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    Crop Rotation in Small Vegetable Garden

    Planting beds

    Crop rotation means moving vegetables around the garden to maintain soil fertility. By rotating crops from one spot to another each season—or even in the same season, you can preserve and even boost nutrients in the soil. Differing crops use different amounts of soil nutrients and a few crops add nutrients to the soil. How […] More

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    Peppers, Melons, Eggplants—Hate the Cold

    Peppers transplanted

    Cool days and nights can be a problem for the most tender warm-season crops–peppers, melons, and eggplants. Temperatures in the 40sF won’t kill these plants but their growth will be stunted. Wait to plant out very tender crops until the lowest temperatures do not fall below 60°F. If you plant sooner use row covers, plastic […] More

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    Vegetable Planting and Soil Temperature

    Soil with carrots

    Vegetable seeds and seedlings require minimum soil temperatures to germinate and grow. Seeds and seedlings require optimal soil temperatures to thrive. Soil temperature triggers not only seed germination but is an important factor in soil chemistry. Soil chemistry includes the release (dissolution) of mineral nutrients in soil moisture. Mineral nutrients are essential for vegetable plant […] More

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    Vegetable Seed Germination Special Requirements

    canstockphoto12993509

    Different vegetables have different germination requirements. It’s important to know the germination requirements of the seeds you are planting to ensure success. Viable seeds are alive; they contain an embryo, stored food, and are surrounded by a seed coat. A seed will germinate or begin to grow when soil moisture, temperature, and oxygen, as well […] More

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    Vegetable Harvest Times

    Edame soybean harvest 1

    Timing is everything when it comes to the home vegetable garden harvest. Once vegetables are picked they immediately begin to lose flavor, tenderness, and nutritional value. Harvest your crops as close to the time you plan to serve them, within an hour or less of serving time is best. How do you know when it […] More

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    Vegetable Watering Tips

    Water seedling 1

    Water is essential to the optimum growth of vegetables; the water content of most vegetables is nearly 90 percent. Providing the right amount of moisture to the vegetable garden is as important as supplying the right amount of plant food. When to water seeds, seedlings, and established plants • Seeds. Water to the age of […] More

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    How to Make a New Garden Planting Bed

    mounded beds

    A garden planting bed is a home to your vegetables, herbs, and flowers. You want a planting bed in which plants will thrive and you want a planting bed that is easy to make and easy to maintain. Making a new garden planting bed should be a one-time investment in sweat equity. Once a new […] More

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    Cauliflower Growing Quick Tips

    Cauliflower in garden

    Cauliflower can be finicky in the garden. Follower these cauliflower growing tips for a good harvest. Sowing and Transplanting Cauliflower Cauliflower requires slow, steady growth in cool weather. Hot weather will cause cauliflower to bolt or button up (cold weather will also cause cauliflower to button—not form full-sized heads). Start cauliflower in early spring 4-6 […] More