Garden Guide

A Product of the Community Gardening Network of Ottawa www.justfood.ca

of/dOttawa Community Gardening Network/ Rseau de jardinage communautaires

CGN-RJC

What is the CGN

The CGN is a network open to all mem ers of the community who garden! whether in a community garden! or in their front or ack yard! on their alcony! at pu lic uildings! in a schoolyard! etc" working to sow! cu"ti#ate and har#est the sustaina$"e de#elopment of community gardening in the City of Ottawa"

What is the mission of CGN$

To work towards ensuring that all neigh ourhoods in the City of Ottawa ha#e information on and access to community gardens and gardening! with particular attention to! ut not e%clusi#ely high density! low income areas" &n doing so! the CGN is committed to democratic processes! eco"ogica" stewardshi% and working with di#erse populations"

&he Community Garden 'e#e"o%ment (und

The Community Garden 'e#elopment (und was esta lished in )**+" &t is a colla oration etween ,ust (ood! the City of Ottawa and mem ers of the Community Gardening Network" The annual fund of -./!*** is to e used to start new community gardens in the City of Ottawa! and to e%pand and enhance the e%isting gardens around the City" (or more information a out this fund #isit www"justfood"ca

A Community Garden is)

"..a collection of garden plots in an urban, suburban or rural setting, which provides residents with access to land for gardening. Community gardens beautify previously barren or unused land. Run by members of the community, they are a place where neighbours can meet and work together to care for the garden while growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs.

What are the $enefits of community gardens

(OO' *+C,R-&. and N,&R-&-ON
Gardening pro#ides people with fresh! nutritious fruits! her s and #egeta les mainly during the har#est season" Community gardens can play an important role in helping people to eat well when they are una le to afford healthy food in stores" Gardens pro#ide those on low incomes with the opportunity to grow organic food! which is often e%pensi#e in retail stores"

ACC+** &O GAR'+N-NG *PAC+

Community gardens attract people who dont ha#e access to yard space! especially those who li#e in apartment uildings" Community gardens are accessi le spaces within walking distance where people can participate in recreational gardening and growing healthy food for themsel#es"

+N/-RON0+N&A1 *,*&A-NA2-1-&.
0 community garden allows indi#iduals concerned a out the en#ironmental impacts of food to ha#e control o#er the food they eat" 1eople use organic methods in their gardens! thus reducing pesticide e%posure to themsel#es and the en#ironment" Growing food in the city reduces the en#ironmental costs associated with transporting food o#er long distances" Gardening connects people to the food cycle" &t also encourages the recycling of food and garden waste through the use of compost! which reduces the amount of trash in landfills"

CO00,N-&. '+/+1OP0+N& and +',CA&-ON

Community gardens help to create a positi#e image of the community" Community gardens ha#e a positi#e impact on the community" The garden ecomes a meeting spot! where community mem ers interact and get to know one another" This helps create a closer2knit! more cooperati#e neigh ourhood" Community gardens allow for cooperation across di#erse ethnic and age groups" &n Ottawa! gardeners and community mem ers can also participate in free educational workshops throughout the year which focus on organic gardening skills! food and en#ironmental issues! and the preparation of nutritious meals"

&a$"e of Contents
3uilding the soil Composting 5eeds Companion 1lanting Garden 7ayout 1lanting Guide 1est Control Common &nsect 1ro lem 3ucket Gardening 9ater Conser#ation 1lanting Guide :egeta le 1rofiles <ar#est Time 1reparing for 9inter Glossary Thank you 4 ) 6 / 8 . + 46 48 4+ )4 ); 6) 6; 66 68

2,-1'-NG &3+ *O-1

9hen you first start your garden! you might find that the soil is too hard! too rocky! too sandy! or not healthy enough to grow plants well" =ost gardens need a lot of work to make and keep the soil healthy! producti#e and easy to work" >arly in the spring! when the ground is warm and dry enough! dig your garden to a depth of 4 - 56 inches! reaking up clumps and remo#ing large rocks" 0dd 7-8 inches of com%ost and turn it thoroughly into the soil" Compost is good for all kinds of soil! it gi#es structure to sandy soil and helps it hold water" (or soil that is hard and full of clay! it helps to loosen it and helps water drain through it" &t also adds nutrients which are slowly released into the soil during the growing season" 0nother way to help impro#e the soil is to plant a co#er crop! or green manure in your garden in the early fall ?mid 5eptem er@" These plants are not har#ested in the spring! ut are turned ack into the soil" These plants ring nutrients up from deep in the soil and also Afi%B nutrients! like nitrogen! from the air and water" 9hen you turn them under! you also increase the plant matter in the soil! which helps to gi#e structure to clay or sandy soil"

5ome good co#er cro%s are a"fa"fa! c"o#er! rye! $ar"ey and winter wheat! they need to e kept moist for germination" 'ont let the plants go to seed" Turn them under in the spring when they are 8 or 9 inches tall" Cou can also plant co#er crops in the spring or summer in part of your garden that you are not using to prepare it for ne%t season"

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CO0PO*&-NG:
A great way to feed your soil and help your garden grow! What is CO0PO*&
Compost is the reakdown or decomposition of food and garden waste" &t could e a mi% ofE lea#es fruit and #egeta le scraps weeds other plant waste Tiny creatures such as acteria! fungi! worms and small insects eat these materials and turn them into compost 2 this is called decomposition" 9hen compost is ready to put on your garden it will e dark rown and crum ly and it will look like soil" Why shou"d - %ut com%ost on the garden Compost is /+R. GOO' for your garden" 0 ; - 7 inch "ayer o#er your whole garden is #ery helpful" &t will help your plants grow and keeps the soil moist" &t also keeps weeds down longer" <elpful soil ugs like compost too" Compost is one of the est fertiliFers you can feed your garden" 3ow do - make com%ost Compost is easy to make" Cou need to sa#e fruit and #egeta le scraps from your kitchen" 5tore them in a closed container until you can ring them to the garden" 'ump your scraps in the composter regularly! and e sure to wash out your ucket to pre#ent it from smelling ad" Cou should also add lea#es and weeds that ha#e not gone to seed from your garden" The three most important things to do when uilding a compost pile areE 4@ 3reak all waste into *0A11 P-+C+* to speed up decomposition" )@ <a#e a alance of W+& WA*&+ G egg shells! #egeta le and fruit scraps! fresh grass and weed clippings and 'R. WA*&+ -- dry grass! dry lea#es! corn co s" &t is est to ha#e a mi%ture of a$out 5 %art wet and ; %arts dry< if it is too dry! you can also water your pile" ;@ =ake sure your pile is not too wet and turn it regularly so that A-R gets to all parts of the pile" &f you do not ha#e time to turn the pile! it can sit without eing turned" Not mi%ing the pile results in slower decomposition" The pile may smell ad if there is not enough air in it"
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What can - %ut in the com%ost

'O A'' 'ON=& A''

3read! aked goods! plain noodles >gg shells (ruit and #egeta le scraps Tea ags and coffee grinds 9eeds and lea#es Grass and 3ranches

3utter! cheese! milk =eat! ones Oil! peanut utter! lard =ayonnaise! salad dressing 5our cream! yogurt 'og and cat waste

3ow do - use com%ost! and when do - %ut it on my garden

Compost can e dug into the soil in the fall or in the spring efore planting the garden! or used as a mulch" 9hen planting in the spring! put compost in with the seeds" Once your plants are growing! spread some compost around the flower and #egeta le plants"

