Vegetable Gardening Questions and Answers
Denny Schrock Department of Horticulture, University of
Missouri-Columbia
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During the growing season, the average home gardener may grow 30 to 40
different vegetables in the garden. Each vegetable has its own special
cultural requirements, fertility needs, pests and problems. Even
experienced gardeners find new problems, or wonder about "tales"
that have been passed down through the years. New gardeners may be
bewildered by the many varieties and many variations in ideas on how a
vegetable should be grown. Here are some of the most asked and unusual
questions about growing vegetables in the home garden. Asparagus How soon
after planting may asparagus be cut? Wait until the bed is well
established. If it has started well, a few spears may be cut the second
year, for several weeks the third year. A full crop should not normally be
harvested until the fourth year. How long may asparagus be harvested?
After it is well established, harvest for six to 10 weeks or until late
June. Should asparagus be mulched in winter? Asparagus is winter hardy, so
mulching is not essential. Mulching, however, is beneficial for weed
control and moisture retention. Is it safe to use salt on asparagus
plantings? Salt is not beneficial to the healthy growth of asparagus. Salt
was once used as a weed killer in asparagus beds. Two pounds of salt per
gallon of water was sprayed on the bed early in the season. Since we now
have very effective herbicides, they are better for weed control. Salt
will gradually deteriorate the physical nature of the soil. Beans Do pole
beans or bush beans provide the most efficient use of garden space? Bush
beans can be spaced closer and will produce a greater quantity at any one
time than a similar planting of pole beans. However, pole beans will
continue to produce, so that a more constant supply is available. In very
limited space, pole beans may provide too much shade for neighboring
crops, and the bush types would then be preferable. Why do lima beans
flower but not set pods? Blossom drop in lima beans may be caused by hot,
dry weather, or cool, wet weather. Large seeded limas react more to
unfavorable weather than small seeded limas. Generally when favorable
weather conditions develop, bud set will begin. Beets Why do beets produce
lush top growth and little root development? Excess top growth with no
bottoms generally results from too much nitrogen fertilizer, seeding too
thickly without thinning or planting too late in the season so weather
becomes too hot before good growth has developed. Do beets prefer acid or
alkaline soil? Beets prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7. Therefore. the
addition of lime is necessary in many soils for best beet growth. Broccoli
Why does broccoli flower without forming heads? This may occur if plants
have been stunted by poor growing conditions or have been set out too late
in the spring. Broccoli needs cool weather for best head formation. Should
broccoli be left in the garden after the center head has been cut? Green
sprouting broccoli varieties will produce smaller side heads for a time
after the center head has been cut. The plants may be allowed to remain
until hot weather makes heads tough and poor tasting. Brussels sprouts
Should a beginning gardener plant brussels sprouts? In general, no.
Although needs are similar to cabbage, they will take space throughout the
summer and only begin production in the fall after weather cools. Cabbage
Why have the cabbage seedlings I started indoors become leggy even though
in good light? Cabbage likes cool temperatures. Normal house temperature
is too hot. Move the seedlings outdoors to a hotbed or coldframe as soon
as germination is completed. How can cabbage heads be kept from splitting?
Heavy rains after heads are well developed often cause splitting. Prompt
harvest is essential. If not possible, twist or pull the plant slightly to
tear some of the roots and cut down on water absorption and consequent
splitting. Some varieties are more prone to splitting. Cauliflower Why are
cauliflower heads greenish colored and bitter? Most likely the head has
received too much light and growth has been slow. When the new head is
about the size of a half dollar, tie the large leaves together over the
head to shade it. This keeps it white. Bitter flavor may also be
associated to slow growth due to low fertility or hot weather. The
cauliflower I planted was self-blanching, but leaves did not cover the
head totally. Why? These varieties work best in cool climates. Late
planting or low fertility would reduce vigor, and prevent leaves curling
over the center from being large enough to give good cover. These same
conditions result in poor head formation. Carrot What makes carrot roots
short, knobby, and sometimes split? Heavy soils, rocky soils, low
fertility and crowding can lead to stubby short roots. Hot weather may
stunt growth, but when followed by a period of wet favorable weather,
roots may rapidly expand and develop cracks. Knobby roots indicate
nematode problems. Corn Is it necessary to pull suckers from the base of
the plant? No. There is no benefit, and crop may even be reduced. Why do
ears of corn not fill properly? Hot, dry weather results in poor
pollination. Periods of heavy rain at pollen shedding or planting a very
small patch or single row may all lead to poor filling of the ears. Other
reasons may be nutrient imbalances, particularly high nitrogen and low
potassium. What makes corn tassel while plants are still very short?
