The Cultivation of Vegetables
Posted on Aug 27, 2009 under Best Vegetables | 9 Comments
Before taking up the garden vegetables individually, I shall outline the general practice of cultivation, which applies to all.
The purposes of cultivation are three to get rid of weeds, and to stimulate growth by (1) letting air into the soil and freeing unavailable plant food, and (2) by conserving moisture.
As to weeds, the gardener of any experience need not be told the importance of keeping his crops clean. He has learned from bitter and costly experience the price of letting them get anything resembling a start. He knows that one or two days’ growth, after they are well up, followed perhaps by a day or so of rain, may easily double or treble the work of cleaning a patch of onions or carrots, and that where weeds have attained any size they cannot be taken out of sowed crops without doing a great deal of injury. He also realizes, or should, that every day’s growth means just so much available plant food stolen from under the very roots of his legitimate crops.
Instead of letting the weeds get away with any plant food, he should be furnishing more, for clean and frequent cultivation will not only break the soil up mechanically, but let in air, moisture and heat all essential in effecting those chemical changes necessary to convert non- available into available plant food. Long before the science in the case was discovered, the soil cultivators had learned by observation the necessity of keeping the soil nicely loosened about their growing crops. Even the lanky and untutored aborigine saw to it that his squaw not only put a bad fish under the hill of maize but plied her shell hoe over it. Plants need to breathe. Their roots need air. You might as well expect to find the rosy glow of happiness on the wan cheeks of a cotton-mill child slave as to expect to see the luxuriant dark green of healthy plant life in a suffocated garden.
Important as the question of air is, that of water ranks beside it. You may not see at first what the matter of frequent cultivation has to do with water. But let us stop a moment and look into it. Take a strip of blotting paper, dip one end in water, and watch the moisture run up hill, soak up through the blotter. The scientists have labeled that “capillary attraction” the water crawls up little invisible tubes formed by the texture of the blotter. Now take a similar piece, cut it across, hold the two cut edges firmly together, and try it again. The moisture refuses to cross the line: the connection has been severed.
In the same way the water stored in the soil after a rain begins at once to escape again into the atmosphere. That on the surface evaporates first, and that which has soaked in begins to soak in through the soil to the surface. It is leaving your garden, through the millions of soil tubes, just as surely as if you had a two-inch pipe and a gasoline engine, pumping it into the gutter night and day! Save your garden by stopping the waste. It is the easiest thing in the world to do cut the pipe in two. By frequent cultivation of the surface soil not more than one or two inches deep for most small vegetables the soil tubes are kept broken, and a mulch of dust is maintained. Try to get over every part of your garden, especially where it is not shaded, once in every ten days or two weeks. Does that seem like too much work? You can push your wheel hoe through, and thus keep the dust mulch as a constant protection, as fast as you can walk. If you wait for the weeds, you will nearly have to crawl through, doing more or less harm by disturbing your growing plants, losing all the plant food (and they will take the cream) which they have consumed, and actually putting in more hours of infinitely more disagreeable work. If the beginner at gardening has not been convinced by the facts given, there is only one thing left to convince him experience.
Having given so much space to the reason for constant care in this matter, the question of methods naturally follows. Get a wheel hoe. The simplest sorts will not only save you an infinite amount of time and work, but do the work better, very much better than it can be done by hand. You can grow good vegetables, especially if your garden is a very small one, without one of these labor-savers, but I can assure you that you will never regret the small investment necessary to procure it.
With a wheel hoe, the work of preserving the soil mulch becomes very simple. If one has not a wheel hoe, for small areas very rapid work can be done with the scuffle hoe.
The matter of keeping weeds cleaned out of the rows and between the plants in the rows is not so quickly accomplished. Where hand-work is necessary, let it be done at once. Here are a few practical suggestions that will reduce this work to a minimum, (1) Get at this work while the ground is soft; as soon as the soil begins to dry out after a rain is the best time. Under such conditions the weeds will pull out by the roots, without breaking off. (2) Immediately before weeding, go over the rows with a wheel hoe, cutting shallow, but just as close as possible, leaving a narrow, plainly visible strip which must be hand- weeded. The best tool for this purpose is the double wheel hoe with disc attachment, or hoes for large plants. (3) See to it that not only the weeds are pulled but that every inch of soil surface is broken up. It is fully as important that the weeds just sprouting be destroyed, as that the larger ones be pulled up. One stroke of the weeder or the fingers will destroy a hundred weed seedlings in less time than one weed can be pulled out after it gets a good start. (4) Use one of the small hand-weeders until you become skilled with it. Not only may more work be done but the fingers will be saved unnecessary wear.
The skilful use of the wheel hoe can be acquired through practice only. The first thing to learn is that it is necessary to watch the wheels only: the blades, disc or rakes will take care of themselves.
The operation of “hilling” consists in drawing up the soil about the stems of growing plants, usually at the time of second or third hoeing. It used to be the practice to hill everything that could be hilled “up to the eyebrows,” but it has gradually been discarded for what is termed “level culture”; and you will readily see the reason, from what has been said about the escape of moisture from the surface of the soil; for of course the two upper sides of the hill, which may be represented by an equilateral triangle with one side horizontal, give more exposed surface than the level surface represented by the base. In wet soils or seasons hilling may be advisable, but very seldom otherwise. It has the additional disadvantage of making it difficult to maintain the soil mulch which is so desirable.
