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By: John Gulick
If you're seriously interested in knowing about Gardening,
you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article
takes a closer look at things you need to know about Gardening.
1. Planting Methods: There are several methods for planting.
Choosing any of these methods depends on the vegetable, the
size of your garden, and your preference. Three methods of
planting, namely, single rows, wide rows, and hills are explained
as follows:
A) Single Rows: In this method, seeds are sown in rows or
lines that are spaced equal distances apart. The distances
between the rows and between the seeds within the rows differ
from vegetable to vegetable. If you want the rows to be straight,
which gives a pleasant appearance to your garden, stretch
a string between two stakes and sow the seeds along it. If
you think this is too much work, use a stick to mark a line
on the ground and try to make the line as straight as possible.
With some practice, you will get it straight.
B) Wide Rows: In wide row planting, seeds are sprinkled at
equal spacing in both directions over a wide area. The width
of the row varies from 6 to 16 inches. The row's width is
limited by your arm's reach to the area in the middle of the
row while standing at the edges. We find that wide rows are
convenient and productive for peas and beans. In addition
to giving high yield per unit area, they cut down on weeds.
Wide rows are also good for starting leaf vegetables like
lettuce and spinach. When the seedlings emerge, they can be
thinned and transplanted elsewhere. Double rows are a special
form of wide rows.
C) Hills: In hill planting, 3 to 5 seeds are sown close to
each other. They need not be sown on a formed hill, as the
name implies. This method is used for planting zucchini and
cucumbers.
2. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of planting
each vegetable in a different location each year. The advantages
of crop rotation are:
A) The chances of transmitting diseases and insects to next
year's crop are reduced. Specific diseases and insects attack
specific vegetables. These diseases and insects move from
the plants to the soil, where they winter. If the same vegetable
is planted in the same spot the following year, the diseases
and insects will emerge from the soil and attack the new plants.
B) Each vegetable absorbs trace amounts of specific minerals
from the soil. If the same vegetable is planted in the same
spot year after year, the minerals the vegetable needs to
grow healthy plants will be depleted, resulting in a poor
harvest.
C) The roots of legumes (peas and beans) have bacteria that
absorb nitrogen from the air and fix it on the roots of the
plants and in the soil. To take advantage of the nitrogen
they fix in the soil, the legumes should be followed by a
leafy vegetable, such as lettuce and spinach, which needs
nitrogen-rich soil. This is one of the techniques organic
growers use to grow vegetables without the use of chemical
fertilizers. It may be impractical to rotate every crop each
year if your garden is small.
I trust that what you've read so far has been informative.
The following section should go a long way toward clearing
up any uncertainty that may remain.
This problem can be overcome by taking the following measures:
(1) choose disease-resistant vegetable varieties, (2) keep
your garden clean of debris, and (3) watch for insects and
diseases. If a plant becomes infested with insects, pick them
by hand; if a plant is infected by a disease, pull it from
the ground and discard it.
3. Gardening Tools: Many gardening tools are available. The
basic tools you need are a shovel, trowel, steel rake, tomato
cages, and water hose or can. The shovel is used to till the
soil, mix potting soil, move soil around, and cut the weeds
if they grow big. Some gardeners use a fork instead of a shovel
to till the soil, but we don't.
The choice is yours. The trowel is used for cultivating the
weeds, transplanting the seedlings, mixing soil or fertilizers,
and filling containers with soil. The steel rake is used to
grade the soil and to compact the soil over the seeds. Tomato
cages are essential for supporting tomato plants. You can
also use them to support running plants such as cucumbers
and peas. Without them the plants will fall on the ground
and their fruit will get into contact with the soil and rot.
A hose or a can is used to water the plants in the garden
and containers.
4. Proper Gardening Clothing: In the course of gardening,
your footwear and clothes are likely to be soiled. You walk
on dirt or mud, your clothes get in contact with plant leaves
and stems, and your hands are soiled. You are also exposed
to the sun. Your shoes collect mud and will soil the floor
if you walk directly into the house. Therefore, you should
have a pair of old shoes set aside for gardening. Put them
on before going into the garden and take them off before entering
the house. Leave them in the garage or put them in a bag until
you use them again.
Also, have special clothes for the garden. If you don't,
your ordinary clothes will be soiled no matter how careful
you are. To protect your hands and fingernails from collecting
dirt, use a good pair of gloves. Some are washable and can
be reused.
About The Author
I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable
and educational for you.
Brought to you by
John Gulick
HTTP://www.gardening.jlgsr.com
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