Assuming that this is not an early, naturally short variety, lack of
nitrogen, poor soil condition or drought might cause this. Do sweet corn,
field corn, popcorn and ornamental corn mix? If so, how far apart should
they be planted to prevent this? Popcorn, ornamental corn and field corn
are all able to pollinate sweet corn. The reverse is also true except in
the case of sweet corn which does not pollinate popcorn. White and yellow
corn can also cross pollinate, producing ears of mixed colors. The effect
of these pollinations is not greatly apparent at the roasting ear stage of
sweet corn. Therefore, wide separation is not necessary unless there is
some reason to save seeds for another crop. However, since most corn
varieties are hybrids, seeds should not be saved. Cucumber Do cucumbers
cross with watermelon, muskmelon, pumpkin or squash? Although it is a
common belief that cucumbers taint the flavor of muskmelons (cantaloupe)
by crossing with them, they are not able to cross with each other. Neither
can cucumber pollinate any of the other vine crops mentioned. What causes
bitter cucumbers? Weather conditions, drought and low fertility contribute
to the malfunction of one of the enzyme systems that prevents bitterness
in cucumbers. Wide temperature fluctuations such as a sharp drop, adds to
the problem. Cucumber mosaic may also cause bitter fruit. Plant breeders
are attempting to overcome the genetic factors involved. Why do cucumber
flowers drop without producing fruit? Cucumbers have male and female
flowers. Normal types of cucumbers first produce 10 to 20 male blooms
before female blooms are formed. As a result these first blooms drop
without any fruit production. As female fruits are developed, set and
fruit development usually begins. What are gynecious cucumbers? These are
a more recent development and are plants that produce only female flowers,
thereby resulting in earlier and more abundant set. A few
"normal" plants must be included for pollination and a few such
seeds are normally mixed with seeds of gynecious varieties. What causes
deformed cucumbers? Poor pollination is the main cause of poor fruit
shape. Since cucumbers require cross pollination, good bee activity is
essential. Drought conditions, hot weather, bacterial wilt or cucumber
mosaic may also lead to deformed fruit. Eggplant Why do eggplants
sometimes fail to set fruit? Eggplants are sensitive to temperature. Cool
night temperatures early in the season prevent fruit set. Hot dry winds in
mid summer may also prevent pollination. Low fertility can also reduce
fruit set and development. Why do eggplant fruits not ripen properly?
Stunted plants from cool weather, flea beetle damage or poor soils.
Lettuce Why is lettuce tough or bitter? Slow growth results in these
characteristics. Crowding, low fertility, late planting and hot weather
all stunt growth and reduce quality. Why does lettuce go to seed instead
of producing a lush leafy plant? Hot weather causes lettuce to
"bolt" and flower. Plant early and select varieties listed as
heat tolerant. Can I grow head lettuce in Missouri? This is a difficult
crop in our climate. Summers become too hot too soon. Start plants in a
hotbed and shift outdoors as soon as possible. If cool weather lasts
fairly long, a fair crop may result. Muskmelon Do muskmelons cross with
cucumbers to produce a "cucumber taste"? No. For more details
see Cucumber section. Can "honeydew" melons be grown here? Not
very well. They need a long growing season, and our fall weather cools
before fruits are well developed, resulting in limited crop and poor
flavor. Early maturing varieties are being developed and should be
preferred if this melon is to be grown. Can muskmelons be transplanted?
