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There are several factors to consider when choosing a
garden location.
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Give the vegetables full sunlight at least half the day.
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Choose a spot where the soil drains quickly and the wind
doesn't get a full sweep.
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Locate away from competing roots of trees or large shrubs.
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Avoid extremely sandy or very tight clay soils.
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Find a spot with fertile topsoil at least 7 inches deep.
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Choose a plot near enough for daily inspection.
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| A small area well maintained can produce a tremendous
amount of food and pleasure, but an area larger than you can attend and
cultivate will produce primarily headaches. |
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| More than any other factor, climate influences the success
of your garden. Climate refers to temperature, moisture, wind,
and other factors that interact to produce local weather. No matter
where you garden, become familiar with your climate and the factors that
influence local weather. |
| Plan your spring planting with the aid of this map showing
the average dates for the last killing frost. |
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| Plants need food and air to grow. To encourage
good plant growth, break up your soil by spading, tilling, or discing as
soon as it is dry enough to work in the spring. A good test is to
mold a handful of soil into a ball with your hands. If the ball is
not sticky but crumbles readily when pressed with the thumb, the soil is
ready to be worked. |
| Plow or till deeply, 7 or 8 inches is not too much unless
you turn up light colored sub-soil. If spaded by hand be sure to
pulverize each fork or spadeful as it is turned over. Rake spring
plowed or spaded soil soon after turning to maintain good soil texture
and prevent excessive drying. I finely pulverized surface assures
easier planting, better germination, and a more even stand. |
| Adding diazinon to soil and working in about 12 pounds
of 2 percent for every 1000 sq. feet of garden will help control worms
and root maggots. |
| Using the same garden location year after year depletes
the nutrients in the soil. It is a good idea to spread organic material
over the garden area and work thoroughly into the soil before planting.
Manure, compost, or commercial fertilizers may be used. |
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