Barter Garden

So, I usually have to PAY MONEY to put my own son in my swimming class, but I decided to save a buck and provide him with some pals to swim with in an off-the-books, yet hopefully still instructional way. The pal's parents are willing to return some good alms, and luckily the pal's parents know how to garden! So, here I will share with YOU (you don't even have to barter with me to get it - but if you want to offer me free babysitting I'll take it) some of the good advice I have gotten already pertaining to my garden!

Weibel Family Farm

Crop Consulting: Vincent M. Smith

Planting Dates: http://wihort.uwex.edu/fruitveggies/HarvestDates.htm

Planting Guide: http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-331/426-331guide.html

Gina, the list that follows is intended to provide a series of steps to insure a happy and healthy growing season. I have many biases when it comes to plant productivity and you will see them here. In reality, your space is very small and if I were you, I would concentrate on growing a few things well. Here are a few ideas that have worked for others. Create a salsa garden (tomato, pepper, cilantro, onion, garlic) Create a pizza garden (tomato, pepper, basil, onion, garlic, summer squash, spinach). Create a salad garden (lettuce, carrot, peas, greens, spinach). Just a few possibilities. Or do what you have already planned, but we aware of your limitations.

1. FERTILIZE. You will need to fertilize with nitrogen. Add bone meal, blood meal, feather meal, guano, or any other fertilizer with a high N number in the N-P-K numbering system. Add it as suggested on the container. I will be suggesting a few other types of fertilizing later in these steps, but this should be your first goal. Compost will do this as well, but may not have a very high nitrogen level.
2. ROTOTILL. You will need to lift your soil. In the old days people used to talk about turning the soil. It turns out that turning over the soil does kill the weeds, but it also severely disrupts the soil. Turning over the soil with a shovel or fork should be a last resort. I suggest using a very small rototiller or cultivator. You want a small (light-duty) rototiller. You must never use your rototiller when your soil is wet. Working wet soil creates soil compaction and can damage soil.
3. IRRIGATION. Prepare an irrigation system. Irrigation is important for two main reasons. First, by providing water only where you want it, you will reduce weed growth. Second, you are unlikely to be able to water by hand as long as you will need to. Watering should always be low flow and over a long period. The plants roots will follow the water. If you water using a watering wand, you will end up soaking the top of the soil only. The plants roots will stay shallow. You encourage this by watering frequently. Drip irrigation allows you to water deep. This, in turn, creates a scenario where the roots sink to follow the water. This is what you want. I will bring you irrigation supplies this week or this coming weekend. You may want to buy an irrigation timer to go with this. You shouldn’t need to pay more than $15.00 for a mechanical timer.
4. PURCHASING SEEDLINGS: Always buy seedlings from a quality source. If you buy from Wal-Mart or home depot, you will get varieties that are not meant to be grown here in Wisconsin. Choose a good nursery. One of the best around here is Jungs. They have two locations in Madison. When you buy seedlings, always look for the smallest plants you can find, not the largest. Never buy plants that look like they are about to flower. Never buy plants until you are ready to plant. If you go to a good nursery, I would suggest asking the nursery worker to assist you in picking the right variety. They may or may not be of any help.
5. PURCHASING SEEDS: Same story as above. I suggest Jungs over any other source in town. For most of what you want, you should just let me give you the seeds. I can just give you what you need. I will bring them to you in marked ziplock bags. If you plan to buy seeds be sure they were packed in 2007 or 2008. Seeds go bad quickly and most large companies like Wal-Mart or menards buy old seeds and then repack them.
6. PLANTING: Nothing special here. Just follow the instructions on the seed pack if you are planting from seed and if you are planting seedlings just throw them in and pat them down. Always water immediately after planting. Never transplant seedlings in the morning. Transplant in the evening so that they won’t have to take the heat right after being moved. You need adequate distance between plants. Look at the chart provided. Plant ONLY when the weather is good. Planting when the ground is saturated is not wise.
7. WEED MANAGEMENT: Given the size of your garden you should be able to just pull your weeds or cover the ground with a light compost or mulch. This should stop most of your weeds. If you get something that won’t go away, just let me know.
8. PEST MANAGEMENT: Provided you take care of your plants, you shouldn’t have any major problems. Healthy plants don’t have pest problems. Plants that are not healthy get sick. It works the same in the animal kingdom. If you treat your body right, your immune system will respond when needed. Plants work the same way. Nevertheless, things always go wrong. Your options for pest management are extensive. For the most part the insects you can see are helping your plants. The insects you can’t see are doing the damage. If you see something going wrong, just call me. You are more likely to have fungus problems. This can be avoided by maintaining distance between plants.
9. FERTILIZATION: Your garden should be fertilized about every two weeks. I highly recommend buying a liquid fertilizer and applying by watering can. You will want to buy a liquid fertilizer that can be used on foliage or is designated for foliar feeding. That means it won’t kill the plant if it gets on the leaves. The best liquid fertilizers are fish and kelp based.
10. HARVESTING: This may seem like a no-brainer but most people mess this up. Pick it when it looks ready, don’t pick a little, pick it all. It isn’t going to wait around. Most plants go from perfection to inedible in a few days. You grew it to eat it so don’t hesitate.
11. ROTATION: Every time you harvest something, you should be ready to plant something new. Take a look at the chart and see what you can do with the time you have. Planting is not a spring event, it is a continual process. Keep the planting going all season!