1. Emergency Preparedness
Gardening

2. Gardening Also available at www.tbpetersen.net
Extracted from
”Living" storage
A few basic rules

3. Topics we will Cover Acquiring Seeds Selecting a Garden Site
Selecting Crops
Planning Your Garden
Deciding When to Plant
Preparing the Soil
Fertilizing the Soil

4. Topics we will Cover Planting Watering Controlling Weeds Mulching
Preventing Pests and Disease
Harvesting
Correcting Common Garden Problems

5. Acquiring Seeds Buy rather than save from garden
Buy for two years to keep one year supply

6. Selecting a Garden Site
Full or near-full sunlight
Deep, well-drained, fertile soil
Near a water outlet
Free from shrubs or trees

7. Selecting Crops
Good portion of nutritious food for the time and space required
Plant according to family needs - resist over-planting

8. Selecting Crops . . .

9. Planning Your Garden Separate Long-term from short-term crops
Plant tall crops where they will not overshadow small ones
Consider rate of maturity
Rotate to prevent diseases and insect buildup

10. Deciding When to Plant
May plant 10 days to 2 weeks earlier than commercial fields
Varies widely by area. April in Georgia?

11. Preparing the Soil Add organic matter and/or sand
Turn in late winter or early spring
Periodically: composted materials, peanut hulls, rice hulls, grass clippings, etc
Gypsum: tight, heavy clay
Soil should be granular

12. Fertilizing the Soil
Clay soils absorb and store fertilizer three to four times the rate of sandy soils.
For clay soils add or at 1 to 2 pounds per 100 sqft.

13. N-P-K Fertilizing the Soil . . . 10-20-10
Plant Food Elements on front of bag
N-P-K
Potassium %
Nitrogen %
Phosphorus %

14. Fertilizing the Soil . . . Method Apply few days before planting
Spade the garden plot
Spread
Work the soil

15. Fertilizing the Soil . . . pH is too high (alkaline)
Add sulfur to recommended amounts
pH is too low (basic)
Add lime to recommended amounts
When close to proper pH 5lbs/100sq. Ft. every 2-3 years should keep soil at good levels
Beans, peas, onions require high pH levels

16. Planting
Plant as early as possible
Transplant where possible

17. Seeding
Cover the seed 2 to 3 times its widest measurement - (Rule of thumb)
For smaller-seeded crops such as carrots, lettuce, or onions, an average planting depth of ¼ to ½ inch is usually adequate.
Thin

18. Transplanting Avoid transplanting too deep or too shallow.
Starter solution:
2 to 3 cups of fertilizer to 5 gal. Water
Apply 1 to 2 pints per plant

19. Transplanting

20. Watering Equivalent of 1 inch of rain per week
If sprinklers, water in the morning to allow foliage to dry - prevent disease.
Drip irrigation
helps prevent disease
most efficient use of water

21. Controlling Weeds
A long-handled hoe is the best tool for control of undesirable plants
Chemical weed control
doesn’t kill all weeds
likely kill vegetables crops
Seedling stage
Mulch

22. Mulching Increase yields Conserve moisture Prevent weed growth
Regulate soil temperature
Decrease losses caused by ground rot

23. Mulching Organic mulches Fertilize prior to turning.
straw, leaves, grass, bark, compost, sawdust, or peat moss
Will improve the soil condition, aeration, and drainage.
Apply 1 to 2 inches around growing plants.
Fertilize prior to turning.

24. Preventing Pests and Disease
Mild winters and long growing seasons
Avoid spraying if possible, but use chemicals where necessary.
Dispose of crop residue (leftovers)

25. Preventing Pests and Disease
Rotate
Use treated seeds
Use resistant varieties
Diseases can be prevented but not eradicated.

26. Harvesting Harvest vegetables when they are mature.
Harvest the day it is to be eaten or preserved.

27. Correcting Common Garden Problems
Plants stunted in growth
Holes in leaves
Plant leaves with spots
Plants wilt even though sufficient water is present
More…see document

28. Questions?