Yes. However, care should be taken not to disturb the roots. They are best
started in peat pots indoors which can then be easily moved into the
garden with a minimum of root injury. What's the secret for growing
good-tasting melons? There is no secret, just the best growing conditions
possible. Fertilize early in the season, but not as fruit development
begins, as too much fertilizer produces vines and no fruit. Keep moisture
levels even, either with irrigation or a deep mulch. Use disease-resistant
varieties, and maintain good insect control. Okra Why doesn't my okra
bear? All the flowers drop off until the end of summer. Temperature
extremes, either too hot or too cool, will prevent okra from setting. Poor
soil fertility or drainage can aggravate the problem. Why are my okra pods
tough and stringy? Pods have become too old. Pick when pods are about 2
inches long. Onion Is it best to plant onion seeds, onion plants or onion
sets in the garden? Onion sets are easiest to handle and develop quickly
for green onions as well as onions for winter storage. Onion plants are
slower to develop but also produce good crops. Plants are usually used for
growing the Bermuda and Spanish type onions. Seeds for onions may be
started early in coldframes or in the garden and thinned. They are
suitable for green onions in early summer, but usually hot weather arrives
and long day lengths stop growth before large sized onions can develop. Is
there any way to prevent onions from going to seed? Plant onion sets of
bulbs no larger than 5/8 inch in diameter. Larger bulbs have a greater
tendency to seed in the garden. When am I supposed to break the tops of my
onions over? Tops of onions should fall over naturally. After about
two-thirds to three-fourths of them have fallen over the others may be
broken down to help close the necks. However, onions which do not fall
over naturally tend to be poor keepers and should be kept separate and
used first. What is a "multiplier" onion? This is a hardy type
of onion that is allowed to remain in the garden over winter. In summer
the tops produce new bulblets that drop to the ground and start a new
group. They are suitable for green onions for home use. Parsley Why does
my parsley often die out after flowering? Parsley is a biennial plant.
Therefore, in the second year it flowers, produces seeds and dies. Yearly
seeding ensures continuous production. Poor drainage may also lead to root
rots and death of younger plants. Pea What makes pea plants die, often as
they are just coming into production? May be wilt, root rot diseases or
hot weather. Use wilt resistant varieties, rotate pea plantings to prevent
build-up of soil diseases. Mulch between rows to keep soil cool longer.
Plant early to get maximum growth and production before hot weather
arrives. Pepper Why do peppers flower but not set fruit? Peppers are
sensitive to high temperatures, low humidity and drying winds. Under these
conditions, plants of many varieties do not set fruit well and flowers
drop off. Well developed plants set in the garden often flower and set
ample fruit before these extreme weather conditions arrive. Are red
peppers different from green peppers? No. All green peppers will color to
red or yellow as they become more mature. Potato Why is there sometimes a
poor stand in the potato planting? Very wet weather, poorly drained soils
or planting too deep may lead to the development of rhizoctonia or other
diseases that rot the seedling piece or young shoots before they become
established. Are "certified seed" potatoes really necessary for
the home planting? Yes. This means that the potatoes used for planting
were inspected in the growing fields and are free of the many diseases
that may be carried on the seed piece. Potatoes grown for table use do not
have this guarantee of freedom from disease. Are you supposed to cut
potato seed pieces a certain number of days before planting? This is not
necessary, and potatoes can be cut and planted directly. If they are cut a
day or more ahead of planting, place them in a covered container in a warm
location to help the cut ends to heal over without excessive drying. There
are little tomatoes on my potato plants. What should I do about them?
