Garden tips, progress and dilemmas
My tomato plants at W.F.
Lewis Community Garden are not looking too healthy planted at W.F. Lewis Garden
in S. Chelmsford. The leaves are yellow
as if they are lacking nitrogen. I’ve given them a dose of nutrient dense
fertilizer and pulled seaweed a bit away from the stems.
 | |
| Tomato plants small and not looking too healthy |
Asiatic beetles have been
chewing on the young spinach and sunflower leaves in the Lowell, Rotary Club
Community Garden (RCCG) raised bed. Since these little buggers fly and mostly
after dark, the best solution is to use row cover over the plants.
 | |
| beetles been munching |
The seaweed and coffee
grounds help deter the crawlies; seaweed because of the sharp edges. Coffee
grounds deter slugs. Not sure why.
Broccoli and cabbage have
been transplanted. While corn is coming up at the Wotton St. garden plot in
North Chelmsford. To stagger my harvest about 12
corn seeds are planted every 10 days or so.
 |
| Brassicas and corn |
Transplanting:
I try to garden by the
moon phases. At times, this is not practical. Most seeds germinate best around a new moon
when upward growth is stimulated. Transplant around a full moon when root
growth is stimulated. It’s less stress on the plant. Better not to transplant
during the time of upward (leaf and stem) growth.
My gardening mentor gave me
many tips. One is to remove the primary leaves from the plant before
transplanting.
 | |
| Pinch off primary leaves |
Then loosen up roots. This
saves the plant the energy it would expend sending them out. Don’t worry. It
really helps the plant. I’ve root-pruned houseplants when transplanting.
Set the plant in the ground
deeper than it was in the pot. Roots will develop along the underground stem.
 | ||
| Notice the stem is crooked..It's now buried. The plant will grow straight | . |
Before I set the plant in the
ground, I fill the hole with water. Mud pie!
This puts the water right where the plant needs it most.
No visual..Sorry.
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