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Plants, Seeds, More!

Tips & Hints for the Gardener

Growing Tomatoes from Seed:

It really is not difficult to grow tomatoes from seed but does take a little bit of planning.  Start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost date in your area (refer to the

Plant about 1/4 inch deep, in flats or small pots using sterile seed starting material.  This will help to prevent soil born disease problems.

Water lightly and keep consistently moist until germination occurs. 

After the plants have their second or third set of true leaves, and before they become root bound, transplant into 4 inch pots.  This transplanting step will allow the plant to develop properly and promote root growth.

Outdoor tomatoes must have the sunniest position in the garden. One of the best places is a border running alongside a south-facing fence or wall. Several weeks before planting out dig the ground over and incorporate plenty of compost and well rotted manure.

Standard varieties should be trained up canes. Side shoots form at the joint between the main stem and every leaf. They should be removed carefully when still small, using thumb and finger, so that the plant is trained up the cane with a single main stem and trusses of fruit and main leaves growing from it. As the fruit sets and swells remove the leaves below the bottom truss to allow the air to circulate. To remove a lower leaf use a sharp knife and cut the leaf off flush with the stem.

Bush varieties of tomatoes don't need any support or sideshooting.

When the first truss has set with small fuits, feed the plant with a liquid tomato or seaweed fertiliser every ten days, until the end of August.

Ideas for Composting Material

Plant wastes, table scraps, dust from the vaccum cleaner, starcy and sugary products, spoiled cereals, leaves all add bacteria to help the compsot work.

A soggy compost pile will not work, make sure you have good drainage spot located in light shade.

To bring back depleted soil the best way is to spade in organic matter in the fall such as leaves, peat moss or compost from your compost pile. Add complete fertilizer just before planting in the spring and again during the summer.

To prepare for your first Garden Spot 1000 square ft spot you would need 600 lbs manure, 5 bales of peat moss, 30 lbs of lime and a complete garden fertilizer.

How to Grow Blueberries

Blueberries do well in full sun . They are lowland plants that like acid soil stuffed with humus and with a stong acid reaction. Rotted sawdust,, peat moss mixed with a rich compost, pine needles, strawy manue, etc. are a good mulch to grow blueberries. To plant dig a hole twice the width and one and a half times the depth of the roots. Mound soil in crenter and spread the roots over the mound, fill the hole with soil, firm and water well.

Most of the problems that affect Blueberries are related to improper soil preparation and very poor growing conditions. If the leaves turn yellow and the canes start to die back, the soil is too alkaline. Check soil's acidity with a home test kit. If pH is higher that 5.2 mix in peat moss. If lower than 4 mix in lime.

To make blueberry cuttings, make hardwood cutting in late winter or early spring and place in meat moss. Cuttings should be about 6" long pf good 1 year old twigs, with at least 2/3 of the cutting covered. Make sure they are well ventilated and watered.

How to Grow and plant Irises

Planting Hints : Bearded Irises require sharp drainage. Beardless kinds such as Japanese varieties need plenty of moisture but not water-logged soil. Most do best in full sun. Any good garden soil is needed to grow irises.

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Begonias can be saved for next year planting just lift before severe frost, and spread out in flats leaving soil adhering to roots.  Put in sunny airy place and allow to ripen.  When stems and leaved have died, clean and store the tubers in dry sand, soil or peat moss in a temperature of 40 to 50 F.
Plant in pots of light soil indoors for 6 or 8 weeks before plants are to be set outside.  Plant in open ground when all danger of cold weather has passed.  Plant in shaded area with enriched soil.  Keep moist throughout summer.

Daffodils any type of soil is good for growing daffodils as well as it is well drained.  They will not survive is wet soils.  Topdress in early fall with superphosphate and in early spring with a complete fertilizer.  Plant is masses or in small groups among other plants.  Also naturalize among trees.  If clumps are left to long  in one place and will not bloom dig up after foliage has died down separate the bulbs fertilize the soil and replant.

Daisy plants need full sun.  Soil should be fertile but not heavy
Daisy plants need to be fed frequently with a well balanced fertilizer
Shasta Daisy need to be divided every other year

Gazinias thrive in hot, dry areas and have moderate frost tolerance. Water only when dry. Gazanias are sun worshippers, and they close up at night and on very cloudy days. Use in mass plantings, ground covers, edging, bedding, and containers

Oriental Poppy is an erect perennial with magnificent flowers 4 to 6 inches across.  Will not flower until the second season.  When planting give ample room.  Tip the plant to a 45 degree angle this helps avoid crown rot.  Water in dry spells until leaves turn brown then the roots can take a summer baking

 Poppy Seeds sprinkle on light and sandy well drained soil.  Plant where they are to grow. They do not transplant easy.  Thin as needed.  They look best in large clumps.  Full sun is best.  If left undisturbed most will reseed.

Potentillas are low-growing blooms a long time and will withstand poor soil conditions if necessary.  All need a good sunny location

Rugosa Roses are very hardy.  They can  grow in the very cold where very few roses will grow.  They also can be used as large shrubs or hedges.  They make a great background for smaller plant.  Just prune broken branches in the spring or to reduce size.
I treat my rugosa roses the same as the hybrid tea roses.  I fertilize once a month in active growing.  They need very little care and are very beautiful