10 Mittleider Grow-BOX gardens .pdf

Mittleider Grow-Box Gardens By Jacob R. Mittleider Adjustments & Improvements Since Publication Page #

Original Book

Recommended Changes

33.

Grow-Boxes 5’ wide . . .

Now recommend 18” or 4’ wide Grow-Boxes.

38.

Aisles of 3’ . . .

Aisles of 3 ½’ recommended for 18” Grow-Boxes 4’ aisles are recommended for 4’-wide Grow-Boxes

38.

1” X 8” redwood or cedar wood . . . Treated 2” X 8” pine recommended Redwood or cedar stakes . . . Pine stakes – preferably 2” X 2” and painted preferred.

41.

12” 1” X 8” or Stake for splicing End pieces – 5’ long 1” X 8”

Treated 12”+ 2” X 8” is recommended for splicing. Use 2” X 8” treated lumber – 18” or 4’.

43.

Spreader board – 2” X 4” X 6’

Use 5’ length for 4’-wide box or 2’ length for 18” box.

46.

Sawdust – from almost any wood

Avoid walnut sawdust, which is toxic to many plants.

47.

Spread 10# lime on ground . . .

Apply Pre-Plant only In 18” box apply 1 oz/ft – in 4’ box apply 2 oz/ft.

48.

Pre-Plant formula . . . Apply 12# 2 oz to soil Apply 5# lime to soil Weekly Feed – nothing said

Pre-Plant - calcium, magnesium, & boron – 80-4-1 ratio. In 18” box apply 1 oz/ft – in 4’ box apply 2 oz/ft. None, only Pre-Plant above. Apply ½ oz/ft in 18” box – apply 1 oz/ft in 4’ box See Weekly Feed formula in Mittleider Gardening Course

53.

Dates for planting common crops

Supplement with Garden Planting Details schedule, and use Your ADLF (average date of last frost) for planting dates.

54.

Sample Planting Layout

There is real merit in this, because short rows of many crops can be ideal for family gardens. However watering, fertilizing, and difficult access to the center of the bed convinced Dr. Mittleider that 4’ wide and planting lengthwise is generally a better solution for the home gardener. Apply both Pre-Plant (1 oz/ft) and Weekly Feed (1/2 oz/ft) mix with the soil, and plant another crop if time allows.

After a crop is harvested . . .

55.

A marker for uniform plant spacing Use an 8’-long 2” X 2” board, with dowels 6” apart on one side and 7” apart on the opposite side.

56.

List of plants and spacing.

Recommend using Garden Planting Details schedule if growing lengthwise in 18” or 4’ boxes.

64.

Transplanting Solution

Immediately after transplanting apply ¼ oz/ft of nitrogen fertilizer down the center of the row and water in.

68.

“Plants can be watered with a . . “

Automating the watering is recommended. See Mittleider Gardening Course Lesson 16. “One or two . . watering per week” Do not let your plants begin to wilt! Water daily if needed.

69.

“Nearly 95% of a plant’s weight . “ Water constitutes about 80% of a plant’s total weight. As much as 95% of the water entering a plant on a hot day passes through as transpiration, to keep the plant cool.

71.

Mittleider Nutrient Formula

72.

Optional Nutrient Formula

This formula works short-term in many soil-bed gardens Grow-Box gardens need the complete nutrient mix.

73.

Very Important

Eliminate paragraphs 13, 14, and 15.

75.

How to support tall plants

See Mittleider Gardening Course Lesson 15, and the How to Build and Use T-Frames schedule. Use a single Tframe with 6’ top for 4’-wide boxes placed in middle.

76-86.

Guiding, pruning, & tying

Excellent material and highly recommended.

97-108.

Making a simple greenhouse

Recommend – Constructing a Greenhouse – Appendix D of The Mittleider Gardening Course book. Any greenhouse should have sides that roll up for ventilation, and if larger than 10’ wide a continuous ventilator at the top is important

Fertilizer formula in Mittleider Gardening Course Lesson 5 is recommended, or purchase Micro-Nutrients from FFEF website www.growfood.com and mix as instructed. Feed 1# 4 oz for 5 X 30 Box Apply ½ oz/ft WF down the center between 2 plant rows. Stop feeding 2 weeks before harvest Stop feeding 3 weeks before harvest for single-crop plants. Stop feeding 8 weeks before hard frost for ever-bearing.

Soil-beds or Grow-Boxes should be 18” wide, and aisles should be 4’ wide. Therefore, 12’ 6” of width is minimum needed for 3 soil-beds or Grow-Boxes. 109-110.

Filling Grow-Boxes in Greenhouse Use Pre-Plant Mix – 1 oz/ft in 18” & 2 oz/ft in 4’ boxes.

111.

“Now add the Pre-Plant fertilizer . . Use Pre-Plant formula of calcium, magnesium, and boron In the ratio of 80-4-1. Apply 1 oz/ft in 18” box & 2 oz/ft In 4’ box. Apply Weekly Feed at ½ oz/ft in 18” box & 1 Oz/ft in 4’ box. D. & Note Lime or gypsum is not needed in addition to Pre-Plant Mix. “Plants in the greenhouse are fed a The same amount of fertilizer is used whether plants are in larger amount of fertilizer.” The greenhouse or outside in the garden – and whether in the soil-beds or Grow-Boxes.

112.

114.

Preparing your nutrient mixture See pages 71 & 72. “From the time seeds are sprouted. . . Weekly Feed is applied ½ oz/ft in 18” beds or boxes, and they are fed . . .” 1 oz/ft in 4’ beds or boxes.

115.

“After flowering begins . . . to end

Continue feeding the same amounts of Weekly Feed until

3 weeks before harvest for single-crop varieties, and until 8 weeks before the first hard frost for ever-bearing plants. 116.

“Plants appear to be nutrient hungry Increase the feedings to twice per week for two weeks.

116-117.

For training vining and climbing . . Recommend 1 row of plants per bed or box, with alternate Plants going up baling-twine strings to 2 rows of wire, pipe, or 2 X 4’s on edge 28” apart. “Aisle” space at the top is 33” in the two aisles. The bottom end of the string . . . Is tied to tie-wire placed at the base of the plants. The tiewire is attached at both ends of the Grow-Box and to stakes at maximum intervals of 10’ the length of the box.

121.

Watering in the greenhouse . . .

Watering Grow-Boxes should be daily in greenhouse & garden.

123.

Mild climate greenhouse plastic

Use UV-protected 6 mil greenhouse plastic for all climates.

135.

Starting seedlings for transplanting Tomatoes and peppers take 8 weeks from seed to transplant-size plants, so growing these in a protected environment can save you that much time. Large-seeded plants like beans or squash take much less time to grow to transplant size, so you will be saving only 3 to 4 weeks. Bottoms can be made with 3 slats Using 5 or 6 narrower slats to cover the bottom is better.

136.

Spread ½ oz lime & ½ oz 0-45-0

Spread 1 ½ oz (3 TBSP) Pre-Plant Mix and mix into soil.

137.

Seeds per row in 18” X 18” flat

Celery & parsley should be 100-125 /row. Large seeds Such as beans, squash, etc. should be 25-30/row.

138.

Every watering after seeds sprout

When sprouts first appear begin watering with “Constant Feed solution – 1 oz Weekly Feed in 3 gallons of water. The first transplant should be into 2” or larger pots, or Into other flats, 49 to 81 per flat, depending on plant size.

Seedlings are transplanted to . .

140-141.

If flats have been used before . .

Methyl Bromide is very difficult to obtain, is very expensive, and can be deadly. A Pesticide Applicator’s license is required to handle it. Therefore other methods of sterilizing your flats should be pursued. Bleach and water (1 to 10), or vinegar and water (1 to 2) can be used.

145.

Common soil us usually more work Many years’ experience in soils all around the world taught and somewhat less rewarding than Dr. Mittleider that growing in the soil was just as productGrow-Boxes or greenhouses. ive as Grow-Boxes & greenhouses. See 6 Steps to Success ful gardening, Grow-Bed Gardening, and The Mittleider Gardening Course books for greatest success in the soil.

146-153

Open furrow soil-bed gardening

Numerous material changes and improvements have been discovered and perfected since this book was written. Raised level 18’-wide beds with ridges are a big factor in making soil-bed gardening at least the equal of Grow-Box

gardening. The books named above are highly. Recommended. For field crops 3 applications of Weekly Feed are normal – 1 before planting and 2 after – at 3-4 week intervals. 170.

Questions often asked: Why use redwood or cedar Should Grow-Boxes face N/S

Now that treated 2 X 8 lumber is readily available and safe to use, that is preferred over redwood or cedar. Not necessary. What IS important is that tall plants be grown North or East of shorter plants, so as not to shade them. Sizes of Grow-Boxes have changed, fertilizer formulas have changed, and application rates have changed. Read previous comments and review topics in The Mittleider Gardening Course book.

173.

Appendix II

183.

Appendix III

A much more comprehensive schedule of nutrient deficiencies and corrective treatments is attached hereto.

187.

Appendix IV

For materials list to build recommended greenhouse see Appendix D of The Mittleider Gardening Course book.

192.

Appendix V

While numbers, sizes, and configurations are no longer valid, multiplied thousands of families around the world have proven the validity of the assertions made herein.

mittIeider

grow-box gcwdens Dr. .IR llitt1.eid.er

mittleider

grow-box gardens BY

JACOB R. MITTLEIDER, LLD. AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT LECTURER, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY ILLUSTRATED BY

DON BERGGREN

InbUnationCll Food PtOCIuction mczthocl).lnc. Salt Lake City, Utah

Published and Distributed by International Food Production Methods, Inc. Post Office Box 17114 Salt Lake City. Utah 84117

Copyright © 1975 by Jacob R. Mittleider, under the title "More Food From Your Garden." This edition printed by arrangements with Woodbridge Press Publishing Company, California 93111. All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever. whether by graphic. visual. electronic, or any other means; or be translated

into any language, devices, or symbols. without the written permission of International Food Production Mettlods. Inc. Post Office Box 17114. Satt Lake City. Utah 84117. Library of Congress Catak>g Card Number: 78-52953 Printed in the United States of America

D This book is dedicated to my family Mildred Mittleider, patient and supportive wife, tolerant and brave amid the frustration and uncertainty of life with an adventurous husband. Without her, success would not have been possible. Douglas and Carol Deitrich, son-in-law and daughter, who encouraged me in the development of the first experimental models that stimulated this entire program; and who still inspire toward continuing refinement and perfecting. Dr. James R. and Jeannie Wise, son-in-law and daughter, who also built and planted the early model gardens whose success was convincing evidence that millions could benefit from these extraordinarily productive techniques - if only they had the information. To these, and others, who encouraged and motivated me to accomplish that in which I really believed, I gratefully dedicate this book.

-The Author

I wish to thank Edmond Henken, my chief associate, for his encouragement. loyalty, hard work, advice, and support through both prosperous and adverse times. In my estimation, he is the one person who has gained the most complete knowledge of my entire concept and method as outlined in this book. He has not only the theory but also the practical experience to conduct the program and also to advance it. Willis J. Hackett, for his confidence and encouragement, for his belief in the methodology, and for the foreword he generously wrote for this book and for a previous book. Lynn Galr, M.D., for loyalty and personal involvement in past years. helping to bring this program to success. Without his help there would never have been the opportunity to develop it, either abroad or in the United States. D. L. Stoops, M.D., whose humanitarian nature led him to study the Mittleider program thoroughly as a means of helping hungry peoples, and then to promote it and encourage its development. Don Berggren, the illustrator of this book. Without his outstanding talent it would not have been possible to prepare this work for mankind. It is a rare privi lege to work with so talented a person who is also selfless and sensitive to human need. -The Author

FORE.WORD... • • • . . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . •.

II

INTMDUCTION •..... ..•••.. . . . ••• 13

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USING "CUSTOM-MADE. 'SOIL"

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PLANNING YOUR

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PLANTING YOUR G~N GROW·eoX... 57

77

WATERING AND FE.E.OING YOUR PLANTS.................... /&.1

~DE.N LAYOUT.. 51

~ .•. HEL.PING PLANTS Gf<.OW •.•.••.• 75

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~••.THE. MITTLE.IDER METHOD IN

143

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110

.!§S .. MITTLEIDER FERTII.-I"l.E.R FOf<,MULA'5 •....•..•. 11~ ~..PLANT NUTRIENT

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183

m.. iVlATE.RIAI.-S

LiSTS FOR Gr

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~ •.. COMME.RCIAI.- APPLICATIONS OF THE. MITTL.E.IDER METHOD.... 1'12

Three decades of almost constant study and research on food production problems in many parts of the world have long since convinced me that the most prom ising approach is a synthesis olthe best features of several major methods of gardening. Organic gardening emphasizes plant access to all available soil nutrients and microbial activity; conventional gardening emphasizes adequate fertilization and pest control; hydroponic gardening emphasizes high-density planting in a controlled environment. But each of these methods, alone, has some limitations. What I have been demonstrating in various countries isa bringing together of the best scientific knowledge and experience in each of lhese approaches. I believe that the results speak for themselves. This book is a step-by-step guidebook to the use of my methods by the home gardener. If you have a rewarding gardening experience and it is due in part to the instructions given here, I shall be amply rewarded for the effort involved. I would encourage the serious student of gardening to obtain a copy of a previous book, coauthored with Dr. Andrew N. Nelson, a gifted man whom I greatly admire. Its title is Food for Everyone and it may be obtained through the publisher of this book. -

The Author

Abundant food now flourishing on once arid and unproductive land because of the skill and ingenuity of Jacob Mittleider is a source of great hope to the world's hungry peoples whose desperate cries have echoed around the world. I have seen the lifeless eyes and the spindly, wobbling legs of children denied the balanced nutrition of an adequate food supply. Hungry children of war-torn countries have snatched food from my own hands. Students of the future declare that the prospects for feeding the increasing millions of the 1980's are grim. Mittleider has the answer. He is dedicated to the task of meeting the nutritional needs of poverty-stricken populations wherever they are found. Single-handedly, he has demonstrated from Alaska to California, from Fiji to Okinawa and Africa, that even the most unproductive soils can produce an abundance. In many instances his methods have doubled and tripled production on abandoned land. This book, like Food for Everyone, the work coauthored by Jacob Mittleider and Dr. Andrew N. Nelson, will be hailed by many as a practical contribution to making food production more efficient. Mittleider's demonstrations and institutes everywhere have proved that his method can be used by anyone, anywhere, to transform unproductive lands and greatly increase crop yields. I hope that the publication of this book, More Food From Your Garden, will help dispel hunger and produce beautiful gardens where now only thorns and weeds are growing. -

Willis J. Hackett

Vice President World Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Advisory Chairman Education and World Relief

Washington, D. C.

1/

".

Jacob R. Mittleider

c

The "miracle" garden yields you may have been reading about lately are for real- and actually are the result of some fairly simple r>ew applications of well-established agricultural principles. Jacob R. Mittleider is the plant"magician"who has been in scores of countries these past few years turning people on to the thrills of unbelievable gardening success. He has moved into food-problem areas of New Guinea, Africa, Bang ladesh, Lati n America, the U.S.A. - and has started a "food revolution" every time. How about 30 tons of sweet potatoes where only 4 had previously oeen possible? or 6,000 pounds of rice where only 1,000 pounds ..ere considered normal? or 100 tons of tomatoes compared with 20 Ooefore? Experts say that with Mittleider's simple methods, this earth could leed nine times its present population - with no further agricultural
/3

Mittleider's university-sponsored demonstration program in New Guinea used poor land where only scrubby growth had previously been possible (above) and turned it Into lush, productive gardens (below).

High Commissioner James B~ Lampert (right) end University President Tetsuo Takara of Okinawa join Mittleider in examining young cauliflower that will produce 18 tons per acre - every 10 weeks - on rocky hillsides of the Ryukyu Islsnds.

Mittleider has proven repeatedly that his unique grow-box concept, with his simple, plastic greenhouse plan can produce enough food on even an eighth of an acre (5,000 square feet - a small city lot!) to feed a family plus enough to sell for living expenses. Governments, universities, and mission organizations sponsor international Mittieider institutes in which people from many lands learn how to dramatically improve the amount and quality of food available. Mittleider students are at work in India, Borneo, the U.S.A., Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, Fiji, the Philippines, Samoa, New Guinea, Africa, Latin America almost anywhere you could name... anywhere people are interested in food! It has been commonplace for people who observe the Mittleider Method to speak In terms usually reserved for magic shows. "Astonishing ... l couldn't believe my eyes ... spectacular... a miracle... a marvel. .. amazing."

15

Struggling bean plants barely survive with conventional gardening methods (above) but burst into abundance on the very same plot with Mittleider methods

Abandoned as "devil land" - totally useless until the Mittleider Method was applied - this plot now provides a good diet tor college students, and surpluses to sell tor additional school funds.

B.D. Lakshman, with huge agricultural holdings in Fiji, declared, "Ten thousand speeches could not have convinced me, but in less than two hours of demonstrations I am completely converted. It is nothing short of a miracle." The then High Commissioner James B. Lampert of Okinawa, urged the people of the Ryukyus to observe "this unique opportunity to gain spectacular results from the very soil which, for centuries, has brought much discouragement." Ambassador TakaseJiro of Japan praised the Mittleider approach as "an accurate and practical program of superb food production; a practical method of solving the problem of feeding the increasing populations of the world." Willis J. Hackett, a general vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist world conference, with special emphasis on education and world relief programs, declared that the Mittleider program "has certainly paid off in New Guinea" where Its abundant crops continue after many years to help support educational institutions and to provide more nourishing diets for the people.

17

Africa to the Arctic - searing heat, freezing cold cannot stop the amazing productivity of nature when provided with adequate nutrients, water, shelter.

Bob Ackeroid, senior agricultural officer in NewGuinea, reported, "I think everyone in the Agricultural Department has been amazed at the results. The work has surprised us and shown what can be done in this country." Loma Linda University (California) sponsored Mittleider on a 24nation survey of food production problems, leading directly to the development of a series of institutes co-sponsored in some cases by host governments. It is nowonder that such authorities look to the Mittleider program with great expectations. Where machinery is not readily available, where soil is poor, where weather and pests are destructive, Jacob Mittleider has shown that simple, ordinary people, using simple, ordinary hand tools, can actually out-produce heavy farm equipment and great outlays of capital! Imagine the sense of dignity and self-respect that comes to a family when almost overnight their life can be changed from one of

This African land Is producing many times its former yield with cuslom-made soil in Mittleider grow-boxes - 44 Ions of cabbage per acre every 12 weeks!

poverty and hunger to one of health, good food, good income self-sufficiency and pride! This has actually happened to so many families in so many parts of the world that an Okinawan magazine was moved to describe Mittleider as "a man who can give hope to people throughout the world." Because his simple methods have proved so eminently successful for so many people in so many countries, M iltleider is convinced that "hunger is no longer an agricultural problem; it is a human problem, a social problem." If politicians, educators, and interest groups can cooperate, he says, this world can feed an expanding population indefinitely. In the meantime, the Mittleider method can certainly be a helping hand for you, your family, and your friends ... in making gardening far more rewarding - and productive - than you ever thought gardening could be.

1'1

Mittleider grow·boxes can be used for large-scale production of garden crops - or, in ones and twos, for backyard family gardens - with the same productivity. Can you imagine this concentration of luscious tomatoes In ordinary gardening? This Mittleider grow-box provides ideal soli conditions and adequate nutrllion to support close planting and heavy bearing - more food In less space!

Rocky hillsides become productive farms with the grow-box technique. The boxes can be used on any kind ot terrain, over any kind ot soil- previously barren land can "blossom as the rose"!

Jacob R. Mittleider is an international agricultural consultant and lecturer, Lorna Linda University, Lorna Linda, California. His institute and lecture schedule is booked well ahead; but if you or your group would like to hear him, he may be contacted through the publisher of this book.

Santa Barbara, California

2.1

Howard B. Weeks, Ph.D.

A Mittleider seminar group In Okinawa tills grow-boxes with custom-made soil - learning how to produce super yields where nothing would grow before.

One grow-box for 'the back yard or hundreds ot them for a university demonstration farm - the same spectacular results are realized all over the world. Mittleider students cover a steep hillside with boxes.

Six thousand pounds ot rice per acre on land that used to produce 800 to 1,200 pounds; 21,000 pounds ot green beans and 28,000 pounds of sweet potatoes per acre on previously unusable land. That's why the Mittleider Method is called a "food revolution" In many countries.

Crowds gather in the city to see the simple Mittleider grow-boxes and super-simple greenhouse-eovering demonstrated as a means toward more self-reliance in home food production.

Name it and you can plant it in your grow-box - tender bell peppers, melons of atl kinds; in high concentrations with high yields, for the greatest amount of food possible in whatever space you have to use.

D

THE MITTLE.IDEF'. ME-IHOD COMe>INE:EST FEATUf/.E.5 OF :;OIL GfAfCDt.NING AND HYDiZOPONIC GrARDtNINCi. Ii 15 A COMF'~ETE:) EA<7Y- iO -FOU-OW PLAN THAi E:L.IMINATE:
success ANYWHEf'?E j AN APAfl.iMtNT PATIO) A CITY YAI'-O I A COUN11'-Y LOT I A F,AF?M. TIiE Me;iHoo IS B1'6E.O ON MAXIMUM UTIL-I:Z;ATION OF SPACE) TIMe;) AND l'E-&oul2CE5. CfZOf'6 AF'-E LAfZ6f' ~0e /'!-,ANI? Af'C CLOSE. TO~E.iHU: } NOUf/.16HW E>Y 6UPF'LfOMENTAL. FEXOINCiS OF MINEAAL NUTRIENTS) AS IN HYOf20PoN ICS, BUI WITH NO 6f'I'£/AL E6lulF'MENT. UNLIKe HYVf2OPONICS I THE MIT1LEIOe;f/. MeTHOt> AL:;O GIVE5 PLANT5 ACCEf'fS TO THE: NATURAL SOIL

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J. R. Mittleider and his chief associate, Edmond Henkin (left), examine the produce of lush experimental and teaching gardens. The Mittleider method makes the most of land area available by close spacing of plants in simple "growboxes," filled with inert or organic materials at hand plus nutrients. It is like hydroponics in that supplemental feeding of nutrients make this close spacing highly productive; but unlike it in providing for root access to the natural soil for the best possible plant nutrition. Simple greenhouse shelter, where necessary, produces abundant, yearround yields.

The Mittleider "grow-box" technique makes a real difference in home gardening. In the open or sheltered by a simple greenhouse covering, grow-boxes produce quality foods - to spare!