Rotation of crops.
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There is another thing to be considered in making each vegetable do its best, and that is crop rotation, or the following of any vegetable with a different sort at the next planting.
With some vegetables, such as cabbage, this is almost imperative, and practically all are helped by it. Even onions, which are popularly supposed to be the proving exception to the rule, are healthier, and do as well after some other crop, provided the soil is as finely pulverized and rich as a previous crop of onions would leave it.
Here are the fundamental rules of crop rotation:
(1) Crops of the same vegetable, or vegetables of the same family (such as turnips and cabbage) should not follow each other.
(2) Vegetables that feed near the surface, like corn, should follow deep-rooting crops.
(3) Vines or leaf crops should follow root crops.
(4) Quick-growing crops should follow those occupying the land all season.
These are the principles which should determine the rotations to be followed in individual cases. The proper way to attend to this matter is when making the planting plan. You will then have time to do it properly, and will need to give it no further thought for a year.
With the above suggestions in mind, and put to use , it will not be difficult to give the crops those special attentions which are needed to make them do their very best.
John Ugoshowa
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/the-cultivation-of-vegetables-73848.html
When is the best time to start planting vegetables in South Florida?
August 27th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Can roof of houses be used as green lawns or for cultivation of vegetables, flowers or orchids.?
As we are living in the society with the shortage of space, short income and facing problems of pollution. It can help us to provide some space to cultivate and decorate our houses more n more. I do request you to participate and answer actively with valueable suggestion. And tell how it can be done successfully.
August 28th, 2009 at 5:01 am
thats a good idea
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:03 am
If you have a flat roof, you could create a roof garden. However, soil and pots are heavy items, could add a lot of extra weight for your roof rafters to carry. Get ideas from what other people have done with similar buildings to yours
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:05 am
Yes, definitely.
The main concern is that the roof can support the extra weight and that you can get up and down safely without falling off the roof..
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:07 am
right! If you have a flat roof you can use pots.
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:09 am
You need to be able to seal your roof completely so that it does not start to leak and cause waste of an entire home. Also be careful of the total weight going onto the structure as most homes are not designed for it.
If you are building from scratch I suggest using rammed earth construction (very environmentally freindly and heat effecient. Then use engineered beams to hold up a stronger structural roof and make sure it is well sealed from water (get an architect to help here I am not sure of the best materiels)
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Yes, you can put a garden on your roof.
You have to have the roof reinforced for the weight and for your walking on it on a regular basis… the average house roof isn’t made for it.
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:13 am
PERMACULTURE ANSWER
Yes most certainly and it is called living roofs.
and is a great solution to utilizing space as well as insulation against either heat or cold ,for the accomodations, green lawns is extravegant unless you got a goat grazing up there (got friends in south Africa who got that)
It means slightly different construction with concrete roofs at a very gentle slope (for drainage)
damp coursing the concrete with black plastic,(Although the Aztezs used moss)
installing irrigation systems.and leaving easy ways up to the roof ,with ramps
The walls and reinforced corner pillars must be of sufficiant strengh to support the extra weight ,as should the cross beams under the roof .
If you decide to go the full living roof way
which means at least 1/4 of a meter of soil to support the weight of the wet soil.
No more than 3 stories is recommended before doing the living roof .
have the slope in a Northern direction to make full use of the sun(depending which hemisphere you are in,,and so that you could also incorporate solar panels.
But you can also put lots of flowerpots up if you just want some flowers ,standing on planks (the simple small way)
URBANISATION IN A SUSTAINABLE ,AUTOSUFICIENT & HEALTHY MANNER
Why this is recomended
They did some experiments with rats in highrise building conditions and after the 3rd story they began to get weird
by the time they were on twenty they went insane and ate their own babies .
this gives you some idea what the bosses must be like in the penthouse offices
So 3 stories is a reasonable healthy hight for humans they have discovered BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
so we cannot put to many people on top of each other
technically it is an impossible task to ensure a continues supply of good air for everybody
and the mental effects are drastic ,
but we can blend people into and under the landscape
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A REVOLUTIONARY BEAUTIFUL SOLUTION
there is an Architect who designed a city in China that blended totally into the landscape ,the farmland ending on top of all the equal level roofs ,with the farmers moving about on bridges
All the rooms would have the sun at least once a day,The city to utilize all their own byproducts as gas for cooking or compost
With solar energy to power the lot
The land above would produce all the food and meat for the city
A totally auto sufficient concept ,with agriculture build in in a sustainable way.
Very technical and advanced
it is talked about on this youtube at the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoRjz8iTVoo
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AGRO URBANIZATION
So the answer is urbanization incorporated with agriculture
Aggro urbanization,coupled to Aggro forestry.
food and animals with in forests
and people hidden 3 levels underneath the farms ,all housing having what is called living roofs(have done some myself with pasture and goats on the roof ,and seen many of these) ,with pasture and vegetables ,this would also keep the dwellings cool.