These are the seed fruits of the potato which form more abundantly some
years under favorable weather conditions. Since the potato and tomato are
closely related, the structures are somewhat similar, but they can not
cross with each other. They are not edible. Potato seeds do not normally
produce good quality potatoes, and therefore should not be saved and
planted. How can I keep potatoes from sprouting? There are no longer
chemicals available to the home gardener to place on potatoes to keep down
sprouting in storage. Cool, moist storage temperatures of less than 40
degrees are necessary for best storage. See MU publication G6226,
Vegetable Harvest and Storage, for more details. Are green-skinned
potatoes really dangerous? Green skins are caused by exposing potatoes to
light. The green portion contains an alkaloid, solanine, that can cause
illness. All green portions should be thoroughly cut off before cooking.
What causes hollow potatoes? This is due to extremely rapid growth,
usually in periods of abundant moisture after drier growing conditions.
What causes deformed potatoes? This occurs when certain varieties have
stopped growing due to unfavorable weather conditions, and then a period
of favorable growing weather develops, and new growth develops on the
potato rather than a continued enlargement of the potato. What causes
potatoes to have black spots or streaks inside them? Many factors may
cause blackening. Most common are fusarium wilt, virus and high
temperature prior to harvest. Pumpkin Do pumpkins, squash and ornamental
gourds cross? Pumpkins, squash and ornamental gourds are divided into
three species: pepo, moschata and maxima. The pepo and moschata may be
identified by having a woody, ridged, S-angled fruit stem and are
generally called the true pumpkins. The maxima types have soft,
cylindrical fruit stems, swollen at the base, and are called the true
squashes. Crosses take place very readily within any one of these species,
but less commonly between them. The pepo types can not cross with the
maxima types. The moschata is apparently more intermediate, and crosses
have been made between this and other types, although these crosses are
relatively rare in the garden. Pepo group includes Connecticut field
pumpkin, jack-o'lantern pumpkin, sugar pumpkin, acorn squash, summer
crookneck squash, zucchini squash, cocozelle squash, white bush scallop,
vegetable marrow, small ornamental gourds, vegetable spaghetti and
vegetable gourd. Moschata group includes butternut squash, cushaw pumpkin
and Kentucky field pumpkin. Maxima group includes mainly winter squashes
such as banana, buttercup, hubbard, mammoth marblehead, Turk's turban and
large fruited pumpkins such as "Big Max." Do pumpkins need to be
"frosted" before harvest? No. Actually, freezing will reduce the
storage life of the pumpkin. How can I grow the biggest pumpkin? Remove
all blossoms and fruit except one, so that all strength goes into the one
fruit. Provide best possible moisture and fertility conditions. Radish Why
do radishes become pithy and hot? Slow growth due to hot weather, drought
or poor fertility can lead to pithy, hot roots. Early planting and
adequate moisture are best precautions against this. Why do radishes form
abundant tops and few edible roots? Too much nitrogen in the soil or
planting too late will usually be the cause of this problem. Rhubarb How
can rhubarb be kept from seeding? Should these flower stalks be removed?
All rhubarb will eventually flower. However, poor growing conditions,
drought and hot weather stimulate flowering. Cut out the flower stalks as
soon as they are noticed to help prevent weakening the plant. Why are the
"stems" of my rhubarb green rather than red? There is some
varietal variation in stem color. However, lack of color development in
plants that once had red color may mean too much shade. What causes
rhubarb to die out? In poorly drained areas rhubarb is subject to damage
from one of the crown rot fungi. Damage may also result from stalk borers
or rhubarb curculio. Does rhubarb need to be mulched? Mulching is not
essential; however, 3 to 4 inches of a strawy mulch may be put around the
plants in fall after freezing weather. The mulch should not be put
directly on the crowns. Spinach Is there a spinach that can be grown in
hot weather? There is no true spinach that will grow well in hot weather.
New Zealand spinach is not a true spinach, but is a good summer substitute
for it. Is it true that spinach likes lime? Spinach does not grow well in
an acid soil. Therefore in most areas the addition of some lime is
beneficial. Squash Do pumpkins and squash cross? See section on pumpkins
for details. What causes squash blossoms to drop without setting fruit?