The best features of organic, hydroponic, and regular gardening produce outstanding quality in the Mittleider Method

Corn and tomatoes, cabbage and potatoes, broccoli and onions, melons, squash, and cucumbers or papaya and rice - name it and you can grow it the Mittleider way!

Nitrogen

Symptoms of nutritional deficiencies. You no longer need to leave plants to the mercy of depleted or hostile soils. The Mittleider nutritional program will prevent most deficiencies and provides help should they appear. See Appendix III for description of symptoms and corrective measures.

Potassium

Potassium

Calcium

Boron

Molybdenum

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Of

~TILlZ.~.

"CUAi.ANCC"O NUT~IENT5 AND f'/2OP~ MOISTU~ AND .FE:E:.DING Pl2OOUCE. H/GHEPYIELDS ANO 6'1UALI1Y ON MUCH l..!?35 ~ TI{<\N ~Ul.AfZ. eoiL.

THE. 'SOfT /CUSTOI"\-t-1~E 'SOIL. II

OFFEr<.5 t-WJy ADV~Tf>6ES) INCL.UDING ~ DAAlNAGE) AEI<:/';T!ONjAND f>ALAtJCE:O FEEDING. IT ~5 THE: U'?IJAU-Y HfllZ.D SUe>'SOfLO,AMP AND £OFT. llH~ u:.lT~ PalE.TAAT~ TI-IE

SU~IL,AN!? ~P-b

~

t-1ANY

F3irAA IMPOfZ.TANT MINE:fZ.AL-~. "" .",,,,,.

~

I.......EN'"

IT HA? A CCVL.ING

~ d \

~e:cr d J

I

~

~ __.

f\:'

'" '"

\,

ON FOOTS VU(Z.ING 1llG HOT '!3UMHe:fZ.. AND ~% IT W,AfZ.M~ UP 6)UIC~L:( IN THE: r:A(2.LY 5Pf2.ING. L£VGL GflON- f:,OXEG FILLE:!? WITH £OFf) "CU9!Ol'1-tvl,AOE €OIL-" GAVE: ,t>.e:x?UT 40 ~E.NT IN WArE:!<..i WATEfl... PE-Nf3,IAAT5S UN IFOfZ.Ml-Y ) EiASIL..Y') AND cSlU/CKL-'(.

THE GfLOW-e>ox. MUGT HAVE GO:7D ) 'Df<:AINAGe N-L NZOUNO rilE Ff2.A.1'1 E •

A SPECIAL- ,aEASON fOfZ.

GI20WING PLANTS IN

G(lON-ex:Y!.EE> IS 1lll'-T '(OU CAN Cfl.f.e fOP. 1llE croP FFOM

THE SIDES. 'StlOE.'3 CNlfl-Y'DISEASE. AND WEE.D eeEOO. NOT WAL.~ IN 11-IE GflOW - P-:;O)(ES !

va

Gf
WITH

Gf2Ow-eo>
~S

OF

,ANy SIZE.. FOUr<- GI2OW-E:;OXE~ CAN f'IZOVI~ A NEH-L-Y

CONTINUOUS HNZVOOT OF- RX>O MUCH OF "THE:

YE:/>f--

R:>fl. A fiAo,MIL-Y OF FOU(Z. I IF Pf2OPEiZt..:"" MANf.GE.O. "TEN GfZOW-eoI
!

'0

.1

EVEN IN

Nl&6

WITH <;£VE:(Z€. WINTE.F-

TEMPEf2,A.TUFCS ,1111::

~-eo)(Ee>

CAN e>E COIfE:/ZE.O ~IL-Y TO ~ IN~9IVe G HOU%~ f'6 q,IlOWN IN QVo.PT"Ef2- "I.

35

WHAT Af;OJT NUT~TIONAL- 6llJAL-liY ~

? ?

f(X)O PI200UCE:.O IN GflOW- eoXE.'S ~Y THE HITrLeIOE-f2.. HE1ll00 IS EtSlUAL 012- 0UP~I012 TO iHAi 0120WN e>Y ANY OTHE-r'- HE:iHOP. IT COMP.;>INES T!-Ie e:eST OF HYOf2.0R?tJICS) Orz. /1 f?MPHA'SIZES THE Use. OF ~L.,A.NaO NUifZ.lENTS. IT P(Z.OV/~€> FOf2. f2a:Ji ~ OOIL UNOef2.NEATH THE:: eoXE:S. THe: f'l...ANT€> THu€> 1'f!;>'eO~ 1f2,N;et8 Of ,A.U... OfHe:tz. AVAI t..N?;:JU3. NUTtz.teNTS POIJ NO IN HIN~L- tJOll-€» NUTfZ.lE:NT€> VE:ft..Y U~y

,0 -rne.

Ne:Weo

f7(

MAN.

, i Ii II I W..J:1TTt'..u-'-'5ELECT A SUNNY LOCATION, IN CCOL CLlMATEOS, etJlLD eoXcs

WITH A <:oUTHEf1N E:,l(A:JSUF€. NWAHOUGE: ) PATIO, ~F
R::OF'-, HILLSIDE; L,6NV, ttaALY SOIL) CLAY) ALt WILL WOf!-l<.! JUST LEVEL 012- T!0J2.12,ACE:. THE: SPfCE: R?F'- 11/G GI'OW-eoXGS. PIZOVIt?e. Ga::>O 1:'/'NN.NSE': AWAY Ff'avI THG Gl'OW- f!;OxG0. f2
rr

STANOING WI'ifGft..

e>UIL.V THEo NUM~ OF GI'ON-WXE5 NEE:OW TO FIT YOute- PLOT. GPOW-wx 'SIZE. CN4 VNl-Y TO FIT UNUSUAL. eouNPN'lES. IF 56V~ GPOw-wxe;"" HlE WIL-T 5101:-TO-511::1:, I L.INe; THSo1 UP SfAAIGHT FOteATTI2."CTIVENE9S AND fA5'( WOf'l'-lNG. PI2Or'IOEo ?J-o" OF WOf'lLlNG 'GP/IC.C aJ EI'C+l 610E.= OF 1\11: !!OX AND !?'-O" OF v-tlf2.l"INIS 6P.Aa: AT THE END";' OF THE £!Ox.

HEflf' 15 THE MATEf2.IN.h L-1'3T fOl'- -me; 6fANON'-D 5-RXlT-WI0E ) ~-R::OT-LONIS />.NO 8-INCH-~P MITIL.EI~

GPOW-£!;OX.

A} 70 FEET OF I" ~ei' FWWroD 01'- ceoN'-.

e»

~ - I'~'l.'x le"lONlS R::>INiE'O f'E'0WC0D 6f,Ai
Eo) ONe f'e6>UL.,b0J2. CLAW Hf'MMeJ2. • F) ICO FEeT OF ~TI'-ONIS COf'O. IS) ONE lEVEL- !"< lE,"6T 1W0 FEE T L.ONG·

lElIa ~OUGH 612Ou,-/0 FOP- E,ACH eox ~. ~TAe>LISH THE. !.OCI'TION OF THE CO!'NEJ2.S OF THE 6I2OW-eoX. WlfH THE: COW, TIE -rw:: COf'-O 6ECUfZ€L.Y TO THE grA~. NOTE: COt2-NEfZ.6 €iIOut-!/ ~ €&UA"E ('10°) UNI..6% THE MEA 16 IfZ.fZ.EGU!..,AFt JN GfWE:.

<:::::".~~

NINE. INCHE.S FI'OH A COf"NEJ2.) ALONG ONE SIDE.) Dl2-tVE. THE FIF1~T STAI'-l: INTO THE: GFOUND} TO A 0Ef'fH OF AeOUT NINE: INCHE'S. />J..WAYS 'P!"lVE: STA!'ES ON THE OUn3ll/Eo ~ES OF ille- GI'OW-e:vX, NE.VEf!ON -mE INBIt:'E; E:C\%6. DI"IVE: ST.AreS f'.e;OUT ?O INCHES A~f1.i />J..ONG THE COJ4;> l-INEO FOf'. ONE Glt:E OF WE ~. WHEN IJ'-li.-EO %C
-~

NAIL A ,'xe," sire I!:Q'fO Fl.lJ~ WITH lOP OF STF*Eo NeJ\I2E"'T A l!:OI\ END. D!"lVE 5T,AfE ~D
e:o,..,e.o

~.

40

=

WITH Po LElIa ON ToP OF e.::#O """ISS Of'- LOWE!"- ~ TO Fl::>SITION j Ol'IVE ~ veEI'EJ2.. UNTIL. FLLJ!'>H WITH

LEva

/1

/1

I

LeVSLW~.

THEN NAIL.

~

,

TO

"'Tm Wlnl "TWO NNL.'2>. /'£PEAT 11110 SAME AT E/ICI1 STN'-€: TO 0fI/EI2. END OF !!:OJ<.. Sloe; e<:JAJZ.00 f2a51Ult2J? SPL.lCING. HEf'C AI'E TWO ~NDS OF spL.lce. R:JF'ONE I'
............. ::

TIJE JOINT WHEfZE THE '31C'e

:

e
\\,Ji.,

EN~ Meet.

POfZ. ~fZ. t'lND OF -3f't-Ia; v 0fZ.1VE. A I'~ 1-" i.IB' £.ONe sr~ ) CENlCl'ED WHe!'E THE ~ e>UTT TOGETHE12-. Ni'lL. THE eJOf'UJ ENDS TO THE STN'€.

r

NAIL A 5-FOOT f!>OX ENO- PIEce (I".ei') TO E/>Ql END OF -me LEVELED 51 DE. •

\~;::'> 0

41

.

~c;i

])~IVI?-

A ST!'J'€ NEAl'- mE ceJTEI' OF eoTH 5-FOOT ea<

!:NOS IN l-INE WITH "THE COF'-D. PI.;'CE l.I?-VEL. l-I/l& A TJ2.lAN6L.E f>C./ZO'2I& TOPS OF eoTH 5101i- ~D eND WAf2.PG. l.I?-VEL.. 11-IE S>.Fa1T ~) Of2.vl?- 9fN'e 70 fl2Opef2.. t:EPTH I AND ~ L.. W !5-Fa1T @JD-Pl~E. f'Ef'EAT "OlE ~e f<"IZ. "F'I"O"'ITE El\lN l-11'e A TJ?1.A1/ISL.E I ~ 1/iE s;-=r E'NO-F'IEa': AND THE TOP OF THE I"xe" SID£ eoAF'-D. I.ElIa SI06 ~I'O TO I-'IATCH S-FaJT ENO- PIECE' . Of(lVE: 5T!'J
1"Ef'E\'
42

WHEN MANY 61'DW- eo~E~ NAILED
-

"'

t

I

Members of a Mittleider class and workshop clean up the area after construction of grow-boxes. The boxes are now ready to be filled with custom-made soli.

o~

'If>

IICU5TO!'.H"VVE. €OIL II 15 USeD TO {WOlD C~p FAH.U~S. CflOPG FAlL. IN 5TUe:>e:oFaN) HAW-TO-MANAGe €OILS ~.J.cp:. ~USe OF €OIL 'D1Ge:ASE

../-.....-.uI.,.;>L--U-"l.LJu.l-~~--.c~~

AND INSECTS )GOPflE.l26) MOlES) ,AloJD ~TS, 1'J..'20 WEfZ.6 IS THE CONSTANT E!l'\11'LE. ~INST We::r>G) #10 THE NumENT 'DEFICIENCIES IN SOILS WHICH NZf!:. ee.coHING tv1Of2G ANO MOF!e SE«/OUS. "CU6TOM-~ €OIL II-THE HeA
f"J..J.-

THE:OSG 'DISAPPOINTMENTS. I,. AflGUfl.E.'S GUCC8SS EVE:fi1.Y TIME) AND G~TL'(' INGreAGE'S Yla~!

'1

0°°0

111m

C\.. ~(~ ~ 15 "cUSTOM ·MADE. SOIL-j ,.,;:;:;

..

f2E OF INaz:r AND O~IC M,A.TE,eJp,L.S LI~ G~"a ) S,ANO ) ~WOUST) erc. )TO HOLD 1'HE Pl.MTS - PWS 1llE IT IS A MI

NUTfZJEtJTS

~eeo IN THIS e:a:>j(.,

IT PE:Ji'.FO(lJY1'S ALL THE FUNCfONS OF Mol

IDEAL !J,A.TURA/- 601L., 60IL IS NO MYSTEF-Y j IT IS SIt-1PI..:( TIN'(.••'9OMCTIf'1ES NOT 60 TINY f1OCI<- F!2f'GMENTS/ pws NUTfZ.I8NTS FrzoM VNtlOUS SOUJ2CE5 ,

4S

CHC\96E: />.Ny p..V~ILf>bLE. MATe:rz.IAL'5 LlI'e THs;E AND /"fAltB TliE: COMf>INATION YOU LII'€: ~. 50% ewW£>,AND WI/H 5'0% PE;A.r M06G. @ 15% ~WDU5r WITH ~?"O fINE: €f'.N17. (ID SO% p~ure. Wr-m ~ro fl:=AT t-1O'SG 0(2. 5fo.WDU5T. I±l 50 % SAWDUGT WITH 5070 eTY'(2.0fVAl'1 ~u..ere

m

O~

PIeces.

a:®il3g

e»LOW5AHD IS FINE 5I*JD L.11'f. THAT H&R:D UP e>Y THE WIND (~O OUNES). ~L.ITE IS f'JITS OF VO/..QNIC Gl./>6S 1/ POFPED /I BoY tlI;,A.T. IT IS ""/>J~ "'T CClNST¥UcrION <3UPPLlE.iZt:;. 5,6WOU£>T IS ~ 10 Uge Ff2Olv1 ,Ai..MO'ST />U- ""NO'S

wcoo.

OF FfleSH FIlOI-1 THE 'SAW Oil- I'eF:D - EITt£IZloS ea:>o. ""VOI'O ~VING9. THEY ~ MI~~ To MIX Pt-Jo PL,t>.N, IN. TJ-IEY TE.ND TO FLATTEN INTo

/.AYrEfl4; f>..NO

4au~.

f!.EMEM~ TtlE 'SOIL UNO~

CAN

~ '€>NJO)

Yourz.

f20aG) ~VEL)GOOD 5OIL)~,)CLAYJ 0(2. CEMENT. G(2OW-f!;C)'I.

ctlEy.ac'5 HOW TO FIl.l. YOUIl- GPOW-'OOX) Sfl2€NJ TEN roUNDS GY~Ut-'I (l-IME.) E.VENl.Y

OVfJ2.. THE. l/\liSIOE. A~ OF ONE 51)(~IGfZOW·eo)<. fiLL. THE 00)( LE.VE.L. FUl.L. WITH iHE. MI)(TU~ You CHOSE. Frzot-'l TilE. FOUp..

erzow-

COM~INATIONS

[..I6rW E?,AfZ.L.1e.F-.

ro NOT TAM P orz.. f'fa::. THE. £OIL. MI){TtJ~.

~: OVE~-FIUEO EOXE,S CAN NOT

ee.

WATEf2erl ,bCCUAATel.'(.

MIX THE. M,b.TEfl./AL. THOf!OUGHL.Y. A f!H.E 0f2. ~ FOTOTILLEFWIl.l. WOI2-~ NICE.l..Y.

WHIl-E. lVllXltJG) fl.f)V ENOUGH WATEJ2- TO

Pf2-01)uCE:. A WE.T ME.OIUt-'\, WT NOT GO WET You COUL.O 5:S)UEEZE WATEfZ- Ffl.OM IT.

41

HE~ ~

Tf-lE. INSj2.E.DIWTS FOF- THE MITTLEIOEFP~-PLANT FE.f2..TIL.lze~ M 1)(.. CAfl.E.FUL.L'( WE.IGH AND MIX TOOE.THEf2. THE:. FOL.L.OWING, WHICH AfC.E. AVAIr..Ae>t..F3. AT YOUp- (;I~OE.N SUPPLY 5TOf!..C. •

.~

l. 4 Ft)UNDS OOUe,L.E 5UPEJ2..PHOSPHATE. 'l. '2. POUND5 POTA<55IUM '3ULF,A.TE OF- OILOr<-IDE.. ~. 4- POUNV€> 5ULFATE: OF N-1MONIA. 4-. '1. POUNDS W6NEf31UM SULFATE.. 5. '1. OUNCES (c..o GAAM5) e:ol2ON C. eoDlUM E:Of4>.TE. Of2. Wf2.IC ,A.(,IO).

5Pf1.EAO THIS 'DF-Y MIXTUf2.E: E.VENLY OVEf2THE. "WSTOH-MADE: SOIL. I' IN THE. Grzow-ex:;;>)(.. NoW 5f'~ S POUNV5 GYPSUM (LIME) EVENL.Y OVEf2.. THE. Gt2-OW-exJX Af2EA f2-1GHT Ol'-l TOP OF 'TIlE orH~ FE.j2.TIUl.E.£US. ~: FO~ LIME. I USE GYPSUM IN ~tO ~AS. USE: AGf'ICUt..TUAAL O~ DOL.OMITE. L.1t-1E IN Af2.6A'5 THAT GeT MOrz.e, THAN '2.0 INCHES OF (Z,6.IN YeAf2.L.Y .

THOf2.QUGHLY MI)(. 61EJ2.YTHING IN THe: G~w-eo)(. TOGE.THE12- -TH6 IlCU9TOM~MAOE. €OILI~ L-1r-1E.) AND f'~-Pt..ANT FElZ-TIUz.EfZG. AOO ENOUGH WAT&1t TO t-'!A(£E A WET I"\Il<.TU 12E. 00 NOT OVE/Z--FILL THE. eflOW-ez,)<.. WITH 1I€01L.\1 M()CT'U~. flNI5H f;I( NEATL.Y LE.VE.!.-ING THE. COr-1f'Len~ MIXTUI"'-E. TO THE. Tor WeE. OF "THe &f2OW-e:ax.. • 6f'1Z.lNI'LE

U6HTL.Y} USING A FINE. WATE:.£2.

~Y}

TO

~f'

TIlE BOIL 5IJf2.f7!>.C€ FflOM AAPIO 1/fZ.YING • . rt:COr.'r~t""'If~,JToJ ~ ~....

0\\ " 0

YOUf!. GFOW-eox 15 COMPL..E1E ANV mvy FO~ PLANTING. You CNi PLANT 5CEO VIf!.ECTL-Y IN THE. 00)(. Of!. YOU CAN Tfl.I\N5PL..N-lT 5EE.OL.IN05 fl20M -r~E. NUF-5EfZ.Y O[L ~M YOUIL OWN 6TArz:rlNG FAAME.6.

HEIZE IS IHE AMAZING THING YOU HAVE: OONE IN THIS CHAPTEfZ.: I. YOU HAVE C(VI.TED A 6f'5CIAL. ,I'IND OF £'oIL. ANt' PJ,..,ACW II IN A PFOTECTIIIE FRAME. TIl"T Wlu... LET YOU ENJOY THE: PL.EASU,zES Of (?,~ING WITHOUT ITS u~,AL. HEAV,AC"'66. ~, YOUF- "5011.." IS rztCH AND EJi6Y TO WOf2.¥-. PQJTS q.,N F'EN8TAATe INTO THE Pe.fZ.PETUAU-.Y MOIST SUe:>€OIL FOfZ. AOD€D) PE:IlH~ UNiLNOWN NUTf!.ICNT5. ~. EXPE,e.lENCE.S Af!OUND"THE WO~L..D SHOW THAT

YOU C'l-N OOUe>t.f:. ,AND T!Z/Pt..E OfLOINAre.y

~reOEN

'(IEL-OS ANYWHe,e.E.) IN

ANY eLI MATE:. •

4-.

WITH nilS SIMPLE. PI..AN yOU CAN Gf!OW IN

Youre.. OWN ,(AI2O Au... THE f'/2ODUCE YOU NCED. P;,Y At'DING G(l.OW- eo><.E5 you CAN eVEN) IF yOU WISH, eECO""E ECONofVflC,AU...Y saF - SUFFICIeNT 01'1 AN p.aze OF- LESS.

YOUr<. Gf20W-eoy.. IS fl.f.ADY

C\ 't.

.

?

_:~

•

TO PLANT. tASY TO WOP-iL-) IN A SMALL. Sf'ACE--ANO IT WILL P~OUCE t--\OI2E OE:.L.ICIOUS I HEAL.THFUL. FOOD THAN YOU E.V6f2. IMAGIN6D.

NAMe IT ,AND YOU CAN PLANT IT IN A MI1TL.E.lO~

GFOW-eox : G~N

eEANS

TOMATOES

PEPPEr<..:;

HEf2bS CEL.Ef1-Y PEN-!UT'3

MELONS ZUCCHINI f#OCCOL./ CUCUM~'3

PfAs

CAU/.../FLOWE~

~T5

~

'3f'//-lACH

((,AO/~GS

RifATOee.

EGGPLANT

ONION'3

~A~D

P,A~LE.Y

o

SEED O/l2eC-rL'( INrO

-me.

"CUSTOM -MADE: €OIL" IN WE:

6fi1OW-eoX Cf:€E, CHAFTEf2. G) ) 0fZ. "f1ZI'.N5Pl,ANT YOUNG SEeDLINGS. YOU CAN PfeiL Ff2t:.Gt-t fTZODUCE. 8 TO 1'2. WW-'5 ~JEJ. ~ Tf2ANSPLANT/NG SE8:'UNOO. G(2OW '(OUIZ. OWN ~OUNOO FOLLOWING THE M11ILE.loe.JZ. METHOD ':3!iOWN IN CHAPTEfZ- I~ ) Of!.. GE.T THEtv1 Ff20M You!2~

SHOP.

THE. GflON- eoXE'S NYO E.XTfZA -o"'YS TO THE G(20WING 6E,b€ON. E,AJZ{..y J FfZ05TY NIGHTS I'-lLL. 6OM~ ~ } ~T 1-!E;f2.E: I~ A LiST OF SOHE WHlaI CAN eE. PL.,ANTEO EVeN mal. IF M,A"TUf2E. E'.tOUGH) TIlEY c,oN !2.EM.AlN IN iHc Gl>-12VEN UNTIL Mlo-teeeMee:p:. IF PFOrecreo £!:t'( SNOW J LE.AVe; } OJZ. <;;TAAW.

52

HEr<£ IS " LIST SHOWING THE. LATEST D~I'Af;LE. !li'TE.S FOfO- PLANTING SOME COMMON Cf'.OPS.

