or early spring Periodically: composted materials, Periodically: composted materials,

peanut hulls, rice hulls, grass clippings, peanut hulls, rice hulls, grass clippings, etcetc

Gypsum: tight, heavy clayGypsum: tight, heavy clay Soil should be granularSoil should be granular

Fertilizing the SoilFertilizing the Soil

Clay soils absorb and store fertilizer Clay soils absorb and store fertilizer three to four times the rate of sandy three to four times the rate of sandy soils.soils.

For clay soils add 10-20-10 or 12-24-12 For clay soils add 10-20-10 or 12-24-12 at 1 to 2 pounds per 100 sqft.at 1 to 2 pounds per 100 sqft.

Fertilizing the Soil . . .Fertilizing the Soil . . .

Plant Food Elements on front of bagPlant Food Elements on front of bag

N-P-KNitrogen % Phosphorus %

Potassium %

10-20-10

Fertilizing the Soil . . .Fertilizing the Soil . . .

MethodMethod• Apply few days before plantingApply few days before planting• Spade the garden plotSpade the garden plot• SpreadSpread• Work the soilWork the soil

Fertilizing the Soil . . .Fertilizing the Soil . . .

pH is too high (alkaline)pH is too high (alkaline)• Add sulfur to recommended amountsAdd sulfur to recommended amounts

pH is too low (basic)pH is too low (basic)• Add lime to recommended amountsAdd lime to recommended amounts• When close to proper pH 5lbs/100sq. Ft. When close to proper pH 5lbs/100sq. Ft.

every 2-3 years should keep soil at good every 2-3 years should keep soil at good levelslevels

• Beans, peas, onions require high pH levelsBeans, peas, onions require high pH levels

PlantingPlanting

Plant as early as possiblePlant as early as possible Transplant where possibleTransplant where possible

SeedingSeeding

Cover the seed 2 to 3 times its widest Cover the seed 2 to 3 times its widest measurement - (Rule of thumb)measurement - (Rule of thumb)

For smaller-seeded crops such as For smaller-seeded crops such as carrots, lettuce, or onions, an average carrots, lettuce, or onions, an average planting depth of ¼ to ½ inch is usually planting depth of ¼ to ½ inch is usually adequate.adequate.

ThinThin

TransplantingTransplanting

Avoid transplanting too deep or too Avoid transplanting too deep or too shallow.shallow.

Starter solution:Starter solution:• 2 to 3 cups of fertilizer to 5 gal. Water2 to 3 cups of fertilizer to 5 gal. Water• Apply 1 to 2 pints per plantApply 1 to 2 pints per plant

TransplantingTransplanting

Table 2. Ease of Transplanting

Easily Transplanted

BeetsBroccoliCabbage

CauliflowerChard

Lettuce

OnionTomatoes

Require Care

CarrotsCelery

EggplantOkra

PeppersSpinach

Very Difficult without Using Containers

BeansCantaloupe

Corn

CucumbersPeas

Squash

TurnipsWatermelons

WateringWatering

Equivalent of 1 inch of rain per weekEquivalent of 1 inch of rain per week If sprinklers, water in the morning to If sprinklers, water in the morning to

allow foliage to dry - prevent disease.allow foliage to dry - prevent disease. Drip irrigationDrip irrigation

• helps prevent diseasehelps prevent disease• most efficient use of watermost efficient use of water

Controlling WeedsControlling Weeds

A long-handled hoe is the best tool for A long-handled hoe is the best tool for control of undesirable plantscontrol of undesirable plants

Chemical weed controlChemical weed control• doesn’t kill all weedsdoesn’t kill all weeds• likely kill vegetables cropslikely kill vegetables crops

Seedling stageSeedling stage MulchMulch

MulchingMulching

Increase yieldsIncrease yields Conserve moistureConserve moisture Prevent weed growthPrevent weed growth Regulate soil temperatureRegulate soil temperature Decrease losses caused by ground rotDecrease losses caused by ground rot

MulchingMulching

Organic mulchesOrganic mulches• straw, leaves, grass, bark, compost, straw, leaves, grass, bark, compost,

sawdust, or peat mosssawdust, or peat moss• Will improve the soil condition, aeration, Will improve the soil condition, aeration,

and drainage.and drainage.• Apply 1 to 2 inches around growing plants.Apply 1 to 2 inches around growing plants.

Fertilize prior to turning.Fertilize prior to turning.

Preventing Pests and DiseasePreventing Pests and Disease

Mild winters and long growing seasonsMild winters and long growing seasons Avoid spraying if possible, but use Avoid spraying if possible, but use

chemicals where necessary.chemicals where necessary. Dispose of crop residue (leftovers)Dispose of crop residue (leftovers)

Preventing Pests and DiseasePreventing Pests and Disease

RotateRotate Use treated seedsUse treated seeds Use resistant varietiesUse resistant varieties Diseases can be prevented but not Diseases can be prevented but not

eradicated.eradicated.

HarvestingHarvesting

Harvest vegetables when they are Harvest vegetables when they are mature.mature.

Harvest the day it is to be eaten or Harvest the day it is to be eaten or preserved.preserved.

Correcting Common Garden Correcting Common Garden ProblemsProblems

Plants stunted in growthPlants stunted in growth Holes in leavesHoles in leaves Plant leaves with spotsPlant leaves with spots Plants wilt even though sufficient water Plants wilt even though sufficient water

is present is present More…see documentMore…see document

Questions?Questions?