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Container Gardening Tips..........
We have overlapping planting seasons in which plant selection is critical for success. Certain plants require cool, warm and/or hot temperatures to flourish. We want to be prepared to plant when the temperatures allow us to. Having plant starts ready to go increases our chances for optimal food production.
Cool Season Vegetables - some germinate better with lower soil temperatures, can handle frosts and light freezes
Warm Season Vegetables- germinate best in 70-85 temperatures, will die with a frost or freeze
Hot Season Vegetables- can handle our hot summers
Hot season (90+ degrees) June - Sept okra, basil, egg plant, sweet potato
Warm season (45-90 degrees) Sept-Dec and March-May tomato, beans, squash, cucumbers etc
Cool season (25-85 degrees) Oct-April lettuce, cilantro, kale, broccoli, swiss chard beets, onions, cabbage, dandelion, peas, celery etc
Why start seeds indoors? Earlier harvest, greater variety, stronger seedlings, healthier seedlings, cost savings, satisfaction
Keys to Success Water, Air, Temperature, Light, Soil Conditions
Timetable for starting plants indoors
2-4 weeks Cucumbers, Melons, Squash
4-6 weeks Lettuce, Kale, Cilantro, Beets, Chard
6-8 weeks Tomatoes, Eggplant, Peppers
Materials Needed http://www.turfprousa.com/
Seeds -organic heirloom or hybrid
Sterile potting mix buy or make http://www.espoma.com/
Containers
Trays to hold small containers
Spray bottle
Labels
Fertilizer organic- Espoma plant tone, or fish emulsion, liquid seaweed, and Turf Pro (humic acid/fulvic acid and minor nutrients)
Screen
Grow light...optional
Thermometer
**Provided by Chris Baker**
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