Tips On Taking Garden-Grown Veggies To The Table
STUDIO CITY (CBS) — Want to take your garden to the table?
Nick Federoff will show you how! He visited the KCAL 9 studios Thursday to tell viewers how to take the vegetables they grow in their backyards and turn them into a delicious feast.
Growing tips:
-Vegetables and herbs that grow well in August and September in the Los Angeles region include:
-Basil
-Beets
-Bush beans (August last sowing)
-Carrots
-Cilantro
-Dill
-Lettuce
-Onion
-Parsley
-Potatoes, White (August last sowing)
-Radishes
-Rosemary
-Spinach
-Thyme
Light:
Whether grown in-ground or in containers, most plants need a minimum of six hours of sunlight in order to thrive. Take a few days figuring out where, when and how long the sun hits your potential gardening spot.
·Preparing the Soil: Think of soil like a house's solid foundation: a garden needs a strong, healthy base. Without good soil, plants can't thrive.
In-ground gardens:
·Mark out your plot, and dig the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. Remove any rocks, debris and weeds. Make sure to get all the weed roots to avoid reappearances.
·Most native soils are missing the nutrients that growing plants need. Improve your soil by mixing in a ready-to-use garden amendment and slow-release plant food. Soil amendments such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Garden Soil can improve your soil with needed nutrients. Till a four inch layer into to your garden to give plants that healthy head start to the growing season.
Container gardens:
·Before adding your potting mix, place a small square of screen material or a handful of small rocks over the drainage hole. This will keep the soil from escaping the pot while still allowing water to drain properly.
· Fill containers with high-quality potting soils, such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix, keeping the soil level to about two inches from the top. DO NOT use ordinary dirt to fill containers as it is too compacted to allow for moisture penetration and root growth.
*Once your seeds start to sprout, give baby plants a little extra room by transplanting into bigger pots. Then help the transition with a taste of the great outdoors by putting the seedlings outside for a few hours at a time in a sheltered area – just don't take in and out. This helps the plants get used to the new environment without suffering shock.
·Feeding and Watering:
Even though the soil surface is wet or dry, you can't always tell what's going on below. Stick a long screwdriver into your garden soil. If it goes in easily, you've watered enough, dig a small hole with a towel to look at and feel the soil, or purchase a moisture meter.
To water effectively, do it:
· after planting
· before leaves wilt
· in the morning
o Once plants are established, make watering and feeding a regular routine. Aim for the base of the plant, and try plant foods. This can easily be applied while watering by attaching to the garden hose, simplifying the process while applying just the right amount of plant food evenly and at the correct rate.
For more information, visit Federoff online.
