increase the success of your seeding
efforts.
Many tested varieties of vegetable
seed are available from your nearest
nursery or garden outlet. This is
also a good time to invest in some
of the fantastic open-pollinated
varieties at many of our seed dealers and Heritage seed fundis.
In planning the lay-out of your garden, always remember to leave
enough space for a follow-up
batch of each kind, to be planted
every two weeks or so. This will
ensure continuity in your harvest
well into the new season.
Preparation of the planting area:
Do not neglect this important step.
A well prepared bed, pot or container with well drained, compostrich soil will guarantee excellent
germination, strong plants and a
healthy harvest. Invest in your soil
to ensure good drainage and adequate nutrients for your plants.
Also remember to treat your soil
against pests with a good organic
pesticide where possible; it is horrible to see a healthy seedling grow
and only the next morning find it
either completely missing or demolished by a cut-worm or similar pest.
“Companion planting” may be considered at this stage.
In your preparation also be sure to
take into consideration the amount
of sunlight each type of vegetable
plant requires, the eventual size of
the plant and the recommended
spacing distances. Look on the internet for any help you may need in
this regard.
Planting and transplanting
Seed packets nowadays are quite
helpful. Apart from the already
mentioned importance of fresh
(treated) seed, always consult the
directions and other information at
the back of the packet. These include:
When to plant (season)
Where to plant( position: full
sun; semi shade; shade)
How to plant (trays of direct
sowing)
Spacing (between plants and
rows as well as the plant depth)
Watering requirements
Germination (number of days)
Days to harvest (number of days)
At the back of the packet you will
also find a handy, marked ruler to
assist in measuring.
By following these instructions carefully, half of the success will already
be guaranteed.
However, remember the “good gardener” rule: Always plant three
seeds – one for the grubs, one for
the weather and one for yourself!
You can always (no, you should!)
remove the extra seedlings when
they appear, leaving the strongest
ones to grow into adulthood.
After planting your seeds according
to the desired depth, spacing and
the like, gently tamp the soil down
with your hand or an upright hoe
to prevent seeds washing away during rain.
In sandy soil, plant your seeds a
little deeper than recommended on
the packet. Very fine seed like carrots can be mixed with fine sand to
make sowing easier. (I use an empty spice dispenser for the purpose)
How to water
When watering your seedbeds, use
a very fine spray to prevent your
seeds being washed away. Keep
the soil moist until the first seedlings appear and thin them out to
provide the necessary space for
growth and uptake of sun.
As soon as your seedlings are
strong enough, soak the soil thoroughly to a depth of at least 6 inches rather than sprinkling the garden
lightly at frequent intervals. The
water should get down into the
root zone of the plant. About
25mm of water a week, including
rainfall, is desirable for vegetables.
To measure the amount you are
applying, place 4 or 5 cans in the
area being irrigated. T hey will collect approximately the same
amount of water as the soil
Depending on your budget, time
and type of vegetable, automatic
drip or micro-irrigation can be considered. Speak to your local irrigation dealer or visit one of the many
helpful websites and blogs if you
need advice.
What to plant in September:
Please consult our planting guide
on the next page for the vast array
of spring veggies and herbs you can
plant.
Happy gardening!