Dropped blossoms are normally male (see cucumber for details). Poor
pollination or certain fungus diseases may cause drop of female blossoms.
Is it true that you can eat the blossoms of squash? Yes. They may be
washed, dipped in batter and deep fried. Sweet potato Why do sweet potato
plants fail to produce large roots? Late planting, cool, poorly drained
soils, low fertility, excess nitrogen. What causes sweet potatoes to turn
black on the surface? This is caused by a disease called
"scurf." Don't replant sweet potatoes in the same area, and
don't use infected potatoes for planting stock. Is it necessary to plant
sweet potatoes on a ridge? It is not essential, but root growth in heavy
soils may be better in ridge planting. As plants develop, additional soil
may be thrown on the row to build up a ridge. Tomatoes Can tomatoes be
seeded directly into the garden, or must plants be started indoors? Tomato
seeds may be planted directly in the garden, but several weeks can usually
be gained in earlier harvest if vigorous plants are moved into the garden
after weather and soil have warmed up. Direct seeding in the garden
results in much poorer germination. Therefore, expensive hybrid tomato
seed is usually started indoors. What are some low acid tomatoes? Although
acidity in tomatoes is influenced by variety, it is also greatly
influenced by time of harvest and growing conditions. Taste is also not an
indication of acidity, since taste is more highly influenced by sugars and
other materials than by the acids present. Generally, there is not a great
variation in the acidity of popular tomato varieties grown under the same
conditions and harvested at the same stage of ripening. Yellow and white
varieties are not less acid than many red varieties. Will a blossom set
hormone spray increase tomato production? These materials may not increase
production but may aid in setting fruit under unfavorable temperatures.
They are most effective when temperatures drop slightly below 60 degrees F
at night and fruit is not set naturally. They are less effective at
temperatures over 80 degrees F which also prevent fruit from setting
naturally. They are not a substitute for good cultural practices. There is
much publicity given to hybrid tomatoes. Are they really worth the extra
money? Yes. Most hybrids have some disease resistance bred into them, as
well as more vigor and improved fruit quality. Why do tomatoes produce a
lot of leaves and few or no fruit? This condition usually occurs when too
much nitrogen, either in manure or in commercial fertilizer, has been
applied to the plants early in the season before fruit production begins.
Fertilize lightly at planting, and sidedress as nitrogen is needed after
fruit set has begun. See MU publication G6950, Steps in Fertilizing Garden
Soil: Vegetables and Annual Flowers, for additional details. Is it really
necessary to stake tomatoes? No. However, staking can save space in the
small garden, prevent ground rots on fruit and make tomatoes easier to
pick and spray. When is the best time to start pruning tomatoes? Pruning
is generally begun in June as flowering begins. See MU publication G6460,
Pruning and Training Tomatoes for details of pruning and staking. My
tomatoes flower well, but the flowers drop without setting fruit. What is
causing this? Temperatures too high or too low will prevent fruit from
developing. Night temperatures below 60 degrees F and day temperatures
above 90 degrees F will keep flowers from setting fruit. Can I get a
bigger crop from "Tree Tomatoes"? The plant sometimes sold as a
tree tomato is not a tomato, but a tropical plant of the same family.
Plants must be at least two years old to fruit, and sometimes fruit under
greenhouse conditions, but seldom under normal home conditions. A tomato
variety "Giant Tree" has a large, stout plant and large fruit,
but does not out-yield popular hybrid varieties. What causes tomatoes to
crack? There is a varietal difference in the tendency to crack and type of
cracking. However, cracking in susceptible varieties is more severe after
periods of heavy rain and humidity. What causes the end of the tomato to
have a blackened spot? This problem, blossom-end rot, is caused by
moisture fluctuation, especially low soil moisture following abundant soil
moisture. Keep plants well watered and mulched to reduce this problem.
