| By WTJX Channel 12,on September 8th,2011 Tip:Location! Location! Location!
When looking for a spot to create a garden,proper location is the key. Look for a place that is flat or slightly soaped,well drained,free from constant foot traffic and preferably gets the first morning sun;at least 4 hours. Plants that are exposed to the majority of the sunlight beyond noon tend to get grow poorly and have poor yields. Tip:Use a thick mulch to suppress weeds
One way of controlling weeds is to use a thick layer of mulch derived from dried grass,straw,hay,woodchips or other types of organic matter. The recommended thickness of organic mulch is between 4-6 inches. Because high temperatures and high humidity create the ideal environment for microorganisms to breakdown organic matter rapidly,a mulch layer that is less than 4 inches will disappear in a matter of 3 or 4 months on average. If you are mulching trees,keep the mulch at least 1 foot away from the trunk of the tree in order to prevent bark rot. By WTJX Channel 12,on August 23rd,2011 Tip:Plant food is a boost for plant growth.
A starter solution helps plants grow quickly by providing nutrients to the plant quickly. Make a solution by mixing one tablespoon of a soluble fertilizer such as 10-20-10,in one gallon of water. Pour 1 cup of this solution around each plant as you set it out. Tip:Seed size determines planting depth.
Small seeds like those of lettuce,mustard,radish or turnip should be planted about 1/4 –1/2 in. deep. Large seed such as beans,squash,pumpkin and corn can be planted deeper 1 to 1 1/2 in deep. By WTJX Channel 12,on July 6th,2011 Tip:Use of good seed is very important.
Buy only from dealers who have a reputation for handling good seed. Saving vegetable seeds grown in Arkansas is not a good practice. Many vegetable diseases are transmitted through seed and planting diseased seed often results in severe losses. Tip:Environment may cause certain crops to perform poorly.
Some vegetables such as tomatoes,peppers,eggplant,cabbage,broccoli and cauliflower should be transplanted as small plants rather than planted as seed. Transplants will grow in soil that is too cool for seed to germinate. The use of transplants shortens the period to harvest and allows the gardener to complete a crop before it gets too hot or cold. Always remove plastic or paper pots from transplants and crack peat pots so allowing roots to grow easily and unrestricted into the soil. By WTJX Channel 12,on July 6th,2011 By WTJX Channel 12,on June 2nd,2011 Tip:Seed is normally expensive and should not be wasted.
Plan carefully and buy only seed that is needed. If seed is left over,put it into a dry container and refrigerate for use later. Gardeners may be successful in using one-year-old seed,but old seed loses strength. Germination tests will not indicate seed strength,which is sometimes called “vigor.”(USED) Tip:Use of good seed is very important.
Buy only from dealers who have a reputation for handling good seed. Saving vegetable seeds grown in Arkansas is not a good practice. Many vegetable diseases are transmitted through seed and planting diseased seed often results in severe losses. | Channel 12 Program Schedule- Sundays at 10:30AM
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