Starting a garden

Location

Six to eight hours of sun daily

Avoid large trees, whose roots will capture moisture and nutrients

Avoid root zone of black walnut trees

Avoid slopes except for mild, south-facing exposures

Soil

The difference between dirt (the mineral matter from the Earth's rock) and soil (the life source of a garden) is organic matter. Nature provides organic matter over many years by decaying layers of accumulated vegetable and animal debris to form humus. Gardeners can supply organic matter by composting, which is a way of speeding up nature's process.

If soil is sandy, add humus (compost) and peat or vermiculite (expanded mica rock) to aid moisture retention.

If the soil is clay, add humus, manures and peat to lighten texture and aid drainage; some sand may be added but only with sufficient organic material.

Loam or silt soil already has a workable texture and will hold moisture but may still lack nutrients.

Always test soil before beginning a new garden and test annually or biannually for an established garden.

pH level

pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity on a 14-point scale, 0 indicating extreme acidity and 14 extreme alkalinity. In the eastern United States, nearly all soils are slightly acidic any need some lime to raise the pH to a good gardening level between 6.0 and 7.0. 

Fertilizers

All plants will need large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Overuse of chemical fertilizers may interfere with earthworms and other beneficial living things in the soil, and may burn young and tender plants.

Watering

 
Vegetables vary in their needs, but a general guide is one inch of water per week during the growing season.

Deep watering weekly is preferable to frequent light applications, which will encourage shallow weak rooting near the soil surface.

Avoid leaving foliage wet. Water early in the day to allow for rapid drying or water at the base of the plants.

Avoid splashing soil onto foliage; disease organisms may be spread this way, gentle soaking is safer.

What about organic gardening?

The word organic used to label grocery produce and products has a legal definition that doesn't exactly translate in the garden.

Beth Finlay, Master Gardener Coordinator for the Penn State Cooperative Extension, cautions gardeners against thinking an "organic" product is safe to use in large quantities.

"It is possible to garden safely and without toxins, but you can't necessarily know how to do that from marketing labels," Finlay said. "Gardeners need to become knowledgeable about reading labels.

"Don't fall for marketing terms, like natural and organic. You need to look at toxicity levels.

"If you have questions, call the extension office. 

"We're doing a lot more education on these types of things."

A sustainable lifestyle

Diane Salks, president of Riverview Nursery, Alsace Township, has found renewed interest from her customers in sustainable gardening.

Salks said there are many products in the gardening center to cater to this interest.

"The whole green movement is big," Salks said. "People want to live a sustainable lifestyle. People are looking to plant their own seeds and grow fruit trees and bushes."

Products such as rain barrels that lock and have screens to keep out leaves and debris and watering systems that work on low pressure are hot items.

"We also have many items made from recycled materials, pots, birdhouses, bird feeders, outdoor patio mats, gazing globes and kitchen compost carriers partially made from recycled materials that will make composting for the garden much easier," she said.