Protective Devices
You can easily protect vegetables from the weather by placing a cover over individual plants, a section of the garden, or an entire Vegetable Factory bed. These devices make it possible to raise the garden temperature 5 to 15 F or more. This allows you to start crops earlier and to extend the season for such warm-season crops such as tomatoes and eggplant by two to four weeks. A cloche is any covering that admits the sunlight to warm a bed. In a Vegetable Factory garden this might mean anything...
Vertical vegetable growing
Utilizing limited patio areas, vegetables are now being grown in upright vertical containers. Here are a few The vegetable tree is made of wire filled with planting mix, along an eight foot-high board with tomatoes at the bottom, cucumbers above, then radishes and carrots. Vegetable pot trees are baskets supported on a 5 x 7 foot post that has been anchored with bags of sand. There are also many types of roll-around bookcase vegetable planters being used. See Chapter 10 for details. Reference...
Chemicals In The Garden
There is no doubt that the use of simple organic techniques can be effective in the management and control of all kinds of garden pests. They have been considered first in this chapter because most gardeners prefer to consider organic methods before resorting to chemicals. There is a time and place for everything, however, and when pest problems get truly out of hand you may feel the need to turn to laboratory-developed assistance. It is important for the gardener thinking of using any of the...
Frontend rototillers
1. Lighter and generally less expensive than rear-end. 2. Mover manoeuverable, can turn in less space, making it easier to work garden beds. 3. Good digging capability. Takes fewer passes to get the soil in good shape. 1. Some compacting occurs, since wheels pass over soil that tines have tilled. 2. Not easy to control without strength and effort Jumps and bucks in heavy soil or when rocks are hit 1. Easy to operate. Can be guided with one hand. Good for people without the strength necessary to...
Waterproofing Baskets
Buy clear polyester resin and hardener separately and a brush from a craft store. Be sure to use the hardener according to the instructions. Tear some newspapers into long strips about five inches wide. Brush the polyester resin on the basket bottom and sides, then line with the newspaper strips until you have filled the entire basket. Continue the resin-paper process until you've lined the basket with six coats of paper. When finished, add an additional coat of resin. Hanging basket trees...
Developing Good Soil
A soil in which vegetables can thrive generally contains solid matter and pore space in approximately equal measure. Moisture should occupy about half the pore space, air the other half. Most of the sold matter, about 43 to 45 percent of the entire soil makeup, should be mineral the rest of the solid matter 5 to 7 percent of the soil composition should be animal and vegetable organic material. Most garden soils start out being either too sandy or too clayish. Sand has too much air, clay too...
VermiculiteTerralite
PRODUCTS W.R. Grace Co. 62 Whitmore Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140 MICHIGAN PEAT CO. P.O. Box 66388 Houston, TX 77006 ASB GREEMWORLD LTD. Pointe Sapin, Kent C.O. Canada EOA 2A0 AGRO-K CORP 1401 ME Marshall St Minneapolis, MM 55413 AQUA 10 CORP P.O. Box 818 West Beaufort Rd. Beaufort, MC 2.8516 BIO CHEMICAL, R amp D 210 Eye St Harlington, TX 78554 BLACK MAQIC PRODUCTS 8137 Elder Creed Rd. Sacramento, CA 95824 BOMIDE CHEMICAL CO., IMC. 2 Wurz Ave. Yorkville, MY 13495 P.O. Box 277 Pleasant Plains, IL...
Proper Use Of Insecticides
1. Select an insecticide that can be used on a wide variety of crops. 2. Read the instruction label carefully and follow directions exactly when preparing and applying insecticides. 3. never use an insecticide on a crop that is not listed on the label. 4. Never use more than the specified dosage. 5. Store insecticides out of reach of children. 6. Dispose of the container in a safe manner do not break or puncture the pesticide container. Wrap in a newspaper and place in the trash or bury at...
