Garden Preparation For The Summer

With June in bloom, there is plenty to appreciate!

Graduations, Father’s Day, and the beautiful outdoors – Let the celebrating begin!!

After Party –

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With a variety of methods and professionals certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IIRC), our experts will attack stains and odors to deliver cleaner carpet, tile & even upholstery.

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Steps to Planning & Preparing Your Vegetable Garden –

Location:

Light –

Vegetables need a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.

Soil –

Good drainage is important. Improve poor soils by incorporating organic matter or build raised beds for planting.

Level Ground –

Level ground is easier to work with however slopes will do as long as you run the rows across the slope, not up and down.

Close to Home –

A garden is easier to maintain and water when it is near your home.

Efficient use of Space:

Size –

You do not always need a large space for a garden. Even a 3-foot square plot can produce several varieties of vegetables with proper planning.

Cool and Warm Season Crops –

Cool season crops are grown for their roots, leaves or stems. These crops have natural planting and harvesting periods during the cool time of year. In mild coastal areas, it is easy to grow cool season crops all year and in hot inland valleys, cool season crops grow best planted in late summer for a winter crop or planted in light shade in the summer. Warm season crops are grown for their fruit (peppers, squash, corn, etc.) and need warm temperatures and long days to set and ripen.

Rotation –

In mild climates you can extend the growing season to include 3 crops within the same space. To do this, rotate cool and warm season crops by paying attention to the maturity for each crop grown and establishing a rotation period.

Intercropping –

A gardening technique that involves planting two different crops at the same time with different maturing dates. The first crop can be ready for harvest long before the second one matures.

Soil Preparation:

Tilling –

Soil worked to a depth of at least 6 inches (12 inches for root vegetables) is best. Soil can be formed into raised beds if desired.

Compost –

Adding organic amendments improves the soil and should be added each time you plant. Use your own compost or purchase composted organic amendments that are weed free. Avoid manure that has not been composted.

Fertilizing –

If desired, you can incorporate inorganic fertilizer into the soil. Choose a balanced product with an NPK of 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 or equivalent. Apply 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Avoid products that are high in nitrogen.

Mulching:

Regular mulching should be a part of your gardening habits. Mulching with composted organic matter discourages weeds and helps retain moisture especially during warm months.

Seed Storage:

For best results, use seed as soon as possible after purchase and store in a cool, dry place. High moisture and high temperature shorten seed life.  A moisture proof container in a refrigerator is ideal.