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*++'*
Cou might want to find some of your plants that are healthy! strong and Huick growing! and let them flower and go to seed" Cou can then collect and dry the seeds and sa#e them to plant ne%t year" This might mean letting your radishes! roccoli or spinach go to flower instead of har#esting them" Or you might let some eans and peas stay on the #ine until the plant dies and the pods are large" Cou can also let other #egeta les! like sHuash! cucum er or peppers stay on the plant until they are ig and tough and not #ery good to eat" This is usually when the seeds are ready to e sa#ed" 5ome plants will only produce seeds the second year of planting! so you would ha#e to lea#e them in the garden o#er the winter and wait until ne%t season to get seeds" ?They would ha#e to e hea#ily mulched in the Ottawa area to pre#ent winter killing@ 3eets! ca growth" age! carrots! celery and onions all produce seeds in their second year of

5eeds should e taken out of their fruit or pods! washed! spread on a aking sheet and left on a sunny window sill indoors to dry" 9hen they are dry! you can put them in a jar or small ag! la el the container! and keep them in a cool! dark! dry place until you need to use them" ?a fridge or a freeFer is est@

Not all of the seeds you sa#e will grow plants ne%t year" 5ome seeds you uy in the store grow only hy rids! which mean that their plants will not produce good seeds" 5ometimes when insects pollinate your flowers! they mi% the pollen up with other plants! and the seed will not grow well"

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W3A& -* CO0PAN-ON P1AN&-NG

Companion planting is a way of growing plants in your garden that helps your plants stay healthy and keeps insects away" &t is something that you may choose to practice! some people ha#e found it helpful" 5ome plants grow etter when they are ne%t to other ones2 like carrots and tomatoes" 5ome plants gi#e off a smell from their flowers and lea#es! or a chemical from their roots that insects dont like! so they stay away" 5ome plants are #ery good for the soil2 like peas and eans" They add nutrients when they grow that help other plants to stay healthy and strong"

CO0PAN-ON P1AN&* (OR P+*& CON&RO1

P1AN& 2asi" Gar"ic 3orseradish 0arigo"d 0int Nasturtium 3ot Pe%%er Rosemary *age &ansy &hyme Wormwood >++P* AWA. flies! mosHuitoes aphids! onion flies! spider mites! wee#ils potato ugs nematodes! me%ican ean eetle I many others ca age moth! flea eetle white flies! aphids! sHuash ugs aphids! caterpillars! rodents ca ca age moth! ean eetles! carrot fly age moth! carrot fly P1AN& N+AR tomatoes! all plants tomatoes! ca age potatoes! eggplant potatoes! tomatoes! straw erries! eans! all plants enefit tomatoes! ca age eans! roccoli! ca age! potatoes! sHuash! radishes! tomatoes as a powder or spray on the lea#es or on the ground G all plants ca age! roccoli! carrots! eans! sHuash! tomatoes ca age! roccoli! carrots fruits trees! erries! fruiting plants! sHuash! tomato! cucum er ca age! roccoli plant outside the garden as a order

flying insects! cucum er eetles! ants! sHuash ugs ca age worm age worm! flea eetle! animals =oths! ca

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A *A0P1+ GAR'+N 1A.O,&

<ere is an e%ample of how you might plant a gardenE when you plant your garden again ne%t year! you can rotate the sections! so that the same plants are still growing together! ut in a different part of the garden" This is called cro% rotation" This helps to confuse the pests that like to eat certain plants" &t also helps to keep the soil healthy! ecause some plants take a lot of nutrients out of the soil! while some plants add nutrients to the soil" 3y mo#ing the plants! it stops one part of the garden from eing star#ed of nutrients" This is just an e%ample" 9hen you start your garden! you might find that some plants grow etter in a certain spot in your garden" Cou might also find that some plants wont grow well in your garden no matter how hard you try" >#ery garden is different" >%perience is the est guide of allJ (ollow the directions on the seed packet for proper spacingK not all plants need the same amount of space"

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/egeta$"e P"anting Guide for the Ottawa Area

5st Week of 0arch 2 5tart onions from seeds indoors 2 1lace sweet potatoes in water to sprout indoors 5st Week of A%ri" 2 5tart tomatoes! peppers and eggplant indoors 2 5tart early rassicas and romaine lettuce indoors if you ha#e a cold frame 0idd"e of A%ri" 2 ?or whene#er soil can e worked@ plant peas! radish! lettuce I a few onion sets for greens outdoors 2 Transplant rassicas and romaine lettuce to cold frame 2 5tart watermelon and cantaloupe indoors 2 5tart one container of slicing cucum ers indoors 2 1lant eets and carrots for early har#est! spinach! 5wiss chard and storage onions outdoors 0idd"e of 0ay 2 5tart early corn outdoors ?if soil reasona ly warm@ 2 1lant early potatoes 1ast week of 0ay 2 Cut sweet potato #ines into .2LB pieces and place in )2;B of water to root 2 5tart mid2season corn! green eans! cucum ers and sHuash outdoors 2 Transplant tomatoes and peppers outdoors 5st Week of June 2 1lant lima eans and okra outdoors 2 Transplant sweet potatoes! watermelons! cantaloupes and slicing cucum er outdoors

7rd Week of A%ri" 5st Week of 0ay

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;nd Week of June

2 1lant late corn outdoors 2 1lant winter storage carrots! eets! ruta agas and potatoes outdoors at end of week 2 5tart late season rassicas ?ca age! cauliflower and roccoli@ outdoors for later transplanting

5st Week of Ju"y

2 1lant Chinese #egeta les/ca

age outdoors

2 Transplant late season rassicas 1ate August 5st Week of *e%t 2 5tart fall garden of radish! lettuce and onion sets 2 5tart spinach and onion sets for spring har#est

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P+*& CON&RO1 &-P*

Com%ostE 0dd compost when you plant your seeds or small plants" &t will keep your plants strong! healthy and a le to etter resist insects and disease" Take rotting wood and plants away in the fall to stop ugs from laying eggs! and/or o#er wintering in this material" 'ont plant the same #egeta le! or family of #egeta les! in the same place ne%t year! as some pests stay in the same spot in your garden year after year" 3ugs will stay away from some plants ecause they dont like the smell" 1lant them etween your #egeta les or around the garden" Check the list of Companion 1lants for 1est Control! to find out which plants would e est for your garden"

C"ean u%E

0o#e %"antsE

Good P"antsE

3+1P(,1 CR+A&,R+*?
1ady $ugs are great for your gardenJ They lo#e to eat aphids" +arthworms? worms create air spaces and make the soil etter and etter as they eat heir way through it" <a#ing lots of f"owering %"ants will ring more good ugs to your garden" 'ill and yarrow are greatJ

R+C-P+* (OR 3O0+0A'+ P+*& *PRA.*?

Cou can make safe! natural sprays at home that will discourage or kill some of your pests" Test the sprays you make on a few plant lea#es first! wait a couple of days! and if there is no damage to the lea#es! it should e OM to use it"

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*oa% s%ray?

