Gardening tips for green thumbs
Local gardeners provide tips and tricks on getting your garden to grow
Gardening looks fun but it’s work. You live through the weather, the ups and downs, and the rewards are great.
-Deptford Township Mayor Paul Medany
Keep after your garden. Pull weeds and cultivate it. The biggest problem people have is letting the garden get ahead of them. When weeds are two feet tall and the ground is hard, its like you’re in concrete. You have to be smart about how you plant your stuff so you can weed them. Learn to manage your garden and save grass clippings and leaves. I recommend planting what you like and plant things you can’t buy, such as fresh peas, lima beans, varieties and heirloom tomatoes. Be adventurous.
Plan your garden before you plant. Don’t plant more than you can use. Two feet between rows will work well for most crops. Spinach and onions can be closer; squash and melons need more space.
Don’t overlook planting fall crops, such as lettuce, kale, collards, broccoli and chard, around Labor Day. They are frost tolerant and will produce through early December.
-Henry Ryder, RCGC
“If you had a vegetable garden and you’re planting the same thing in the same spot year after year, and all of the sudden you’re tomato plant is dying and all of your other stuff’s not doing too good, it could mean you have a virus in the soil. We always say to rotate the crops, at least every two years. Do not plant the same crops in the same spot year after year.”
-Heather MacGregor, GCCG
“Be careful not to overwater your plants, causing fungus and mold to grow. I suggest deep watering every four days in dry weather. Shallow watering will cause roots to stay high in the soil, and you want the roots growing deep in order to anchor the plant. Also, remember to reapply fertilizer.
If you have rabbits, try a Havaheart trap. However, with a lot of food around, the rabbits may not want to go into the trap. You can also try a DIY solution by spraying your plants with a hot pepper liquid spray, cover the plants with a wire mesh cage, or use chicken wire surrounding your garden to keep animals out.”
-Jordan Schlump, Woolwich Community Garden
