Planting Instructions
BEANS
Snap Beans: Sow seed 1inch deep, 2-3 inches apart in rows 15-18inches apart. Sow after mid May and as late as the end of July.
Dry Beans: Sow same as snap beans except from mid to late May only.
Runner Beans: Sow seed 1inch deep, 3-4 inches apart in mid to late May. Requires netting or trellis to grow vines up to 7 ft. tall.
Fava Beans: Sow seed 1 inch deep, 3-4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Plant as early as soil can be worked in February if possible to have beans ready before black aphids appear. Can also be sown in late November in sheltered area. Mulch around plants after they emerge.
Lentils: same as dry beans.
PEAS
Oregon Sugar Pod II: Sow seed 1 inch deep, 1-2 inches apart. Vines will grow 3 ft. tall on netting or trellis. Sow in early March and as late as the end of July.
Green Arrow: Sow same as Oregon Sugar Pod but from mid March to late April.
Sugar Snap: Sow same as Green Arrow. Requires netting or trellis to grow vines up to 7 ft. tall.
Sugar Ann: Sow same as Oregon Sugar Pod but doesn't require support.
Norli: Sow same as Oregon Sugar Pod but doesn't require support.
GREENS
Arugula, etc.: Direct seed in garden 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Thin to 6 inches apart or leave densely planted for cut and come again.
KALE
Direct seed 1/2 inch deep and 4 inch apart. Thin to 15-18 inches between plants. Sow seed from early March to mid August. Sow densely for cut and come again. Will overwinter on the West Coast.
LETTUCE
Sow seed 1-2 inches apart in good well composted soil. Cover with just enough soil to keep seeds moist, thin to 8 inches between plants or sow in trays indoors and transplant out after 2 true leaves have developed ( about 3 weeks). Keep lettuce well watered for rapid growth and to avoid bitterness. Plant densely for cut and come again.
PEPPERS
See instructions for tomatoes.
TOMATOES
Here on the south coast of B.C.,we put our plants in the ground the end of May. I usually start my peppers in mid March, and my tomatoes mid to late March. Growing your own plants from seed is well worth the effort. You will know exactly how they were grown, (what was used on them) and you will be able to grow great varieties that are not available in garden shops.
I use a peat/ perlite mix to start my seeds in trays on tables, filling the trays full - you don't want the level of the soil too low because this creates a "dead air" space where mold likes to hang out.-Plant seed and cover with just a dusting of soil medium. I then place the trays in bustubs of warm water until just moist. Drain well, and take care not to over water. Cover with clear plastic, and lower a fluorescent light fixture down to a couple inches from the soil surface. (You can buy these fixtures for around $20. and they're a good investment) You can use bricks to raise /lower them. As soon as the seeds germinate, (tomatoes 5-10 days, peppers 2-4wks) remove plastic. Peppers can be fussier, and in some areas highly chlorinated water can apparently be a problem. As plants grow, adjust the light up as needed, and when the "true" leaves appear, you can transplant each seedling into a bigger pot. I use 4inch pots with a good soil mix. We make our own: 1part sifted compost, 1/2 part peat, 1/2 part perlite, adding one handful of organic fertilizer made from: 4pts. alfalfameal, 1pt.rock phosphate, 1pt dolomite lime, 1/2 pt. greensand, 1/2 pt kelpmeal. Or you can get an organic mix at the garden shop. We sometimes water with kelp and fish or comfrey tea. Harden plants off outside after all danger of frost. Plant in ground or large container in Late May. Most of our varieties need to be staked.
ZUCCHINI, PUMPKIN AND WINTER SQUASH
Sow seeds indoors in late April or early May. Transplant into garden in mid to late May. Should be transplanted as soon as first true leaves have fully developed.
|