5oapy water can e used to spray on plants to kill some pests" &t can also keep eggs from hatching" ,ust mi% a little dishwashing soap with water" =ake sure to spray oth the tops and ottoms of the lea#es" 1uree 4/ clo#es of garlic with ) cups of water in a lender" Or! mash the garlic or cut it up finely" 7et it sit for one day" Then strain the liHuid! so there are no garlic pieces left" The garlic repels some ad ugs! and can kill young ones" 0dd 4/) cup of finely chopped hot peppers to ) cups of water" Or! put in a lender" 5train the mi%ture" 9ear glo#es" &f the spray gets on your skin or in your eyes it will urn or sting" 7arge pests like ground hogs! raccoons and mice! dont like hot peppers" &f this is sprayed around the garden! it will help to keep them away" 5cattering human hair clippings or dog hair around a garden area may help keep ground hogs away"

Gar"ic *%ray?

3ot Pe%%er *%ray?

3air?

&wigs and 2ranches? 5catter twigs and ranches o#er your planted rows to keep cats away" =ake sure not to scatter too many twigs and ranches efore your plants germinate as the seeds that you ha#e planted need sunlight to grow"

/egeta$"e Garden Pest 0anagement

The #ast majority of insects in a #egeta le garden do no harmK many are eneficial! while only a few are actually harmful" =oreo#er! the impact of these harmful ones can e minimiFed easily y practising a little pre#ention! tolerance and control" 3ea"thy P"ants The est defence against insect pests is a good offence" 5tart y ensuring that your plants are healthy and growing #igorously" 0 healthy! #igorous plant can etter tolerate or re ound from many types of insect damage" 7ocate your garden in a sunny location! pro#ide a loose! well2 drained soil! and add plenty of compost" &f soil drainage is a pro lem! use raised eds" 9hile the p< of a rich! organic soil is usually satisfactory! some acidic sandy soils may need some supplemental lime" 0s Thomas ,efferson! the )nd 1resident of the N50! once wroteE

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 I suspect that the insects which have harassed you have been encouraged by the feebleness of your plants and that has been produced by the lean state of your soil.! Cro% Rotation &f you rotate your #egeta les or families of related #egeta les each year! you may reak the reproducti#e cycle of some insects! particularly those relati#ely immo ile species that o#er2 winter in the ground or in specific host plants" Crop rotation is specially effecti#e at discouraging se#eral soil2 orne diseases! including ean root rot! clu root! acterial diseases of tomatoes and #arious potato afflictions! all of which can weaken your plants and make them more suscepti le to insect attack" &n general! rotate the following plant families togetherE rassicas ?ca age! cauliflower! roccoli! russel sprouts! turnips! radish@K solanaceous plants ?tomato! pepper! eggplant! potato@K roots ?carrots! eets! parsnips@K greens ?lettuce! endi#e! spinach@K legumes ? eans! peas@K and cucur its ?cucum ers! melons! sHuashes@" Garden sanitation is important! so remo#e #egeta le waste from the garden and compost it to reduce the o#er wintering success of some insects" 2io-di#ersity and -nter%"anting &ncrease io2di#ersity y planting only small Huantities of the same #egeta le in any one place ?usually this is the norm in a home #egeta le garden@" Try not to interplant culti#ars from the same family grouping ?as noted a o#e@" (or e%ample! it is much etter to mi% ca ages and carrots then ca ages and cauliflower" 0 di#ersified mi%ture of plants! with differing colours! shapes and odours can sometimes help reduce insect attack" 3ooks and guides dealing with companion planting recommend specific com ination of plants that are said to repel certain insects" (or e%ample! some claim that nasturtiums repel striped cucum er eetles! that marigolds discourage the imported ca ageworm utterfly! and that catnip foils flea eetles" Predator -nsects >ncourage predatory and parasitic insects" =em ers of the um elliferae family! such as dill! are especially good at attracting parasitic wasps! which ha#e three main groupings G chalcids! raconids and ichneumonids" They come in many shapes and siFes! from pinhead small chalcids to ichneumonids a few centimetres in length" They appear to ha#e a stinger in the rear! ut it is only an o#ipositor" 0ll lay eggs in other insects or their lar#ae! including tomato hornworms and aphids"

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"achhinid flies are rarely noticed in the gardens as these ristly rown or gray insects resem le the somewhat larger housefly" They are most acti#e on warm! sunny days and are parasites of corn orers! tent caterpillars! cutworms and other lar#ae" #ellow $ackets and hornets are not welcomed y most gardeners! ut they do collect caterpillars! insects and lar#ae for themsel#es and their young G in addition to animal matter! pollen and honey" %round beetles are lack or dark rown! ut can appear right metallic green or lue in sunlight" They usually hide under rocks! arks or other de ris during the day and feed at night! eating all kinds of insects! lar#ae! cutworms! and snails and slug eggs! to mention only a few of their fa#ourites" Rove beetles are sometimes confused with earwigs! although they lack pincers" 3lack or dark rown in colour! they are mainly sca#engers! often found in decaying matter" <owe#er! they do parasitiFe ca age root maggots and other small lar#ae during their reproducti#e cycle" Assassin bugs are lack or dark rown! as well! a out one2half inch long! and somewhat like a miniature praying mantis in appearance" They usually feed on the juices of other insects and lar#ae! including ,apanese eetles and leafhoppers" &amsel bugs should not e confused with damselflies! which look like small dragonflies" 5mall2 flattened ugs! they prey on aphids! leafhoppers and caterpillars" 'piders should not e forgotten as they ha#e a #oracious appetite for many kinds of insects" The Chinese still construct and use spider houses in their plots and fields" =ade of am oo! these small pyramid2shaped containers pro#ide a perfect li#ing place for many kinds of spiders" 9hen an out reak of harmful pests occurs! the small houses are picked up y a handle! and mo#ed to the area of need" (ady beetles must not e o#erlooked! as they are the est2known insect predator of all" 9hile there are reportedly ;!*** species of lady eetles! the con#ergent species is the most common" &t has a lack head! thora% and undercarriage! with a red2orange ack showing a few lack spots" 3oth the adults and the immatures! which look a little like tiny alligators! eat soft2 odied pests such as mealy ugs! scale and aphids" Other predatory insects e%ist in our gardens! as well! with intriguing names like syrphid fly! lacewing! soldier ug! tiger eetle! pirate ug! ho#er fly! ig2eyed ug and ro er fly" 3ecome familiar with all of these insects that eat eggs! lar#ae and e#en other adults" =oreo#er! ne#er 4)

