Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens

Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

A long time ago....A long time ago....

PlantingPlanting

WateringWatering

My deck, spring 2010My deck, spring 2010

Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens

Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens

Organic Gardening Overview:Organic Gardening Overview:

Seed to HarvestSeed to Harvest

SarahsKitchenGardens.comSarahsKitchenGardens.com

Notes from this talk are available on the website

OutlineOutline

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

1. Soil

2. Seeds

3. Wee Seedlings

4. Larger Seedlings

5. Planting Out

6. Direct Seeding

7. Harvest!

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

SOIL - seed starting and SOIL - seed starting and potspots

Potting soil is made for use in containers. It allows the roots of the plant to ‘breathe’

Find a potting soil that is organic to avoid chemical ‘wetting agents’

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

SOIL - out in the SOIL - out in the gardengarden

The fluffier the better

Try not to walk on it

Add lots of compost

Grow some cover crops

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

CompostCompost

i. learn what greens and browns are

v. when it looks like soil, add to garden

iv. turn it over every once in

awhile

iii. keep it moist but not

soaking

ii. mix greens and browns roughly

1:2

Making your own, simplified version:

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

ManureManure

Fish EmulsionFish Emulsion

A little goes a long way, particularly if you’re using compost as well

Great for an extra nutrition boost for seedlings

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

SEEDSSEEDS

Certified organic if possible

Must be: i. non-GMO ii. untreated

Safe seeds!

Save your own!

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

SEEDS - planting SEEDS - planting themthem

Good soil

Good drainage

Moisture control

Heat source

Light source

It’s always a good idea to keep records!

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

WEE SEEDLINGSWEE SEEDLINGS

Don’t let the soil dry out

Brew a spot of chamomile tea

Uncover them as soon as you see them poking through the soil

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

LARGER SEEDLINGSLARGER SEEDLINGSKeep an eye on moisture

Potting up:

Air flow for sturdy plants

ii. add pulverized eggshellsi. add more compost

Fish emulsion for liquid nutrition

Gradual intro to real sunlight

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

PLANTING OUTPLANTING OUT

Water them well

Speak to them kindly and give them kisses

Shady or overcast time of dayCompost and more - feed the seedlings

Keep an eye on the weather for a few weeks

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

DIRECT SEEDINGDIRECT SEEDINGCool weather:

After danger of frost:

radishes

swiss chard

spinachbeets carrots

lettuce

peas

beans

(or in a cold frame)

cucumbers squash

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

HARVEST!HARVEST!Getting the best from your backyard garden:

-allow your kids to eat at will-bring tomatoes inside when almost ready-try to eat garden fresh every day

My green and yellow canoes

Organic Gardening Overview: Seed to HarvestOrganic Gardening Overview: Seed to Harvest

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens

Sarah’s Kitchen Gardens

Thank YOU!Thank YOU!