Remember that there are lots of great extension publications available at Cooper Publishing on the WSU campus. Many of these can be downloaded for free at http://pubs.wsu.edu/.
Storey Publications (storey.com) also has many useful publications.
Look for their 32-page Country Wisdom Bulletins ($3.95) on their website.
Look for their "Starting Seeds Indoors" booklet
This week we covered seed starting.
Recommended publication is PNW0170.
There is also relevant information in EB0422 Home Gardens.
Both of these can be downloaded for free.
There is a lot of useful information on seed packets. Use this information in conjunction with the tables in the publications to determine when to sow your seeds. Remember our last average frost date is around May 15.
Temperature is important for successful germination. Look at Table 2 (PNW0170) for specifics.
Be sure that your planting containers have adequate drainage.
Don't allow them to dry out, but be careful not to keep them soggy.
Next week we'll talk about soil and preparing the garden site.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Starting a Home Vegetable Garden
Helpful Resources:
Sustainable Gardening - The Oregon-Washington Master Gardener Handbook (EM 8742)
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/
Master Gardener Manual cd
http://pubs.wsu.edu/
Many good free (downloadable) or nearly free (hard copy) extension publications at
http://pubs.wsu.edu/
Consider especially Home Gardens (EB0422) and Organic Gardening (EB0648)
Site Selection (from Sustainable Gardening Handbook, Ch. 7, by Pat Patterson)
-Level area with loose, well-drained soil that receives 8-12 hours direct sunlight.
-For sloped sites, contour rows or terraces to reduce erosion.
-South-facing slopes warmer, less prone to frost damage (but remember - perrenials may be susceptible to late spring frosts)
-Avoid low spots. Cold air flows down hill; frost collects in depressions. Consider water table.
-Avoid windy locations; provide a wind break if necessary.
-Consider your water supply.
-Try to stay away from trees and shrubs (competition, shade, allelopathy/black walnut for example)
-Consider how shading patterns will change through the season.
-Avoid roadsides to avoid airborne contaminants.
-Avoid sites potentially contaminated with lead paint (old buildings)
Sustainable Gardening - The Oregon-Washington Master Gardener Handbook (EM 8742)
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/
Master Gardener Manual cd
http://pubs.wsu.edu/
Many good free (downloadable) or nearly free (hard copy) extension publications at
http://pubs.wsu.edu/
Consider especially Home Gardens (EB0422) and Organic Gardening (EB0648)
Site Selection (from Sustainable Gardening Handbook, Ch. 7, by Pat Patterson)
-Level area with loose, well-drained soil that receives 8-12 hours direct sunlight.
-For sloped sites, contour rows or terraces to reduce erosion.
-South-facing slopes warmer, less prone to frost damage (but remember - perrenials may be susceptible to late spring frosts)
-Avoid low spots. Cold air flows down hill; frost collects in depressions. Consider water table.
-Avoid windy locations; provide a wind break if necessary.
-Consider your water supply.
-Try to stay away from trees and shrubs (competition, shade, allelopathy/black walnut for example)
-Consider how shading patterns will change through the season.
-Avoid roadsides to avoid airborne contaminants.
-Avoid sites potentially contaminated with lead paint (old buildings)
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