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kill an insect unless you know it is or could ecome a pest as you might mistakenly kill a eneficial" 2irds! &oads and (rogs 9hile many irds resort to eating seeds and dried erries in the winter and early spring! they soon return to a high protein diet of insects and lar#ae when these food sources reappear" 0nd they rarely eat #egeta les in our gardens! although some do like a few cherries or erries ?netting can protect #ulnera le crops@" 0ttract natures insect eaters with water in the form of an attracti#e ird ath! and pro#ide housing for your fa#ourite species" &n spring and summer! insects form +*O of the diet of chickadeesE moths! caterpillars! flies! eetles! true ugs! plant lice! scale! leafhoppers! and moreP 9rens can e attracted y nesting o%es! and ecause they often raise more than one rood each year! they must collect large Huantities of insects" They will e#en forage in the e#ening! and are reputed to catch earwigs! which ecome acti#e at this time of the day" 5wallows and purple martins are legendary insect eaters! making flying pests ++O of their diet ? uild a martin or swallow house to attract these gardening allies@" >#en starlings can e appreciated as they are reputed to e one of the few irds that will eat tent caterpillars" Toads can consume large Huantities of insects in the garden" 1ro#ide some water! a few cool hiding places! and e careful when tilling and digging G toads often urrow into the soil during the daytime" &f your garden is near a pond or you ha#e installed one in your garden! you will enefit from the insect appetite of frogs as well" Other Contro"s 9hen the direct control of a specific pest is needed! handpick ?potato eetles@! utiliFe pheromones ?,apanese eetles@! set out traps ?crumpled newspaper for earwigs@! use arriers ?floating row co#ers such as Reemay fa ric for onion maggots@! apply natural repellent solutions ?garlic and water@ or use 3t sparingly in certain cases ?for ca ageworms@" Ne#er use road2 spectrum insecticides! e#en if from a natural source ?e"g" rotenone@! as such su stances kill eneficial insects as well as the pests" Time your plantings to miss the first and usually most destructi#e generation of a pest if it is particularly othersome in your area" Meep a #igilant eye out for insect plant lea#es for signs of damage or disease" 0lways remo#e wilted plants and look for insects or lar#ae among their roots" 0nd finally! practice tolerance" :egeta les and fruit from a home garden need not look perfect G discard some produce! cut away insect damage! and enjoy the fla#our and nutrition of produce grown naturally in your own garden"

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CO00ON -N*+C& PRO21+0*

0phids presence of ants foliage curls gently ru the ack of lea#es to sHuish aphids spray lea#es and stem with a soapy water solution" Rinse"

?colourE #aries ut lar#ae are usually red or green@

foliage turns yellow

Ca

ageworms

holes in lea#es

handpick worms

presence of lack/dark green droppings on lea#es

?colourE green@ 5lugs ragged holes in lea#es ?colourE rownish2red or grey! depending on type of slug@ slimy trail acti#e ) hours after sunset and ) hours efore sun rise handpick after sunset with a flashlight create a arrier around plants with crushed eggshells or wood ashes place shallow dishes of eer or yeast/water mi%ture

9ireworms/Click eetles

since worms eat trap with potato peelings the roots of plants! plants scattered around garden" will wilt and then soon die check e#ery morning! then collect and destroy

?colourE worms are reddish rown@

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Colorado 1otato 3eetle

chew foliage of peppers! tomatoes! potatoes and eggplant lea#e AskeletonsB of lea#es

handpick eetles and orange lar#ae dust plants with cornmeal or ran meal hea#y mulch

?colourE orange and lack stripedK eggs found on the underside of lea#es are right orange@

Cutworm

Q nocturnal mothE adult Q in the morning! youll find your seedlings on the ground! nipped off at ground le#el

Q make collars of card oard for all #alua le seedlings Q dig around the ase of destroyed seedlings! and destroy any cutworms you find?they usually spend the day underground eside the plant they fed on the night efore@

?adultE nocturnal moth@ colourE #aries from lack to grey to rown@ >arwig

Q plants look chopped down! and are left to die

Q earwigs are often a common sight e#erywhere around the garden

Q an in#erted flowerpot filled with crumpled paper will attract them Q in the morning! shake the flowerpot into a pail of water to drown the earwigs Q plant your carrots ?which earwigs lo#e@ early or late in the growing season to outwit them

?colourE mainly lack with red markings and pincers@

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2,C>+& GAR'+N-NG
>#en if you li#e in an apartment or in a house with a small yard! you can still grow #egeta les and other plants in containers on your alcony or patio" 9ith a small ucket garden! you can a#oid many of the pro lems of a large garden2 like weedsJ and still enjoy fresh #egeta les that you ha#e grown yourself"

&y%es of Containers
Cou can use milk cartons! ig tin cans! plastic or metal uckets! gar age cans! peach askets! or anything else that you can find that could hold soil" 1ut holes in the ottom of your ucket to let water out" Cou can use a nail to make the holes" &he soi" needs to $e dee% enough for your %"ants= roots. Cou need soi" @ to A inches dee% for plants like eans! lettuce! spring onions! carrots! radishes! and spinach" Cou need soi" 5 foot B5;CD dee% for tomatoes! sHuash! peppers! long carrots" The igger the container for your plants! the etter yield you can e%pectJ

Good 2ucket P"ants

*unny 2a"cony? need more than @ hours of direct sun a day
2eans? ush eans are est" 1lant ; in an LR wide pot" &omatoes? cherry tomatoes are est! they need a 8R pot" (or igger tomatoes! they need a 4)R pot" Tomatoes need lots of sun and need to e tied up to a stick" Pe%%ers? need lots of sun" Tie to a stick to hold them up" 1lant one in a 4)R pot

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Radishes? plant ) inches apart! or three in a 8R pot" Ready to eat in a month" *ummer *Euash! Fucchini? need ) foot ?)6R@ deep and ) foot ?)6R@ wide pot ?noteE uy #arieties designed for growing in containers@ Cucum$ers #arieties designed for pot gardening"

*hady 2a"cony P"ants

2eets? plant ;R apart! use when lea#es / to LR tall! or after two months Carrots? plant )R apart" Ready to eat in two to three months Chi#es! and Onions? need 8R wide pot Gar"ic? plant garlic clo#es 8R apart! pick when the plant top dies 3er$s? all kinds grow well in pots! ring indoors in winter 1ettuce? plant leafy lettuce! 6R apart *%inach? needs to e kept cool and wet! plant 8R apart

Care of %"ants
Water? 9ater efore soil dries out or plant wilts! ?more often in ,uly and 0ugust@" &t can e #ery windy on alconies which dries out your plants! so keep them watered" Cou can also use mulch on the soil to keep it moist" =ulch can e straw! lea#es! compost! newspaper! aluminum foil! or lack plastic" *un? &f your alcony is dark and shady! put tin foil on the soil to reflect sun onto your plants"

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Com%ost? 0dd compost to your uckets to gi#e your plants e%tra food" =i% lots of compost with the soil efore you plant ?half and half is est@" -nsects? 3ecause there are less insects on high alconies! you might need to pollinate the flowers on the plants to get fruits and #egeta les" Cou can use a paint rush to spread the pollen around" =ost pest insects can e killed y using a mi%ture of soap and water sprayed on the lea#es ?see tips on pest control@" +Gtending the growing season? &f you plant late! and your #egeta les are not ready y the fall! you can ring most plants inside to sit y a sunny window"

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Water Conser#ation
Raised 2eds /ersus ("at 2eds
(or efficient water conser#ation! prepare a soil surface for ma%imum water penetration" This means planting in an area with is created to ensure that water stays in the root Fone of the plant and does not run away from it to e wasted" >ffecti#e ways of doing this include a flat surface! or if your soil is prone to flooding or is in a poorly drained wet area! a larger raised ed with a flat surface on top may e prefera le" &f using a raised ed! ensure that you create some raised edges around the top of the raised ed to ensure the water stays in the ed and does not run off down the side" 1lease note that raised eds can dry out much Huicker than a flat surface" &n this case! mulch will help"

0u"ching and *oi" &i"th

=anaging soil tilth to include additional organic matter and compost will promote water penetration and retention" (or ma%imum water conser#ation! apply compost to the soil surface as mulch after transplanting and seeding" This will allow the cold spring soil to warm up efore the application of the cooling mulch layer! thus enhancing seed germination and early spring transplant #igour" The surface compost layer will conser#e water during the hot summer season and keep root systems cooler" The compost layer can e worked into the soil at the end of the growing season or in the early spring efore planting"