No Dzj
These unusual stainless steel gardening tools are excellent for working with all types of vegetables. The narrow blade widths make it extremely easy to use around closely planted vegetables, handy for heavy-clay soils. Each is especially designed for cultivating, transplanting and weeding. Heavy-duty These flat-headed rakes are designed for raking large stones or for smoothing asphalt They can be useful in heavy soils or when putting in garden walks and paths. Traditionally an important tool...
What Kind Of Light
There are many kinds of incandescent and fluorescent lights on the market While the incandescent bulb is a good source of far-red light, it is deficient in the other colors. Most light gardeners, therefore, use fluorescent lights. There are some 'plant growth' fluorescent tubes that have been developed especially for use in indoor gardens. In general, these lamps reduce the output of yellow-green light and increase the output of red and blue rays, which the plants need. Some gardeners swear by...
Temperature
Another environmental factor you've got to watch when growing vegetables under lights is temperature. Fluorescent lights don't generate much heat, but even they produce enough to take into account incandescent bulbs, of course, give off a lot of heat for their size. Cool-season vegetables such as lettuce like temperatures that don't rise much above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes grow and mature best when the temperature is above 65 and below 90 F. And this is...
Spacing Vegetables In A Container
20 inches 5-10 gall, soil per plant . 12-20 inches 5 gal. of soil per plant . Figure 10.05 Bushel basket containers fining cucumbers love the warm, well-drained conditions provided by targe containers such as bushel baskets, half barrets and 7-gallon tubs. Containers should be filled with artificial soil purchased ready-made or Sourcebook Vegetable potting soiL prtoto credit national Garden tiureau. Another popular and attractive container is the half whiskey barrel. By law, barrels used for...
Value Of Earthworms
Chemical analyses of parent soil without earthworms and the same soil after being worked by earthworms have shown an increase of the following - Nitrate of Nitrogen Available phosphorus Exchangeable potassium Exchangeable calcium Organic Carbon The earthworm enriches the soil in the process of swallowing it and later expelling it in the form of castings. It takes in the soil, grinds it up, mixes it with calcium carbonate, pulverizes it, sends it on through the intestine to be digested by...
Sprinkler Manufacturers
PRODUCTS, INC. 3010 Ranchview Land Minneapolis, MN 55447 ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIES, INC. 2104 E. 15th SL Los Angeles, CA 90804 BARCO MFG CO., INC. 7 Jackson SL Worchester, MA 01608 BROWN GOLD SOIL CORP. 50 E. 25th SL Paterson, NJ 07514 BURCH MFG CO., INC. 618 First Ave. N. Fort Dodge, IA 50501 CASCADES, INC. 53057 Marina Dr. Elkhart, IN 46514 SYSTEMS 1460 N. Naud SL Los Angeles, CA 90012 PRODUCTS P.O. Box 847 Smyrna, TN 37167 DEERE amp CO. John Deere Rd. Moline, IL 61265 THE DRAMM CO. P.O. Box...
Peat And Peat Moss
Sphagnum peat moss includes related moss peats Reed-sedge peat also called fibrous peat Light yellow to brown extremely fibrous readily identifiable whole plant remains Least decomposed or raw highest moisture-holding capacity, lowest bulk density Dark brown to reddish brown variable in fibrosity identifiable plant remains Most favorable state of decomposition for immediate soil benefit intermediate mois-ture-holding capacity and bulk density Very dark brown to black advanced state of...
Organic Soil Conditioners
Nutrient amp Water-Holding Capacity Organic sludge and compost are useful for modifying soil structure Has high nutrient content, but must be well rotted Should be well decom-popsed adds usable nutrients Untreated is high in carbon, low in nitrogen, can be purchased with nigrogen added Adds nitrogen 1 5 lb. per 10 cu. ft. Granular, easy to use helps break up heavy soild Needs nitrogen if untreated 1 lb. per 10 cu. ft. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PLANT NUTRIENTS AND MORE Symptions of soil...