(SEEV IN MOST CASES) TI't'NSPLANT IN OTHEfO-S.) MAY 15

JULY JUL Y JULY JULY

TOKA-iOE.'S

I

PEPPE!".S

1

COf2.N ) ZUCCHINI

5

POTATOES

10 IS

COLLAf2.VS G~ eEANS) e€ET'S

AUGuST 1.....CAf2.I2OTS

I

ONIONS I GAf2.LIC

CAULIFLOW~

AUGUST 10

!"ALE AUGUST I S . e>fE AU6UST 10 W fLUTAe>AGAS AUGUST '1.0 lETTUce

i. ... TUfI-N I PS SEPTEMl!:>EF'- 10 ... .sPINACH ) MUSTAj2.0 CELE.f2.Y

SEf'TEM2>E./<.

OCTO~

VATE'S (>.fI.E.

~S

1..... AAoISHES

ef>6E.D ON CLiM,ATE IN THE

PACIFIC NO~THWEST. ALL EXCEPT THOSE. LiSTE:O IN MAY AND JULY WILL WITHSTAND IO-~ TEMP£f2.,o..TUf2€.S)

ZE.I
PI?OTECTe:o e>Y "?NOW 012- 5rflAW.

Hm 1'5 " €>"MPLC PLANTING LAYOUT. IT H.'6 T0"6TE APFeN- AND VA/LE I Lf>6TING

FOf'. MONTH",.

ro"

rows e" rows eo

~ LEAF LeTTUCE: f>.PNLT• TU~ IP II M!'f'.i. II 10 _.._._.. _._._ ~I'eO ear rows 2>" M!'f'.T. II _._-._--._._.10 --_ . - - SWISS CHAf'.O. 14" - - - - - - - ..-- ~ /4-" VI/lMEl"E.eS. 14"1 ---'l' _ . _ _ _ _ <--- CAUL.IFLOWEf'.- /4-" VIAMen;.e.s. 14-"~"'-" <-- e>fZOCC01.-1 14-" VIAMETE:f'.6. -4

lO'l --"

"_._ .

._.. _

._._.-._ ....

_

t=>-

-~--------

le'l

--t

._._._._

>

flOWS OF PEAS Ie> II A"Ml-T.

..- ea-L.. Jel' _.}

"""

.. _-----

~

'8 Pl.t"N1S K-F'086.

I20WS Ie." APAJ2.T

7FOTATO

POLE. eQN !'OWS 30" AfN'-T.

7

?XiI -) ?Oil ---,

.----CUCUMe>EF- rows '!Io" APMl-T (oNE P-OW) '------ TOiYIATO

PONS

~,,~

(ONE flOW) PL.AN VIEW OF STANOI>-I2-0 Size

50'" '!:>O'

G!'Ow·e>:>x

SHOWING PLANTING OI6f!'NCE LAYOUT OF V!'f'.IOUS VEGETAP7L.ES.

AFT~ A

IS ~Al2-VES1EDIIHI'1EVI,ATE.!-YAPPL..Y iHE MITTUEiDEj2. ~-f'1J*lT FEf2.Tll.-lzel2- 1'11l< f>6AIN (CIl!'fi6l'- 4-). MIl< AND f2.EWL./INT THE s,o,HE. V.Af2.IETY 0,," A PI FFEF'-ENT C!'OP.

CI'OP

SHAVE F!UINS =OME Cf'OPS. PLJo.NT TI'LL GflOWEl26 ON THE NOJZrH SIIlE. OF TH~ LDW-G/'OWING Cf1Gf'S. TO ST~TCH THE TAe
CN'flOT'0) TUf2.NIPS) LE,AF LETTUCE:. J

e:EE:fG) ETC . PfZOPE::1'- SPI'ONG GIVES PLANTS L.IVING Sf'pcE TO e#Ow . THE 6fZOW -eo~E0 (>.LLOW MOI'E- Fti'NTS TO G!?OW) ANO 6(!OW E\E;rr61"- IN A 6M!'LL-EI'- SF!'C€.. THIs 15 fbeGIBU::: ~E You N'E !!>I'-INGING Mo(l£

a=

THE NUTf1IE'NT<9 To THe F'I../>oN'T. f2C0T'5 W NOT NESO p.."J MUCH I1roM To f!O,AM. ~W IS (>. ~ FOf'. UNlFOI2M FL#JT Sf1>C.ING. IT IS A I"x 2" ~ 5' eo,AJ
AT 1" 01'- 14" SPACINGS.

THE MN'I'El'- /5 IMFOf'.TANT j I, />6SUI2CS e,AOl PLAN, ITS PI"OF~ SPACING. THE. TOOL IS USED 'TO

I'1A12f'. eoTH 11lE LEN01H AND WIUTH OF THE GI'OW·OOX. 55

HEi. LiST OF PLANTS I>.NO SPI'CING !'ECOMMENOATION5.

CM'I'OT5

eawa=N

PISTANCS ee.TWEEN

DISTANCE:

INPIYIDUI>.l.. 6!:EOS AND PLANTs.

f2.ows OF PLANTS.

,TUfl.NIf5~_ ~SEEO U6HTl.'(~

~

IN I'OWS Y5I'-y CiD-lE lOOeTlIEI'-

6I'eeJ ONIONS

~ ~~~ 7"

4-"

MOI~e;s

I"

5"

f'!'ASi~S

I" 2." '2.. 11

Ie"

2,."

15"

e€ETS ONIONS ~SH

eE.ANS

5" (oll

'.3c\ltJI'8Il , E£6PLANT __ ~ PLANTS!'CfZCti:6

'lb"

""ROW-eo>'.

THE 7' WIDE PEANUTS - - - - - - - - 4" - - - - - - - - - - J e, 1\

RJt.e =ANS ~ - - - - - - - 5" - - - - - - - - - - - Z4" sPIN~

eeu...

1"

10"

1" 1Q1J':1lJES__ 1"

Ie>" +e>"

~I CO~

CUCUM~)

MN'-E. YOU I'- ~N ATT~IVE. IT IS Pf'.PCTIC/'-L) MAGNETIC, AAV A ~Uj>.CE OF PLE....SUfl.E AAV f'1tlVE. \ Gf'OW ONe CI'OP IN YOUiZ- e>j>.Ow-eo", IF yOU CilCO% , Of". IJ,f.OW A VAF-lETY.

5eD

YOU CAN f£JW SEEDS PIi>ECTl.Y

I

Of'. YOU CAN

TAANSPLANT PLAN'-S INTO YQUf'. GI2OW-eoxES. IF

You

€ON €EGOS VIJ2€CTl.Y INTO YOUf'.

(?;p.j)W- f!:O'/. I1a--1EH!!:€I'- THSGG WI t-JTS : I. use. c.af2.TIFIEO %Eo) WHeNEVE:F- F!>9SIe>l.6. (CSMIFIEO 0EEr;I '''' f'F'Ot:>UC€O UNPef2.

i"-"Of25

"'GID IN~TION .) ~.

ee

SUI2e THE <;:OIL. MIXTUI2e !'NO THE <;:o'L SU/2F,bCe IN THE 0fZ.OW-f!:OX !'f'€. weT) NOT JUST VAMP. 3. t:l:lNT PL.ANT TOO EP;2L.Y WHIl-E -me. SOl/... IS COW! 4. t:l:l NOT COV&.fZ. 65EDS VEEP. USE THE Fi:lU.OWING AS A GUIDE..

COVE/<- SEEDS 2~ TIMES THEIl'THICi
SEEDS THE SIZE OF PEAS)

I?E,ANS I PEANUTS - THF1EE TO cauf'. TIMES TH~12. THICl4JESS.

51

PO NOT COVE12- SMAL.L- SEEDS L1J'E. PI
seeDs

E;>E6lfJ SPf2.QUTING.

12-E1Y10VE: THE E>Uf2..LN' COVEI'-ING AS '5CON AS YOU SEE. iflE' FlFtsT WHITE SEEV-SPF'OUT. FAiL.Uf!£ To DO ifllS WIL.L. 12-ESUL.T IN WEAiL) T\lIN SE£VUNGS. <::ieEOL.lNGS f2a9UIf2.E LOTS OF LIGHT 6lUlCI£.L.Y.

.,..:. .. r..···

TAAN'SPLANTI Ne YOUNe 'SE£OL.I Nee,

You CAN I'€AL-Il.e EAl'-LIEI2- PI2OOUC<: AND f!A'l.VE'ST f?IGGEI2- CflOPS e>Y TfW.!SPL.ANTING HfALTHY 5E.eDL.lNGS PUF::CH,Ae,ED FI":OH THE NUfZ6EI2-Y OF'G.AfZOEN ~OP)

012- GtzoWING THEH YOUI2-9£;L.F

IN SEEV-QXE'S. (~ CflAPTEI2- I~).

ONE OF THE "MOST FUN" fN':!'S OF ~N1N6 IS TIWJSf't.!"ITIN6 5TFONG I HEAL.THY SEEDLIN6S !

~:

YOUNG SEEDUNGS NEED Pf2OTECTION

FfI.OH PE5TS. ESPECIAL.L.Y CUTWOI1MS, Sl'(A.IL.6) SWGS foND eoll.. MAGGOTS. FtlIOONED I!¥'IT OF'PELl-ETS CAN PUf2CH,ASED FfI.OH YOUitGo'-fZOeN SUPPLY
ee.

59

( FOI.LDW THESE: I'UL.EoS FO'" Gfl.EATEST success ) I. CHECi'- THE. P/?-E-PI..I'NT Fe"'TIl-Iz.EF'- MIX, IF THESE. NUiI2·IENTS HI'VE:.N'T e>eeN SPF'-E:AV ON THE "SCIl-" /VI/XTU~ IN THE 6f1OW-WX, ro IT NOW.

(5€E CIi.APTEfZ. 4) 2./?-EPLENISH THE MOISTUI2G SUPPL.Y IN THE Gf1OW-WX e>Y WATEf'1ING FNI"-L.Y HEAVIL.Y TfIE AFTEI"-NCON !?EFV~ YOU PL.ANT, 3. THE NEXT MOf2NING) THOf20UGHL.Y STIf2..) MI)(J ANO l..iXl'2>EN THE "SOIl-" HIXTUI2E, nlls CAN e>E WNE UICl'-LY ANO E,b611-Y WITH A 4-TINEV CUI"-VEO FOf2.IL, ~N f'N'E) 0f2.. rzoroTII-L.Ef2... 4, WITHOUT ANY 'VE.l.AY J /Z.AI"€ ~o L.EVEL. THE "SOIl-" Mlnu~ EVEN AND 'SMCOTH. 5. It-1MWIATEL.Y GIVE \HE "SOIL.1I A L.IGHT 5P1"-1 NI<'L-I NG TO f'€E.F' THE' 'W1"-Fi'CE FF'-Ot-1 Ol"-Y/NG TOO MUCH. ee SU/ZE. THE 6(2ON-W)( IS L.Eva- FUL.L. WITH THe: 115011." MIXTUflE.

f2.ULC~

(Po

FOf2-

0rz.eATE~T

?UCCE% CONTINUE.D_

TH E 0f20W -~)(. u f2.Fi"CE AfZ.€.A Ic? NO W rz.eAc7Y TO e:€. MN2~D WITH THE: MA~ TO f'!2OVIOE. EJ>Q.l pL.,t>.~-r WITH THE. SP.ACIN6

!>-No GJZOWING N2eA IT MUST HAVE.

Healthy young seedlings off to a good start In a Mittleider grow·box filled with nutrient· rich, custom-made soil.

(01

GENTLY

~~VE

{>, PLANT

FPOM THE SEED eo'" (FLAT) e>Y ~ING THE. !'COTS WITH TWO FING>e.f'.'3 WHIl.E LIFTING> THE PLANT E>Y THE SEED LEAF WITH THE OTHEF- HAND. Al.WAYS HANDt-EO PLANTS /l>Y THelf'. l.eAVES.

TAANSPl.ANT IN THI'eE MOTiONS

I.

WITH THE L.£FT HAND

MAI'E. (SHAPE) THE P/lOPE.f'. SIZE. HOl.E.) IN ONE: e.{>,C'I'-WAf'-O PUt-l.ING MOTION. (00 Nor MOVE: HAND

FfI.OM HOLE..)

GJVi:B ~ {>,

P~PE:f'. SIZE HOt-E IS ~e ENOUGH FOFl THE J2aJT5 OF- THE: Pl.ANT

m

CLEAf'. WITHOUT CU~ING Of'. TURNING UP Fi'OM e>f'.U5HING AGNN6T THE SIOE.S OF THE. HOLE.

2. GENTL.Y LOWEPPLANT (HeW IN F-IG>HT ~"NO) INTO THE HOL.E TO TH E:. PflOPE:.fI.. DEPTH. ~ ~ THE Pf/OPEF- DEPTH WIl.-L- N.J,..OW

THE PLANT TO STAND WITHOUT TIPPING OVER) 0/<. e>E. BL.OWN OUT OF THE "SOl t..!' l?Y LIGHT WINDS.

3. fZ,£fv10VE. THE !..CFT Hl'-NO FF-Ofv1 THE HOLE {>.NO IN THE. 5f>.fv1E. MOrtON P~ (ONCE ONLY) THE 'SOIL FlftMLY (eoUT NOT 5E.VEflELY) ,bG{>.INST THE. PL..,I;NT I"O!- Of2. Pi'T THE SOIl.- ArzoUNV / THE. P/...f>.NT. // 110

TO KELP "",pua; THE. SHOCiL OF TAAN5PLANTING

1!1UICI4..Y pou~ N20UNO EACH PLANT ONE PINT Of A TAAN5Pl.ANTING 5OL.-UTION (FUNGICIDE AND Vf2ENCH

INCWDED IF NecE.~Y).

TAANSPLANTING 5OWTION

A FIVE-G.'-l.LON E!>l'-TCH WILL Tf!.CAT

40

PLANTS

5 GoALLON'" OF WATEfL 2.~OUNce5 AMMONIUM

NITAATE

I".. OUNCE'S VIAfVlMONIUM

PHOSPHATE 2.0 0AAM'3 f!:)fASSIUM SULFATE O~ CHLOf2-/0E. '20 0AAtv1S fv\AGNESIUM SULFI'rrE (EI"SOM SALT) ~ ~ IF FUNGUS VISEASES Af!G f'IaE'SENT (ESPeCIALLY IN T~PICAL Af2eA5) AOO :!oS GfIAM'S OF- A FUNGICIVE roWOEf2-.

ecoo

LOCAL AGf2-/CULTUAAL OFFICEl'-S CAN I-IE.LP YOU IDENTIFY VISE,AISE ~E>LE.M5.

.. .Q? .

00 o·

0

0

~

.J"

•/'<:-

. .

'

.0.

TO CONTF'OL "WHIPTAIL- VISEASC"Jl-CAUSED E!>Y MOLYI?OE:NUM VEFICIE.NCY AVO 20 Gl2AINS (Naf GAAt-1S) S?VIUM MOLY~Ol'TE OPMOLYe>'DIC !'CIV. TO CCNTiZOL '.:OIL MASGOTS 1'00 20 GAAMS VIA'ZINON POWVE:f2. (Of!. '.:OME. SIt-1ILAf2. P/ZOVUCT). ALL THE.SE. t-11'TE.F'IAL'::> CAN e>E I'VDE.V AND

APPliED IN ONE. OPE.MIION. USE. CHeMICALS ONLY WHEN !Z€6lUliZEV.

I?E. Vf:P!.Y CAfZE;FUL ANV ACClJAATE. WHEN U51N6 THEM. I'EEP OUT OF I2€,ACH OF CfllL-V/Z.E.N.

'" 5E£ COLOf'. PLATE' 'S -

NUT~e;NT

cDS

tlE"FICICNCIES .

THE flf2.ST WI',Ef2.ING I'FTE.f2. Tf2.I'N'SPt..>-NilNG 15 THE MOST IMPOf2.TAN, ONE. IT SHOUI-D e>E GENTI-E. I!>UT THOf2.0UGH ENOUGH TO SETTI-E. THE <:;OIL.- FII'-MI-Y AL.L. Af2.0UNP THe;. i
THE PLAN, LEAVES MAY F'E6lUlf2.E. '2. TO '" LIGHT SPf!.II-li"-L.ING5 E,ACH 'DAY 'DUf2.ING THE. FI!'6T '2. 0f2. 3> 'DAYS AFTEI2- T1!PNSPLAt-J,ING TO iLEEP ,HE LEAVES ff2.0/Vl SUNE?Uf2.NING.

PI-AN TS USUAI-LY f2.ECOVE/2ff20/Vl TAANSPLANT WIL.TING IN '2. 0f2. :; PAYS. THEf2.EAfTEf2. i NOf2.MAL. WATEf2.I NG 1'2> VON E . (SEE. CHAPTEf'. 1 FOf'. NOf2.MAL. Wi'TEf2.ING.)

/PI<>

D PLANTS NEW WATEf!- AL.LTHE TIME. THE AMOUNT VAf/.IES WITH T&1f'EAATUIZE, HUM IOITY) WIND) THE IYPE CF SUe>sGIL.. UNDE.1C THE GJ'OY'{-E!OXES, ANO WITH THE SIZE ANO !'-INO OF PlANTS. CONOITIONS T~AT MA!'-E yOU THIIlSTY AFF€CT PL.ANTS TIlE SAME

WAY.

GiVe; THEM WATEi<- WHEN THEY NEEO IT \ THE!2€- 15 NO Af!.e>ITAA1W "eoesT TIME.."

PLANT I2COTS VIE. (5MOTHE/<.) IN 901L-5

THAT 'DON'T OI',t>.lN P~PE:/
!

0

EVE.l2.Y TIME. You WATEf2-) PUT ON ENOUGH-

iT's

THE- I2COTS THAT NE-E-D IT! AWUT

W MINUTES AFTEl" WATEf'-ING) '3OME- Wi'TEYSHOULD BE. OOZING QU, THE E01\OM SIDE-OS OF THE GfZOW-W)I.. ONE 0(2. TWO SUCH WATEf1.INGS PEf2. WE€.~ N'E USUAu-y ADE6/U,o.TE.

PLANTS Q>.N BE WATEf1.EV WITH A SPI2.I N1'-L1NG - aN) 012.,0. fIOSE- WITH SPAAY ATTPCH Iv1 ENT • you CAN USE A HOSE WITH THE END CLOTH-COVE,
~ '" THIS GIVES GOOD PENET""'TION "NO f2.eDUC£S Wf'-TEf'-ING TIME..

012. EfZODING THE SOIL..

FI'OM THE ENO OF THE DEEPEST OF'LONGE'S! F'CO! IN THE SOIl.- TO THE 8NP OF THE HI0HEST LEAF-TIP," PLANT IS" CONTINUOUS W"TEF- PIPE.

,

NEAALY 95 PEPaNT Of A PLANTS WEteliT IS WATEfI-. EVEI'-Y DAY PLANTS LOSE.: Gll-u..oNS OF WATf-R (DEPENDING ON PLANT SIZE) TO THE ATMOSPHE..'
NOW THAT THE G>I'OW-ec>l'- is PLANTED; yOU S~OuL.O

e€G>IN A I'EG>UL./'1'- WEEJL<..Y FEEDING> PI'OSAAM

TO SUPPLY PLANTS WITH THE: NUTfl.IENTS NE'CE!J-N'Y TO VE.Vaop THE. W5CIOUS VEGETAE:>LE. CfZOPS YOU WANT. (YOUr<. Gf'OW- W)'. ALflCAoy HPG THE.

PF1e-PLANT FE/2:fIL.lZE.F- NUTFtIENT MI)( iNCLUDED IN ITS ItCUSTO/VI-MAVE "=OIL-It

- CHWTEf2. 4.) THE MITTLE.lDE.F- METHOD USE5 Df'.Y, G\ZIINULf>.FtNUTi
THESE AFtE: PLACEV)

E:>Y

HANV) N~ THE. PLANT.

THEY NZe lllUICI'-LY DISSOLVED IN CONTPGT WI,H WATEf'. IN YOUIZ- I'E6ULAfZ.. WATEf'.ING

PfZOGAAM. H.ANO- FEEDING 'KE. PLANTs WITH G!'ANULAf2. FErz-TI LI"l.Ef'."" 1-:; VEf'.Y EA""Y AND ,l>.CC.UF4'TE IF 'KE NUTf'.IENTS Af2.E WElSHED AND N"PL-IED C/'./ZEFULL-Y. HEI'f. IS THE MITTLE.lDEf2- NUTf'.IENT RJf'.MULf>. FOf2. YOUf'!- PLAN,S WIZI<'L-"( FEEVI"'S -THE'. f'.ESUL-T OF 30 YEAf2-S E'.)LlSHEI'-

FOr<. UPDATED US, OF NU'f'.IE.N' SUPPLIER'S.)

Ml1ll.E.IDISf'- NUTF'-IEN T FOfZ-IV1UL.A I. 2.

9 POUNDS c,<>.u:;IUM NliAATE4- POUNOS AMMONIUM NITAATE

~.

IYol. fOUND'S DIAMMONIUM PH0'3f'HATE4 Yol. POUNDS POiASSIUIV1 CHL.Of'-IOE

4.

OIZ SUL.FATE. 5. <0 POUNDS MP6NE.SIUIV1 SUL.FATE (EPEOM SALT) CD. 1'2. GAAMS WI"ON (~IUIV1 eoAATE Of'. OOf2.IC ACIO.) oj< 1. B OUNCE.'S I!"ON SULFi'TE

*8.

4- GAAIV\S COPPEI'" SULFi'TE *9. B GAAIV15 Z-INC SULFATE 1'2. Gf4*o15 Mi'NGANESE SULFATE II. ? G/ZAMS 1V10LYe>OSNUM (SODIUM MOLYI?VATE 01'" MOL.YWIC "CIO.

;1\ 10.

*

'!fUSE ONLY IF NEEDEO. USUAL.LY NOT NEE.OE.O ~ ~ Of'.

4 YE,AJZ.S

OF HEAVY Q20p ~OVAl.. (E.>
FE-E.D I POUND 4- OUNCE'S OF THIS Df'-Y NUTIiIl::'NT MIXTUFCE. ONCE. EVEI'"Y WEE/L TO EACH STANDAI'"O-'SIZ-E GJ2.0W-eox (S'i
Tf-IE. FOI2-MULJ>. GIVEN

H~

IS ENOUGH TO

FE.EO ~ 0T,A/'JOJ>.l2.O-'7I"lE GfZOW-f;O)( (?IX~') FOfZ- '2'2. WEE:/(.S. IN

A

~-TO S-~N

CONTAIN~ WITH TI6HT L.IV (P~E~Y

PLASTIC) ACCUAATEL.Y WE.I0!-I THE: FEJqIL.\'Z.~'=' ,AND MIX At-L T06E:T\l6f2... THOrzoUGtlLY. WHEN

ST~6) ~

1-10 TI0HTl-'( Gl..05EO!

