Planting and Fertilizing Your Garden

Soil test kits are available at your garden center. They are inexpensive and easy to use. When taking soil samples ensure that they are taken from several different locations in the garden to be certain that you have an overall sampling of the soil. If you need to adjust the soil condition your garden supply store or nursery can advise you as to specific products to use and which will be most effective for you needs.

Once the general soil condition is determined and corrected, if necessary, the other major plant nutrients  required for a healthy garden is nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In shorthand they are known as N-P-K. The secondary required nutrients are calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. These nutrients are available at your garden supply store. A 10-10-10 commercial fertilizer is adequate for most vegetables gardens. If you choose to use only organic nutrients, organic compost can also be purchased at your garden supply store. Limit the application of all fertilizers to the manufacture recommendation.

After tilling your garden plot it should stand idle for at least three days to give it time to air and partially dry before planting. Before beginning to plant, have a plot plan for where you are going to plant which vegetables. Keep in mind that cucumbers squash, and pumpkins require a lot of space for running. They should be planted in hills (small mounds) approximately three to four feet apart and three to four seeds to each hill.  For most other vegetables make seed rows approximately four inches deep. Radishes and lettuce seed rows should only be approximately two inches deep. Place fertilizer in the bottom of each row, cover it with approximately one-half inch of soil, spread the seed along the row, and cover with approximately one inch of soil. Thinning may be necessary after the seeds come up to avoid overcrowding.

Most of the seeds will be sprouting above ground in ten to fifteen days. The garden will require about one inch of water a week. If rain is insufficient irrigate the garden with a sprinkler system. Place a container in the garden to determine how much water is applied. Water the garden during the early morning or late evening hours to avoid evaporation and thermo shook to the plants.

Additional fertilizing may be required after the plants are well established. Apply it by hand approximately two inches from the base of the plants. To avoid plant burning, do not permit the fertilizer to touch the plants.

Happy gardening!

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