Organic Soil Care
Reduced to its basics, organic gardening is a system of maintaining the soil's fertility by replenishing it, not with chemicals, but with organic materials in the form of humus and compost Organic gardening stays true to the natural life cycle in which soil, water, plants and animal life all work in harmony, one having a part in the nourishment of the others. When decomposed plant and animal remains are returned to the earth, they help produce healthy soil structure and good aeration. This in...
Vegetable Disease Control Recommendations
Dark, sunken, circular or oval pod spots brown borders and salmon-colored ooze in spots leaves and stems also infected. Spray with Maneb or Zineb or dust with Maneb at first sign of disease and weekly thereafter also, use Bordeaux mixture. Brown or tan spots or blotches with a yellow border on leaves pods may have brick-red or brown sunken blotches. Seeds fail to grow young plants die. Root and stem rot Plant wilts and dies plant is decayed Rust Brown spots pustules on leaves. Broccoli,...
Light Requirements
Vegetables need both visible and invisible light rays for healthy, vigorous growth. Outdoor gardeners do not have to pay all that much attention to light They simply place their garden in good sunlight and hope that the growing season will not be excessively overcast Indoor gardeners have to be more knowledgeable. The following brief explanation should be sufficient for most needs, but additional information can be obtained from the many recently-published books specializing in light gardening....
Choosing Your Tools
When figuring out what tools you need, first make a list of the jobs that have to be done around the garden this chapter and others in this book ought to help you there. Then try to estimate how frequently each job is likely to come up this will depend to a great extent on the size of your garden and the type of vegetables you intend to grow. Armed with the results of this homework, select only those tools that you need for the tasks you are likely to encounter, giving priority to those that...
Hardening The Transplants
Before actually planting the seedlings in the garden bed or in a patio or balcony container, you should get them used to outdoor conditions. Adjust the young plants by placing them outside, in their pots, around the middle of the day. Don't overexpose them, especially at first, but gradually increase the time they are left out in the fresh air. Be sure to bring them indoors whenever frost seems likely, especially overnight In one way or another, expose your seedlings to lower temperatures for...
Parks Garden Condo
Park's Garden Condo is made of white-enameled aluminum tubing and measures 49 inches long by 18 inches wide by 47 inches high. It has two growing racks that hold four plastic removable trays. A 48-inch fluorescent fixture with two 40-watt, cool-white tubes is mounted on chains above each rack- Light fixtures can be raised or lowered to provide optimum light intensity. You assemble, with instructions provided. Cost 199.95 For the last two kits, contact PARK SEED CO. Cokesbury Road Greenwood, SC...
Seed Starter Mix
The soil mix used makes a tremendous difference in seedling growth. A recent study using tomato plants showed that seedlings planted in ordinary potting mix had the least growth in a six week period. Plants grown in perlite and vermiculite did a littie better. Seedlings grown in pure sand grew twice as fast as seedlings grown in potting mix, periite or vermiculite. Plants grown in either Cornell or University of California mix did best In six weeks tomato plants grown in potting mix were barely...
Sprayers
Sprayers are essential for the application of pesticides and fungicides in the garden, for spraying liquid fertilizer, for administering weed killer, for applying dormant sprays to fruit trees, and for many other purposes. Today, there are many improved designs on the market, offering different applicators and differing modes of operation. Small hand sprayers or atomizers come in various types. There are some for small jobs that are like a Windex bottle you simply pump the top with your...
Liquid fertilizers
These are sold as concentrated powders or concentrated liquids that you dilute with water. Liquid fertilizers are absorbed through the leaves, stems and branches, as well as through the roots. They can be sprayed or sprinkled on the vegetables. Different kinds of fertilizers are prepared for different soil conditions and vegetables. Some manufacturers offer as many as twelve different formulations. Most are composed of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, with trace elements. Vegetable...
