Ever feel like the last non-gardener in the country? Hate to break it to you, but you probably are. Vegetable gardening, especially, is booming. More than one in three Americans are growing food in their own backyards, or even on their balconies, and their numbers are growing. It’s easy to see why. We want to know where our food is coming from. We want assurances that it’s fresh and healthy. And frankly, that weekly trip to the grocery store isn’t getting any easier on the wallet.
It’s time to get your hands dirty and experience the joy of growing your own produce. Kathy Quarles, Garden Center Manager of Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill, answers your questions on starting your vegetables and enjoying a bumper crop.
1. What if I don’t have a green thumb?
You can do it! You may fear that your vegetables won’t produce, seeds won’t germinate, or you’ll spend money and time on something that doesn’t work. Build confidence by starting small, with just a few vegetables. Introduce more varieties as you get the feel for watering, spacing and harvesting.
2. How do I get started?
First, decide what to grow. Vegetables need a spot that’s sunny for a minimum of six hours daily. Different vegetables require different spacing, so map out what you’ll have room for. Then, decide whether to plant on a raised bed or in the ground. Raised beds are simply structures that you fill with soil. They can be framed in wooden boards, landscape timbers (no railroad ties, because they’re chemically treated), blocks or bricks. Soil should be a good mix of half top soil, one-quarter compost and one-quarter dehydrated cow manure, blended thoroughly.
3. Can I grow veggies in containers?
Yes, many vegetables can be grown in containers. Look for “dwarf” or “bush” on the seed packet. Newer packs now have a symbol showing their suitability for containers.
Peppers, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, spinach, zucchini, potatoes, and sweet potatoes can all be grown in containers. I keep a bowl of mixed lettuce and spinach on my back table that I constantly cut, planting new seeds every two weeks for a steady supply of fresh greens. Use mixed colors of lettuces and spinach for a pretty and delicious container.
I would avoid planting Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, melons or cabbage in containers because of the space they need and time requirement to harvest.
Remember that vegetables grown in containers require more water. Because containers are surrounded on all sides by air, they dry out faster.
For tomatoes, a container size of at least 24 inches in diameter is critical. Plus, use a tomato cage to support the plant for best results.
4. How do I know which varieties are most suitable for me, my yard and my time?
Choosing vegetables is a matter of taste. What do you like to eat? Easy-to-grow vegetables are spinach, lettuces and onions for early spring. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and zucchini are best later in spring, when it’s warmer.
5. What types of tomatoes should I plant?
Do you want to make delicious sauce from your tomatoes? Then choose pear tomatoes. For sandwiches, choose heirloom tomatoes. For salads, grow grape or cherry tomatoes.
6. What are the most popular vegetables to grow, and how do I care for them?
Tomatoes: Plant seedlings (those are young plants) after the danger of frost has passed, around mid-May. Keep evenly watered to avoid blossom-end rot later, when the tomatoes form. Insects are not a big problem with tomatoes, but squirrels and birds will occasionally invade. Tie colorful ribbons on the tomato cages to frighten off birds. Fertilize with Tomato-tone when planting, and again six weeks later.
Peppers and cucumbers: As with tomatoes, plant seedlings around mid-May. Fertilize with 10-10-10 fertilizer when planting, and again six weeks later. Insects are not a big problem, and with peppers especially, you’ll have no problem with squirrels and birds.
Lettuce and spinach: Sow seed directly in the ground, raised bed or container in early spring. Reseed every two weeks for a constant, fresh supply of leafy greens. Mix 10-10-10 fertilizer in the soil when you sow the seed, and every two weeks if you are reseeding. Lettuce and spinach are cool-weather lovers, so don’t seed after June. For a fall crop, start again in late August.
Onions: Plant little starter onions directly in the ground, raised bed or container. After eating the green tops, replant the bulbs every two weeks for a fresh supply of spring onions. For larger onions, allow more space and plenty of time to mature.
7. Can I grow from seeds?
Yes, you can. You need a sunny window in a warm environment, or supplement the light with a grow light.
Tomatoes and peppers are usually favorites to grow from seeds. Don’t put out the seedlings until the danger of frost has passed.
To “harden them off,” put them out on days when it is 65 degrees and above, and then bring them in at night. This toughens them up so when you are ready to plant outside, they are better able to stand the unprotected environment.
8. What do the numbers mean on fertilizer labels?
Each number represents the percentage of the contents devoted to the elements of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. In 10-10-10 fertilizer, that means 10 percent each of nitrogen, to green your plants, phosphorous to build roots and blooms, and potassium, for overall plant health.
9. What is the key to growing organically, if I want to avoid pesticides and chemicals?
In its purest sense, organic means no chemicals or synthetic materials, which eliminates most fertilizers. Look for “organic” or “OMRI,” for Organic Materials Review Institute, on the packaging of seeds, soils, and fertilizers. Use insecticidal soap or Neem oil for insect problems.
10. How do I start a compost bin?
Composting is a great way to recycle waste into fertilizer. Use vegetable scraps, egg shells (a great calcium source for tomatoes), greens, grass clippings that haven’t been treated chemically, and brown materials such as leaves, stems, and small, shredded twigs.
You can buy a composter or make your own from chicken wire reinforced with wooden stakes or wooden boards with one-inch space between for air circulation. A bin that’s four-feet square is plenty big enough.
Put the composter in a sunny location to keep the good bacteria percolating. Alternate layers of green and brown materials. Water well and turn over frequently with a pitchfork.
It takes a couple of weeks for the compost to break down and be ready to use. Never use meat, fish, or dairy in your compost, so you don’t attract animals or have any odors around your bin.
11. How do I use my compost?
Compost looks like dark soil, and it is actually used as a soil amendment. Mix it into your garden soil before you plant.
12. Should I plant flowers near or with my veggies?
Flowers and herbs complement and beautify your vegetable garden. A border of marigolds around your veggies deters rabbits (unless they’re really hungry). Many herbs are natural repellants for animals and insects.
13. How do I keep my garden from turning into a backyard buffet for critters?
Groundhogs are a nuisance, because they dig under and climb over fences. If you fence your garden bed, dig the fence a foot down and make it at least four feet high. Chicken wire reinforced with wooden stakes can deter rabbits and groundhogs. To keep away deer, the fence must be five feet high. Colorful ribbons and aluminum pie pans tied around the perimeter will blow around and scare off birds.
14. Are there fruits I can grow easily in my yard?
Strawberries are the easiest, followed by blueberries and raspberries. The key to success is a sunny location. For raspberries and blueberries, you also need two different varieties to pollinate each other.
15. Should I keep a journal?
A journal is a great idea. Note what you planted, the date you planted, estimated harvest date, and how you treated any pest problems.
16. What kind of gardening help is available from SKH?
We can provide handouts on everything from how to start a garden, what to grow from seed and when, best vegetables to plant and how to plant, how to compost, companion plants and recipes. We also have an incredibly talented staff, most of whom are avid gardeners who are happy to assist with all of your questions.
17. Hey, my garden grew! How do I preserve this bumper crop?
Canning vegetables is very rewarding but also time consuming and takes a bit of equipment. If that’s not feasible, you can freeze most vegetables easily with resealable freezer bags.
You can even freeze tomatoes. Wash them, take out the stem and pop them into freezer bags. Be sure to get all of the air out of the bags and freeze flat so you can fit more in. When it’s time to use, take the bag out of the freezer, run hot water in the open bag, pull the tomatoes out, and the skins come right off. Compost the skins, and pop your beautiful tomatoes into soups, stews, chili or sauces.
Kathy Quarles
