Vegetables Straight from the soil

What vegetables do you typically eat?  Carrots  L ettuce Onions   Spinach  Broccoli Cucumbers 

General Soil Information There are three components – sand (the largest) – silt (smaller) – clay (the smallest) A well-balanced soil will have equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay – Also known as LOAM! – This is the best soil for gardening

Nutrients! Nutrients! Nutrients! Two categories of nutrients in the soil– macronutrients (high quantity) and micronutrients (low quantity) Macronutrients are the most important of the two Three most important macronutrients are: – Nitrogen (N) – encourages leafy growth – Phosphorus (P) – needed for root growth – Potassium (K) – for healthy fruits and flowers Important micronutrients include: iron, boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and chlorine. – These can be replenished by adding more organic matter (ex. Compost)

Lettuce & Spinach Kind of Soil Use: fertile, high in organic matter, good water holding capacity Soil Moisture: damp Plant in partially sunny & shaded area pH Level: Kind of Soil Use: fertile, high in organic matter, well-drained soil Soil Moisture: damp - Mulch of straw or grass clippings help retain moisture levels in the soil Plant in partially sunny & shaded area pH Level:

Onions & Carrots Kind of Soil Use: fertile, high in organic matter, well-drained soil Soil Moisture: damp pH Level: Plant in partially sunny & shaded area Kind of Soil Use: sandy loam, fertile, high in organic matter, well-drained soil Soil Moisture: damp pH Level: Plant in partially sunny & shaded area

Cucumbers & Broccoli Kind of Soil Use: clay loam, fertile, high in organic matter, well-drained soil Soil Moisture: damp Plant in partially sunny & shaded area pH Level: Kind of Soil Use: clay loam, fertile, high in organic matter, good water holding capacity Soil Moisture: damp Plant in partially sunny & shaded area pH Level: Need high amounts of nutrients, esp.: nitrogen, potassium &phosphorus

Overall… The soil need a high amount of organic matter – Provides the soil with necessary nutrients Require loam kind of soil – There are some that require more clay (cucumbers & broccoli) or sand (carrots) in the loam Do best in cool soil (partially shaded) – Needs good drainage Soil should not be water clogged pH level is usually 6.0 to 7.0 – They like less acidic soil, can add lime to make it more alkaline if need

Which vegetable would you like to grow for yourself? ROSEMARY!! Reasons: - It smells nice - Want to use it at home when I cook - It grows best during these months - The package said it is “guaranteed to grow!”

The Adventure Begins The seeds were purchased from Ralphs I used the bottom of a water bottle as a pot – Figured it would let me see the growing process – It’s sustainable! Because I didn’t have to go out and buy a pot. “Borrowed” some soil from all around UCLA housing area Found rocks, broken down organic matter, and some really nice loamy soil Planted my seeds! – Currently sits on my desk, gets sun part of the day, and is in shade the rest.

My goal was to try and mimic the outside soil structure. On the bottom of my pot is a “parent bedrock.” When it breaks down, it provides nutrients to the soil. It also allows for good water drainage. My “A” and “B” layer consist of broken down organic matter which I found lying around UCLA. Rosemary enjoy soil that has good aeration and soil that is full of organic matter. Finally, my top most layer consist of broken down organic matter. This is the layer that will house my seeds. The Soil

The Ongoing Process Hopefully my pot of soil will turn into a thriving rosemary bush! This will be sustainable because I don’t have to buy rosemary in the market. More will come soon!