John Havener January 9th, 2009
During trips to Romania and Kenya, I noticed how some (most?) of the homes with yards utilized the space to plant veggies or to house livestock. Where we might have flower borders or beds, these would have planted vegetables or cages for livestock. one Romanian friend who visited our home commented on how much wasted space we have in the US…in some parts of the world, most free space is used to produce food. Gardening of all sorts can be an useful supplement to your food supplies, especially adding variety, fresh produce and nutrition. I believe that most folks can learn to garden well, but there are skills and disciplines involved, and your garden will flop if you don’t exercise these skills. Finally, to supplement your diet in a major way requires a large garden (1/2 to two acres?), significant work and skills with canning and freezing…you can learn to do all these things, but start now if you are interested or see the need as a part of your preparations.
The following guide was prepared by Leon Liechty, a very accomplished gardener. He and his family largely live out of the garden (not totally). The Liechtys live on the Gulf Coast, a difficult area to garden well because of poor soil, early heat, bugs and blights! Thank you, Leon…
A Gardening Guide
SITE PREPERATION: If possible, get a soil test, especially to check on the PH of the soil. If it is needed, spread lime at recommended rate. Start working the ground ahead of time if possible. Disk or till it in dry weather to kill out weeds and grass. It will make maintenance easier later. Once planted, keep weeded when weeds are small!
SPRING GARDEN
POTATOES: Buy seed potatoes the first year, at least. Cut up potatoes making sure there is at least one “eye” in each piece. An average size potato may be cut into 4 to 8 pieces.
PLANTING: Use a round point shovel and take one shovel full out of the ground about 6” deep. Put half a shovel full of manure or compost in the hole; then put dirt on top up to 2” from the top of the hole. Put the potato in the hole and fill to top, or if you have large amount to plant, just make a row and plant about 2” deep and then hoe dirt toward plant to cover weeds and make a small mound. This will also help keep dirt over potatoes as they grow. Plant in February as soon as weather is suitable, usually middle to end of month. Plant in rows 2 to 3 feet apart and 18” between plants. It’s a good idea to sprinkle a little fertilizer in the hole on top of the manure or compost. Don’t use too much; one handful to maybe 4 or 5 holes. Use 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 would be especially good if you have poor soil. As the plants grow, hoe the dirt toward the plants to cover small weeds making a small mound around the plants. Don’t hoe deep right around the plant or you may hoe up the potatoes. As they grow, if bugs start eating the leaves, sprinkle a little seven dust on the leaves. In the morning when plants have dew on them is best, although any time is OK. Dig potatoes when plants begin to die or are dead. You can find some early potatoes by digging around the plant with your hands taking a few bigger ones without pulling up the plant.
TOMATOES: Either buy seed and start indoors in early February or buy plants and set them out in late March. Cover if there is danger of frost. Select plants bred for this area. Some varieties are more resistant to blight and other problems in tomatoes. Also, some varieties, especially some of the new ones, can stand heat better. Prepare the soil like you do for potatoes. Take a shovel of dirt out and put manure in bottom along with a little fertilizer. Put a little dirt on top, then put the tomato plant in and pack soil around the plant and water the plant. If weather is dry, water daily until plants get started good. Plant about 3 feet apart in rows with about 3 feet between rows. Once they get started and are about one foot high put wires around them, if possible, to keep tomatoes off the ground. For best results, rotate tomatoes to different places in the garden every year.
If you want to plant tomatoes in the fall, start the plants early enough so you can set them out in August for October or November tomatoes. You may be able to keep them longer if you cover them during the earlier frosts. Continue Reading »
Share on Facebook