Chemical Controls For Larger Pests
Black Leaf Products 667 N. State Elgin, IL 60120 Panogen Co. Ringwood, IL 60072 Improved Z.I.P. Associate Laboratories 1771 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138 Chemper Chemical Co. 269 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10016 Skat Stix, does not wash away Rozoi mouse killer Carajon Chemical Co. Inc. Fremont, Ml 49412 Force's Gopher Killer whole-grain oats-strychnine alkaloid Force's Mole Killer San Francisco, CA 94105 Scram-Dog repellent, easy to use aerosol Colonial Products, Inc. 1830 10th Ave. N....
Diggtngawd Materialshandling Tools
Some gardeners use one tool for all their digging others have a range from which to choose. Before going any further consider the following Wilt your use of the toot be light or heavy Shovels are constructed in one of three basic ways hollow-back, closed-back, or solid-shank, hot-tapered. The type of construction determines their strength, the amount of abuse they will withstand and, naturally, their price. These indoor outdoor hand tools are lightweight durable and made of tough, molded...
Structural Materials
The main alternatives for greenhouse farming are galvanized steel, aluminum and wood. Aluminum is most commonly used because it is light and strong, and doesn't warp. It transmits and thus loses heat, but only to a minor degree. Galvanized steel is very strong, but it sometimes flakes and rusts. Wood has been used for many years. Redwood and cypress are quite good, but construction-grade pine and fr should be checked carefully. Wood is strong, durable and good-looking, but it is bulky and prone...
Seed starter kits
Several companies now offer vegetable and herb starter kits. Each kit contains everything you need to grow healthy seedlings to transplant size. These kits vary from containers already planted with individual vegetable seeds to kits with cubes, fertilizers, trays, heating cables and clear plastic tops to keep in the moisture these latter are often referred to as indoor greenhouses for some examples see Chapter 10 . Use Jiffy-7ss to root cuttings of indoor plants. Use Jiffy-7ss to root cuttings...
Preparing Hanging Baskets
Hanging wire baskets make fine containers Tor lettuce, radishes and even small tomato plants. Round ones can be hung from the ceiling half round ones are attached to a wall. To prepare a wire basket, stuff sphagnum moss between the two top wires until you have a neatly packed collar around the rim. Place burlap or an aluminum pie tin in the bottom to keep the soil from washing out Line the basket with pieces of moss, overlapping them to better hold the soil. The basket should have an even layer...
Pots and pellets
There are several kinds of small pots, pellets, cubes and other small containers available for use in transplanting. Jiffy-7 pellets are compressed sterile sphagnum peat and soil with added fertilizer, all enclosed in a plastic net The pellet expands to form a small container 13 4 x 2 when placed in water. The seed is planted directly in the pellet just before this watering. Jiffy pots are available in several forms Jiffy-7 Special, with a preformed quarter-inch hole, ideal for cuttings Jiffy-7...
Suppliersmanufacturers Of Irrigation Systems
AG-RAIN INC. 600 S. Schrader Havana, IL 62644 THE AMERICAN GRAN BY CO. 1111 Vine SL Liverpool, NY 13088 PRODUCTS DIV. 502 Indiana Ave. Sheboygan, W1 53081 SYSTEMS 619 E. Gutierrez SL Santa Barbara, CA 93103 AQUA TRENDS Blair Bldg. 215 N. Federal Hwy. Boca Raton, EL 33432 JOHN BLUE CO. 2800 Bob Wallace Ave. Huntsville, AL 35802 CLOVER GARDEN PRODUCTS P.O. Box 874 Smyrna, TN 37167 THE DRAMM CO. P.O. Box 528 Manitowoc, Wl 54220 DYCKES PLASTICS 149 Jessop Ave. Saskatoon, SasK. Canada S7N 1Y3...
Methods Of Watering
In addition to rain, which is not easy to control, there are two basic ways of bringing water to your garden. Some gardeners insist that the best way of watering vegetables is right on the ground, using some kind of irrigation system. Others believe that watering from above more closely approximates rain and is therefore better for vegetables. We'll discuss both methods. Watering from above is generally the easiest method. However, a fair amount of water is lost through evaporation. Another...