FORJv!U l-AS FOR GPOW - BOXES IN 4--FOClT 5ECTIONS Afl..£ GIVEN ON PAGES 11B I nCf. FOR SOURCE.S OF f4:ADY-MIXED FE.F.TIUZE~S WRITE TO -..J. R. MITTLEIDE.R IN CARE OF THE. PUBL.lSHE.F<..

Melons flourish, fed by dry, granular nutrients spread in a narrow band down the length of grow-box. Regular watering dissolves nutrients, carrie. them to plant roots. This grow-box Is watered by means of • plastic pipe, drilled with ,mall holes.

"'7'1.

HE.~'5

HOW YOU APPLY THE. Oi<-Y FEIZTILIZEfl.-

Hill TO THE. 0f20W- E::Ql<.ES : WITH ,HE HAND) JUST e:€.FOf2t WATE.f2..ING) SPf'E;f>.O ... NAAF"OW !?I'ND OF THE FEFtfILIl.8f2MIXTU 142- eoE.TWEEN THE. PLANT !'OWS I'LE. ) i"CEP THE. MI)(TU~ 4- INCHE0 AWAY Ff20M STEM';:' OF PLANT0 AN 0 OFF ALL. LEAVE'?

"I/)

r;p

!,J ' " ..,

"" '

ti!.~~~~¥

"JJ ~

"'I tP

~

~.U~L.~. ~~~

\. "". ~,":'1"""i"'!':""i'7''''!O''':
'v(J//~ f ~~ ~ ¥

_.,,,,,,,,,"!";:'!!!:·:"~"_;·,':-3:.';?·':::··~'··"P"1"'5:1t;::'·~}t~'~"':}?:~'.

WATEF!-ING VI9S0LVES THE FE.F!-TIUZ-EF!-0, THUS THEY MOVE. WITH THE SOIL Wf'TEJe TO THE PLANT f2C0TS. FEED PLf'NTS ONLY ONCE A WEEj
Grow-box gardening makes efficient use of overhead space. These Ilmple trames support tail-growing plants like pole beans, melons, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes.

74

pOLLINATION 15 USUALLY AUTOMATIC, BUT TAAINING) P~UN ING) WEEDING ANO PFOTEC,ING PLAN,S F~M VI5€,A.SE: AND PESTS 15 NECESSN''1'. TO MAi'-E. e:EST USE OF ALL f"JAJL.Af:>l-.E Sp,oa:.) INCWDING THE: Sf'i'CE OVEf2.l1EAV, P~VIVE. sUPpOJq FOfZ.. TAu..~ PLANTS. THIS ALLOWS M~ uGtlT ANV AI12-, TOO.

H~'S HOW TO SUPPOf1"

TALL PLAN,S LII'-E. POLE: eeANS, pOLE. PEAS I TOMATOES) CUCUMf;>C12-S, MELONS J AND ZUCCHINI 96{UASH. NAIL TO THe OUTSIOE. 51PlO5 OF THE. G~W-OO)( FAAME..) 1-fQO, -LONG l"x1."s. p.c~ ,HE. lOP Of' THE: 1 - FCOT STAt'E.S AND ACF0e!5 ,HE TOP E06E.. OF THE GIWW-e,oX SlOES) NAIL 5-FOOT-LON6 I"X'll/ s .

15

TIE HEAVY DUTY 5Tf2.ING5 NlQUND nlE TOP 5-FOOT l'x1-" TO CO~5PONO WI,H THe PLANTS IN THE 6flOW- eox NJ.'D I-ONG ENOUGH 10 Tie ~UNO THE 5-FCOT I"x'!." AI THE 001L- t..e:Va.

0/.. " .

WHEN PLANT'; GET 00 Tf'LL THE.Y E'::6SIN TO FAL-L OVEF-, ~UL.LY 6U10E TH EM {>.F!OU NO THE. 'STI'! NG'S IN A CLOCI'-W/5E. VlflECTION. nll~ M{>.Y HAVE TO e:E. WNE 2. 0f2- ? TIMeG A WEEJ<:.. 7(0

T~NIN0

PLl>NTS UP lIND i'I2OUNV STf'.ING'3 DEMAND'3 CAP-€:-. MOIO ~ING, TWISTINS)

Of'.. e>(l.UISING THE

STEMS OF /
GeNTLY GUIDE THE

fl.UNNEf'..'& Af2OUNO THE \, STf'..INGS IN A CUJCI'-WISE (f'.IGHT) 'OI=TION. TOKA-T0E'3 ) CUCUtvl,eEJ2S, MELONS) FbL.E eE;"NS ANV POL.E ~ 1X'NT flf'6;>UII2B lYlNS TO TflE ST!'·INGS f¥=, THEY CLI~I!>. ft)L.E BEANS WILL CL.1~e> THE STF'lNSS) IF THEY N4=. Pl,"CED

FPDPE&-Y) WITHOUT ANY A9SISTNJa. MOf'..E ZUCCHINI SQU;'SH

WILL f:>E. Pf'..ODUCED

IN A VEf2.Y SMAL. L AfZ.E.f>. IF THE Gf'..QWINS END IS TIED TO A STfZlNG i'6 IT LENGTHENS. TI1I'&

PLANT CANNOT ~ 0U1OEO A/ZOu NO THE: SW·I NG.

II

GTE:M5 N'-E e. INCHE:", HI6HE:f2. THAN THE 5TI'IN65 CUT -rwo INCHES OFF THE: eND OF THE: STEM. THIS STOPS THE:. STeM FI'OM GI'OWIN6 LONGEI"-. P/WNING HE.LPS po. PLANi TO ee MO!'-E PrL I'-IN~ OF PLANTS. ( ft?LE eEANs AND RJL-E PEAS) PLANT 3 SEeDS fE/<. PLANi LOCAi/ON) IN LINE WITH iHE 0T/Z.INGS. iHflEZ VINe; CAN CL//VI1!7 A 51 NGLE STf2.1 NG. WA,CH FOf2. NEW f2.UNNEf2.S iHi'T GflOW OUT FI2O~ iHe; II MIU", II / OF THE MMJ STE.t-01. k:/ (THE AXIL. 15 iHE UPPEf2. f'lN6LE. eeTWEEN WH~N TH~

L.EAF AND 5I'Et-01 •)

78

CUCUMe>E12-6 t\NO ME.LOfJ6 AfZB Pf'1.uNED AL-I!LC,

mez. se:e:z:;>;.

PLANT '2. 5EW6 PE.I2- f'l./IoCC:.. HAVE SPf2QUTEO J PUL-L. OUT THE.

W~f2-.

PLANT) L.EAVING ONe PL.ANT PEt<- L.O<:ATION. AL.L.OW ONL.Y ONE MAIN /2.UNNCf2-. (STEM) TO CLIM~ THE STf2ING. WATCH THE MAiNSTEM LEAF NOVE-'S (THAT PAf!.T OF THE STEM NOJ'.MAU.Y CAAAYING A L.EAF.). EVEI'-Y NOPE. HAS A e>uD. THESE e>uJ?o? BeCOME NEW flUNNEi
ill THe LEAF) STEM,!'ND NODE~ ffi A SMALL CUCUM E>EI2ANv -::'OME MALE FLCWE,e'3 17EVeLOPING ~ THE

'--

TIP OF THE ~NN~)

7"1 • . ,' ','"

I

.":'C'."· .'

APEX (6f2QWING .-"

FOLLOW IN5TF
CAf2.e.FU LL. Y

/ T',

•

J1J

, , I"

I. CUT OFF THE YOUNG

L.EAF. (SHOWN WITH VA6HED WNE0 ON SI'CTCH). 1.. L.EAVE. THE 1Jf.VEWPING (ljCUMeEf'. AND MAL.E FLOWEf<'3 IF

MALE. FLOWE.F<'3 N2€ f'IZC~NT.

? CUT OFF THE. APE)!. (THE Gf?OWING TIP OF"''''''··.,''''''''

THE f?UNNE$-). ~ ~

AfTEJ<. PiWNING} E.ACH NEW J
WIWL. HAVE A SMAL.L. alCUMe€f1. WITH ITS

FLOWEfZ. f;UO AND f'QS
ee.

SIDE

f
80

THE. NE.W

~NNEf2-'S)

IF NOT PP-UNE.D) WIL.L

0f2.0W L.I!
WIL.l- PtECOME UNMAN/>6EJ\1';>LE) THE; MASS OF FOL.IAGE: WILL. CUT OFF UGHT NECESSA/<.Y TO VE:VEL.OP Ff'.UIT AND THE

CI"OP FAI L'S • Pf<.UNIN6 Pf'.E.VENl'S TIllS.

MALE FLOWEI<-_ _

MAiN VINE Of>STeM

~NNE.f'..""""'"

A NOVE IS TH"T_--"\ PAf'.T OF" STEM TH"T CAP-f2.IE'S A L.E'AF AND e>UV

Af.lV

HaJ~ ONTO

THE MAIN VINE

0(2. STEM •

81

MEL.ONS OTi-lE.1'- TAAN WATE'I"-MEL.ONS N'£ PF'UNED THE:. S/'.ME /'.S CUCUMe€f"S. WATEl'-ME.LONS

f'.E:QUIf'-E SPECIAL. PI'VNING

Pf.W TO THEMSEL.VES ANO EXf'EI1.IENCE. IS THE eEGT TE,ACltE./'-.

(?UCCHINI WUPGH) P#3. PLANTE.D WITH TWO SEEDS AT Et'CK PL.p..NT I..OQ.TION. e:€G1 N TYING THE GI20WING POINT TO THE S-rf2-ING WHEN PL~NT IS 14 fo 18 INCflE.<7 LONG.

:::--r--..,

TEI'M/NAG BUD'? 012- CJZOWNS.

THE ONL.Y f'!'
16 ftlE'(

NO/Z-MIIU..Y VIE. THE FWWEfZ.'S

~WN IN !HI"" ""/'-€.TcH Af'f3. IN THE. CLOSED !'t>'?ITION. 'SEE Cf>AFfE.Ie. II R:JI'- OPEN l'DSITION

AND ftJL.L-INATION.

8'2.

(TOt-1P-TOf:
THE'SE NEW 'SIDE 'SHOOTS MUST ~ CUT OFF 012- E:>i2OiLEN OFF AS SOON P-S POSSI £::>LE • THE. TOMI'TOE'S THEMSELVE0 I'f/.f:.. PI'OVUCE:D ON SE:PM·ATE ST{;IvIS OF FLOWE«.S WHICH Gf'OW Ff1Ot-1 THE MI'l NSTEIvI ~TWEEN TtiE NaVES. ro NOT CUT TI-IE'SE OFF. TtlE'SE FLOWEi'< STEIvI5 PI"OVuCE THE. TOMATOES.

83

SAVE. ,AJ..l. THE. TOM"'TO Fl.OWE/<.S TAAT GI'OW. 12&10VE. ONl.Y THE. NEW 'STeM SHOOTS TAAT Gf'.OW OUT AT THE NODE'S AND THe ow YELL..OWING l.EAVeS THAT N'-E. D/<.YING.

-

,AJ..l. THESE FL.OWE.J2.S e€M'· Ff'.UIT _ S;WE.

THE TE.f'.M INAL BUD_ SAVE.

"7"1---SUCI'£f'. TO E:E. !'-€MOVED! CUT Of'- E>J2.CAt'- OFF.

(tEA'S'I"USH) !'-EGul..N'- e.USH PEA,? PF'ODUCE HEAVI~

CflOP5 WHeN THEY

Afl-E.

GI'OW~

IN GI'OW-eo)(E.S. PL.ANi PEAS IN MULTIPL.E. I'OW5. EXAMPL.E ~ J 4 J iP ALL.OW TKE. PLANTS TO GflOW UP~16HT UNTIL. TKE-Y e>f.6IN To FAL.L oVErt.

THE.N 6E.N'LY ,MIN THE. PLANTS (f>Y PUSHING OVEFl) SO THE TWO I'OWS L.E.AN TOWAf2.D S E,AOl DiHE./<..

VEJl.Y 5XlN iKE. PLANTS fiASTEN TENDFlILS APOUND EACH OTHEf2. AND WILL 6f1.OW UPWAf2.D TOGETHEF-} SUPPOFtTING EACH OTKEf2.. THUS TKE MAIN Cf1.OP IS MATUFlEO UP OFF TIlE 6(20UNV. DOING THIS ELiMINAiE-S STAlLING AND TYING ANV ACCOMPLlSHE.S THE. s,<>.ME PUFlPOSE-. 85

W££DING IS IMPOF!-TANT I E>UT WE.EDS AP<. V~Y f;A<':>Y TO OE;STF!-OY AND PUl.l. OUT OF THE SOFT J "CUSTOM-Mi'OE; SOIL." IN THE MlTIL.EIOEI'- GF
THIS STN'TS WITH Tf'.E,A.TED AND CEl"-TIFIEO SEED; E>uY Pt..ANTS ONL.Y Ff20M ~PUTABL£ NU,aSE.~1E.5 01'- GA~DEN SHOPS) OF!- GI"OW YOu~ OWN HEAL.THY PLANTS. i'ff.p OUT OF YOUI2- G!'f!.DE.N AL-L. DISEASED PLANTS Of<.. OfHEF'. F'O?SIe>L.€. CONTAl'1INATEP MATE.I'tJAL.S. BUI2-N AL.L. PL.ANT P,Af1.TS THAT II E.VEN" ~IGHTE!:€ VISEA<::>E.V. THE MITIL.EIVE.f2.. 501L. VI'-ENCH (CH,APTEfa eo) PF!-E.VeNTS 5OME:. PI"OE:>LE.M<::> f2.16H-r FIlOM THE STAf'tT. CONTINUING PIlOTECTION, E;SPECIAL.L.Y FOfa INSe.c-r CONTf20L.) IS e>EST 'CUSTOMI'ZE.V" TO MEET YOUfl NE.EDS. CONSUL.T YOUf2. f..OCI>.L }>6f!.ICUL.TUI'-E AGENCY FOF'. ADVICE ON sPECIFIC P~e>L.EMS.

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50 FAA IN THIS STEP-flY-STEP MtTI1..CJOER

e.U IDE.BOOJ<. YOU HAVE. LE:ARNE.V THE.SE. IMP~TANT THING5: flOW TO MAi
HOW TO TAA1N) NURTURE, AND PRUNE:. YOUR

SF'Ec.lAL Cf'OP5. NOW YOU CAN TAi
en

SEE. HOW SIt'\PL.~ AND EASY IT CAN i:£! YOUR Gf'OW-eoi' ITSELF- CAN e€FO~ YOU

PANIC

5~VE AS THE Bf>6E; OF

A SIt'\Pl-E GREENHOUSE..

ONE WAY TO MAKE A SIt'\Pi.-E. SHEL.TER FOf'. YOUi
C::'J.--:-J

H~ IS A H"'T~IAL.'S LIST FOf'. EoUIl-PIN6 A

STRONG FAAME. TO SUPPORT A Pi.-A'STIC COVER. B-PIECES 34-INO! PVC PIPE. e;,o-INOIES LONG FOf'. THE WIDTH. IG>"PIE.CE.S o/4-INCI1 PVC PIPE. 'Ie-INCHES L.ONG R:Jf'. THE L.EGS. B-PIECE'S %-INCH PVC PIPE 1't-INCHE'S LONG FOR THE CUR-VED 12COF-. leo"PIECt'S I-INCH PVC PIPE IS-INCHES LONG FOR- HOl-DING n1E. FI"AME. L.EGS. leo-METAL. HUH CLAMPS.

50-FEET ~Uw. ~l.-ING WIf'.E. • I - PINT PLASTIC CE.HENT. IG>- %-INCH PVC TE.E.5.

JG>- o/4-INCH PVC EoLBQWS (45°). Y~- POUND ?-INCH-LONG GALVANIZEO NAILS.

~: THE LENGTHS OF PL"STIC PIPE SHOWN IN THE. MATERIAL'S LIST ARE. THE. Pf<. (OUTSIDE.) UNTIL. FLUSH WITH TOP . EDGE. OF THE SIDE. eoAAV. STN<-T FLUSH WITH THE. CORNEI~.'S ANV SPI\CE 51~ INCHE.'S N'AAT. THI'S WILL. GIVE THE. CO/1.RE.Cr LOCATION'S ON Ei'CH SIDE. OF THE OOX. 10 P/1.C.VENT VAMAGE. TO THE PtJ>6TIC PIPE. USE. A WOODEN ~LOCK ON TOP OF ,HE PIPE A~fZe> THE. HAMME./<. BLOW5.

,0

"u"

WITH A t"1E.TAL CLAt-1p; NAIL THE I-INCH PIPE TO THE SIDE. BOA~V OF THE.

Gf'OW-BOX.

PLASTIC TEE5, AND 45" ELE::OW FITTINGS MME. IT EASY TO TURN CORNERS AND CuRVE THE. i
Af?CH.

,,

::

N'TE~ PLA~TIC

cunl NG THE.

PIPE INTO PROPE.R LE.NGTHS,GLUE TOGETHER EACH OF THE. EIGHT FRAtv1E.S. ~ g THE. TOP PIPE 15 CURVED TO PROVIDE. THE PITCH OF THE ~F. WHE.N COVE.RED WITH PLASTIC IT SHEDS MIN IQUICi
90

HEf'.E. IS "N El>6Y WM TO eoE SUi<.E "L.L. E.IGHT "'~CHES ME EVE.N AT THE F
--

MARK E,AD\ PI..ASTIC LEG THAT FIT6 INTO THE I-INCH PIPE, G> INCHE5 Ff
HOI-EO AT tvIAf<-K

.N-lD PUSH A 'l.-INOl NAIl.- THf<.OUGH IT. WHEN THE. PIPE. 15 SI-IPPE.P INTO THE: I-I NeH PI FE THE: NAJ l.- f<.E5TS ON THE TOP

OF THE I-INCH PIPE. ANO HOL...V..f<.V WITK ME-TAl.- nU" CL.,bM P<3> TO THE.. LEGS OF TKE. Ff<.AME.5 (IN<3>IDE.). AI-SO ATTAO! A 1")('2." WooO TIE. TO THE. f'.IVGE.. OF IKE CUi<.VEO f<-1e>6 (OUi'?IDE.). USE METAL. "CLAtvlFS

"u

TO !'\TACH.

"'"

THESE. I"~'l." WCOD MEM~f<.5 A'-ONG THE. TWO SIOEb AND AT THE f'.IVGE. WIL.l.-

SUPPORT AND liE. A'-L. THE FAAME.<3> TOGeTHE.f<. •

'11

ATTPCH "X " WI~ "RACING "'T EACH END. "'LSO ATTACH ONE DIP.GONP.L. WIPE. f:>AACE AT Ei'CH 5101:. OF THE. FIF<.5T FF
AT EACH END.

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THIS WIPE. Bf',ACING STIFFENS

THE: 5TIWCTUF-E.

"12.

WITH "LL TH~ FAAM~S IN PLACE. "NO PflOPE$l.Y ~D THE STiE.

COVEiUILOING 'SUPPl.Y COMPANY.

PUT THE END PLJ>6TIC ON FIi<5T i 5TITCr! IT WITH NYLON C.ORD LINE. TO THE:. E:.NV

FAAME.5. C.f>UTION : usE. STITCHIN6 NYLON COfl!.O THAT ~sIST5 ~.

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--c,:t'F',,-

CUT F~"" A II:;'-FOOT-WIDE.) 4-MIL WLL OF

TAANSPAAE.NT PLAsTIC ONE

~I-FCOT

LENGTH. THis WILL CO""PLE.TE.LY COVER THE. sTRUCTURE.

'13

L/>oP THE. TOP PIE.CE. OVE./< THE. E.NDS AND STITCH JUST THE. CURVED FORTI ON OF THIS TOP PIECE TO THE. END FRAMES.

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, THE. SIDE.S MAY BE. FaLLEo UP FroM THE. BOTTOM TO PERMIT WORt<.IN6 THE &ROW-I3OXES j CARING FOR THE CI
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NAIL.. 1'~2")( 10'-0" LONG STRIPS OF WCXJD ON EAOl SIDE OF THE. PLASTIC NEAi<. THE. E.oGE. THAT IS i<.OLL..Eo UP. NAIL THIS SECURE.LY-TO TIGHTLY ~DWICH THE PLASTIC BETWE.EN-O~ THE PLASTIC WILL TEAR LOOSE.. (NAIL.. EVERY 10 INCHES.)

q..,.

YOU CAN VARY THE GJPOW-eo'i. GlJ..K-W"y roWN THE. MIVDL.E. OF THE. IO-E.GUL.Af<, Gi
THE VOO!
TO FIT.

'15

THE.RE. ARE. MANY GOOD

~SON5

R:JR

GREENHOUSE GARDENING: CONT~L OF PE.STS AN'D DISEASE.S. EXTENDED GIuAL.llY. CON~VAT\ON OF WATEF- /'NO NUTRlE.NTS. PREDICTABLE. YIELD AND COSTS. FAR MOf':E. RXlt> ON

A GIVEN LAND Af!..EA.

USE LAND OTHERWISE UNSUITABL.E. FOR GARDEN I NG • IN ANY Cl../MAiE ~OEN

e>E

Cf'!Of'5 CAN

G~WN.

ACTUALLYITHE.SUP~-~E.

FARMING ~NHOU5E IS NOT AS PROPUCTIVE IN F!ELATION TO SIZE AS THE 5TAN'DA!
THE. FIRST POINT TO e>E. 'DECIDED 15 WHERE. TO e>UILD youR G~HOU6E.! PLEASE. FEAD

AGAIN CH,I>.PTE«. 3) "HOW TO I'1Aj{G 6ie:R - YOU Q>.N WI LV 0I/f.F. AL.MOST ANY KIND OF SURFACE IF IT CAN BE LE.VEL.ED TO ACCOMMODATE THE. 6f<.E.ENHOUSE.. THE SfANOAf<.V - SIZE. MITTLEIO~ GF!E:ENHOUSE. 15 8 FEET WIDE) 30 FEET LONG) ANO 10 FEET HIGH. YOu Q>.N 2>ulL.O ANY SIZE.)OF COUf'1.SE, TO fiT YOUf<. PATIO) YAAV) oP- oPEN Nl.EA ! ATYP/q>.L MITTLEJOE,R. ~HOU6E. ~UIf2.€5 NO SPECIAL i.f'8OAATO~Y EtS;lUiPMENT) PUt-1PS ) fANS I PH t-1E~S )TANi£6) Of<. CCOLING PADS.

"17

If SEVEAAl- G~HOUSE6 N>E CONSTRUCTED, SEPARATE. THEM (D fEET J>.T THE. END5 ilNO SIOE:S. THIS IS E.SoSeNTIAl- fOf<. ADE6IUATE: l./GHT AND AlE<...