Cu"ti#ating and Weeding

0 num er of good gardening practices will help in conser#ation efforts" (or e%ample! donSt plant in soils that are too cold22seeds wonSt grow satisfactorily! and water will not e properly a sor ed" (rom the start! weed control is #ery important in your garden" 9eeds waste water! and they compete with #egeta le plants for nutrients and sunlight" (or ma%imum water use! maintain e%cellent weed control in your garden" &f you are not using a surface mulch! culti#ation of the soil should e shallow" 'eep tillage or hoeing not only damages plant roots ut also allows moisture to e#aporate" :ery shallow weed control with a scuffle or push hoe is est" ?0 scraping action with the scuffle hoe is est"@

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,se Water Wise"y

Root )ones. 9hen you use water! try to concentrate it in the plantsS root Fone" The less water you apply etween the rows where roots canSt use it! the less water you lose to e#aporation" &n addition! water from a sprinkler wonSt all reach the soil surface ecause of e#aporation22a loss of up to )/O" 5e#eral techniHues will help place the water in the root Fone where itSs neededE 4" (or crops like sHuashes and cucum ers that are usually grown in a hill! ury a juice or coffee can with the ottom at root le#el" 1unch holes in the ottom of the can! so the water you pour in it will reach the roots with a minimum of loss" )" Cou can irrigate indi#idual plants like tomatoes! peppers! and eggplants in the same manner! using a slightly smaller can" 1unch the holes in the can only on the side ne%t to the plant" 'prinkler irrigation. &f you use this system! minimiFe water losses yE 4" using a sprinkler that will co#er the garden only! not the surrounding areaK )" watering early in the morning when air is cool! wind is low! and water pressure is etter on municipal systemsK or ;" using a rate of application that permits all water to soak in and not run off the garden area" 'oak the soil. 9hen you water! thoroughly soak the soil to a depth of 8 to L inches and do it less freHuently" 'epending on stage of growth and temperatures! watering once per week is usually sufficient! and only then if you do not recei#e adeHuate rainfall during the period" "ry closer rows. 0 smaller area gardened more intensi#ely will produce more #egeta les in relation to water usage" Cou can grow Huite a few #egeta les much closer together than traditional ) T2 to ;2foot rows" Cou can place radishes! onions! eets! carrots! etc"! in rows as close as 4 foot apart" This way! you make etter use of the water you apply in the root Fone" &n addition! a soil shaded y #egeta le lea#es loses less water y e#aporation to the atmosphere" Container planting of #egeta les will use more water than in2ground gardening" Containers dry much faster than garden eds and rows" <owe#er! if container planting is your only option! try insulating your containers y placing them inside a larger pot and filling the space etween the two containers with soil"

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When *hou"d - P"ant 0y /egeta$"es

<ere is a guide to help you know when to plant and when to har#est your #egeta les" The guide lets you know when you can first plant seeds or seedlings outdoors in the spring" This often depends on when the last frost occurs ?marked with a U on the chart@" &f it is a #ery warm spring! you can plant earlier! or if it is especially cold! you should plant a little later" The guide also shows you how many weeks it takes for each #egeta le to mature 2 from 6 weeks for radishes! to )* weeks for onions" 5ome #egeta les can e planted again once the first crop has een har#ested" (or these ones! the last possi le time that you can plant is marked y an V on the chart" Cou can start seeds anytime etween the first and last plantings" =ost of the other #egeta les can also e started later than the date marked for first planting! ut you must remem er that many plants are killed y frost! so make sure the plant will ha#e enough time to mature efore the first fall frost ?marked again with a U@"

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P1AN&-NG G,-'+
'ate A % r 8

O W (irst outdoor planting! V W 7ast possi le planting! & W 5tart seeds indoors! <W <ar#est! U W 0ppro%imate times of last and first frost 0 a y 5 ; 7 H8H J u n 5 ; 7 8 J u " 5 ; 7 8 A u g 5 ; 7 8 *e% t 5 ; H7 H 8 O c t 5 ;

3eans 3eets 3roccoli Ca age O O

O 3 O O 3 O O O O O O O O O O O O O 3 3 3 O 3 O

I I 3 3

3 3

Carrot Corn Cucum er >ggplant Garlic 7ettuce Onion 1eas 1eppers 1otatoes Radishes 5pinach 5ummer 5Huash 9inter 5Huash Tomatoes Turnips

I 3 3 3 3 I 3 3 3 I 3 3 I 3

3 3 3 I 3

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2+AN*
*+ean ,amilyP1AN&E ; to 6 inches apart! 4 inch deep 3ean seeds will not sprout in cold soil" 5o it is important to plant seeds in the garden after the last frost of spring ?late =ay@ Carrots! cauliflower! cucum ers! ca radishes Garlic! onion! chi#es! leeks! eets 3eans need a lot of sun 9ater often! dont let the soil dry out &n hot weather! you can co#er the soil with a mulch! like compost! to keep the soil moist Ready to e picked in a out L weeks 1ick when pods are small and tenderK if you wait too long! the plant may stop producing eans 0phids! ean eetles! irds! rodents! light! mildew =arigolds and summer sa#ory keep the ean eetle away 1lant ush eans and potatoes in neigh ouring rows2 the potatoes keep the ean eetle away and the eans keep the potato ug away 1lant clim ing eans ne%t to corn! the eans will clim up the stalks Turn the plants ack into the soil when they dieK ean plants are high in nitrogen and are #ery good for the soil ages! corn!

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3AR/+*&E

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NO&+*E

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2++&*
*+eet ,amilyP1AN&E The seeds should e planted 4 inch apart! then when sprouted! thinned to 6 inches apart ?noteE you can eat the young sprouted plants which you ha#e thinned@ 1lant seeds in the garden in early spring! although your early crop may e affected y leaf minor lar#ae" Cou can plant a second crop after you ha#e picked the first 3roccoli! ca chard age! cauliflower! lettuce! onions! swiss

P1AN& N+ARE 'ON=& P1AN& N+ARE CAR+E

1ole eans ?clim ing eans@ 3eets like lots of sun! ut can grow in some shade as well Need lots of water to keep the roots tender 1ut compost in the soil efore planting Ready to e picked in a out L weeks Cou can eat the lea#es and the roots Cutworms! slugs! snails! leaf miners! rodents The roots will stay good into the late fall if you co#er them with a hea#y mulch! such as dry lea#es or strawK sHuirrels may steal your eetsK chicken wire ?or mesh wire@ can e used to co#er the planting area and discourage the sHuirrels

3AR/+*&E P+*&*E NO&+*E

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2ROCCO1*Cabbage ,amilyP1AN&E 4L inches apart! 4/) inch deep ?these plants need their spaceJ@ Grows est if you start the seeds indoors in early spring and transplant them to your garden up to ; weeks efore the last frost or in the mid ,une for a fall har#est" 3eets! ca age! carrots! marigolds! nasturiums! thyme! tomatoes 5traw erries! mustard 3roccoli plants like cool temparatures! a lot of sun and lo#e nutrient2rich soil They need to e watered often! use a mulch in hot weather to keep the soil from drying out 1ut compost in the soil efore planting Ready to e picked in a out 48 weeks &t is ready when the flowering head is ig enough to eat and the uds are still tightly closed and green" &f you wait too long! it will turn into yellow flowers Cut off the head only! just a o#e the large lea#es! the plant will produce smaller heads in week or two 0phids! cutworms! root maggots! ca age worms