Plant Growing Temperature Range
Garlic, leek, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, pea s spinach Beet, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, collard, kale, kohlrabi, parsnip, potato, radish Bean, cucumber, eggplant, melon, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash HOTKAPS Plant Protectors 6 High HOTKAPS Plant Protectors 6 High
Potting mixes
A good potting mix must be loose enough to let the roots develop freely. It must provide enough air space despite container compacting to allow good air and water circulation it must have the right pH balance and it must retain nutrients and water yet still drain well. To fulfill these requirements, most potting mixes are a good combination of organic matter and minerals. The organic component may be peat moss, compost, bark, redwood sawdust, shavings, or any combination of these. The mineral...
Greenhouse Construction
All the different types of greenhouses have their individual advantages and disadvantages, depending on the circumstances of their intended use. The following should help you determine which type is most suitable for you. Designed for year-round use. the new Sun-Porch model is an insulated winter greenhouse that converts to a summer screened room. It features heavy-duty bronze-finish aluminum framing with 1-inch insulated glass-clear or bmnze-tinted Ptexiglas. Do-it-yourself assembly. Designed...
Manufacturers Of Compact Tillers
AR1ENS CO. 655 W. Ryan SL Brillion, WS 54110 ATL S TOOL amp MFG CO. 5151 Natural Bridge Rd. St Louis, MO 63115 FELDMAN ENGINEERING 639 Monroe St Sheboygan Falls, Wl 53085 MTD PRODUCTS, INC, P.O. Box 36900 Cleveland, OH 44136 ROPER SALES 1905 W. Court St Kankakee, IL 60901 THE TORO CO. 8111 Lyndale Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55420
Benefits of mulching
Conserves soil moisture All mulches slow down evaporation of water from the upper 6 to 8 inches of soil. Since they shade the soil but not the plants from the sun, evaporation is reduced by a good 70 to 90 percent In addition, mulching tends to promote the distribution of water evenly over the soil area that it covers. Moderates soil temperatures Mulching tends to insulate the soil from the weather conditions 'outside,' and thus helps prevent baking, freezing, and so on. In addition, organic...
Manufacturers Of Garden Tractors
ARIENS CO. 655 W. Ryan St Brillion, Wl 54110 DEERE 8f CO. Deere Rd. Moline, IL 61265 FORD TRACTOR OPERATIONS Troy, Ml 48084 6l04Avenida Enemas Carlsbad, CA 72008 HOMESTEADER-ANDERSON'S CUSTOM TRAILER MFG CO. P.O. Box 207 Clinton, AR 60611 HARVESTER 401 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 JACOBSEN Div ofTeltron, inc. 1721 Packard Ave, Racine, Wl 53403-2561 KUBOTA TRACTOR CORP. 300 W, Carob St Comptoa CA 90220 MTD PRODUCTS, INC, P.O. Box 36900 Cleveland, OH 44136 This hiller furrower mounts on the...
Fungicides
Chernicai fungicides are effective in preventing and controlling vegetable disease. Because fungicides can be blown or washed off plants, they must be reapplied at regular intervals while the disease is active, The following chemicals are often used in vegetable gardens. BENOMVL l-butylcarbamoyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate Bordeaux A mixture of copper sulfate and spray lime in water Ferban Ferric dimethyl dithocarbamate Fixed copper Copper oxychloride sulfate Basic Copper Sulfate, Trrbasic Copper...
Feeding Techniques
Container vegetables generally need supplemental feeding because the frequent watering leaches out many of the nutrients. Generally, plants need three major elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus minor trace elements. Each major nutrient affects vegetable growth in different ways. nitrogen, for instance, is important for the leafy growth of lettuce, mustard, spinach and other vegetables. Phosphorus is used in flowering and producing fruit such as tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplant....
Small Cultivators
The latest power development for gardeners is the power cultivator hoe tiller. Both electric and gas power models can be used to cultivate small gardens even among tightly spaced plants and vine crops. They can weed shallow depths at 1 to 3 inches, or till up to 10 inches deep. All weigh under 30 pounds and are much easier to handle than the standard size rototiller. Garden experts say you should consider four points when deciding whether to purchase a lawn garden tractor - 2. Do you have a lot...
