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NEIGHBORHOOD GARDEN FOR JANUARY 23, 2016
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3 BAG THEORY
BY GEORGE EDGAR
Last weekend I went with my wife to the grocery store. As I sat
in the car afterwards I noticed many coming out with very pretty
bouquet’s of flowers with no protection from the cold weather (about 10
degrees F). I thought to myself, “They need to learn about the ‘3 bag
theory’.” Any green plant or cut
flower will suffer if taken out of a warm store or warm car if the air
temperature is below 55 degrees F. Just that short distance from the
store to the car or from the car to the house can damage a plant or
flowers if not covered. If the air temperature is
between 55 degrees F. and 36 degrees F. you need at least 1 paper sack.
(Do not use plastic as it conducts the cold.) Use
two bags if the air temperature is between 36 degrees F. and 15 degrees
F. Use
3 bags if the air temperature is 15
degrees F. or below. Also do not leave your
plant or flowers in the car while you go shopping. Make this purchase at
your last stop and get them back in the house as soon as possible.
Copyright 2015
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Starting Vegetable Plants
by
Richard Jauron and
Willy Klein
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are
planted in the garden as small plants (transplants). This practice is
becoming more common for cucumbers, squash, cantaloupes and watermelons,
because transplants shorten the time by several weeks between planting
and harvest.
What type of germination medium should I
use to start seedlings indoors? The germination medium should be lightweight,
porous and free of pathogens. Excellent seed-starting media are
commercially prepared soil less mixes, such as Jiffy Mix. Use a high
quality, well-drained potting mix when transplanting seedlings into
individual pots or cell packs.
Can seedlings be grown in a sunny window
or is artificial lighting necessary? While plants can be
grown in sunny windows, they often become tall and spindly because of
insufficient light. For best results, grow seedlings under fluorescent
lights. A standard fluorescent shop fixture containing one 40-watt cool
white and one 40-watt warm white tube works fine. The fluorescent lights
should be no more than 4 to 6 inches above the seedlings. A timer can be
used to turn the lights on and off.
When should I sow my flower and vegetable
seeds indoors? The growth rate of the seedlings and the outdoor
planting date determine when to sow seeds indoors. The crop time (number
of weeks from sowing to planting outdoors) for several popular flowers
and vegetables are: 10 to 12 weeks – Geranium 8 to 10 weeks – Petunia, salvia and impatiens 6 to 8 weeks – Marigold, pepper and eggplant 5 to 7 weeks – Tomato, cabbage, broccoli,
cauliflower and zinnia 3 to 4 weeks – Cucumber, watermelon, muskmelon and
squash Resource: Iowa State University, Yard and Garden
for February 6, 2014 |