Plant Parenthood

Plant Parenthood

Sweet on Onions

Spud fans, dig this!

Kiwi Kraze

Navel Oranges

Plant Parenthood

by Guido the Gardener

This week was supposed to be my yearly tribute to the stalk of the town: asparagus. But while digging in my backyard dirt, a more appropriate subject knocked on my noggin. So here goes, "Gardening with Guido," in 600 words or less.
    So you forgot to order seeds through the mail. Don't throw in the trowel! Nurseries and garden centers are jammed not only with seeds, but also seedlings of interesting -- and hopefully-- productive spring offerings.
    Take heart Produce Profilers, there are but three requirements for growing ripe, nutritious, organic vegetables. Dirt, water, and sun. Well, what about experience? You don't need any. Hours of time? No way. Knowledge of lunar force fields and cosmic energy? Leave that to Shirly MacLaine.
    Dirt first. Anything, anywhere. What about that weedy strip by your garage? If it's compacted enough to successfully land a Boeing 747, just add organic compost. If it's sandy enough to make a seguero cactus happy, same answer... compost!
    You say you are land poor? How about the ubiquitous half oak barrel? If nothing else, try a hanging basket.
    Next is the water requirement. For a freshly seeded bed, keep it constantly wet. As a plant grows, cut back to twice a week of deep, thorough root soakings. If the weather gets hot, water more often. During overcast or drizzly spells, water less.
    As far as sunshine goes, if your future farm gets at least six hours of sunshine per day, you can count on lettuce and other leafy goodies. Root vegetables need a bit more and fruit bearers like tomatoes and peppers need even more.
    The best vegetables to grow are those that you enjoy eating. When planting seeds or setting out transplants, keep in mind the K.I.S.S. principle. "Keep it simple, Sylvester!"
    If you are entering your rookie year with a half-dozen sets of transplants and a fistful of seed packets, you may be headed toward hoeing hell. Start small, if nothing else, grow a successful salad. Try lettuce from seedlings and radishes and carrots froms eeds. For those who enjoy a bit more of a challenge--

    Tomatoes -- the forever favorite of backyard gardeners, and with good reason. Try Early Girls. They are dependable in our area, produce fruit just like their name suggests, and have a pleasing acid/sugar level. Many folks go berserk for Beefsteak (BIG) varieties. Those take much longer to mature, but generally reward you with a bolder flavor.
    Green beans-- Kentucky Wonders and Blue Lakes are available in any market. Instead, try the Italian favorites, Romanos! They grow long, wide, and flat and have a major bean flavor. Asparagus or Chinese long beans are very popular in Asian stir-frys. Their high cost also makes them a good garden candidate. Any French flat bean is worth a square foot or two. When picked less than pencil thin there is no better eating bean. (P.S. -- pole beans require some kind of support, but produce more than bush beans.)
    More next week..

Copyright © 1996 Mark Ferro
All Rights Reserved

To learn more about prices or to order
Produce Profile

please visit our To order page

syndication page.