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CA22AG+
*Cabbage ,amilyP1AN&E 4L inches apart! 4/) inch deep Grows est if started indoors in early spring for an early crop or seeded already in the garden in mid2,une for a fall har#est" 1ut the small plants in your garden no more than ; weeks efore the last frost" Carrots! cucum ers! spinach! celery! dill! onions! potatoes 5traw erries! tomatoes! pole eans ?clim ing eans@ Ca age plants like cool temperatures! lots of sun! ut dont like to get too hot! so some shade is good too" Ca age likes lots of water when it is small" 9hen it is ig dont water it as much or the head might split" Ca age will not thri#e in poor soil and therefore will need a lot of nutrients ?e%ampleE a large amount of compost worked into the soil@ to grow well" Ca age will e ready in a out 48 weeks" Cut when the head has formed and feels firm" 5lugs! snails! aphids! ca age worms! cutworms! flea eetles 5trong smelling her s like hyssop! thyme! wormwood! rosemary and peppermint will keep the ca age utterfly away. 'ont plant ca age in the same place in your garden e#ery year! or where you planted roccoli or cauliflower" This will help to keep pests away from your plants"

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3AR/+*&E P+*&*E

NO&+*E

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CARRO&*
*Carrot ,amilyP1AN&? &n rows! 4/) inch deep ?warningE seeds are #ery small! so e careful to sow them thinly"@ 'ig the soil well efore planting?compost can e added to the soil at this time to make the soil less compact@" 1lant early or lateK late =ay or mid2,une is est" 7ettuce! tomatoes! radishes! ca age! onions! peas! potatoes 'ill! also ne%t to a pathway in your gardenK footsteps could compact the soil and cause misshapen roots" Carrots will grow well with lots of sun! or with some shade" They need a lot of water when they are small ut cut down on the water when they are ig to keep the root from splitting" Carrots are ready in a out 4* weeks" 1ull the plants with the largest tops" Cou can feel around in the soil to check the siFe of the root" Cou can lea#e the carrots in the ground until mid2 autumn ecause a few frosts often makes the root sweeter" The iggest danger to carrots is earwigs in the spring ?they lo#e the tender foliage@" Other changes include carrot rust fly! cutworms! animals" 5trong smelling her s like rosemary! sage and wormwood help keep the carrot fly away" Crop rotation ?planting in a different location e#ery year@ will pre#ent small worms which urrow into the roots of carrots" HH NO&+E Rocks in the soil will make the root split when it grows"

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CORN
*%rass ,amilyP1AN&E 6 inches apart! then thin later to L inches apart 1lant 4 inch deep to keep the irds from eating the seeds" 1lant seeds in the garden after the last spring frost" 1lant at the north end of the garden so it doesnt shade your other plants" Corn will grow est when planted in a lock of ; or 6 rows" 1otatoes! eans! cucum ers! pumpkin! sHuash! melon 1eas! tomatoes Corn needs lots of sun! and therefore is est planted in a larger garden Corn needs lots of nutrients! so add lots of compost to the soil efore you plant" Corn is ready in + to 4; weeks" 3reak off the ear when the silk turns rown" Check the kernels" 9hen the juice from the kernels is white! they are ready to e picked" &f the juice is clear! they are not yet ready" Corn orer! ear worm! irds! and animals ?noteE sHuirrels will reak the young plants and raccoons will steal the ripe co s@" 1lant clim ing eans ne%t to corn" The eans like to clim the corn stalks and they gi#e lots of nitrogen to the soil! which is #ery good for the corn" 9hen the eans die! lea#e the plant in the soil"

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3AR/+*&E

P+*&*E

NO&+*E

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C,C,02+R
*Cucumber ,amilyP1AN&E 4* to 4) inch apart! 4/) inch deep 1lant seeds in the garden after the last spring frost" 5eeds est started indoors and then transplanted in late =ay" 3eans! peas! radishes! sunflowers! corn 1otatoes! strong smelling her s Cucum er plants like a mi% of sun and shade" They need lots of water so make sure the soil doesnt dry out ?you can use a mulch to help keep the soil moist@" 0dd some compost to the soil efore planting" &n a small garden! it is est to grow eside a frame or cage structure ?so that the plant #ines can grow Xup and not take up a lot of space in your garden@" Cucum ers will e ready for picking in a out + weeks" Cut cucum ers off the #ine when they are a good siFe" 1ick them as soon as they are ready! or else the plant will stop producing" Cucum er eetle! aphids! nematodes! mildew! wilt Cucum er plants can e trained to grow on a trellis or frame"

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P+*&*E NO&+*E

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)+

+GGP1AN&
*.otato ,amilyP1AN&E 4* to 4) inches apart >ggplant grows est when planted indoors in the early spring then mo#ed to the garden after the last frost" 3eans! peppers! tomatoes! potatoes >ggplant likes lots of sun" >ggplant needs lots of water! e#en more when it is growing fruit" 1ut compost in the soil efore planting" >ggplant is ready to e picked in a out 4+ weeks" 1ick the fruit when they are dark and shiny" Cut worms! flea eetles! wilt To a#oid disease! dont plant eggplant in the same spot during the ne%t growing season" 9hen planting eggplant! a#oid planting it where you where you had planted tomato! potato! or pepper plants in the pre#ious growing season"

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GAR1-C
*/nion ,amilyP1AN&E ; to 8 inches apart! T inch deep 1lant clo#es of garlic with the pointy end up in your garden 6 weeks efore the last spring frost" &t is important to plant garlic when it is still a it cold outside" 3etter results can come from planting garlic in the fall for ne%t yearG like all ul s" Ca age! roccoli! cauliflower! tomatoes 1eas! eans Garlic likes lots of sun" 'ont water too muchK garlic likes the soil to e a it dry" Garlic will e ready to pick in 4* to 4) weeks" 1ull up the plant when the tops are dead and dry" Cut off the top and lea#e the ul in the sun for a few days to dry" Cou can store garlic in a cool! dark! dry place all winter" Onion thrips! mildew Not many pests other garlic! so it is good to plant etween other plants in your garden to help keep the ugs away"

P1AN& N+ARE 'ON=& P1AN& N+ARE CAR+E 3AR/+*&E

P+*&*E

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1+&&,C+
*(ettuce ,amilyP1AN&E 5prinkle seed and co#er lightlyK later on! you can thin to 6 to 8 inches apart" 1lant seeds in the garden after the last frost" Cou can start the seeds indoors in the spring if you want an early har#est" Cou can plant another crop e#ery 6 weeks" 5traw erries! cucum ers! carrots! radishes! eets Ca age! roccoli! cauliflower 7ettuce likes lots of sun in the spring! ut likes shade in the hot summer ?noteE it grows well in containers@" 7ettuce likes lots of waterK if it doesnt get enough the lea#es will taste itter" 0dd compost to the soil efore planting 7ettuce will e ready in 6 to 8 weeks" Cou can pick it when the lea#es look ig enough to eat" 'ont wait too long! or your lettuce will start to flower" 5lugs! cutworm! sow ugs! wire worms! snails! aphids and animals"