IN THE PAST
Montezuma looked out of his window one day and saw all his peasants in huts of adobe as a blemish on his panorama ,and he ordered the people to hide themselves beneath beautifull flowers (deoderant was not so big in those days),and so the central Americans were motivated to build living roofs ,turning their village in to a garden with themselves hidden with in ,So the idea is by no means original
Babylon was doing very similar things using sophistcated building methods and stone
This concept can spread into the country with out depleting it
leaving room for expansion
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PERMACULTURE
It is a collection of sustainable ideas from around the world coupled to present level of knowledge
ideally suited for those who want to get back to the country and build a autosuficient situation for themselves and the family or a comunity .
People plant rather for the quality of life and to feed their families, than for the market ,so the motivation and the manner are totally different from ordinary agriculture .
Although the basic concept of Permaculture also applies to Organic and sustainable farming,
Utilising soil manegement ,and mulching
Building soil instead of diminishing it
Using organic pest control instead of chemicals
Harvesting water instead of depleting sub teranean reservoirs
Planting in guilds and bio diverse to ensure healthy chemical balances with in the soil,and cut down on possibilities for pests
The utilization of space is more concentrated ,thinking in cubic and vertical terms instead or merely horizontal on the plain ,
Having many principle to follow such as utilizing all resoures and following and enhancing energy flows ,
Intelligence in design
For example the ditch around the house catches the rain water and leads it through the chicken house where it cleans and picks up the manure to deposit it in the vegetable patch
Permaculture means permanent agriculture
a concept put forward by Bill Mollisson in the 60`s
Which offers practical solutions for energy systems ,infrastructure ,inteligent design in housing,
animal shelter ,water systems and sustainable agricultural practises.
With the world and it`s history as it`s source
From the chinampas of Mexico to the teraced gardens of the Andes.
From the dessert whadis to the steppes of Russia.
Covering all climatic conditions temporal, dessert, humid and dry tropics.
with chapters on soil ,Water harvesting and land design,Bio diversity
Earth working ,Spirals in nature,Trees and water ,utilizing energy flows,
Strategy for an alternative nation
The Permaculture designers manual by Bill Mollison,which cost about 40 dollars.
and is the best all round book you can get,on Environmental design,.(tagiari publishing, [email protected])
this book also has many gardening tips,bio-gas,companion planting and ideas for structures ,how to cool down houses in hot climates ,how to warm up houses in cold climates with out using technology but rather by design.
Some other writers that are on the internet are
david Holmgren
Larry Santoyo
Kirk Hanson
Masanobu Fukuaka has written ,
One-Straw Revolution
The Road Back to Nature
The Natural Way of Farming
other permaculture links in Yahoo are
RELEVANT LINKS
choosing a site
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=An5GAG03Te7IFEFaD1XTwkfsy6IX?qid=20070711193404AAGQlW7
counter acting erosion
water harvesting
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkTtZUqUv24Niz3SZpiQwwDsy6IX?qid=20070711073352AAC2rFu
biodiversity
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqAAgMSofLbdQp1_BVfwobHsy6IX?qid=20070707014523AAOlanB
the rippling effect
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvwaHVtzogdsI8MrfMcvhaHsy6IX?qid=20070706214424AAjgbuz
organic pest control & growing your own food
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoFYFzd.XV6vN1ZIOjSXYqLty6IX?qid=20070528180353AAxQuAm
Intelligence in design
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsAkUP9fx0.uC7LWjeN0m9vsy6IX?qid=20070724014844AARvNjP
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August 28th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Roof gardens are not new, indeed had they survived from the ancient past, we would be able to observe that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were in fact an enormous series of roof gardens.
Roof gardens are quite common here in London where I live. On of the most famous but least known of is the roof garden on top of the House of Commons at the Palace of Westminster. It’s private and for MPs and their guests only. But there it is, built and ready for use from the 1830s.
New York City is famous for it’s roof gardens, high up mostly, especially surrounding Central Park where some of the more expensive residences have roof gardens.
If you visit Reykjavik in Iceland, you’ll see many of the houses have turf on top. You’d expect the usual tin roof, but no, what you’ll see is green growing turf. There’s Viking for you! That and lofts and real eiderdown.
Landscape Gardener London, Contemporary Gardens London, Roof …Harlequin Landscapes- specialist Landscape Gardener London, Contemporary Gardens London, Roof Gardens London, Garden Designer London, Landscaper London.
http://www.harlequinlandscapes.com
Roof garden – Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA roof garden is any garden on the roof of a building. … Greenhouse in the Sky · Website with pictures of roof gardens in London · Website with North …
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roof_garden
Epsilon Undergraduate Thesis Archive – Roof gardens in New York – This study is about roof gardens in New York City. The purpose of the project was to study the design of roof gardens in a place where these have a long …
http://www.ex-epsilon.slu.se/archive/00000142
Roof gardens in New York :The first part, called Field Study, is a report from the study of roof gardens on Manhattan, New York City. The design and impression of 39 gardens are each …
http://www.query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7D81238F930A15751C0A964958260
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