Plastic pails
They may not win many design awards, but plastic pails are inexpensive and practical containers for use in vegetable gardening. You can buy the 2- or 3-gallon type at the local variety store, or you might be able to pick up larger, 5- or 10-gallon models that have been tossed away after use at construction sites. There are many ways to doll up these plastic eyesores, such as covering them with metal foil or placing them inside larger wicker baskets. Some companies, such as Rubbermaid,...
Building a Compost Pile
You should develop an individual approach to compost-making based on how much space you have, how much compost you need for the garden bed, and how elaborate a layout you're inclined to construct As a guide, following are five different approaches to setting up a compost pile, using a range of devices from a simple plastic bag to a permanent group of bins. 1. Buy a dark-colored plastic bag, the kind used to line 20- or 30-gallon garbage cans. 2. Inside, put a 2-inch layer of soil or peat moss....
Peat Moss
ASB GREENWORLD LTD. Pointe Sapin, Kent C.O. Canada E0A2A0 ANCO PRODUCTS P.O. Box 24343 Dayton, OH 45424 ATKINS amp DUBROW P.O. Box 55 Port Colborne, Ont Canada L3K5V7 BANDINI FERTILIZER 4139 Bandini Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90023 BLACK MAGIC PRODUCTS 8137 Elder Creek Rd. Sacramento, CA 95824 2035 Shadywood Lane Shreveport, LA 71105 COLBY, ELL CO. P.O. Box 248 Lake Mills, IA 50450 DESCHENES amp MARTIN LTD. 212 Queen St Suite 401 Fredericton, NB Canada E3B1A8 CONRAD FAFARD, INC. P.O. Box 3033...
Hanging Pots
To prepare a 10- or 12-inch plastic hanging pot for planting, make four or five lVi-inch holes in the side of the pot about halfway down by drilling. Also punch small drain holes near the bottom of the pot Enlarge the upper holes by melting them with a soldering iron. Cut a 5-inch square of black plastic and slip it around the stems of the plants. Tuck the plastic and the plants through the holes, now fill the basket with soil mix, and add the remaining plants at the top. Start all your...
Organic Insect Management
Insect infestation in your garden can come and go. There are many factors that determine whether or not a particular pest will attack your plants. Insects move from one place to another and are often influenced by weather, day length, what your neighbors are doing, what crops you are raising and what stage of life they are in , and many other factors. Almost any change can send insects out of your garden and off in another direction. Furthermore, the insects' own life cycles figure in the...
The Importance of a Guide for Your Garden
Avoids Hidden Hunger Visible symptoms of nutrient deficiency indicate severe starvation. Plant health and productivity begin to deteriorate long before symptoms appear. Maximizes Productivity Properly nourished plants are more resistant to disease, drought and inclement weather. Plants require nutrients throughout all stages of growth. Periodic soil testing enables the gardener to monitor changing soil conditions. Greater Economy By determining specific soil nutrient requirements you can make...
Containers Fit Everywhere
Bred especially for container growing and a healthy measure of intelligent planning. The choice of containers is as broad as your imagination. From recycled coffee cans to large patio planters, from cut-down milk cartons to redwood boxes to wicker baskets to plastic garbage cans, there are containers to suit every space and pocketbook. Depending on the size of your containers and the material used to make them, you will buy ready-to-use soil or you will mix up your own blend. The amount and...
Bottom watering
Vegetables can be watered from the bottom by such simple methods as a ditch between the rows, an open-ended pipe or a hose bubbler. Far better today, however, are the drip-trickle irrigation systems. These work by providing small amounts of water to your vegetables along the root zone. Most cut water dosage by up to fifty percent by putting water exactly where it is needed and by slowing evaporation. Water striking an arm moves the sprinkler around in a circle. Each sprinkler will cover an area...
