The Garden Club of Indiana

Uniting With Mother Earth

Have you ever met Mother Earth? Have you ever felt the thrill of digging, planting and harvesting? If you have not and have some space to cultivate, no matter how little, do so. Because if you become acquainted with Mother Earth in this way you can save money, obtain exercise, family training for children together-ness and best of all, supply your table with nutritious vegetables such as cannot be secured at the market.

How to plan a garden: who is going to do the work, what vegetables does your family like to eat, do you plan to freeze, can or store your harvest?

How to design your garden: it is best to plant your rows north to south with tall plants at the north end, so they won’t shade the other plants. Rotating plants is important because vegetables from the same family planted in the same location year after year become susceptible to disease.

Three major nutrients: are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. A number of trace elements are: zinc, iron, and magnesium.

How to get your soil ready: soil is ready to work when you pick up a clump and it shatters when you drop it. Spade to a depth of 8 inches. If you have loam soil you won’t need to add soil conditioners. Soils that are clay or sand you will need to add some organic material.

Seeds: purchase fresh seeds each year to guarantee a high rate of successful germination. Look for seed varieties that resist disease. Hybrids, which are produced through carefully cross-pollination, are a good choice.

Cultivating: pulling and hoeing weeds is, of course the most important operation. Every weed in the garden is competing with your desirable plants for moisture and nutrients.

This chairman is suggesting every garden club member grow at least one edible vegetable during 2006. According to statistics, gardening is considered one of the most popular leisure activities in our country. This type of gardening project might be an interesting contest or program for your club members.

Dottie Trinkle
Vegetables/Herbs
TGCI, Chairman