I have seen garden editors right that there is very
little to do in January. How wrong! This is a very busy time of the year for
vegetable production. In our cold desert climate with warm days and cold nights
some of the best vegetables of the year are produced. Cool and cold winter
temperatures slow growth of plants which concentrates flavors and reduces
bitterness in many of our cool season vegetables.
little to do in January. How wrong! This is a very busy time of the year for
vegetable production. In our cold desert climate with warm days and cold nights
some of the best vegetables of the year are produced. Cool and cold winter
temperatures slow growth of plants which concentrates flavors and reduces
bitterness in many of our cool season vegetables.
Germination from
seed. As long as temperatures are warm enough during the day, seed
germination of cool season vegetables may take longer but they will germinate
if the soil is warm enough. Loose, dark, fluffy soils are warmer than heavy soils.
Work in enough compost so that the soils are no longer compacted. Warm air
during the day must be able to enter the soil through loose pores to warm it.
seed. As long as temperatures are warm enough during the day, seed
germination of cool season vegetables may take longer but they will germinate
if the soil is warm enough. Loose, dark, fluffy soils are warmer than heavy soils.
Work in enough compost so that the soils are no longer compacted. Warm air
during the day must be able to enter the soil through loose pores to warm it.
Select vegetable
seed of known varieties that have performed well in the past or have been
recommended to you by others who are good gardeners. Don’t use varieties of
seed that are unknown to you unless you just want an experience and don’t care
about the end result.
seed of known varieties that have performed well in the past or have been
recommended to you by others who are good gardeners. Don’t use varieties of
seed that are unknown to you unless you just want an experience and don’t care
about the end result.
Know the
temperature of your soil. This is important because diseases that are
dormant in the soil may affect some vegetable varieties if the soil temperature
is borderline for them. Beans are a good example and may fail due to root diseases
if planted in soils that are too cold.
temperature of your soil. This is important because diseases that are
dormant in the soil may affect some vegetable varieties if the soil temperature
is borderline for them. Beans are a good example and may fail due to root diseases
if planted in soils that are too cold.
Prepare the area to be planted with seed with a high
phosphorus fertilizer of your choice. Triple super phosphate is a good choice
for conventional gardeners. Bone meal, bat guano, mushroom compost are good choices
for organic gardeners.
phosphorus fertilizer of your choice. Triple super phosphate is a good choice
for conventional gardeners. Bone meal, bat guano, mushroom compost are good choices
for organic gardeners.
Cover soils to be
planted with clear or black plastic to warm the soil. I prefer clear
plastic. Cover the soil with plastic two or three days before planting. Pin the
edges of the plastic to the soil. Cover the edges of the plastic with soil so
the wind does not lift the plastic. Just before planting cut slits in the
plastic where seed is to be placed and leave the plastic on the soil surface
until plants have germinated or longer.
planted with clear or black plastic to warm the soil. I prefer clear
plastic. Cover the soil with plastic two or three days before planting. Pin the
edges of the plastic to the soil. Cover the edges of the plastic with soil so
the wind does not lift the plastic. Just before planting cut slits in the
plastic where seed is to be placed and leave the plastic on the soil surface
until plants have germinated or longer.
Pre-germination of
vegetable seed initiates seed germination. Pre-germinating the seed is
wetting the seed long enough for a long enough period so the seed absorbs
water. This is the first step in germination. The seed is kept in water at room
temperature for 6 to 12 hours. The seed is then removed from the water and the
surface dried in the air or with paper towels. The seed should be planted as
soon as it is dry enough to plant.
vegetable seed initiates seed germination. Pre-germinating the seed is
wetting the seed long enough for a long enough period so the seed absorbs
water. This is the first step in germination. The seed is kept in water at room
temperature for 6 to 12 hours. The seed is then removed from the water and the
surface dried in the air or with paper towels. The seed should be planted as
soon as it is dry enough to plant.
Planting depth of seed is related to its size. Very tiny
seeds are placed on the surface and covered lightly with soil. Larger seed are
planted in the soil to a depth twice its diameter.
seeds are placed on the surface and covered lightly with soil. Larger seed are
planted in the soil to a depth twice its diameter.