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P+*&*E

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ON-ON*
*/nion ,amilyP1AN&E ; inches apart ?noteE est if grown from Xsets of small ul s@" 1lant the seeds in your garden after the last frost" Cou can plant the seeds indoors in the spring if you want an earlier har#est" Ca age! roccoli! cauliflower! eets! straw erries! tomatoes! lettuce! carrots 1eas! eans! asparagus Onion likes sun ut will grow in some shade" 9ater well! ut stop when the tops fall o#er in mid summer" Onions are ready to e picked a out )* weeks after planting" Onions can also e picked and eaten when they are smaller2 these are called green onions" (or large onions! after you ha#e stopped watering them for a few days! pull the plant up and lea#e it in the sun to dry for a day or two" The tops and skins should e dry" Cou can then trim the roots efore storing them" Onion fly maggot! thrips and mildew"

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P+*&*E

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;;

*+ean ,amilyP1AN&E ; inches apart! 4 inch deep 1lant seeds in your garden ; weeks efore the last frost Cou can plant a second crop two weeks later for a longer har#est" Carrots! turnips! radishes! cucum ers! eans! potatoes Onion! garlic 1eas like lots of sun in the spring! likes more shade in the summer" They like lots of water" Ne#er let the soil dry out G use mulch in the summer" 3est to ha#e stakes! sticks or a fence2like construction to keep these #ine2like plants upright 1eas will e ready to pick in a out 4* weeks" The pods can e picked when they are small and eaten whole! or you can wait until the peas are igger" 0phids! irds! animals! mildew! wilt and rot Cou can train the plants to grow on a frame or trellis" 9hen the plants die! turn them into the soil! it will gi#e the soil lots of nitrogen! which is good for your garden"

P+A*

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P+*&*E NO&+*E

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P+PP+R*
*.otato ,amilyP1AN&E 4* to 4) inches apart! 4/) inch deep 1lant the seeds indoors in the early spring and mo#e the plants to your garden after the last frost ?noteE they are #ery frost tender and may need to e co#ered in a cold snap@" 3asil! carrots! eggplant! onions! parsley! tomatoes 1eppers like lots of sun! ut if they are too hot! they may drop their flowers! so make sure they get some shade in the summer" 'ont water them too much! or their roots will rot" 1eppers will e ready in a out 4+ weeks" Cut the fruit when they look ig enough to eat" (or hot peppers! you must wait until the peppers change colour efore you pick them" Cutworms! flea eetles! aphids! hornworms! mildew! wilt! rot <ot peppers can e ground and made into a spray or dusted on plants to keep away ugs and animals"

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P+*&*E NO&+*E

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PO&A&O
*.otato ,amilyP1AN&E 4) inches apart! 6 inches deep Cut a potato into ; or 6 pieces! making sure there is an AeyeB on each" 1lant the potato pieces in your garden ; or 6 weeks efore the last frost" 3eans! peas! corn! ca age! roccoli! cauliflower! horseradish! marigold! eggplant Tomato! sHuash! pumpkin! cucum er! rasp erry! sunflower 1otatoes like lots of sun on the lea#esK you must keep the tu ers in the ground completely co#ered with soil so that they are not e%posed to 0NC sun light" =ake sure the soil doesnt dry out 2 use a mulch" 'ont let the plants get too wet 2 dont get the lea#es wet when watering" 0dd compost to the soil efore planting" 1otatoes will e ready to e picked in 4* to 4) weeks" 'ig up the roots after the plant has flowered or when the lea#es start to turn yellow" 1ut potatoes in the sun until dry on all sides! turning them often efore you store them" 1otatoes will keep all winter in a cool! dark place" 'ont eat potatoes that are green" Colorado potato eetle! flea eetle! aphids! light

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RA'-*3+*
*Cabbage ,amilyP1AN&E ; inches apart2 dont o#ercrowd themJ 1lant seeds in the garden ; weeks efore the last frost" Cou can plant more seeds e#ery ; or 6 weeks" Cucum ers! lettuce! melons! peas! nasturtiums! sHuash! eans <yssop! grapes Radishes will grow in lots of sun or some shade Radishes like lots of water2 if they dry out they ecome hot tasting and hard" Radishes are ready in a out 6 weeks" 1ull them up when the root is large enough to eat 2 dont wait too long! or it will start to flower" Root maggots! aphids

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HH NO&+? radishes are #alua le to grow to protect cucum ers e#en if you ne#er eat them

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*P-NAC3
*+eet ,amilyP1AN&E 6 inches apart 1lant seeds in garden 6 or / weeks efore the last spring frost" Cou can plant another crop after you ha#e picked the first one! or you can plant e#ery two weeks in spring" Cauliflower! celery! eggplant! straw erries 5pinach likes lots of sun in the spring! ut needs shade in the summer" Gi#e spinach lots of water! more in hot weather" 'ont touch the lea#es when they are wet! you might reak them" 1ull up all the weeds around your spinach! especially when it is small" 5pinach is ready to e picked in a out . weeks" Cou can cut the lea#es when they look ig enough to eat! or you can pick the whole plant" 'ont wait too long! spinach will start to flower Huickly in hot weather" 7eaf miners! aphids

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W-N&+R J *,00+R *K,A*3 BF,CC3-N-D

*Cucumber ,amilyP1AN&E &n hills ; to 8 feet apart! 4/) inch deep ?Fucchini closer! winter sHuash farther apart@ 1lant seeds in your garden after the last spring frost or you can start your seedling indoors in 0pril and plant outside in =ay" Radishes! corn! cucum ers! nasturtiums 1otatoes Yucchini likes lots of sun and warm weather" Yucchini likes lots of water! so dont let the soil dry out" Try not to get the lea#es wet when you water it as this can cause mildew" 0dd compost to the soil efore planting" Remem erE 5Huash #ines lo#e a lot of space Yucchini is ready to e picked in a out L weeks" Cut off the fruit when they are 8 to + inches long" 9inter sHuash is ready in a out 4) weeks" 9ait until the first frost has killed the plant! then cut the fruit off" 7ea#e them in the sun for a few days efore storing them" 5Huash #ine orer! sHuash ug! cucum er eetle! white flies! mildew and wilt" 1lant radishes close y as a protector for plant" 1lant the seeds in hills! ; to 8 feet apart 5ome kinds of sHuash can e trained to grow on a frameK there are special seed #arieties which produce compact plants for small gardens" 9inter sHuash can keep all winter if you store the fruit in a cool! dry place"
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NO&+*E

;+

&O0A&O+*
*.otato ,amilyP1AN&E 4) inches apart! T inch deep 5tart growing the seeds indoors in the early spring" ?0pril@" =o#e the plants into your garden after the last frost ?late =ay@" Onions! chi#es! garlic! carrot! parsley! marigold! nasturtium! asparagus! asil! sage! rosemary! eggplant! peppers Ca age! roccoli! cauliflower! corn! potatoes Tomatoes need lots of sun! e#en more when they are growing fruit" Tomatoes need lots of water" Ne#er let the soil dry out! use mulch in hot weather" Nse tomato Xcages to support the tall plants" 0dd compost to the soil efore planting" Meep plants from drooping onto wet mulch which can rot your crop" 0Important1 pick off yellow leaves from tomato and remove them from the garden0 Tomatoes will e ready to e picked in a out 4. weeks" 7ea#e the fruit on the plant and pick them only when they are red" Cutworm! whitefly! wilt! and the X light which causes the ottom lea#es of the plant to yellow Cut off side ranches and yellow lea#es 2 this will make your plant grow more tomatoes"

