Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
feet above ground is a good rule of thumb. Tie tomato plants to the
stakes with string, pieces of cloth, or even old pantyhose.
•
Teepee structure.
You can use pieces of wood, bamboo, or sturdy
tree branches to make your teepee. Take six stakes of equal length. Push
each stake securely into the ground in a small circle, angling them all
inward toward each other. The top of each stake should touch the oth-
ers. Tie them together with a piece of string or twine. This is a great way
to grow climbing beans and peas; just plant four to six seeds around the
base of each pole and watch them grow.
Compost and Manure Teas
Organic fertilizer teas are a great way to replace nutrients in the soil
so your smoothie vegetable plant roots can absorb and use them.
These teas can also deter some pests if the plant's leaves are
sprayed with a diluted mixture; just remember to wash the plant
thoroughly before you eat it.
Most plants do better with an extra boost of nutrients at some
point in their growth. Giving your young transplants some fertilizer
tea when they are first set out in the garden will help reduce the
shock of any root disturbance. Other vegetable plants need an extra
boost of nutrients when they start to flower to encourage them to
produce lots of fruits or pods.
Compost, animal manure, and comfrey are all great organic mater-
ials for making your fertilizer tea. Gardeners often have limited
amounts of compost and animal manure, so they really do not have
enough to put on all their garden beds.
