KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN BLOG - MAY 30, 2007
SOME HELPFUL HINTS FOR AROUND YOUR HOME, YOUR GARDEN, YOUR LIFESTYLE!
PLANTING THE URBAN GARDEN
The hard and fast rule for planting vegetables has always been to rotate different crops every year. In a backyard garden this is not always easy to do in limited space. It's easy to solve this problem, however.
Dig a large hole for each plant - at least 18 inches deep and 10 inches wide. Throw a couple of handfuls of compost in the bottom of the hole. Fill in the rest of the hole with good topsoil. Leave enough space to place the plant. Firm soil around the plant, and mound additional topsoil around the stem.
The compost acts as fertilizer and enriches your soil. In essence, you are actually planting in new soil every year and enriching your entire garden.
The rules for watering are the same as for your lawn. One inch per week is all you need for the roots to grow and develop properly. If you water every day, chances are your plants will develop weak and shallow root systems. Also, do not water too late in the day - you want the plant leaves to be dry by nightfall.
Fertilizing should be done every two weeks after the plants are about a foot high. This is the rule for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and similar veggies. Start fertilizing other veggies after they are well established.
I've been using these methods for more than twenty years and have had much success in all kinds of Chicago summers - hot and cool, rainy and dry.
Do you have a gardening tip you would like to share? Write back, and we’ll include your thoughts and comments on our “Home & Garden” Blog, from Dean’s Team!
Happy Gardening!
DEAN'S TEAM HOME AND GARDEN EXPERT,
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH