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'ON=& P1AN& N+ARE CAR+E

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P+*&*E NO&+*E

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&,RN-P*
?Ca age (amily@ P1AN&E 4 inch apart! T inch deep ?thinning later to 6 to 8 inches apart@ 1lant seeds in your garden in the early spring" Cou can plant a second crop in the middle of the summer" 1eas 1otatoes Turnips will grow in some shade" Turnips need lots of water to grow Huickly! ne#er let the soil dry out" Turnip roots are ready to e picked in a out L weeks" 1ull up the plant when the lea#es are a out 6 inches across" Cou can eat the lea#es too" 0phids! flea eetles &f you are growing turnips late in the season! lea#e the root in the ground for a few weeks after the first frost! it will make the root taste sweeter"

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3ar#est &ime
The est part of gardening is when you finally get to pick the fruits and #egeta les you ha#e een working so hard to grow" 3ut what do you do when you ha#e too many to eat while they are still fresh$

PR+*+R/-NG? /isit www.justfood.ca to find out when %reser#ing worksho%s wi""

take %"ace.
There are lots of things you can do with your #egeta les to keep them good through the winter" :egeta les can e lanched Huickly in oiling water! then put in ags or containers in your freeFer" :egeta les can e dried! y slicing them thinly! laying them on a aking sheet! then placed in your o#en! on very low heat! for an hour or two" Then you can store them in a jar or ag in your cup oard" =any people preser#e their fruits and #egeta les in cans or jars" Cou can make jam! salsa! relish or pickles with many of the plants you grow in your garden" If they are done properly! the jars of preser#es will keep well o#er the winter in your cup oard" If not done properly! preser#es can cause food poisoning" 1lease consult cook ooks or local nutritionists for information on preser#ing techniHues! and food safety issues" =any kinds of #egeta les will keep well in a cool! dark place! such as a asement! o#er the winter" 1otatoes! turnips! eets! carrots! onions! garlic! pumpkin and winter sHuash are the est" =ake sure they are kept cool! and not too damp" Check regularly to watch for possi le decay" 5tore #egeta les where they do not ha#e to e piled on top of each other! and lightly co#er them to shield them from light and e%treme temperature changes"

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Pre%aring for Winter

3y the first frost! you should ha#e picked most of your #egeta les! as the frost will kill or damage most plants! like tomatoes! summer sEuash and %e%%ers" 3ut some plants will keep growing after the frost! and actually taste etter if they are left in the garden well into the fall" Parsni%s! ka"e! "ettuce! onions! radish! carrots! turni%s! s%inach and $eets are some plants that will grow after the frost" Other plants can e#en e planted in the fall! left in the garden to grow all winter! and picked in the spring" Gar"ic and s%inach are two of these plants" The fall is also a good time to get your garden ready for ne%t spring" 0fter you ha#e har#ested your #egeta les! pull out the dead plants" Cou can put them in your compost pile! ut if they ha#e a disease! it is est to put them in the gar age or fireplace" 9hen this is done! dig your garden to loosen the soil! and add compost to make your soil healthy and ready for when you plant in the spring" 0nother way to make your soil healthy for the spring is to plant a co#er cro%" This is a plant that grows in cold weather and also adds #alua le nutrients to the soil as it grows" &n the spring! you would turn the plant under into the soil efore planting your garden" 5ome good co#er crops are Rye Grass! white c"o#er! winter wheat or $ar"ey ?plant in mid25eptem er@"

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G1O**AR.
2eneficia"s 2 These are irds! insects or wild plants that are good for your garden" The irds and insects might eat some of the harmful pests in your garden" 5ome wild plants attract these eneficial animals and ugs! or ha#e odours that repel pests! so you want to keep them in your garden" 2"ight 2 Causes ottom lea#es of tomato plant to yellow and kills the rest of the plant as the light spreads up the stem" 2t - Or A3acillus thuringiensisB is an effecti#eXorganic pesticide sold under such trade names as 'ipel or 5ok23t" 5old in concentrated form! it is a solution of acterial spores which is diluted with water efore eings applied to plants" Com%anion P"anting 2 5ome plants grow etter when they are near other plants! like eans and corn" 5ome plants also help to keep pests away! so they can e grown near plants that ha#e pro lems with pests" Cou may choose to further research this" Com%ost 2 1lant and #egeta le matter that is partially decomposed" Compost can e used as a fertiliFer for the soil! or as a mulch" Co#er Cro%s 2 These are plants that are grown in your garden at the end of the season! left through the winter! and turned under to add nutrients to the soil efore you plant in the spring" Cro% Rotation 2 9hen you mo#e plants or families of plants to a different part of the garden each year" This helps to a#oid pests and keeps the soil healthy" +ye 2 This is what the eginnings of a sprouted plant on a potato root is called" (erti"iLer 2 5omething that adds nutrients to the soil to make the soil healthier and plants grow etter" (rame 2 0 wood or metal construction which acts as a support for #ine plants such as cucum ers and sHuash" (rost B(irst and 1astD2 The last frost in the Ottawa area usually occurs in =ay! and is the last time that plants might freeFe at night if they are outside" =any plants should not e planted outside until after this date" The first frost usually happens late in 5eptem er in Ottawa and many plants need to e har#ested efore this date" 3ar#est 2 9hen your plants and #egeta les are ready to e picked" 66

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0u"ch 2 0 co#er on the soil that helps to stop the growth of weeds! and keeps the soil cool and damp. Organic Gardening 2 0 way of growing plants without using harmful chemicals for pesticides or fertiliFers. Organic gardeners use methods like companion planting! crop rotation! composting and mulching to keep their garden healthy" Pest 2 0n insect! animal or disease that is damaging or eating your plants" Root /egeta$"es 2 These are plants that we grow for their roots" The root is the part of the plant that grows in the ground" Carrots and radishes are root #egeta les" Other kinds of roots ?including potatoes@ are called tu ers" There are also roots that are ul s! for e%ample! onions and garlic are ul s" *uccession P"anting 2 (or Huick growing plants! you can plant a second or third crop after the first one has een har#ested" Cou can follow the guidelines for crop rotation when succession planting as well! to help keep your soil healthy" &hinning 2 9hen your seeds start to grow! you may need to pull out some of the small plants to gi#e the other ones room to grow" &rans%"ant 2 To mo#e a plant from one place to another! like when you mo#e small plants started indoors to your garden in the spring" &re""is 2 0 ladder or fence2like structure that can e used for your clim ing plants! like cucum ers! peas or eans! to gi#e them support and something to clim on"

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The %arden %uide was created y the Community Gardening Network of Ottawa/Rseau de jardinage communautaires dOttawa ?CGN/R,C@" 9e would like to send a ig T<0NM CON to the Canadian Organic Growers and the 5andy <ill Community <ealth Centre for helping us with this pu lication" &f you would like information on community gardens in Ottawa! please contact the CGN/R,C located at ,ust (ood" Cou can reach us at 84;2);82+;** %;*4 or email infoZjustfood"ca " This guide can e downloaded for free from www"justfood"ca and is a#aila le in oth >nglish in (rench"

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