Home Gardening Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Use recommended varieties for your area of the state.
- Sample soil and have it tested every 2 to 3 years.
- Apply preplant fertilizer to garden area in recommended manner and amounts.
- Examine garden often to keep ahead of potential problems.
- Keep garden free of insects, diseases, and weeds.
- Use mulches to conserve moisture, control weeds, and reduce ground rots.
- Water as needed, wetting soil to a depth of 6 inches.
- Thin when plants are small.
- Avoid excessive walking and working in the garden when the foliage and soil are wet.
- Wash and clean garden tools and sprayer well after each use.
- Keep records on garden activities.
Don't
- Depend on varieties not recommended for your area, but do try limited amounts of new releases.
- Plant so closely that you cannot walk or work in the garden.
- Cultivate so deeply that plant roots are injured.
- Shade small plants with taller growing crops.
- Water excessively or in late afternoon.
- Place fertilizer directly in contact with plant roots or seeds.
- Allow weeds to grow large before beginning to cultivate.
- Apply chemicals or pesticides in a haphazard manner or without reading the label directions.
- Use chemicals not specifically recommended for garden crops.
- Store leftover diluted spray.
Handy Conversion Table 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce 16 tablespoons = 1 cup 2 cups = 1 pint or 16 fluid ounces 2 pints = 1 quart 4 quarts = 1 gallon 1 ounce = approximately 2 tablespoons (dry weight)
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