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fEET e>Y

4'l. fEET WI u.. HOl.O

fOUf<., 'STANO~D-Slzc. G~HOUSES. t-10~ THAN P-OEQUATE. TO SUPPl-'( P
P/(OOUct:. FOf'1. YOUf<. f"MIl-Y. A f"MIl-Y c,AN HAVE. f~SH P/(OvuCE. M-JO eE ECONOMIe,t>.U...Y 'SE,LF-SuFFIClaJT ON THE. INCOME. ~HOU6E.'S. THI

C!'N

F~

10 e>E. ,occoMPl-ISHE.D

ON f'N N4:.A OF ONl-Y 5,CCO e.sIUA"!E. FEET ( '~ AC~) ! IF YOU !'fIE. THINi<-ING I?IG, ONE. AC~ OF i..f'NV ACCOt-1MODATE'3 !Yo 5TAND,¥.O-61ZE:. ~HOU6CS !

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_--..t!E.f<.ES HOW TO MI'I'E THE ST,AND~O

\ - - - _ MITIl.E.lDE«.

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GP-EENHOUSE:. uSE: ST,AJ«:S) COP-D) ~U~),ANO LE-VEl. LiNE UP YOU«. G~NHOU6E 5TAAlGHTeoTH LeNGTH ,AND WIDIH -,AND TO COIJSTretJCT IT PLUMe>. ST",e::,CH ,HE COf"O !'Nt:' TIE IT TO STAI'eS THE: t.eN6TH OF ONe '7loE OF THE Gf'EENHOI..I?E:: P~oT.

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MEASURE AND

cur

TO l.ENGTH J EI6HT ~DWOOD (OR CEDN<)

4",4" Fl?5TS

'I F!?ET LONG. MEASU~ AND MAF11'- Ie. INCHe;:S FflOM ONE:. END OF EACH OF THE:.

POSTS. THIS /S THe;: PORTION OF THE POST TO

~

EMI?>EOVED IN THE: 6FaOUNO.

DIG E.IGHT HOLE'S 15 INCHE.S DE.EP WHE:./<.E.

THE 4"x4" Ft:::l'ST5 WILl.- BE. SET.

100

LDWEF- " 4'~4-" fl:)5T INTO CO~ER HOLE Ca) TO THE IB-INCH MAi<-!<-. USE L.E.va TO Pl.UMB THE POST (Mf'.I'.E IT VE.RTICJI,l.» THEN TAIv1P iT FIRMl.Y INTO PLACE WITH OII'
'1l~ ,.................................... NAiL.. IIJ 'N.lR\

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"LEVEL eeJ 5/S1UARE LEG

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----=----~

(b)

.

~

PULL. THE COFE.TWEE.N ,HE POSTS. HOL.D THE ~uA/<£ Cd) FLAT "NO ? (f) OF THE. ?Y MOVING THE TOP OF THE R::>5T

(n

LEFT OR ~16HT).

101

RAISE. OR LOWE.R THE POST (b) UNTIl..- THE l-EVEl- Si40W5 "l-EVE.lo" AND THE: SSlU~E:. "l-E.G" (0 IS PN
-

NEXT, L.OWE.R POST (~) It-lTO THE. HOLE. AT THE. CORNEl<. ON THE oPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STRuCTURE. THE DISTANCE:. f>STWEEN POSTS (b) AND (9) IS [3 FEET-INSIDE. PL.ACE. A STf4'10HT, '2."x41' 10'-0" l.ONG e.:JARD ON TOP OF POSTS (b) AND ('3). L.AY THE. loEVEL ON TOP Of THE '2."x4': MISE Of<. L.OWE/<. POST (':Jl UNTIL eUBeloE: IN loEVEI../<.EADS "loE.VEL ". NOW, WITH THE loEVElo, MAi
THE FOUl<. COf<.N~S N'.E ESTABL.ISHED J L.E.VE.L.., AND pL.UMe. NOW SET THE SIDE. POS,S (TWO ON EACH SIDE).

----/ /

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ON ONE SIDE. Of THE. ST~UCTUf<.E STf<.ETCH A CO~D eL) TIGHTL.'( FMM THE. TOP Of ONE COF THE: Ftl5TS AND TAM P THEM TIGHT.

F'-E.PEAT fOf'l THE OTHElZ SIDE:. OF THE 5TiWCluf
GF1<:ENHOUSE IS DONE..

103

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N/lIL 2"J'.e" eoAi<.DS Af
APART DOWN THE SIDE5 /lLONG THE LENGTH. INSTALLING Gf
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HE.1<£ IS A PLAN VIEW OF THE: i.J'YOUT OF THE GflOW - BOXE.S. THE SIDE. BOXE.S Nl-E IS INCHE.S WIDE.) THE. AISLE:.S AfiG Ie INCHEs WIDE. AND THE. CE.NT~ GflOW-BOX IS ?>O INCHES WIDE. 104

INST/>.LL 2"X4" FRAMING AS SHoWN AT THE ENOS FO~ A lJa)~ OPENING. THE too~ IS 30 INCHES WIVE. IT IS MAVE UP OF 2"x2" FflAMlNG ANV HINGIED TO SWING FROM THE LEFT OUTWARD.

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THE 1XTTTEV LINES SHOW THE: SUPFtJRT WIRES. THE WIRES RUN THE LENGTH OF THE G~ENHOUSE. OVE~ THE G!
THE

WI~'S

MUST e>E STRONG ENOUGH

TO CM
105

THE. WOOD FAAMIN0 AND B~ING IS COMPLETE.. NE.)(T IS THE: Pi...ACCME.NT OF THE. Pl-,6-STIC PIPE. FOR THE. CUF
-------

------.. (a)

(al

(a)

. (b)

THE PLASTIC PIPE. II LE.GS II

AP-E:.

FASTENED TO

THE: l"x'2" '6 (a) ALONG THE SIDES AND TO

THE: SlOE OF THE Gf!OW-r::ox (b) j USEO METAL "U"aJ>-Mf'S. THE CURVED ~F !"1EMBEf
"u" CLAMPS

AL.SO.

10'"

THI'S CflD'O'S .c.reD IN PL..'>CC JUST ABOVE. THE TOP I"~'l." 'ST~IP (d) ~NNING ALONG eoTH 510E.~ OF THE G~HOUSE.. NEXT) THE. ICo-FOOT-WIDE PLASTIC TOP-PIECE (I:» 15 PUL.LED IN PLACE.. TH E. TOP- PI EeE. OVEf2..l.APS THE cP-FCOT SIDE-PIECE. (c)- ON THE. OUT€>IOE (TO StIEO MIN). THE. TWO PIECE€> OF PLASTIC (WHEN IN POSITION) A~ FI~ST NAILED 'SE.CU~EL,( TO THE:. TOP I"~ '2." Cd) ON earH €>IPE"; OF THE. ST~CTUf2.E. WITf-\ LATH (9) ANV THEN l../'
101

THE LATH STItIPS ,fASTENING PLASTIC Sec.u~Y TO THE I"~'Z." ~ ON EACH SlOE;, 1*10 THE; 'SOIL FIItMLY HOLDING THE; PLASTIC TO THE:. GroUND MCHOIt YOUIt. PLASTIC COVE:.lt.ING 6Ec.Uf<.EL:( AGAiNST AAN #lD ~ItD WINDS. THEItE ME M#lY MODIFICATIONS ,HAT CAN ~ MADE. ON THIS E>ASIC PESIGN. ONEO IS ItEOUCING THE. 'SIZE:. TO '3 FEET WIOE. AND 10,'Z.O,01t ~ FEE, LONG-WITH ONLY TWO IS-INCH Gf1OW-BOXE'3 (ONE ON EACH SIPE) AND A 3D-INCH 61SLE IN THE. MIDDLE.. ANo-rHE~ CHANGE. IS TO TAPEf'. THE TOP ENOS OF THE. 4-"}( 4" f'l:)SIS TO MATCH THE. CUI'1VE Of THE' ~F. THIS HE.Lf'S f'~EVENT THE PLASTIC COVE/
,0

108

NOW YOU AA£:. READY TO PREPAA£:. THE C;i<:OW- BOXCS IN YOUR Gr<:E.eNHOUSE. FOR PLANTING. "CUSTOM- MADE. 'SOIL" TO FILL THE. THi<:EE GiOXE5. CHOOsE. ANY OF THE COKf>INP-TIONS LISTED IN

ee:.

CHAPTEr<: 4.

HEf<.ES HOW TO FILL THE. THr<:EE. er<:DW-l!>O)(ES IN YOUR GftEENHOUSE WITH THE "SOIL M,AT~,Al..s'~ A) EVENLY sPr<:EAD '2. R:lUNDS OF GYPSUtvI OVE/<. THE lN51DE ~ OF EACH IS-INCH f>Y ~-FOOT Gi<:OW-eox; AND 4 POUNDS GYP<;;uM OIEi<: TIlE ceJTE/<. ~-INCH f>Y 'Uo-FOOT 6POw-BOx. 10'1

~~ THIO 6YPSUI'1

APPLICATION (A.) IS TO BE' SP~O ON THIO FACE. OF THE VI~IN SOIL ,,1 THE. eorroM OF 1HE BOXES ~ THE

SOI~:"~~~~~~~;~:::~

"CUSToM-HAre HEDIA IS "WEt> TO FILL THE 6~W·~S.

B) FILL THE BOXE.~ JUST LEVEL..- FU LL.. WITH THE. HA1EP.IA.LS YOU HAVE: CHOSEN. f(EHE:MBE~ 00 NaT OVE~FILL.. so THA.T WATE.~ WOULV ~N OFF. 00 NaT TAMP 0f1. p"q<.. YOuF1- "CUSTOM-MADE SOIL". C) MIJC. THE MATEf
110

OJ WHILe: MIXIN0,ADD JUST e:NOUGH WATEf'.. TO PtLE SU~PHOSPHI'1E.. 2-pOUNDS POTI'SSIUM SUL.FATE o~ CHLOFCH IS-INCH e>Y 8O-FCOT G~W-eoX.USE (P POUNDs OF THE MIXTUrY 2'" - FOOT CENTE./'C eoy" • HEfZ..E'S HOW TO ro IT _ C) SP~ THESE AMOUNTS (E» EVENLY OVEr< THE. IlCUSTOM - MADE SOIL" IN THE. THfZ..EE GI4£N HQu'SE: GpOW - eoY-E.S •

/II

D) NOW I f<.IGHT O~ TOP OF ,HE FEILE.. E.) MIX EVEr<.YTHIN6 TOGETHEr<. E>'( HAND OJ<. WITH A CU/1.VED -TINED FORt'-.

F) l.EVEL. THE M"TE~"L.S IN THE BOXES !'-ND

"00

~t'- ANY "SOIL." THAT SPILL.ED OUT

ee.

MIXING. 6U~ eoXES AAE. l£VEL - FUL.L • G) <3P~IN/4.E. THE -su,aF/>CE LIGHTLY TO mVENT MPIO Vf<.YING. 1/'2. DU~ING

YOUR ",REENHOU5E f>OXES) THfl.EE. PEl"GREENHOUSE) A~ READY FOR Pt.J>.NTING. YOu C/J.N PLN-lT %£0 VIR€CTL.'( IN THE. eoi
THE I'1ITTLE.IVE-R GJ<.OW-l3Ox TECHNI~UE YOU HME. LEAftNED 15 THE; ef'.S1"; FOR success IN GREaR GROW-ool( ~DENING. PLANTS IN THE Gf
N2.E. CN-CUL/>-TE.O FOR THE STANOP&J GROWING f>&:A SIZE. - FO!'- eoTH THE. GiZOW - OO){ NIP THE. GI'EE.N HOUSE.. IF YOU CfJANGE. THE. VIME.NSIOt-JS OF ,HE. oo){ES ) e>E 'S>Uf2E TO />-OJUSi ,HE. NU'~E.t-JT !'MOUNiS N:COi<-OI t-JGL:( •

II?

HE.i"t ~IN I 15 HOW TO Pf1.EPNO-IO YOUf2.. NUTI
Op.

CHLO~D£.

POUNDS !"1AGNE:SILJM SULF,A.TE(EPSOM SALT). 8-0UNCES I/
(p-

4-GAAMS COPfEI'!. SULFAiE. B-Gf'1,AMS ZINC SULFATE . ,/'1 12-~S MAN6ANE.S£ SULFATE.. 12 - GAAMS eoJ'ZON ('SODIUM f>Of'?ATE:) ?> -GAAMS !"10LYe>OENLJM (-:oDIUM \. MOLYWATE. Of/- MOLYWIC ACID) ALWAYS INCLUDE. THESE. IN THE. GflE.E.NHOU~ FO~LJLA • USE OUTOOO«.'S IF NEEDED ('SEE WPEN D1)(

:n:) m: ).

FJ'ZOM THE TIME PLANTS NlG SEEDED Of'.. T~SPL,b.NTED INTO THE ~HOLJ5E. G/EGINNING TO FLOWEIi( (~)(/MATELY 4 TO CD WEEJ<.S)) THEY AF(E FED (P OUNCGS OF 11lE. NUT~ENT MIl<.TUfl-E. FOf'.. E,AQ-I IS-INCH ~ ~-FCOT GFVw-eox • USE 10 OUNCES FOP- THE 3D-INCH ~y 2(P-FOOT CENTEfl. ~-eo><..

1/4

THE FE~TILIZE.R MIl<. IS SPf2.EAO IN" NJ>&>.OW UNO N-ONG THE flOWS OF PLANTS (t..VES OF THE: PLANTS. AfTE~ flOWE.RING e6SINS (USUALLY 4 TO Co W~S) INc~ THE FE.eTIl-lzerz. NUTfi1.leNT AMOUNT TO 1'2. OUNCE.S FO(Z. EPCH I!HNCH e>Y

3O-FCOT !lO>Y 2l;>-FCOT Ce:NTE:i<- !lOl<.

AFTEf<. to.eoUT ? WEEK'S OF THE N?:>OVE FEEDING INC~'SE THE ,AMOUNT'S OF FEi
~ ~ AT THE TIME. THe PLANT'S !'fI.E. OONG FeD THI'S L.A'ST INCf'1.EA'SEO AMOUNT, THEY '5fjouL.P BE.. ~YIi'JG Ftw IT) FLOWEFl6} {>.No AAPIDLY INCFlEf'.SING IN eF:OWTH.

115

IF P-T /'.Ny TIME. THE PLANTS P-PPE:N<- TO l?E. NUT~IE:NT - HUNGf'.Y DO NOT INC/
.

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THE. OVEJE SUPPO~ED et( THE. OV~E:AD WIIZCS) Tfl£ '2.. CI'055-t-1EMBE.i<. MAY F-E
THE 4,4 ro5TS 1'6 6I1OWN. THE. eoTTOM END OF Tfl£ STf'lING FOf'. TF1AINING Tt\L.[..-GF'OWING Of'. CLIt-1BING PLANTS IS TIE.D m

ANOTKE.Ft- NYLON STRING p..T THE. Bl\'SE. OF TKE:. PLANTs. THIS f\NCHO~ "'TFtI NG IS i\TT,l>CKE.O TO E,ACH END OF THE Gf2OW-W>c GENTl.Y GUIDE. THE PL.ANTS

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CLOCi<-WISE:. (TO THE ~GHT) Af?OUND TflE.. Ve;J<.TICAL

STRI NG. PO THI5 TWO Of A WE.E.I<- AS f<.E~UII'EDJ p..S OlSCU55ED

PREVIOUSL.Y IN a-IAPTE.Ft- B. PFtUNE IF NECES5MY AT THE ":3,"IME TIME.

SOME. PLANTS RElSlUIRE HAND POLLINATION IN THE. G/'l.E.E.NHOUSE. DURING THE:. WINTER. SEASON WHEJIl IT IS I OF TFWJSFEOR~N6 POLLE:.N FFOM THE. MALE:. FLOW~ ONTO THE STIGMA (PISTIL) OF THE:. FEMALE. FLOweR. STIGMA (PI5TIL)--:z..--_....-.-

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t'\{l.LE FLOWEF. CLO$E.D ft)51T10N MALE FLOWE~ OPEN POSIT JON GENTLY TE.AI'l OFF AND ~OVE. THE PETALS OF THE MALE FLOWEf1..

~- NOW ALL THATS NECE55Af1.Y 15 TO GENTLY TOUCH THE STIGMA OF THE. FEMALE. FLOWEF. IN THE. oPEN P05IT10N.

Mt--LE -ONE CAN TAAN5FEf1..

fLOW~

POLLEN TO HUi'iD~

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FEMALE. FLOWElt5. II"!

POLLINATE. 6Efl.S I AND MELONS eETWEE.N 11:00 M'I. AND 1.;~ P.M. VAlLy'o POLWJATE ONLY HeALTHY) F~5H) FULLY OPENED FEMALE. FLOWeRS. POL.L.INATE OAIL.Y FOf'. MAXIMUM FFL.E FOfl. JUST A FEW 110UI':-S AS 15 ALSO THE f'.ECEPTIVE STAGE OF fEMALE fLOWE.J<5. EVEN THOUGH MOST VEGET,ABLE CfE.TWE,EN lS"F AND 85" F. THE. Oe-JEeTIVE. IN EITHEf'... HEATING AND VENTILATING Yauf'. Gf1E.ENftJU5E 15 TO MAINTAIN THIS IDEAl.- AANGE..

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EASE OF VENTI LATION IS ONE OF THe flEST FEATuI'!-E'S OF 'SMAl.-L. 6f1.EE,NHOU6E GAI
50°F. THE.

POOfl.S CAN e>E opENED Co INCHE'S OR WIDE. OPEN TO Pf'.OVIOE. THE ,A.IFl NEEOE-D.

1'2.0

AT HIGHEi< TEMPEPATUiY OPENING THE PLASTIC I'-iCH "IS· F TO II'::>"F YOU ctW USE SAf2.AN NETTING) 4
'( (p:CO P.M. TO J<.EEP OUT THE: NIGl-IT -FLYING MIL.l.-EJ:<.S. ON DI''('S WITH TEMPEit<.'S CLOSE.O. I'-T THIS TEMPE!.$E. THE ~ME. AS WITH THE: OUTlXOr
12/

YOU CN4 ENJOY THE PL.EASU~S

OF Go\,R.DEN ING EVEN IN ~. THE Q;>L.DEST WEATHER Y IF YOU P/WVIDE: i AD82uATE 5HaTE~ \ AND WARMTH. _ ........ AT SO"F Ofl. LOWER, PL.ANT5 BECOME. DOf<.MANT. AT 32."F MANY WIL.L. DIE.. Gf<.E,ENHOUSE. ~DENING fl.E.vuCES THE: NUMB~ OF "NO-GFOWTH" VAY6. IN SEVE.PoE. WEATHE.R) OF COUf'/SE.) Gf1.EENHOU% HE;A.T1NG roEs COST MONEY. THIS Q-I!,-PTEJ<. SHOWS yOU %VEfl.N-- WAYS TO MINIMIZe. SUCH COSTS. HE.f
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ARE i>-OElSlU,o.:fE TO I'-EE.P PLANT€> G~WING STEADILY AL.L. WINTER. WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL. HEAT OF ANY j<.IND. Pi>-YTI t-1E. TEMPEAATU«.E'S Ff<.oM 4soF TO 7'3>°F AND NIGHTTIfv1E. TEMPE.t-NTAGE OF NATU,ae.l:7 F~ SUfv1fv1EJy AUTUfv1N • TrtEN ALLOW TrtE PLANTS TO Gfi:QW "T TH5 t-1ucH P-£OUCEO AATE C,b.USi::V E7Y LOWE~ TEMPEAATu~. THEY WIL.L GAAVUALLY MATUF-E VU~ING OECEMf>E.Fl AND JANUA~Y.

eoe.

124-

HE~ IS "'" EMHPLE.

\) TOMArOE.S q.N BE. se:.e.oeo e>Y JULY I) T~SPLANTE.O INTO FLATS Of'!. 4-It-lCH POTS AND Gf10WN UNTIL- /l-UGUST.

'I.)

P~FEI4\e>LY E'E.FOFlE. AUGUST 15 THESE

PLANTS SHOULD f'E. TfZ!'NSPL!'-NTEO INTO THE GfZ.E.E.NHOUSE.. THEY WILL. fl.EACH THE-lIZ- M/I-)(.IMUM &f2,OWTH !'-NO FP-U1T SE.T BETWEEN NOVEMe>efZ. /l-ND VECE.He>ER I.

.

o

YOU NEEV ONL.Y ENOUGH AF-TIFICIAL HEAT TO ~E.P THE. TEMPEAATUfZ€ JUST /l-ecvE ~'2." F •

1'2.5

3) NOT LATEI<. Tf-l....N OCTOeE.J<- 10, THE SECOND /.AYEI<. OF PLASTIC Sf-lOULD BE STF1.ETCHE.D

OVER THE: GI'-EEN HOUSE. • THIS SECOND l.AYEfi.. WILL Pf1ODUCE. A DEAD-All<. SPAcE.

WITH THE USE OF PL,A6TIC PIPE

ANOTHER FAAME Fait THE TAANSPN
iHE filtST fAAME AND C
N.

-11----1

HE.~ IS '" CLOSE~ LOOI'- AT THE i.TIONSfllP

OF THE. FAAMEWOFt.l<. OF THE. DOUeu:.-WI'Ll. CONSTRUCTION TO ACHIE.VE. THE 1J£'N)-NfC. INSULATION SPACE.. FOiZ- THE. 'S!"l'-E: OF CLN1-ITY THE. PLASTIC COV~ING ON THE FIFlST ST~uCTUftE IS NOT 5t1OWN.

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LOCATION OF

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A 1"~2" IS NAILED TO THE.

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+";<4"

ft'5TS. THESE. 1"~'2."'" ~ SPACED 2 INCH!::"" i'OOVE THE 1"''2.'' '" NAILE.D To THE INSIDE FACE- OF THE fl'STS FOFl THE FI,«5T' LAYEfC. OF Tf'!AN6PA~T PLASTIC COV~IN6 • THE PLASTIC

LEGe OF THE. 'SECOND Ffi',AME: N!E:. ATTACHE.D TO THE 1",1." WITH METAL

"u· CL,6.MP5. 11.,

AT THE. 6~UND Leva THe Ffl,AME. LE.6S At<€. IN6E.~TE.D IN THE. THIN WALL PLASTIC PIPE; 4-INCHES AWAY FRO!"I THE. FI~'ST FAAfvtE. THE TAANSPAAENT PLAsTIC (eo-FEETWIDE ST~IPS) IS PUT ON THE. SIVE.S FIll-ST. THE TOP PIE.CC OF PL....STIC IS THEN PUT ON N-JD LAPPE.D OVEIl- AT THE. SPLICE. LCXATION. A WOOD LATH IS THEN NAILED ov~ THIS HO~I WNTAL 5PLI CE TO THE. I" x '2. ". ON THE. ENDS OF THE. GI'!-eENHOUSE ONE. LAYER OF PLASTIC IS LATHED ON THE. INSIDE N-JD ANOTHE.~ LATHED ON THE OUTSIDE. OF THE. 2".><4" FAAfvtE.WOf<:./<.-IX:OFl5 INCLUDE.D - THUS I Pf
DE,t>.D-AIF!- SPAcE..