Maintain optimum calcium levels in the soil, and avoid deep cultivation
that may damage roots. What causes my tomatoes to be deformed? Cold
weather at time of fruit set may cause deformation. Some varieties of the
"Beefsteak" type are more likely to have the problem. What are
the little white bumps that develop on the stems of my tomato plants? The
little bumps are root primordia. If the tomato falls down or the stem is
covered, these can develop into roots. It is a natural characteristic of
the plant. These become most evident in wet weather if the normal plant
roots have been damaged or partially killed or if the plant has been
exposed to certain types of herbicides. Should epsom salts be used around
tomato plants? In good soils, it is doubtful that there is any real
advantage to this practice. However, epsom salts are a source of
magnesium, which is essential to good plant growth. In soils where
magnesium is low, it would be more desirable to use dolomite limestone or
Sul-Po-Mag for a source of magnesium. Do walnut trees really cause tomato
plants to wilt and die? Yes. Roots of walnut produce a toxic substance (juglone)
that causes tomato plants to wilt and die. Turnip Why do turnips sometimes
fail to produce large roots? Poor general cultural conditions or excess
nitrogen at planting time may lead to poor root development. Another cause
might be broadcasting seeds too thickly. What makes turnips tough and hot?
Slow growth of the roots due to low fertility or hot weather can result in
poor quality roots. Watermelon Can good watermelons really be grown in the
home garden? Yes. provided there is adequate space. Small icebox types are
easiest to grow and often most satisfactory. Watermelons need a loose,
well drained soil and ample moisture for best growth. How do you get seed
to plant from a seedless watermelon? The seedless watermelon is produced
from two special parent lines which when crossed form a seed that is
"trisomic." This seed, although able to grow into a plant, is
not capable of producing fruits that contain seeds. Seeds are harder to
germinate than most watermelons, and therefore they are often started
indoors in peat pots at warm temperatures. General questions Why did the
seeds I planted in the garden (snap beans, lima beans, corn, melons, etc.)
germinate poorly? Much poor germination is a result of unfavorable weather
conditions at planting time. These crops like warm weather, and soil
should be well warmed before planting them. Planting in cold soil reduces
germination and is especially harmful to lima beans and melons. Too much
water in the soil, either due to heavy rains or poor drainage, also
reduces germination. Seedling diseases are especially destructive under
excessively moist conditions. Seeds sown in summer for a fall crop (such
as turnip and lettuce) may suffer from excessive heat and drying. When
planting seeds of cool season crops at that time, the soil surface should
be kept moist at all times for best germination. Some shading during the
germination period is also beneficial. Other causes of poor germination
include planting too deeply and crusting of the soil surface after heavy
rains or careless watering. Mechanical injury to the seeds from insects,
rodents or soil diseases may also cause poor germination. Seed which is
old or improperly stored will also germinate poorly or not at all.
