Archive for the ‘Vegetaables’ Category

Plant only certified seed stock:     This will reduce the potential for disease and possibly increase yields. If the seed stock is large and there are multiple “eyes” on the stock you may wish to cut into multiple starts. Just make sure there are at least two to three eyes on each. It is wise to dust the fresh cut with sulfur and place in a cool, dry, dark, frost free area to allow the fresh-cut surface to cure.

It is important to note that small certified stock does not mean you will get small potatoes!

Use no manure in your potato planting area as it will increase the incidence the likelihood of “scab”

When planting your potatoes in our unique soil I would advise to amend the soil with organic compost at a ratio of one part compost to 2 paarts soil. Place the potato about three to four inches into the soil. Dust area with soil sulfur and add a small shovel of fir mulch. This practice will help keep your harvested crop free of potato disease.

Once the sprout has emerged it is common practice to “hill” the plant. This is achieved by mounding up the soil over the top of the emerging growth. You may do this a couple of times as the plant continues to grow

Early sneak harvests of small baby potatoes can begin in about two months. The BIG harvest will be later in the early fall once the frost has knocked down the foliage. Dig away and enjoy your bounty……. Doug

This is the first year that I have grown eggplant and I must say….. What was I thinking…. the plant has performed just outstanding and has produced fruit after purple fruit. Son Luke invited me over for dinner last night (Antlelope steak from Wyoming) and gave me a beckon. With basket in hand I headed out into the garden to provide crunchies for the salad and the eggplant for the grill. I marinated the eggplant in a wonderful combination of extra virgin olive oil, crushed garlic, grated ginger, basil, thyme, chives, salt, fresh ground pepper, plus a couple of shakes of pepper flakes. I let the eggplant wander in the marinate for about an hour before it hit the grill. If you are wondering how it was….. I looked in the dictionary and the words have not been created yet…… Hot Dang I must save that recipe……….. Happy Summer Grilling.. Doug

By using garden inoculant you will increase your bean and pea yields, plus it will also help with germination! Inoculant is an important component of growing both peas and beans. This granular product (looks like soot from the stove pipe) contains Rhizobium bacteria, necessary for converting nitrogen from the air to a form legumes can use. Other benefits include improvement of soil fertility, better root systems, maximum plant growth and yields. I have found it best to moisten the seed (this will also help in germination) then roll the seed in the powder just prior to sowing. Cover seed with washed river sand, peat moss, or special “seed starting” potting soil. We carry the inoculant as well as washed river sand, peat and special potting soils. Hey, the time is closing in and it is time to start the first round of garden peas! Happy Sowing………… Doug

If you are just pacing the floor waiting to plant a little garden seed but not quite sure if it is too early or what you should plant that won’t get destroyed by the cold nights………… it is Spinach to the rescue. This GREAT plant will do well even on the coldest of  mornings as long as it has been hardened off. I would recommend starting the seed indoors (the soil is still pretty cold for germination), move it to a cold frame (I will write an article on this soon) where it will be protected but subjected to the outdoors, then you could move it to the garden. Some folks simply continue to grow it in the cold frame with very good results, simply harvesting away. There are several varieties to choose from when you pick out your seed, so sample around and see which ones you and your family like the best. They are all loaded with healthy vitamins and a super good crunch in your salad. Now is the time so you had better get going. Most spinach varieties don’t do so well when it gets hot making this selection a GREAT choice for early sowing.