!"IITTLEIDER. ~EENHOUSE.5 AF!-E. EASY TO MAKE. AND VE.RY EFFECTIVE..

12e,

?INGL.E TAANSPp.,~NT PLASTIC WALL.

TWO T~SP~T PLI\STIC WALLS WITH DEAD -1\11<-. Sp,o..CE. • 12Cj

4) ALSO FO~ MODE.MTE. eLIMA"TE: fl.E:.610NS J Pf"TN-L.p..-f!oNS FOF1AATIFICIp..L. ttE:A"T E:>E.FOf'l..€ OC"ToeE.~ 10. e:.LE.CT~IC tte,A.T L-p..MP€> J TOT,A.L.ING '100 TO 1'l.OO WATTS WIL.L. WO[<.~. THIS A~TI FICIAL HEAT WIL.L. USED TH~UGH FE.f>~UAAY IS ONLY AS NEeDE.D TO I'-€.E..P THE. TE:MP~TUf<.E JUsT Af>OVe 31.° F. THE. COST 0HOUL.O E>E MODEMTe.

ee.

5) ON FEBf2.UAAY IS I THE.

ow

TOMATO VINES AfY FEf>fl.UN<-Y 'LO. THI'S secoND C~P CAN BE. HMVE.5TED DUf<.ING M,A.Y J JUNE.. ,A.ND JUL.Y. THIS 'SCHEDULE. AL.L.OWS HA~VE.'STING TWO OUT-OF-SEASON Ct<:Of'S YEA~LY WITH MINIIv1AL HEATING EXPENSE.. COLD CLIMI"TE G~HOU'SE C/wP5 CAN e>E. ~WN IN NIeA'S Hp..VING VEfl.Y CCL.O WINTEF1TEMPEMTU~'S OF f'LU", 10"F TO MINUS 3Q"F FO~ ONE-Of'. "TWO-WEEI'- O(CL.E5 j I~O

AND AVE.fE. Di'''{LIGHT TEMP~TU~S BE.TWEEN WOF NlD 45°F. PLANNING FO~ WINTEf<. CflOPS IN 'SUCH- /'.f'.EA<:J
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THE. D/~CTION THE Gi1 AND WEST. THE NOf'?TH-SIDE WALL CAN E.VEN e>E. PUG INTO THE SOUTH SLOf'E OF A HIL.L., of<. PLACED p..,s,t>.JNSI A WAL.L LEAVING TIlE SOUTH SIDE EXPOSED TO THE: SUN.

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ABOUT

(; INCHES DEEP INSIDE. THE Gf
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WITH ONLY THE'?E PF INCHES) . ~_~. c:~ -----\'\\ EVEN IF IT 15 ONLY ~ ~ AN HOu~ O~ TWO IN THE ("\. MIOOL.E. OF THE DAY. / ...

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THE IMPOFlTANT THING IS TO VENTIL.ATE AS MucH A5 POS6IBL.E e>uT CLOSE. UP THE G~HOUSE. EA/<-LY ENOUGH TO f<£Ef' THE 'SOIL TEMFEAATUF!ES WELL ~VE SC"F AS LONG AS fl:)5SIBL.E FOI'l M,AJ<.IHUM GFlOWTH. 1~1.

WHAT WE. HAVE. 6E.E.N IN THIS CHAPTEf'2. \'" TAAT NOf<.MAL. Gf!OWING OF CfIOPS IN THE WINTEf'2. MONTHS MAY NOT e>E ECONOMICN- IN Al-L. AAEA~. f'UT YOU CAN Gf/OW A cpop TO !'lEA'<. W>-TUf/.ITY IN OECEMe>EfI.. AND L.E.T IT MOi'2-E. op.. L.E.'% COI'6T THfCOUGH OECE.Me>Ef2. AND JANUAf'2.Y e>Y JU'i'>T I'€6PING IT ALIVE.. THE FP-UI, WIL.L. ~TIl.L. 12-1PE.N DESPITE THE WINTEf" COLV AND YOU <::;AN TAl'€. AOVANTA6E. OF H/6H OUT-OF-5E;ASON Pf'2.JCE.~ WITHOUT E)(CE~IVE. H~TIN6 COSTS.

Producing your own seedlings for transplanting Is pleasant work - and a real economy, especially If you are planting a number of grow-boxes.

t;;;r(.SEED

STARTING YOUR GNtDEN

FROM TRANSPLANTS RATHER THAN SEEDS WILL PI.TE.R. YIELDS AND 8 TO 12 WEEJ<..,'S ~IER. THIS IS MOi<-E Tf-.NS Or<. e6lUP6H. TAANSPlMTS COST QUITE f>- BIT I UNLESS YOU GfOW THEM YOURSELF. THIS CHAPTER TELL'S you HOW TO PO IT. Mp..~ ? OfZ.. 4- BOXES (Fl,A.TS) 18 INCIlE'S '8QU~ BY 3 INCHE.S VEEP. THE BOrTOMS CAN BE MADE WITH SLATS, f>-T LEAST THREE I SEPAI
135

FILL THESE FLATS WITH THE. "CLlSTOM-MADE 501~ USEV IN YOUI<. 6FaOW·OO>
Y'2. -OUNCE OOUe>LE. SUPEI<.PHOSPHATE (N'OUT '2. TAe>LE5PCON5 OF EACH).

ADD WATER AND MIX THOIWUGHLY 50 THAT THE SOl L IS 6lU ITE. WET BUT NOT 50 WET THAT YOU CAN 561UEEZE. WATER FIWM Ii.

LEVEL THE. '.:OIL SURFACE. AND MAAfC.

e

FOI<. POW5 PER FLAT.

.......,./

SEEDS MAY BE: SOWN (QUITE. CLD5E TOOETHER (~UT CoCO -1000 SEEDS PER EACH FLAT). BEWARE OF PLANTING 50 MANY SEEDS THAT PLANTS WILl.BE C~WVEO. THIS P~PUCt5 SMALL, WEAtt- 5E€:OLlNGS. HE~E

IS GCOO SPACING IN THE SEED eoxes (FLATS) FOI"- po. FEW iLlNO'S OF SEED.

"GEEDS ~11. flON

~GE

loo -12&

L&TTUCE TOM"TO pePPEI1.S e>ESTS

loo - 125 100 - 1'2.5 ..l00 - 1'2.5 50 -15

CAULIFLOWEf2-

~

100-125

Bf
COVER THE SEEDS LIGHTLY I AOOUT 'lY.z.-iIME.':> THEIR THICtt-NE'SS, WliH THE "CU5fot'\-MAVE eolC' ( ~ 2 NolP II) • SPf1.INI'-LE THE 'SOIL MOVEl1.ATELY. COVE(2... WITH f>. PI £CE. OF Wf1.I...I>,f' IINO iI-EE.P IT MOIST UNTIL YOU SEE. THE. FI11.-5T sPI1.OUTS. THEN) PLACE. THE. FL,I>.T5 WHEI1.E. THE NEW PLANTS WILL I1.-ECEIVE NS MUCH LIGHT A'S fl:)SSI e>LE. IF WEATH~ '''' COLO) I.TS IN " G~NHOUSE

Of'? po.

SHe:LT~D

1?>1

FO~.

IIFTEf<. 5E.E.D~ HIWE ~Pi
WATEP-ING PFTEft SEEDS HAVE 5P~UTE.D IS WITH THE FOLLOWING WAT~-FEP.TILI7-E.ft SOLUTION. iN 55 GALLONS OF WATER (GASOLINE VP-UM) DISSOLVE: 8-0UNCES OF fI.Jv1MONIUM NITAATE.. 2- OUNCES OF- MAGNESIUM SULFA.TE.. 2- OUNCES OF pOTI'651UM SULFATE. Of<. CI-l LOf<.1 DE . 2- OUNCES OF DIAMMONIUM PH05PHA.TE tUID YOU USE: TO WATe.rz THE. SEEDLINGS) AFTEfZ THEY HAVE SPROUTED, FOf<. 4 -TO CO - WE£f<.S • SE.EDLINGS AP-E P-Ef>,DY FOf<. Tf'.ANSPLANTING WHEN THEY Hi'VE GP-OWN THElrz FIFlST Of>SECOND SET OF TFlUE. Lf;.AVES (/>'ooUT TWO Of<. THft.EE. \l'lCHE.~ KI0H'). SEEDLING? USU~Y TAANSPLN-lTE.D TO A.NOTHE.f<. FLAT ) 81 TO I' FLI'T) orz INTO 3-AND 4--INCH POTS-USING THE " CUSTOM - tvlAVE. SOl L " .

"P-E

HEf'E IS AN EXAMPLE OF A 'SIMPLE. MAfl.KE.R MADE WITH £01 YZ-INCH - DIAMSTEr<- DOWEL'S. THIS WILL SAVE. YOU TIME IN P~P~N0 YOUfl. FLATS FOf'.. Pl-ANTING. THEY ~ tzEPT IN A WAfl.M SEEDHOUSE: Of'.. 6!"EENHOUSE AND ENCOUF/.A6EO (WITH E.NOU6H HEAT) TO Gf'.OW FOf<. 4 TO 8 WEEI'-S (VE.P~DIN6 ON THE VAAETY). WHEN WEATHE..f1. f'E./
fWD MATURE.

P~E.Dui
YOU CAN FOLLOW THESE SN-'IE

FOi<- JUST,... FEW SEEDLINGS IN THE SMI'-L.LFLi'TS i'''' DESCf
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TAAN'SPLANTED INTO THE Gr..TS HAVE BEEN USED OCFOi<-E. !'NO YOU A~ UNCE~TAIN THAT THEY Ai<-E. f~ OF FUNGUS Of<- OTH~ DISEASES) STERILIZE; THEM BEFOF1t fiLLING WITH YOUR "CUSTOtvl- tvlfl.VE 'S::JIL ". THIS CAN E€. tbNE BY STI'CI'-ING THEtvl UNOER fI. PLASTIC COVERING AND FUMIGATING WITH STEAM Di
140

BE. CAREFUL IN USING ME.THYL e,&)MIDE.. FOLLOW IN"STf
YOU CAN ST~LlZ.E TAAYS (FLATS) AND THE. SOIL f'-.T THE. 0f>,ME TIME BY FILLING THE. TAAyS AND STACiE.TWEEN.THEN USE THE METHYL-Bf20MIDE TREATMENT 1'6 PRE.VIOUSLY VE.SC~Ie>E.D. THIS METHOD I'S ESSENTIAL IF YOU ~ 'ST~TING 'SEEDLINGS IN FLATS O~ IN A REGULf>.j<.. Gf2OW-Box FO~ l..Af<.GE 5CN-E proDUCTION.

141

USE CE.f>.TIFIE.P SEED, IF POSSIBL.E, TO MINIMIZE DISEASE PROBL.E.MS. HEFtE IS HOW TO T~T YOUR OWN SEED, IF YOU WISH. a) GIVE SOME SMAL.L SEEDS ~I i<-E. CEL.E.~Y AND TOMATO) A HOT WATE-~ BATH (J30"F) FOR .30 MINUTE5. b) You CAN AL.SO "PELLeTIZE" SEED. THIS CONSIST5 OF COATING THE' SEE:VS WITH A FUNGICIDE FtJWDE./<.. eoME. FUNGI AiUA~T, WIDE-MOUTH JAr<. 012PLASTIC CON'AINe:.ca- PUT !Ie' TEASFtON OF CAFTAN) DI.....THANE. Of2- OTHEfa. FUNGICIDAL P~OUC'. DISSOL.VE. THIS WITH JUST A FEW V~P'S OF W.....T~. PUT THE' SEEPS IN THE CONT"'INE.~ AND ~LL THE.l-1 ~UNO WITH you12- FINSERS TO SET f*l EVEN WE.TTING AND CQ,b.TING ON THEM. THIS AMOUNT OF M .....TERlP--L WILL COAT AT L.EAST ?GO OF P--NY ~NO OF SEEDS. 2) NEXT !'VD JUST ENOUGH AGf'lICUL.TUAAL. L.IME. (NOT BUf'lNED LIME) TO A~~B THE. MOlsTu~. !lOL.L. THE. 'SEE.OS AND LIME. T00ETHEF-.

Wl.

3) 5E.W5 CAN f>E. 'SOWN IMMWII>-TE.LY

'STOf
SPfCAY

P~M'S

APP~f':IATE TO

YOUR ~Ior-Jls f'WE>LEHS. YOUf<. LOCAL Jl6fZ.ICULTU/4'-L

• -_•./

OFFICEF1-'S q.N HELP YOU A LOT.

w) IN TAANSPLANTING YOUNG SEEDL.INGS)

FOLLOW THE ProfECTIVE P~CEOUI2E0 IN CHAPTER (0 AND II • e>E- SANITATION CONSCIOUS ~ CAFlEFULLY INSPECT N-L PLI>-N-rS 01<- SEWS ~ T~NG THEM INTO YOUR Gf'F2.VEN. IF THEY 'SHOW 'SIGNS OF VISEASE., BUf2.N THE.H ) EVEN IF THEY ~E F~M WELL-HE,ANING FRIENDS. I DO NOT HESITATE TO i
-0

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you CAN USE MITTLEIDEJ<.. GA~ENING METHODS RIGHT IN THE COMMON SOIL.) IF YOU WiSH. IT 15 USUALLY MOJ<..E WO~~ AND ~MEWHAT LE.SS J<,.EWAR-DING THAN G~w-eoXE.S ~ ~EENHOu5E GAfNE WITH SUCCESS. THE MOST IMP01
TAACE ELSMENiS THAi

A~E.

OFTEN

LACI
. ."

=

CLEA!< AND LEVE.L. ..•... THE SURFACE. OF YOU!<. .

TILLED MEA. J<,.EMOVE ANY OBVIOUSLY LAR6E. f
145

IF THE. SOIL IS VE~,( ~D,( ) '" ~TOTILLEf<. CAN f>E. USEV TO MI~ IN G~UND e",~) S{>.WDUST,

PE.f>.IM055 OP- OTHE.F- SUCK Mf>-TEf<.If>-LS FOfl.. BETTE!<. MOISIUf«:. f<.E.TENTION. IF THE. SOIL IS CLAY 1,1'\00 fl..IVER S,/'\NO TO E6;)UAL I'eOUT

SO/. OF THE. TOTAL t-1lxTUf<.E. MIX THO~GKLT WITH A f/OTOTILLE.fl.. O~ SI1OVE.L. CAUTIONDO NOT ~TOTILL
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TKE. G~UNO FI/1.ST. \. THEN) LAY OUT THE \., OISTANCE.S BE.IWE..E.N \.. ~WS) ~O INCHES ON \nc CE.NTE.P. (SPACING C#J VAAY F~M 'Ie, TO ~4- INCHE.S). STfl.E.TCH ST~NG CO~O BETWEEN TWO STAAE.S TO LAY OUT A STAAIGHT FOW. THE. ENTI~ LENGTH OF THE. ~W SHOULD et FAIP-LY LEVE.L TO ALLOW FOP. GOOD WATE.P- FLOW WITHOUT EJ<0510N.

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A DIAMOND - POINiE-D ~DE-N iOOlMN'-E- A FU~W AeOUi 3-iO 5-INCHE!S VEEP. USE: iHE ST~NG A'S A 6UIVE- iO t
PUi MITTLE-IVE:~S P~- PLANT F~TILIZE-/<. MIX INiO THE FUJ<.l
a) SPREAD A

N~W

e>AND OF iHE Vf2.Y P~-Pl.-ANT FERTIL-IZE-iZ- MIJ<. e>Y HAND DOWN EACH OF THE. FURi.NO OF LIME.

141

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USE. Yz -POUND (8 OUNCE.S) OF LIME: FOIt EAC H 10 FE:ET

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OF FU~W fLOW LENGTH.

d)~~DONOT

P/<.E. -MIX THE: . . F~TILIu:R WITH THE: LIME. HE.FlE 15 THE: MITTL.EIDEt<. PI2-E. -PLANT FERTIL.IZER. MIXTU~ YOu st-\OUL.V USE. WEIGH CAf'lEFUL.LY AND MI)<. T110FlQUGHLY THE: FOLLOWING -Df/-Y (E.NOUGH FOfI- ~-~ VAfl-Y ACCOF?DING ro SIZE OF YOUF?. PLOT. 'SEE AF'PE:N 0 IX lIT). I'2.S-POUND5 POUf>L.E 9l.J~PH05PHATE. 15-pOUNDS POTASSIUM SUL.FATE Of/CHL.Ofl-IDE. 75-POUNDS SULFATE OF AMMONIA. 50-POUNDS MAGNESIUM SUL.FATE. 5-POUND5 OOFlON (SODIUM OOAATE Or<. OOfl-lC ACID) APPLIED SEPARATEL.Y: '2.00 -pOUNDS OF LIME. U5E 6YPSUM LIME FOr<. D/ZY CLIMATE. U~E A6FlICULTU/ZAL LIME Of/- DOLOMITE. LIME: FOr<. WET CLIMATE.. r<-EMEMBEiZ - THESE AMOU NTS Ar<.E. ENOUGH FOt<. 1'4 -ACf

e) IF THE. -:'OIL IS Df<.YING GIVE: iHE e.NTI~ SU~ " UGHT 'SP~NI4.IN0 WliH WJ>.TEI'BEFOf/.E. COV~ING TKE. FERTILIZE.f<.S IN TKE. FURWW ~W5 Wlili SOIL. ~ : DO Nor COVEl'- FE~TILIZEl<.5 WITH DRY SOIL. IF PLANTING> 'SEEDS Of'.. iAAN5PLANTING PLF>.NTS.

f) COVEl< THE.

FE.RiILIZEI'- f>Y !lAt(.ING SOIL OVER IT F~M eerwEEN TKE: FU~W

IWW5. ~ UP ENOU6H SOIL TO MAt(.E A 1.-;0 "?-INCH AAISE.P F-l06E: OVEfl.. THE LENGTH OF THE FE/2.TILIZ.E.1<. IN THE FU/2.I
e€LOW THE TOP OF THE J<.i06E. THIS IS WELL e>E.LDW THE EA~Y)iEND~

~5OF

PLANTS.

14"1

9) IF T~SPL.ANTING SEE. THi'T THE. f1O:?TS ME. NO CLOSEF!. THAN ~UT ? INCHE.':> TO THE. FEf'.TI UZE.f<. IN THE. FU ~W f2.0W UNDEF!. THE": F!.IDGE.

h)

P~E.CT

NEWL.Y TAAN'SPL.!'NTE.D PL.!'NTS Of/. 5E.ED Ff2.01"1 SOIL MAGGOTS, FUNGUS DISEASES) CUTWOF!.I'1'S I 'SL.UGS AND SAAIL.S 1'Y APPLYING A PLANTING PF!.E.NCH I MMEDIATEL.Y AfTEf/. TAANSPLANTING Of<. SEEDING. HEF!.E 15 THE I'1ITTLEIOE.!<. PLANTING OF®JCH FOf/.f'-1ULA FOF!. OPEN FUf/.F!.OW FAF!.HING OF!. GA~'DENING • 55-GAL.LONS OF Wfl..iE.f<. 1'2. - OUNCE":'? CAPTAN (OITH/'.NE. Of<. 511'11 LAF!. Pf2.00UCTS ME fl..LL.. f/.IGHT ). 4- OUNCES DI....Z INON Of<. 'SIMILAf<. ,Pf2.00UCT. ~ MI)(. THOf/.OUGHL..Y TOGE.THEft. i'NO N'PL..Y AT THE. AATE. OF ONE. ~LLON TO EACH I

APPLY DOWN THE. PLANT Of<. SE.E.D ~W ONLY. DO NOT N'PLY IN THE WI>-TE.f>... FUf<.f<.OWS BETWEEN THE F4DGES. CUTWOi<.MS WILL BE MOST ACTIVE THE FIF/.ST NIGHT AFTER. TAANSPLANTING. CONTFtOl- THEM BY PLACI NG '2. Of<.:!> PO ISO N PE.LLETS 01<. A L,bJ-l-LY ENOUGH EVEN IN HOT, MID /'Ii-TE.f<.1 NG. ONLY THE. WATEfl- FU~WS GET WE.T ENOUGH FOi<. WEED SEED TO SP/... NUT/<-IENT M/)(TU~ (CHi'-PTE/<. 1) FOPTHE FIF/.5T TIME ABOUT THF
H~R~

""""'N FOf/- '(OUf/- CONVENIENCE IS THE MITIl.E.IDEf/- NUTF1-IENT MIXTURE.. MIX THE FOl.LOWING T06ETHEFt DI
4-0RAMS COPPER 'SUl.-FATE . B- 0I
~GUV1t3 ~

USUALLY NOT NECE.
TrlE. FE.RTIL.12E.R NUTRIE.NT MIXTURE IS SPREAD DRY BY rlAND AND 1\ WATE.~D -I N II AFTER APPLICATION. j, .P

APPLICATION ~Te:: FO~ EV~Y 10 FE.E.T OF fl.OW LE.N6TH SP~D BY HAND c:o OUNCES OF THIS MI)(TURE. OF NUTRIENTs IN A NAf/.fl.OW ,EVEN BAND roWN THE CENT~ OF THE WATE.R FUf/.fl.OW. PLANTS 6fl.OWN IN -mE. OPEN FUFt.f1.OW O~ FIELD ME.THOD ARE. FED ONCE. EVERY THFtEE O~ FOu~ WE.E.!'-S ONL.Y, ANO AL.Wf>.YS JUST BEFOi.VE. A Pf.RT OF THE. COMMON NUTRITiONAL. DEFICIE.NCIE.'S AND INST[
The joy of successful gardenlnglllke the author, examining these choice melons, you can reap abundant harvests every time with the proven methods described In this book. Success Is certain because nothing Is leflto chance!

NOTHIN6 IS MO~ ~Af<.DING THI*l PICKING CHOICE., NUTRITIOU~ Ff<.UIT~ AND VE.GE.TAe>L-E.'5 THAT YOU/<. OWN HANDS AND MIND H/>.VE HE.l.PED NATU[<.E. P~DUCE::. HAf<.VEST E'Af<.l.Y IN THE. MOfI.NIN6 WHEN Pf/OOUCE IS COOL-IF F\?SSII!>L-E. OTH~WISE: L.ATE IN THe AFT~NOON WIl.l. DO. HARVEST JUST BE.FO~ COOI'-ING, EATIi'JG, Ot<. CAi'JNING. FRESH-PICI'eD FOOD I AT IT~ PEAl"OF PE/<.FECTION J IS H~ TO BE.A.T! IF YOU PLAN TO STO~ P/L.E5.

