Our pile of compost came from the Washington County Landfill. They do a great job of producing this black "gold." It helps ANYTHING grow!
Our Community Garden is a prime example. The land has NEVER been gardened before. Kids have built forts on it, termites tried to take up residency, weeds thrived, cement trucks occasionally washed out on it, piles of rocks magnetized into existence, but no "improvements" were ever made. This was NOT a good place to try to grow something.
HOWEVER...with the aide of several tons of compost, our plants are doing pretty well for "first year" soil!!
If you can't get compost at the landfill, you can still improve the soil in your own garden, bit by bit. Save any produce scraps from your kitchen (carrot peelings, old lettuce, shriveled veggies, egg shells, etc. -- but no meat products, grease, etc.) Take the scraps to your garden. Dig a small hole, dump the scraps in, and cover with dirt. It decomposes quickly, and makes your soil better!
You will be amazed at how much this helps!
PLANTING GUIDE FOR SANTA CLARA
January 15 (there is nearly ALWAYS a two week warm spell in mid-January...a perfect time to get your peas planted!) I pre-soak them for 24 hours, covered in water before putting them in the ground. They usually break through the ground within one week.
Peas - Laxton, Little Marvel, Wando (plant 1" apart, 2" deep)
February 10
Beets - Detroit Dark Red (plant 1" apart, 1/2" deep)
Carrots - Danver Half-long (shorter), Imperator (long)
(plant 1/4" - 1/2" deep)
Radishes (all kinds)
Turnips (1/2" deep)
Onions - plant spring or fall...can be left in all winter
(plant 1" deep 1/2" apart)
February 15
Lettuce - Romaine,
Swiss Chard
Cauliflower (plants)
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Spinach
Parsnips
March 12-15
Potato - Red Lasoda (takes heat well)
(plant 12" apart, 6" deep)
MARCH 18
Tomato Plants (use empty milk jug or pop bottle, with bottom cut out, as a cover to protect from late freezes - til April 10)
APRIL 1 - MAY 1
Bush Bean
Lima Beans
Corn
Cantaloupe and melons
Cucumber
Eggplant (plants)
Spinach
Winter Squash
Summer Squash
Pepper (plants)
FALL HARVEST/
PLANT JULY 15 – AUGUST 1
Beets
Cabbage
Carrots
Corn - plant this on, or very close to, Pioneer Day (7/24)
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Onions
Pole Beans
Spinach
Turnips
WE HAVE A GROWING SEASON OF ABOUT 210 DAYS
Approximate Last frost in Spring – April 1st
Approximate First frost in Fall – October 1st
Peas - Laxton, Little Marvel, Wando (plant 1" apart, 2" deep)
February 10
Beets - Detroit Dark Red (plant 1" apart, 1/2" deep)
Carrots - Danver Half-long (shorter), Imperator (long)
(plant 1/4" - 1/2" deep)
Radishes (all kinds)
Turnips (1/2" deep)
Onions - plant spring or fall...can be left in all winter
(plant 1" deep 1/2" apart)
February 15
Lettuce - Romaine,
Swiss Chard
Cauliflower (plants)
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Spinach
Parsnips
March 12-15
Potato - Red Lasoda (takes heat well)
(plant 12" apart, 6" deep)
MARCH 18
Tomato Plants (use empty milk jug or pop bottle, with bottom cut out, as a cover to protect from late freezes - til April 10)
APRIL 1 - MAY 1
Bush Bean
Lima Beans
Corn
Cantaloupe and melons
Cucumber
Eggplant (plants)
Spinach
Winter Squash
Summer Squash
Pepper (plants)
FALL HARVEST/
PLANT JULY 15 – AUGUST 1
Beets
Cabbage
Carrots
Corn - plant this on, or very close to, Pioneer Day (7/24)
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Onions
Pole Beans
Spinach
Turnips
WE HAVE A GROWING SEASON OF ABOUT 210 DAYS
Approximate Last frost in Spring – April 1st
Approximate First frost in Fall – October 1st
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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