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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-04-14, Page 38Page 16 \41-111111111111111"""411116, 114 .441404,11. off Wkt ' 'A GRAND GARDEN SPOT: This indoor garden, say authorities at the American Association of Nurserymen, is ideally located to keep plants happy. Its northern exposure provides just the kind of light needed by tropical foliage plants—many of which are now common- ly adapted for indoor growing, and most of which react very poorly to direct sunlight. Subjected to more that filtered light, they can suffer thin, soft new growth, making their leaves turn yellow. Mail order plants need help If you've been anticipating plant mererial ordered through one of the mail order seed houses, take heart; they'll be arriving soon, says Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food hor- ticulturist, D.B. McNeill. "The plants are usually well - packed and, barring any unusual delays, they should arrive in good condition," he says. "If by chance the plants do arrive in a dry conflition, remove them from the package and plunge them into a tub or pail of room -temperature water for approximately 24 hours. Then plant them im- mediately." Occasionally, it is not con- venient to plant immediately on arrival of the material, the horticulturist says. If this is the case, he suggests that gardeners simply bury the plants in the garden until the permanent location is ready. The main idea is to keep the roots cool and moist until plan- ting time, whicbideally is as soon as they arrive. Food gardening for fun Lynn Baumann, a Girl Scout fr Virginia, in qualifying for Food Raisers Badge, did an exc lent job not only of growing ve tablel but also of recording t value of the harvest. The Natio Garden Bureau sent us her story. "To qualify for a Girl Scout 'Food Raisers' Badge, I assisted my parents with our family garden. This included planning the space available, planting, care and record keeping as to the cost in - Volved (seeds, etc.), and the retail (store) price of the vegetable at the time of harvest. "The following must be taken into consideration when reading the following chart: •. The "Average Market Value" is an accumulative total and repre- sents the total store price at the time of harvest. -For example: bell peppers at the time of the first picking were selling for approxi- mately two for $.35. As the season progressed, future pickings were valued lower. • All vegetables 'were grown from generally available varieties. Be - ,cause of limited space, package re- commendations were not followed exactly. For example: Two rows of beets were planted 4 to 6 in. apart, leaving approximately one foot walking space, and then two rows of turnips were planted 4 to 6. in. apart. As each vegetable grew, the rows were thinned. The plants that were thinned out were used for tur- nip and beet greens and the small beets were pickled. We also froze greens for later use. • Carrots and radishes can be planted in the same row at the same time. As we completed the first radish harvest, the carrots were just beginning to grow. • Eggplantsand zucchini squash were planted in "available space"— corners, etc. • When one rr of vegetables was harvested, a different vegetable was planted. This allowed contin- uous use of the soil. • Tomato — peppers— cabbage — eggplants were started from seed indoors arid transplanted to gar - am den. Many surplus her given to friends. el- • Many half -packages of seed ge- were left over and will be test - he sprouted to determine if they can nal be used next spring. • • The chart does not include the cost of canning or freezing. Many vegetables were either canned or frozen. Also, the cost of water (from the pump) is not included. The labor, spading, and weeding could be considered an extra bene- fit asit offers good exercise and is a pastime. • Another source of savings and convenience is our compost pile. All grass clippings are placed in a 2 -ft. wide, 6 -ft. long, 4 -ft. high chicken wire bed. Each fall this compost is 'spaded into the soil. This method saves many plastic garbage bags or putting the clip- pings in garbage cans. Also, be- cause my father fishes often, all fish cleanings are buried in the garden. If vegetables are already planted, the fish remains are buried in the walkways of the garden and are completely deteri- orated by the,next spading. • Many pounds of vegetables were given to neighbors and friends and, unfortunately, I did not record the weight of all -these "give-aways." Also, some of the succession plantings of carrots, radishes, etc. were unrecorded. OBSER VA TIONS: • Our garden yield was less than last year due to wet weather. To - plants were mato plants died much earlier than in previous years due to ex- cessive moisture. The garden was profitable, if labor, is not con- sidered. • Family preferences must be con- sidered in regard to vegetables planted. • Cabbage will not be planted again, as the plants require too much space and care. They can be purchased at the store at a very low price. • Broccoli was grown from seeds planted in the garden, which was an error. Seeds should be planted indoors and transplanted to the garden later. We had no harvest - able crop. • Cantaloupe and watermel;!m plants apparently drowned from excessive rain. • By canning and freezing, the family garden produced enough to last all winter. • For maximum yield from small , areas, a different vegetable should be planted as rows are harvested. This gives continuous use of soil. • Fresh vegetables picked from your own garden seem to taste. bet- ter than those -'purchased from the store. • • • Record keeping is the most dif- ficult part of gardening and we have concluded that the benefits and enjoyment are rewarding enough that we will not keep records in the future." Lynn Baumann and her mother in their family vegetable garden. And we also maintain a CO'MPLETE PARTS and SERVICE DEPARTMENT for small engines. Whether you haVe a small lawn or several acres, we will be pleased to look after ALL YOUR NEEDS. MAPLE LEAF 24 PRINCESS ST. E. CLINTON • 482-3722