Care and Culture

What Do Vegetables Require?

1. Full-Day Sun - Generally 6 hours per day is a minimum. Be careful that your garden is not shaded by existing shrubs or trees.
2. A Fertile Soil - Vegetables demand nutrients, so plan to incorporate a balanced fertilizer at planting time.
3. Good Drainage - Vegetables cannot be grown where their roots remain wet; however, poorly drained soils can be improved with soil amendments.
4. An Ample Supply of Water - Do not let your garden dry out. Vegetables grow best with an uninterrupted pattern of growth.

Soil Preparation

1. Remove weeds and debris. Level the site.
2. Spread Kellogg Amend to lighten heavy soils and increase retention of moisture and nutrients of sandy soils.
   a. New Garden: Spread one bag of 1 1/2 cu. ft. Kellogg Amend and 1/2 lb. of Kellogg Fertilizer for tomatoes and vegetables for each 15 square feet of row.
   b. Existing Garden: Spread one bag of 1 1/2 cu. ft. Kellogg amend and 1 lb. of Kellogg Fertilizer for tomatoes and vegetables for each 40 square feet of row.
   c. Individual Plantings: Use only one heaping shovelful of Kellogg Amend and 2 tbsp. of Kellogg Fertilizer for tomatoes and vegetables blended into each hole. (For planting in containers, use Kellogg Potting Soil right out of the bag).
3. Rototill or spade the soil amendments and fertilizer to a depth of 6 to 8 inches assuring adequate mixing.
4. Before planting, the soil should be moist to a depth of 2 to 3 feet. Let soil surface dry out to a depth of 2 inches.

Spacing

Plant low-growing vegetables about 10-12 inches apart. Tall vegetables require 24-36 inches between rows. Vining plants should be 4-6 feet apart.

Sowing and Thinning

Small seeds (lettuce, carrot) should be covered only 1/4-1/2 inch deep. Cover medium seeds (cucumber, tomato) 1/2-3/4 inch deep. Plant large seeds (corn, peas) 2 inches deep. Always thin seedlings to the packet recommendations.

Fertilizing

All crops benefit from a regular feeding program. Short-term crops such as radishes usually do not require feeding except at planting time. Other crops benefit from monthly applications of Kellogg Fertilizer fro tomatoes and vegetables at the rate of 2 lbs. per each 100 feet of row. Place the fertilizer on both sides of each row at least 3-6 inches from the base of the plants. Rake in lightly and water thoroughly.

Watering

Overhead sprinkling is best suited for cool-season crops. Summer crops require a uniform supply of surface irrigation daily until establishment, then water regularly every 7-10 days.

Weeding and Cultivation

Hoeing or cultivating eliminates garden weeds. Be careful not to cut the tender roots of the vegetable crop.

Mulching

Maintain a 2-3 inch mulch of Kellogg Topper or Xerimulch to control weeds and conserve moisture. Apply mulch when plants are well above the ground.

Pest Control

Consult your nurseryman.