I??

HE.~E.

IS HOW TO TeLL WHEN THINGS AAE: ~EADY TO PICi<.: ZUCCHINI.... ANYTIME: ~O~E 5J<./N TOUGHENS. ~ADI5H

.... B£FO~ CENTE./<.. &GIN5 TO TU!<.N FI~/'<.OU5. GP-EEN W5H Of<. FOLE E'EAN5.... WHEN FOD IS WELV FIL.L.ED AND SWOL.L.EN BUT eE..F01
SWISS CHA~D AND SPiNAcH .... WHILE LEAVES At.C.H. CANTELOUPE .... WHEN THE. STEH SEPMATE.5 EASILY. roTATOE:'? .... NE.W pcrrl>-TOE:'S (SI'-lN SLIPS), ANYTIME. FOf2- IMMEDIATE U5Ej MATUf<.E ONE.S I>-FTE.f2- VINES e;e:GIN TO DIE AND Sj<.JN IS TIGHT. ISG:>

How simple can a greenhouse be! Here Is a standard MIUleider grow-box,large enough for all the fresh vegetables you could want, covered with a simple plastic shelter.

The sides 01 your simple "greenhouse" can be rolled up on pleasant days for ventilation and tor easy working of crops, from the sides.

A standard Mittleider greenhouse, simple and Inexpensive, provides room for these three grow-boxes, tilled with easy-la-work "custom-made soli." See Chapter 10.

Complete economic self-sufficiency, If you wish, on Ie.. than half on acrel Food to eat and food to sell for your financial needs. Lush vegetable crops, melons, potatoes, tomatoeswhatever meets your needs or finds a market!

Simple, hand labor can outperform expensive equipment - the Mittleider way! Even tor large-scale gardening operations a small rotollller is all the equipment you should ever need. Below: Simple, plastic framework provides tor covering shelter If needed.

Tall-growlng plants are supported on strings as described In Chapter 8, Page 75.

Tomalo vine Is pruned of unneeded side growth, leaving 1I0wer and lruli· bearing growth (at top).

Four Mittleider grow-boxes, easy to make, easy to work, wUl provide more than enough food for a large family - In a backyard space. These boxes are filled with soft, mulch-like "custom-made soil" (Chapter 4. Page 45), ready for planting an attractive garden (Chapters 5. 6).

Simple grow..boxes and simple, plastic greenhouse sheller will outperform the largest commercial greenhouse operallor'lS at a smaUlraction of the expense. Average people can do extraordinary gardening with simple, hand tools - with certain success!

GrOW-boxes can be purchased in lour-foot increments or, as here, simply constructed by leveling and staking boards In place to hold sand-sawdust-nutrlent mixture of your choice. See Chapters 2, 3, 4 for detailed drawings and Instructions.

Simple Miltleider greenhouse takes shape. Grow·boxes In place; plastic pipe is going on to support covering.

With two layers of plastic covering, you can keep plants growing through cold, cold weather, forout-of-season crops!

Detail showing framewOrk for second laye, of plastic, all ready to be covered. (See Chapters 10, 12.)

In seed-starting boxes, can you mix seed varlelles? Generally speaking, yesl If sowed in rows and jf the germination periods are similar, several varieties can be seeded in the same box.

Can all varieties of plants be grown in the same area? Yes and no! Vining plants can smother out low-growing plants, and tall-growing plants can spoil low-growing plants by shading them.

Why do you use redwood or cedar to build grow-boxes? Only because these woods last much longer. You can use other kinds if you don't mind rebuilding about every second year.

Should the outdoor grOW-box face north and south? This is the preferred direction but it is not imperative,

Can grow-boxes be used for commercial gardening? Certainly! A small seed-starting house and multiple grow-boxes, with cold-weather protection, can easily make you economically self-sufficient.

170

Appendix I

171

Can citrus fruits be grown In a greenhouse in a very cold climate? Yes, but the economics of it says, "No"! What is the difference between chemical and mineral fertilizers? Mainly, the words. If the word minerals were used in both cases there could be no argument. Are the nutrients you use organic or synthetic? With the exception of nitrogen they are neither. They are the same as those found in mineral soils. Is the dry, pre-plant fertilizer mix figured on square feet or cubic feet? On square feet greenhouse.

whether in the open field, the grow-box, or the

Do fertilizers mixed with water deteriorate rapidly? No. They may become concentrated when the water evaporates, however, and they are corrosive. Can the complete nutrient formula be used on berries and trees? Yes! How do you control tomato worms? Control the butterflies that lay the eggs that become the worms. What makes the flowers on tomato vines fall off? Lack of water, nitrogen deficiencies, nematodes, nutritional deficiencies, not enough light, fungus, and diseases. Can white flies in the house or greenhouse be controlled? Yes, by spraying with the materials available at your supply house.

172

More Food From Your Garden

Why does the fruit of apricot trees turn brown or black at the pit? Insufficient water, excessive heat two weeks before fruit ripens, boron or calcium deficiency. What should be done about nematodes? Sterilize the soil or use the right chemicals to destroy them. See your local agriculture officer. Should sawdust be pretreated with nitrogen? If you want to, yes. It is not necessary. Is it necessary to compost fresh sawdust before using? No, it can be used right from the saw. Can mushroom compost be used in place of sawdust? No! In grow-boxes it can be used as a supplement but not to replace sawdust because it breaks down too quickly. Are wood ashes good to use as a soil supplement? They are valuable as a covering over seeds. They are sterilized and have nutritional values. Are soil-test kits practical? No! For adequate analysis of soil in the open furrow garden, you need the services of a good laboratory. Ask your local agriculture officer or department. Can waste materials from the garden be used in soil? In field gardening they can be worked into the soil where they will decompose. What can be done to make up for nitrogen shortages? Use nitrogen fertilizers. If unavailable, bury organic material.

These formulas are the result of more than thirty years of testing and successful food production all over the world. They are of immense value to anyone who wishes to greatly increase garden or farm yields. Purchase the materials listed at your farm, garden, or hydroponics supply house. You may also write to J. R. Mittleider, in care of the publisher, for a free listing of the current best sources of ready~ mixed materials. Be sure to read labels and follow instructions when using any concentrated materials - a rule as important in the garden as in the kitchen or workshop. Keep such materials out of reach of children and pets.

PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER FORMULAS For mixing with your choice of "soil materials" in Mittleider GrowBoxes (Chapter 4), before planting. A. For Grow-Boxes in the standard 8'x30'x10' Mittleider Greenhouse. There are three grow-boxes inside this greenhouse - one on each side, 15 inches wide by 30 inches long; and one in the center, 30 inches wide by 26 feet long (Chapter 9).

173

174


1.

Before anything else is placed in the grow-boxes, spread two pounds of gypsum evenly over the original ground (surface) inside the frame of each 15-inch-wide box; three pounds over the inside area of each 3D-inch center box. (In arid areas, less than 18 inches of rainfall annually, gypsum is preferred; in areas with more than 20 inches of rainfall, agricultural lime or dolomite lime are preferred. In any case, the lime must not be omitted or plants will suffer.)

2. Fill the greenhouse grow-boxes with the inert/organic "soil" materials you have selected (Chapter 4). Make the boxes exactly level-full, without tamping down. 3. Spread evenly, right on top of the "soil materials," the following formula for each 15-inch by 3D-foot box: 1 pound double superphosphate 1h pound potassium sulfate or chloride 1 pound sulfate of ammonia 1h pound magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) 1h ounce boron (sodium borate Or boric acid) Spread separately: 1 pound, 4 ounces lime (gypsum), or agricultural lime- (See 1 above). For each center box, 30 inches by 26 feet, nearly double the above formula. 4. Thoroughly mix the above fertilizers and the inert/organic "soil materials." Again level the materials in the box. B. For Mittleider 5'x30'x8" Outdoor Grow-Boxes 1. Spread 10 pounds of gypsum over the inside floor area, right on the original soil (surface), inside each 5-foot by 30-foot by a-inch box. (See note on rainfall and lime-choice in A-1 above.) 2. Fill the grow-boxes with the inert/organic "soil materials (Chapter 4), then spread this formula over the top:

Appendix 1/

4 4 2 2 2

175

pounds pounds pounds pounds

double superphosphate sulfate of ammonia potassium sulfate or chloride magnes'lum sulfate (Epsom salt) ounces boron (sodium borate or boric acid)

Spread separately: 5 pounds lime (See note on rainfall and lime-choice in A-1 above.)

PLANT-FEEDING NUTRIENT MIX To feed growing plants throughout the entire growing cycle. whether in outdoor grow-boxes. greenhouses, or open field. (See Chapter 7 for method of application.) Weigh accurately and mix very thoroughly together (dry): 9 pounds calcium nitrate 4 pounds ammonium nitrate 1% pounds diammonium phosphate (21-53-0) 4% pounds potassium sulfate or chloride 6 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) 8 ounces iron sulfate ~ 4 grams copper sulfate ~a grams zinc sulfate ~12 grams manganese sulfate 12 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid) ~3 grams molybdenum (sodium molybdate or molybdic acid) 'Include these for the complete mixture for greenhouse grow-boxes - always; for outdoor grow-boxes or open field. use only if visual symptoms or soil test indicate need. This mixture is applied by hand as dry granules (Chapter 7).

176


OPTIONAL PLANT·FEEDING NUTRIENT MIXTURE If the complete nutrient formula above is unavailable, substitute the following formula for outdoor crops, applying at the same rate as the regular formula. (Greenhouse crops will fail if the complete nutrient mixture above is not used.) Weigh carefully and mix thoroughly together (dry): 8 pounds ammonium nitrate 6 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) 1% pounds diammonium phosphate (21-53-0) 4% pounds potassium sulfate or chloride 10 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid) Note: the complete formula above and this substitute formula are for feeding growing plants - not to take the place of the pre-plant fertilizers. This optional formula will probably produce well for two or three years before the crops decline due to trace-mineral deficiencies (See Appendix III). The soil cannot produce beyond its most limiting factor. SEEDLING NUTRIENT SOLUTION This is a formula for the "seed house" - used to feed all sprouted seeds and seedlings in the seed house, regardless of plant sizeuntil they are set out as transplants. This formula is used as a constant feed, meaning that every watering of the plants is with this solution. Note that before seeds sprout, only water is used to keep them moist. Measure accurately and mix together: 55 gallons water (1 drum) 8 ounces ammonium nitrate 2 ounces magnesium sulfate 2 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 2 ounces diammonium phosphate

Appendix IJ

177

Or: 3 gallons water 13 grams ammonium nitrate 3 grams magnesium sulfate 3 grams potassium sulfate or chloride 3 grams diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)

TRANSPLANTING FORMULA This formula is for feeding and minimizing transplanting shock when plants are transplanted to where they will mature - in growboxes, in the greenhouse, or in the open furrow field. This operation is done just once, at the time of transplanting (Chapter 6). Give each plant 1 pint of this solution (makes enough for 440 plants): 55 gallons water 2 pounds ammonium nitrate 1 pound diammonium phosphate (21-53-0) 8 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 8 ounces magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) If local conditions indicate need, add: 4 ounces Diazinon (or similar product for soil maggot control) 12 ounces Dithane-45, Benlate (or similar product for control of fungus)

PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER FORMULA FOR OPEN-FURROW GARDEN OR FARM Formula to be spread in l;! narrow band and covered carefully with soil before planting seeds or plants. See Chapter 14 for method of application.

178


For 1 acre500 pounds double superphosphate 300 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride 300 pounds sulfate of ammonia 200 pounds magnesium sulfate 20 pounds boron (sodium borate or boric acid) Applied separately before mixing the above with the soil: 800 pounds lime (in arid areas - less than 18 inches rainfall - gypsum is preferred; in areas with more than 20 inches rainfall, agricultural lime or dolomite lime is preferred.)

For 1J4 acre -

10,000 square feet:

125 pounds double superphosphate 75 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride 75 pounds sulfate of ammonia 50 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) 5 pounds boron (sodium borate or boric acid) Applied separately: 200 pounds lime (See above)

Per 100 lineal feet of plant row length: 2 pounds, 12 ounces double superphosphate 1 pound, 12 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 1 pound, 12 ounces sulfate of ammonia 1 pound, 4 ounces magnesium sulfate 24 grams boron Apply separately: 2 pounds lime (See above)

Appendix 1/

179

Per 10 lineal feet of plant row length: 4% ounces double superphosphate 84 grams potassium sulfate or chloride 84 grams sulfate of ammonia 60 grams magnesium sulfate 6 grams boron Apply separately: 4 ounces lime (See above) Notes: There are 175 rows of plants in 1 acre feet long and spaced 30 inches apart.

if the rows are 100

Weights are figured on the basis of 30 grams per ounce; 160unces per pound.

UNITS OF MEASURE 60 drops 0 1 teaspoon 3 tablespoons 0 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon 0 % ounce 16 tablespoons 0 1 cup 1 cup 0 8 ounces 16 fluid ounces 0 2 cups 2 cups 1 pint '/2 liquid pint 1 cup 2 pints 1 quart 4 quarts = 1 gallon ~

1 pound 0 16 ounces 1 pint = 1 pound 1 gallon = 8.337 pounds (8 pounds) 5,280 ft., or 320 rods 1 mile 1 acre = 43,560 square feet or 160 square rods

180


To Change Centigrade to Fahrenheit Multiply centigrade by 9/5 and add 32 degrees To Change Fahrenheit to Centigrade Subtract 32 degrees and multiply by 5/9. Equivalent Rates in Applying Fertilizers 1 ounce per square foot = 2,722.5 pounds per acre 302.5 pounds per acre 1 ounce per square yard 1 ounce per 100 square feet = 27.2 pounds per acre 1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft. = 43.6 pounds per acre 1 pound 5 gallons 100 gallons 100 gallons 100 gallons

per per per per per

1/3 ounce per 1,000 sq. ft. acre acre = 1 pint per 1,000 sq. ft. 2V2 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. acre = 20 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. acre acre = 1 quart per 100 sq. ft.

FERTILIZER FORMULAS FOR SPECIAL-SIZE GROW-IIOXES (4' Square Segments) PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER 4'x4'x8" Grow-Boxes 6V2 ounces double superphosphate 3% ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 6V2 ounces sulfate of ammonia 3% ounces magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) 6 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid) 1% pounds lime' 4'x8'x8" Grow-Boxes 13 ounces double superphosphate 6% ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 13 ounces sulfate of ammonia 6'/2 ounces magnesium sulfate 12 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid) 3 pounds lime*

Appendix /I

181

4'x12'xB" Grow-Boxes 1 '/4 pounds double superphosphate 10 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 1% pounds sulfate of ammonia 10 ounces magnesium sulfate 18 grams boron 4112 pounds lime* 4'x16'x8" Grow-Boxes 1 pound. 10 ounces double superphosphate 13 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 1 pound, 10 ounces sulfate of ammonia 13 ounces magnesium sulfate 24 grams boron 6 pounds lime* 4'x20'x8" Grow-Boxes 2 pounds double superphosphate 1 pound potassium sulfate or chloride 2 pounds sulfate of ammonia 1 pound magnesium sulfate 1 ounce boron 7% pounds lime 4'x24'xB" Grow-Boxes 2 pounds, 8 ounces double superphosphate 1 pound, 4 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride 2 pounds, 8 ounces sulfate of ammonia 1 pound, 4 ounces magnesium sulfate 36 grams boron 9 pounds lime* "In selecting the type of lime to use follow the instructions given previously for the standard size grow-boxes.

182

More Food From Your Garden PLANT FEEDING NUTRIENT MIX

4'x4'x8" Grow-Boxes 64 grams (2 ounces) 4'x8'x8" Grow-Boxes 128 grams (4% ounces) 4'x12'x8" Grow-Boxes 192 grams (6V2 ounces) 4'x16'x8" Grow-Boxes 256 grams (8% ounces) 4'x20'xB" Grow-Boxes 320 grams (11 ounces) 4'x24'x8" Grow-Boxes 384 grams (13 ounces) Note: Apply the fertilizers and water as outlined for the standard size grow-boxes.

(See Color Plates for photographs of some deficiency symptoms)

Here are the nutrients plants require for growth. Deficiencies of the first eight most commonly produce nutritional problems.

,.

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Nitrogen

2. Phosphorous 3. Potassium 4. Magnesium 5. Calcium

6. Iron 7. Boron

183

Molybdenum Manganese Copper Zinc Sulfur Chlorine

184


NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS AND CORRECTIONS The amounts of nutrients/fertilizers recommended here are based on: 1. The standard Mittleider greenhouse (8'x30') containing three grow-boxes - two, lS"x30' (one on each side); and one,30"x26' in the center. The amount shown in each case is for one lS"x30' box and should be nearly doubled for the 30"x26' box. 2. The standard Mittleider outdoor grow-box (S'x30'). Nutrients indicated should be spread evenly over the entire box area. See additional instructions for application at the end of this Appendix.. Nitrogen Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: general yellowing over entire plant; spindly, stunted growth. CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound, 12 ounces ammonium nitrate. 2. outdoor grow-box - 2 pounds ammonium nitrate. Phosphorous Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: a purplish discoloration of older leaves; stunted growth, poor fruit set. CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 12 ouncesdiammonium phosphate. 2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound diammonium phosphate. Potassium Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: scorching ("firing") of edges of mature leaves; shriveled seeds in cereal crops; poor fruit quality.

Appendix If!

185

CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound potassium sulfate or chloride. 2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 8 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride. Magnesium Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: older leaves have dead areas and general yellowing; abnormally bright colors in older leaves - bright reds, oranges, yellows. CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 2 pounds magnesium sulfate. 2. outdoor grow-boxes - 2 pounds, 12 ounces magnesium sulfate. Calcium Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: dead terminal buds; stunted root growth. CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound, 8 ounces calcium nitrate. 2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 12 ounces calcium nitrate. Iron Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: yellowing remaining green.

of terminal

buds with

leaf veins

CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound iron sulfate. 1. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 4 ounces iron sulfate. Boron Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: death of terminal buds; black heart of tubers; flower end-rot of tomatoes. CORRECTION: 1. greenhouse grow-box - 36 grams (1V4 ounces) boron, as sodium borate or boric acid, mixed with 1 cup sawdust or sand. 2. outdoor grow-box - 60 grams (2 ounces) boron, as sodium borate or boric acid, mixed with 3 quarts sawdust or sand.

186


Molybdenum Deficiency

SYMPTOMS: "whiptail disease" (see Color Plates), narrow, long leaves, producing twisting patterns. CORRECTION: 1, greenhouse grow-box - 8 grams (less than half an ounce) sodium molybdate or molybdic acid, mixed in 1 cup sawdust or sand. 2. outdoor grow-box - 16 grams sodium molybdate or molybdic acid, mixed in 1 cup sawdust or sand. When a deficiency symptom is spotted, corrective measures should be taken as quickly as possible. For example: assume that the growbox has just been fertilized with the regular plant-feeding nutrient mix and watered. A deficiency symptom is spotted and diagnosed. Do not attempt correction on the same day as a regular feeding and watering but don't wait a week either. The next day after spotting the symptom, apply the corrective nutrient (as dry material spread evenly over the box area) and water again with the regular amount of water. Do not repeat the corrective application until several weeks have elapsed. Note that a deficiency correction is in addition to the regularfeeding program, not along with it. In other words, don't simply add the corrective nutrient to your regular feeding mixture; make a separate application, followed by a separate watering.

STANDARD MITTLEIDER OUTDOOR GROW-BOX

(5'.30'.8") (See drawings, Chapter 3) Wood 70 feet 1"x8"x20' redwood (or cedar) lumber 25 1"x2"x18" pointed redwood stakes Other Materials 1 pound blue shingle nails 1 pound 4-inch box nails

Tools 1 3-pound mall or hammer 1 regular-weight hammer 1 level, two feet or longer 100 feet strong cord

187

188


MATERIALS TO CONVERT A STANDARD OUTDOOR GROW·BOX INTO A SIMPLE GREENHOUSE (See drawings, Chapter 9)

A. Box covered with one layer of plastic cover Wood 90 feet 1"x2" boards, 20' lengths jf possible Plastic 152 feet J;"" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST) 20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST) 16 314" PVC T-joints 16 %" PVC 45° elbows 1 p"lnt plastic cement 50 feet 4 mil, 16-foot-wide clear plastic Cut plastic pipe to these lengths: 314" PVC pipe: 8 pieces, 60" long - for the width. 16 pieces, 48" long - for the legs. 8 pieces, 72" long - for the arched roof. 1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs.

Other Materials 1" metal 'U" clamps 60 feet ordinary bailing wire Y2 pound 2-inch galvanized nails B. Materials for second plastic layer in colder climates Wood 210 feet 1"x2" boards, 20' lengths if possible Plastic 140 feet %" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST) 20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST) 4 %" PVC T-joints 161'4" PVC 45° elbows 50 feet, 4 mil, 16-foot-wide clear plastic

Appendix IV

189

Cut plastic pipe to these lengths: %" PVC pipe: 2 pieces, 64" long - for the width 16 pieces, 56" long - for the legs 8 pieces, 76" long - for the arched roof 1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs

Other Materials 50 feet ordinary bailing wire 1 quart white exterior paint 1 pound 2-inch box nails Note: This list of materials does not include those needed for making doors on both ends of this type of greenhouse, nor an extra 60' of 1"x8" boards needed to divide the grow-box, leaving an aisle down the center. See Chapter 10 for illustrations. STANDARD MITTLEIDER GREENHOUSE (8'.30'.10') (See drawings, Chapter 10) A. Materials for frame, grow-boxes. and one layer 01 plastic cover Wood 60 feet 2"x6" boards, 10' or 20' lengths 4 2"x6" boards, 8' length 280 feet 1"x2" boards, 10' or 20' lengths 8 2"x2" boards, 12' length 8 2"x2" boards, 6' length 200 feet 1"x8" boards, 10' or 20' lengths 4 2"x4" boards, 8' length 8 4"x4" posts, 9' long 50 1"x2"x18" pointed redwood stakes 1 bundle lath Plastic

260 feet %" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths 20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' length 16 314" PVC T-joints 16 %" PVC 45° elbows 50 feet 2 or 4 mil clear plastic, 16' width 1 pint plastic cement

190


Cut plastic pipe to these lengths: %" PVC pipe: 8 pieces, 96" long -

for the width 16 pieces, 82" long - for the legs 8 pieces, 108" long - for the arched roof 1" PVC pipe: 16 pieces, 15" long - base for legs Other Materials 1 pound blue lath nails 2 pounds 4-inch box nails 2 pounds 3-inch box nails 2 pounds 6-inch box nails 4 "0" shaped door hinges, 3 180 feet No.2 wire 12 %"x6" eye bolts, threaded 161" metal "U" clamps 60 3/4" metal "u" clamps 3 quarts white exterior paint B. Materials for second layer 01 plastic in colder climates Wood 30 feet 2"x2" boards, 10' lengths 180 feet 1"x2" boards, 10' or 20' lengths 1 bundle lath Plastic 220 feet 3f4" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths 20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths 4 3f4" PVC T-joints 16 %" PVC 45 0 elbows 50 feet 4 mil clear plastic, 16' width 32 feet 4 mil clear plastic, 12" width Cut plastic pipe to these lengths: %" PVC pipe: 2 pieces, 101%" long -

for the width 16 pieces, 90" long - for the legs 8 pieces, 114" long - for the arched roof 1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs

Appendix IV

191

Other Materials 41" metal "U" clamps 8 3/4" metal "U" clamps 40 3/16"x4" threaded bolts with nuts 16 2/16"x2%" threaded bolts with nuts

c.