Whenever seeds germinate poorly, it is best to dig up and replant
promptly, rather than to try to fill spaces with another seeding. Should I
plant the vegetable seeds I had left over from planting last season's
garden? In general, if the seeds have been stored well, many of them will
germinate fairly well the second year. Expect reduced germination,
however, so plant slightly thicker than suggested. If good germination
results, thin seedlings appropriately. Many garden seeds may be kept for
two years or even longer in a cool, dry location. Place in a tight jar or
can to keep them dry. Seeds losing germination most rapidly include: sweet
corn, okra, onion, parsley, parsnip and salsify. Can I grow my own
vegetable seeds? Most vegetable seeds purchased for the garden are grown
under ideal conditions from selected parentage or from special crosses
known as hybrids. Seeds grown or saved from the home garden are not true
to type in many cases, and the resulting plants vary in type of growth and
quality of crop produced. In general, the cost of seeds is a relatively
small part of the total cost of gardening as compared to fertilizers,
labor, insect control, etc. Therefore, clean, disease-free seeds of
selected varieties are one of the best investments for a successful
garden. Are some vegetables able to "help" each other for better
growth and production if planted side-by-side? There is no evidence the
plants "help" each other, but interplanting to conserve space,
or following an early crop with a later crop, (called
"succession" planting) can be useful practices. How can I tell
if my garden needs fertilizer ‹ * before planting? A soil test is the
best tool available, especially for evaluating a new garden or where there
has been no test for several years. In an established garden poor growth
the previous season is a good indication that a soil test might be needed
to evaluate and improve soil fertility and pH. * during the growing
season? Plant growth is the best indication of fertility needs. If plants
tend to be pale green, stunted or lose lower leaves, additional
fertilization, particularly nitrogen, may be necessary. Evaluate these
poor growing conditions carefully because diseases may also cause similar
problems. What is the best kind of manure for the garden? In general,
cattle, horse or swine manures containing straw are best. Poultry and
sheep manure have higher levels of nitrogen and may supply more nitrogen
than needed early in the season. Whatever manure is used, don't apply
fresh manure to the garden before planting. It is preferable to compost
the manure for about a year before using. It may also be plowed under in
late summer for planting a garden the following spring. Can I apply too
much lime to the garden? Yes. Most vegetables grow best in soils slightly
acid. Excess liming can make the soil too alkaline which reduces the
availability of some nutrients and reduces plant growth. Are wood ashes
harmful to the garden? No. Wood ashes supply potassium as well as some
other nutrients to the soil. They also make the soil more alkaline. Have
soil tested every five years to determine pH. Don't use wood ashes when pH
reading is above 7.0. Are vegetables grown with organic plant foods more
nutritious than those grown with commercial plant foods? Tests have shown
that vegetables grown under the same environmental conditions had the same
nutrient qualities regardless of the type of fertilization used. Can
sewage sludge be applied directly to the vegetable garden? Sometimes.
There are two types of sewage sludge: digested sludge and dried activated
sludge. The dried activated sludge has been heat treated and is safe for
use on gardens. This is available in bagged form under several different
trade names. Digested sludge is often available from local treatment
plants. It has not been heat treated and should not be used directly on
the garden. It is of relatively low quality as a fertilizer. It should be
composted for a year or more for thorough heating before using. There is
much variability in sewage sludge, and some contain an abundance of metal
ions. The effect of these on soil or crops over long term usage has not
been established. How much cattle or barnyard manure can be used on the
garden? It is generally safe to use composted animal manures at a rate of
50 to 100 pounds per 100 square feet of garden area. Is there too much
acid in oak leaves for them to be used on or disposed of in the garden?
No. However, oak leaves do have an acid reaction while they are being
composted (which should be done before adding them to the garden). Any
acidity is easily controlled by adding lime. The real benefit to the soil
from the oak leaves is the addition of organic matter. Is it safe to add
sawdust (shavings, other wood products) to the garden? Yes, however it is
better to have these products composted for a year before addition. Wood
products, especially when fresh, tie up nitrogen, so plants may become
starved. When wood products are added, additional nitrogen is necessary. A
nitrogen fertilizer such as ammonium nitrate may be added at about 3/4 cup
per bushel of sawdust, or 27 pounds per 1,000 square feet of area with a
layer of sawdust 1 inch deep added. Sawdust is excellent for improving the
structure of the soil. Is it OK to water my garden at night because I hear
that watering during the heat of the day will scald the leaves? Watering
during the day does not scald the leaves, but watering in late evening or
at night promotes the development of some diseases. For most efficient use
of water, it is best to water the garden in the early morning or in late
afternoon but early enough so the leaves will be dried thoroughly before
dark. Can I water my tomatoes, trees, melons, etc. by burying a tile (46
ounce juice can, syrup jug, plastic jug, etc.) with a hole in the bottom,
and watering in it? There is nothing wrong with this method of watering.
It makes efficient use of water, and keeps the foliage dry. For large
plantings, however, a large quantity of containers is needed, and
installation of them can be a large project. For more information, see MU
publications G6201, Starting Plants From Seeds.
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