Be kind and good to your soil...it will pay you back!

Simple rule. Be good to your soil, and it will take care of your plants, and in turn, take care of you.  Soil is your single most important asset in the garden, and over time it will continue to improve so long as you continue to 'be good'.

Here is a soil fact: Soil is an entire community. In one tablespoon of soil there are 400 million microscopic creatures.  Plants have symbiotic relationship with microbes.  Plants release 25-50% of their liquid each day into the soil in the form of protein and sugar. The intent is to attract microbes that feed on the liquid and which in turn feed the plants. 

Here are three things you can do to build good soil:

1. DON'T WALK ON YOUR SOIL.  Good soil structure allows adequate amounts of air and water to be stored in the soil so the plant roots can access it.  When you walk on it, you destroy this framework and only time can restore it.

2. FEED YOUR SOIL- with organic ammendments like compost.  Best to do this each growing season.  For every six inches of compost you apply to the top, you compost down into the existing soil 2 inches.  A marriage of two microbial communities!.  Compost tea and other organic mixes can be used to liquid feed your crops throughout the growing season.

3. ROTATE your crops so that you manage depletion of nutrients and the life cycle of certain bugs.  Heavy feeders should be moved around the garden so that the soil is allowed to replenish itself.     Heavy feeders include tomatoes, melons, corn, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplant, and squash.

Hardening Off

Be nice.  Plants, just like people, can sunburn, get windburn, overheat, freeze, or get stressed out!  Plants that are raised indoors or bought from a garden center have been protected in some way and need to be 'transitioned' or acclimated so that they can thrive in the outside elements.

1. Set plants outside in full or partial sun for 2-3 hours the firs tday, then bring indoors.

2. Next day put plants in the sun for a longer time, 3-4 hours, then set in shade for another 2-3 hours.

3. After 3-4 days of gradually introducing the plants to more sunlight, leave them outside all day long.  By the second week it is safe to leave them outside all night.

**remember that all plants that were raised inside should be hardened off.  If you are growing warm weather vegetables (tomatoes, melons, squash, etc), do not harden them of until the threat of frost has passed.**

Planting Strawberries

Now is the time to plant your strawberries!  Here are some basics for growing this delicious fruit. Keep in mind that conventional strawberries contain alot of pesticides that actually grow into the fruit.  So growing your own is an excellent organic option!  See http://www.starkbros.com/ for a great selection of plants.

1. There are two types (not varieties) of strawberries, Everbearing/day neutral and June bearing strawberries.  Everbearing will produce multiple harvests throughout the growing season that tend to be smaller in size and they produce fewer runners.  June bearing strawberries bear fruit for a 2-3 week period every June and they tend to have the largest fruit. It is best to plant more than one type of strawberry plant variety for a prolific and staggered harvest.

2. Plant your strawberries 18" apart for June Bearers and 12" apart for Everbearer/Day Neutral on a gradual slope which improves the drainage and can help prevent frost injury.

3.  Dig a hole large enough to be able to spread the roots out. Fill in with soil and hill around the plant so that the soil is halfway up the crown. Proper planting is key. Water thoroughly and mulch with straw. In the fall cover with a 1" layer of straw to protect during the winter months.  Remember strawberries are perennial, meaning they come back every year!
Note: Every year strawberries send out runners which are new plants.  Each strawberry plant can produce up to 1 quart of strawberries annually for up to 5 years.  So take note on the age of your plants and push the runners into the soil so they develop into their own plant.

Making Plant Juice- Getting your plants off to the right start

Here is a recipe for a 'plant juice' that will get your plants off to the right start.  Soak your plants with this mixture to give them a disease/fungus control as well as a growth 'boost'! Thanks to Miss Gail for sharing this recipe.

Mix the following ingredients with 1 GALLON OF WATER:

1. 1 TBSP Humagro,Huma Gro® (http://humagro.com/faq.html) Increases the activity of microorganisms in the soil by converting organic matter (such as crop ressidue and other decayed plant/animal material) into nutrient-rich humus. University studies have shown that humus is the most important element in building and maintaining a more productive soil structure. High levels of humus give you soil with improved water retention and aeration plus reduced compaction and erosion. Better soil naturally promotes stronger, healthier plants.
2. 1/2 TSP Fish Emulsion- An organic fertilizer (http://www.neptunesharvest.com/) made from fresh North Atlantic fish. It is made by a unique cold process that protects the vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and growth hormones.It also contains all the micro and macro nutrients naturally found in fish. The nitrogen and other nutrients are chelated, so they are readily available for plants consumption. University studies have shown Neptune's Harvest to outperform chemical fertilizers. It is an organic storehouse of over 60 naturally occurring major and minor nutrients and amino acids. Neptune's Harvest growth promoting substances (Auxims, Cytokinins, Gibberellins) enhance plant development, color and vigor. Seaweed has also been found to increase plant hardiness and resistance to adverse environmental conditions, such as early frost, extreme heat and lack of moisture. When used as seed inoculants, Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed (2-3-1) fertilizer increases and accelerates germination, and enhances the rapid development of a healthy root system.
3. 1/2 tsp Activonate- An organic fungicide (http://www.naturalindustries.com/retail/?page_id=18)  composed of a beneficial bacteria strain that inhibits and kills predatory fungus. This harmful fungus feeds on plants, trees, grains, as well as fruit and vegetables. Actinovate is specially formulated to attack only the harmful bacteria in the soil, leaving the beneficial foliar nutrients unharmed.