Measurements for three greenhouse grow-boxes

Materials are included above for the three standard grow-boxes in the standard Mittleider greenhouse. Two boxes (either side of greenhouse) are 15" wide by 30' long, outside measurements; one box (center) is 30" wide by 26' long - cut short 24" on both ends of greenhouse to allow for aisle access. See Chapter 10 for detailed illustrations.

Dramatically increased yields - and income - are possible, even on poor land, with the simple 5'x30' grow-boxes and the inexpensive S'x30' plastic greenhouses described in this book. The world demand for food increases daily and the problem is growing in intensityl The so-called "good land" on planet Earth is already under intensive cultivation. But there are still millions of acres of "earth" lying idle in most countries. Over the years, crop yields per acre on this "good land" have increased many fold, and no doubt will be increased still more. Just how much more remains to be seen. It is reasonable to believe that future increases will be limited in comparison to the recent past. The greatest hope for providing food for an expanding world population is in the millions of acres of land that today lie unused, unproductive. 192

Appendix V

193

Until very recently, this land was regarded as worthless - but today it has been proven that a very large part of this "worthless" land can be used very easily and with maximum results. Simple grow-boxes, covered where necessary by inexpensive, plastic greenhouses, present the key to agricultural use of this land. Their dramatic productiveness in our Mittleider demonstration projects in many countries is unchallengeable. Look at the following comparative figures - you will be surprised! Comparison 01 grow-box/greenhouse farming with some other types of farming Crop: CABBAGE Conventional Tractor Farming Number of plants per acre Average weight per head Marketable heads per acre Marketable cabbage per acre Crop income per acre at 8lf: lb. Possible crops per year Potential income per acre, per year

14-15,000 3 pounds

40-50% 24,000 pounds

$1,920 2 (?) $3,840

5'x30'8" Grow-Boxes Number of plants per grow-box Grow-boxes per acre Plants per acre (135x156 Average weight per head Marketable heads per acre Marketable cabbage per acre Crop income per acre at 8¢ lb. Possible crops per year Potential income per acre at 2 crops

135 156 19,000 3 pounds 90% 51,300 pounds $4,004 2 or 3 $8.008

Note: Conventional farming requires heavy mechanization. Growbox farming, after the small cost of lumber. requires virtually no equipment - just one 7HP rototiller is all the machinery needed. Grow-boxes organize farming so that hand labor can compete with farm machinery - and make it possible to use much of the poorest and heretofore unusable land.

194


Crop: TOMATO Large, Automated, Hydroponic Greenhouse

Greenhouse size Cost to construct and equip Tomato plants per greenhouse Fruit per house, per crop Fruit per plant (6-months picking) Fruit per acre (9 houses) Crop income per house, per crop at 25¢ lb. Crops per year Crop income per house, per year Income potential per acre per year

150'x30' (1/9 acre) $25,000 1,680 10 pounds 16,800 pounds 75 tons $4,200 1V2 $6,300 $56,700

Simple, 8'x30'x10' Greenhouse

Greenhouses per acre Cost to construct and equip, inc. heat Tomato plants per greenhouse Fruit per plant (4 months picking) Fruit per house, per crop at 16 lb. Fruit per acre (86 houses) Crop income per house, per crop at 25¢ lb. Crops per year Crop income per house per year Income potential per acre per year

86 $385 150 14-20 pounds 2,400 pounds 103 tons $600 2 $1,200 $103,200

Note: Modern hydroponic greenhouses require much equipment and continuous, fixed monthly expenses for operating. The Mittleider 8'x30' greenhouse (except for the simple heating equipment already included in the $385 construction cost) requires no special equipment or machinery to operate. This eliminates the heavy monthly expenses and turns man-hour production into ready cash. As the figures indicate, there is an improvement in crop yields with the small greenhouse and it allows the use of land formerly considered "worthless."

Deficiency Symptoms in Vegetable Plants (Corrective Treatments – Per 30ʼ-long Row) BORON – (1-2 ounces Borax) General Symptoms – “Rosette Crown” terminal buds; Death of terminal buds; leaves are an off-green color; leaves are distorted; leaves are brittle, stiff, along margins; flowers and pods fail to mature. Cotyledons enlarged and true leaves of young plants turn purple; terminal shoots curl upward and die; blossom end rot of fruit. Black Heart in tubers. Variety

Specific Symptoms

Bean

Death of terminal buds; leaves are an off-green color; flowers and pods fail to grow.

Beet

Rosette terminal buds; leaves die in crown; roots show heart-rot and dry-rot; leaves are red, small and deformed.

Broccoli

Head and margins of leaves are rust-brown discoloration; leaves become necrotic; stems of curds are hollow.

Cabbage

Stems are hollow in the head region; leaves are distorted; leaves are brittle, stiff, along margins; leaves making up the head are unattached.

Cantaloupe

Rosette terminal bud; and death of terminal buds.

Carrot

Margins of leaves yellow, followed by red; roots split long and wide.

Cauliflower

Same as broccoli.

Celery

Crosswise cracks in the petioles; small center leaves turn brown.

Corn

Growing point dies; no silk and no ears develop.

Lettuce

Distorted terminal leaves; death of growing point.

Onion

Leaves are deep bluish-green color; basal leaves develop transverse cracks on upper side.

Pea

Yellow or white veins in leaves; terminal bud dies; blossoms shed; pods are poorly shaped and empty.

Potato

Older leaves curl upward at margins; bushy appearance of plant; foliage thick and brittle; older leaf stalks break off easily

Radish

Terminal bud dies; tubers crack and become hollow.

By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard

© 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation

Variety

Specific Symptoms

Tomato

Cotyledons and true leaves of young plants turn purple; terminal shoots curl upward and die; blossom end rot of fruit.

CALCIUM – (16 ounces lime or gypsum) General Symptoms - Margins of leaves are light colored; leaves of terminal buds have dead tips; plant growth is stunted. Leaves roll up at margins with necrotic edges. Death of terminal bud; older leaves - small to large portions of the leaf collapse, brown and die. Condition moves up the plant to younger leaves; warty appearance of leaves; stubby roots; death of plant. Quick and severe wilting, scorching, and death of large areas of a leaf or leaves; poor plant color and growth; enlarged leaves; poor flower set and poor fruit set. Variety

Specific Symptoms

Bean

Death of terminal bud; death of plant.

Broccoli

Leaves roll up at margins with necrotic edges.

Brussels Sprouts

Same as broccoli.

Cabbage

Same as broccoli.

Cantaloupe

Small to large portions of the leaf collapse and die; older leaves brown and die.

Carrot

Leaves show chlorosis, later scorching and die; poor foliage.

Cauliflower

Same as broccoli.

Celery

Young leaves of center hearts die; pale green color; growing point dies.

Corn

Youngest unfolding leaves gelatinize and later stick together; weak stalks.

Cucumber

Margins of leaves are light colored; leaves of terminal buds have dead tips; plants are stunted.

Lettuce

Young leaves pale and distorted; rosette crown.

Pea

Chlorosis on lower leaves; plants are short and die; root tips die.

Potato

Young leaves roll upward with marginal scorching; buds die; crops fail; young leaves are pale green and small.

Radish

Narrow white bands on margins of leaves; marginal leaf wilting.

Tomato

Terminal flowers die; plants are weak and flabby; roots are brown; blossom end of fruit rots.



CHLORIDE – (Very rare no corrective treatment given) General Symptoms - Unnatural wilting of the plants. Resembles the symptoms of excess nitrogen and excess salt.

COPPER – (1 ounce copper sulfate) General Symptoms - Copper deficiency is rare. Narrowing of broad leaves; characteristic brownish yellow, or pale yellow color or stripes, and curled leaves. In severe cases the color is gray. Poor root system; greatly reduced yield or none at all. Variety

Specific Symptoms

Beet

Bluish-green color of younger leaves; older leaves become chlorotic beginning first at the tips; leaf veins remain green.

Cabbage

Heads fail to form; leaves become chlorotic, poor growth.

Carrot

Poor tuber development; leaf growth is stunted but no chlorosis appears.

Corn

Leaf tips wither and appear grayish; tips of newest leaves die; leaves become chlorotic.

Lettuce

Leaves become chlorotic, starting at the margins; leaves become cupped; heads are not firm.

Onion

Bulbs are not solid; leaves are chlorotic.

Pea

Tips of terminal buds wilt; flowers abort and no pods form.

Potato

Young leaves remain permanently wilted; terminal buds die when flower buds are developing; almost no chlorosis appears.

Tomato

Growth of shoots severely stunted; very poor root growth; foliage dark bluishgreen color; flowers fail to form; chlorosis appears.

IRON – (1 ounce chelated iron) General Symptoms - Bleached yellow color between the veins of young leaves; leaf veins remain green ; yellow and green intermixed in interveinal tissue; older leaves turn yellow, dry out, and fall off; stunted plant growth; leaves and flowers shed prematurely.

MAGNESIUM - (8 ounces magnesium sulfate)



General Symptoms - Chlorosis in the older leaves, with multiple colors between the veins. Older leaves show patches of orange, red and purple; later the chlorotic patches coalesce, brown and drop out. Older leaves show interveinal chlorosis and necrosis; leaf margins turn up; stems are slender; interveinal light green or yellow patches on maturing leaves; later these patches dry up; flower set turns yellow and drops off; fruits are poorly shaped and poorly developed; bright colors of reds, yellows, oranges, and purples appear on maturing leaves. Because magnesium moves within the plant, older leaves show deficiency. Variety

Specific Symptoms

Bean

Older leaves show reddish-brown mottling; later the spots become necrotic.

Beet

Chlorosis in the older leaves, with reddish shading between the veins.

Broccoli

Older leaves show patches of orange, red and purple; later the chlorotic patches brown and drop out.

Brussels Sprouts

Same as broccoli.

Cabbage

Same as broccoli.

Cantaloupe

Necrotic spots develop in older leaves; later the spots coalesce.

Carrot

Leaves are colored with yellow, reds, and purplish; older leaves are very chlorotic; poor tuber development; poor growth.

Cauliflower

Same as broccoli.

Celery

Leaf tips and margins are chlorotic with reddish blotches; later entire leaves become necrotic.

Corn

Older lowest leaves turn bright red color; later leaves become necrotic.

Cucumber

Leaf veins remain green; chlorosis develops between veins; leaf edges become brittle.

Lettuce

Older leaves show chlorosis and later complete yellowing.

Onion

Tips of leaves die; foliage dies prematurely; growth is retarded.

Pea

Leaf-tips are brown and dry; leaves die prematurely.

Potato

Older leaf margins and centers show mottling and chlorosis; later these leaves become necrotic; leaves turn up at margins.

Radish

Older leaves become chlorotic between the veins.

Tomato

Older leaves show interveinal chlorosis and necrosis; leaf margins turn up; stems are slender.



MANGANESE (2 ounces manganese sulfate) General Symptoms - Predominant symptoms of manganese deficiency include uniform yellowing (brighter than nitrogen) over the entire leaf surface, including veins – not the entire plant, only some leaves. Symptoms can appear on mature leaves or terminal bud. Often they are more clearly identified by their descriptive names, such as gray speck, white streak, dry spot, and yellow disease in spinach and beans.

Variety

Specific Symptoms

Bean

Young leaves become chlorotic, increasing in severity; later leaves turn yellow, drop and the plant dies.

Beet

Chlorosis between leaf veins; growth is erect; red and purple tinting appears on leaves.

Cabbage

Leaves are usually small and yellow.

Celery

Chlorotic marginal bands on leaflets; leaves have olive-green coloring.

Corn

Yellow and green striping the full length of the leaf.

Cucumber

Between leaf veins the color is pale green to yellowish white; veins remain green; leaves are small; blossom buds turn yellow.

Lettuce

Leaves turn pale and become chlorotic, then necrotic.

Potato

Leaves are rolled forward and are chlorotic.

Tomato

Sometimes growth severely stunted; leaves near terminal bud are small, rolled forward; dark-brown spots appear along leaf veins.

MOLYBDENUM (1 ounce sodium molybdate) General Symptoms - “Whiptail disease” (narrow long leaves with twisted patterns) in cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower; cracked stem of celery; ruptured cells in leaves of affected plants; missing portions of leaves, either inside or on the edges; loss of living green color; flower drop, and poor fruit crop; death of the terminal bud.

NITROGEN (16 ounces ammonium nitrate or urea) General Symptoms - Growth erect, becoming stunted; young leaves become a light green color later turning to light yellow; lower leaves turn yellow, scorch and die. Plants are weak, stems are thin & woody. Fruit pointed on blossom end. Yellowing over entire plant, including the leaf veins; weak, spindly plant stems and leaves; death of the older leaves; failure to fruit.



Variety

Specific Symptoms

Red Beets

Growth is erect; older leaves a dark reddish color; young leaves pale green color.

Broccoli

Pale green color, particularly on young leaves; older leaves may show reddish to purple colors and will shed prematurely.

Cabbage

Same as broccoli.

Carrot

Leaves light green color, later turning to yellow.

Cauliflower

Same as broccoli.

Celery

Yellowing of older leaves; later they will wilt.

Corn

Older leaves dry (scorch) at the tips; death of the leaf follows; plants are weak with thin stalks.

Cucumber

Leaves are light yellow to pale yellow; thin woody stems; fruit yellow-green color; fruit pointed blossom end.

Lettuce

Pale green color on leaves; older leaves show "firing" and die.

Onion

Young leaves light-green color; older leaves die; growth pattern upright.

Potato

Young leaves light-green color; leaves yellowish color, later drying up; leaf veins deep purple color.

Radish

Stunted growth; bulbs small, poorly developed; stems weak.

Sweet Potato

Defoliation of lower leaves; leaf color yellowish green with purplish areas; stunted growth.

Tomato

Growth upright; lower leaves turn yellow and die; young leaves light green color; purple veins on under-side; stems are slender.

PHOSPHORUS (8 ounces triple super phosphate or comparable) General Symptoms - Poor foliage; leaves dull green to purple color; weak slender stems. Leaves small; dark purple color; short leaf stock (petiole). marginal scorch on leaves. red and purple blotches; missing kernels on ears & in pods. Thin, weak, spindly plants; red and purple colors on tops of leaves; purplish blotches on underside of tomato leaves between the leaf veins; poor fruit set and poor fruit quality. Variety

Specific Symptoms

Beet Leaves

Small; dark purple color; short leaf stock (petiole).



Variety

Specific Symptoms

Broccoli

Underside of leaves show purple near veins; leaves have dull purple color; margins of leaves die.

Cabbage

Same as broccoli.

Carrot

Leaf stalk upright; older leaves die; small leaves are dull-green color with purple.

Celery

Slender leaf stocks; plants hardly grow; rosette crown.

Corn

Tops of mature leaves red and purple blotches; slender stalks; missing kernels on ears.

Cucumber

Thin stems; older leaves dull-green color.

Lettuce

Late maturing; leaves dark green with purple shading.

Onion

Tips of leaves die back; older leaves wilt and die.

Pea

Weak stunted shoots; reduction in leaves with bluish-green color.

Potato

Older leaves fall off; upright spindly growth; tubers may have internal cracks; marginal scorch on leaves.

Radish

Underside of leaves reddish-purple color; stunted growth; poor bulb development.

Tomato

Poor foliage; undersides of leaves purple color; weak slender stems.

POTASSIUM (16 ounces potassium chloride) General Symptoms – Yellowing then firing (scorching) of leaf edges (ratty-looking appearance); brown, dry blotches within the leaf and between the leaf veins; ragged tears within the leaf; poor quality fruit set; poor root growth; grain stems weaken and filled heads bend downward and later fall to the ground. Variety

Specific Symptoms

Bean

Leaf margins develop necrotic-brown areas between the veins; leaflets turn downward.

Beet

Leaf surface crinkled and edges turn downward; stems of older leaves have brown spots; roots poorly developed and tend to rot.

Broccoli

Browning of leaf margins, and browning between the leaf veins; curds are soft and poorly developed.

Brussels Sprouts

Same as broccoli.



Variety

Specific Symptoms

Cabbage

Same as broccoli.

Cantaloupe

Lower leaves turn brown and die; fruits split at blossom-end; leaves have yellow necrotic spots near edges.

Carrot

Roots are spindly; growth is poor; leaves are chlorotic and brown.

Cauliflower

Same as broccoli.

Celery

Leaflets curl, turn brown with necrosis; leaf stems are short.

Corn

Leaf tip and marginal scorch; tip end of ears filled with shriveled kernels; weak short stocks; lodging.

Cucumber

Necrosis on leaf margins; young leaves crinkled; fruit very small at stem end.

Lettuce

Dark green leaves; marginal scorch and interveinal scorch on leaves.

Onion

Older leaves turn a slight yellow, wilt, and die; leaf tips die and dry; poor bulbs.

Pea

Firing of margins of older leaves; pods poorly filled and hollow; poor spindly growth.

Potato

Yellowish color on older leaves; later necrosis and browning of leaf-tips and leaf margins; slender stalks with short internodes.

Radish

Center of leaves bluish-green color; leathery leaves and they curl downward.

Tomato

Leaves scorch along margins, later become necrotic; stems are thin; fruit is ill- shaped; fruit ripens unevenly.

SULFUR (8 ounces agriculture-grade sulfur) General Symptoms – Bleached - creamy white to light yellow color of entire leaf or leaves, including the terminal buds; creamy white color of older leaves; dying terminal buds; older leaves die and fall off.

ZINC (4 ounces zinc sulfate) General Symptoms - Slow early growth; leaves thicken; leaves tend to curl downward. Flower buds and leaves drop off. Small terminal leaves referred to as "little leaf' in fruit trees; severely reduced fruit-bud formation; small, seedless pods in some vegetable crops; streaks of yellow and long bands of yellow in the leaves of some crops; red firing on orange-yellow leaves with green veins – can be fairly bright colors. Affects younger leaves first. By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard


Variety

Specific Symptoms

Bean

Flower buds and leaves drop off.

Corn

Older leaves have light-yellow streaks or chlorotic stripes between veins; sometimes appearing as broad bands of yellow or white tissue, occurring mainly on the lower half of the leaf and seen when the young leaf comes out of the whirl; tasseling and silking are late.

Pea

Margins of lower leaves become necrotic; stems are erect; no flowers form.

Potato

Grayish-brown spots develop on leaves half-way up the plant.

Tomato

Slow early growth; leaves thicken; leaves tend to curl downward.

Quiz: For which nutrients does yellow color show if deficiency exists – describe symptom. Nitrogen

Overall yellowing

Manganese

Yellow, including veins – brighter than nitrogen

Molybdenum

Yellow edges on small leaflets

Zinc

Yellow and orange with green veins

Potassium

Yellowing, followed by scorching or firing of leaf edges

Iron

Yellow with green veins

Magnesium

Bright yellow and/or red, and/or purple, and/or orange



Find this in the Mittleider Yahoo Group [Gledhill Folder]

3 2 2 1 2 2 14 2 alt.* 12 2 alt. 1 2 14 2 alt. 12 2 alt. 6 2 8 2 alt. 12 2 9 1 9 1 2 2 12 2 alt. 6 2 9 1 9 1 1 4 4 4 6 2 3 2 2 2 12 2 alt. 8 2 alt. 1 2 6 2 9 1 21 1 21 1 21 1 9 1 14 2 2 2 21 1 1 of 1

0.500 0.500 0.250 deep deep 0.125 deep deep 0.250 0.500 deep deep deep 0.250 0.125 0.125 0.250 0.250 0.125 1.000 0.125 0.125 0.500 deep 1.500 0.125 0.250 0.500 0.500 0.500 0.500 deep deep 0.125 0.250

240 5 180 10-12 362 5 52 5-6 60 5 720 6 52 5-6 62 5-6 124 3-4 92 5 62 6-8 41 8-12 41 10-12 360 4 62 4 122 3 41 8-10 41 8-10 1440 3 360 7 120 3-4 244 7 362 4-5 62 8-12 92 4-5 722 2 122 4 41 8-12 18 8-12 18 8-12 18 8-12 41 10-12 52 6-8 362 4 16 6-8

20 84 12 20 15 12 20 18 12 72 18 84 72 12 12 12 84 84 12 15 12 12 18 16 16 8 8 84 24 24 24 84 24 12 16

+0 +0 -2 -4 -4 -2 -4 -2 -2 +0 +2 +2 +0 -4 -4 -4 +2 +2 -4 -4 -2 -2 -4 +2 -2 -4 -4 +2 +2 +2 +2 +0 +0 -2 +2

-8 -8 -8 -6 -6 -1 -1 -8 -7 -7 -1 -1 -7 -7 -6 -7 -7

-7 -1 -1 -1 -1 -8 -8 -2

Harvest Length in Weeks

-2 -2

Days to mature

Plant Height

Fertilizer applications

# Plants per bed

Expected Yield (full bed) 68 lbs. 180 lbs. 120 lbs. 80 lbs. 150 lbs. 90 lbs 100 lbs. 120 lbs. 150 lbs. 115 ears 248 lbs. 410 lbs. 400 lbs. 120 lbs. 112 lbs. 45 lbs. 246 lbs. 246 lbs. 144 bunches 135 lbs. 23 lbs. 160 lbs. 90 lbs. 310 peppers 145 lbs. 60 bunches 46 lbs. 154 lbs. 135 lbs. 135 lbs. 135 lbs. 615 lbs. 208 lbs. 120 lbs. 320 lbs.

Plant in Garden (weeks +/- ALSF)

On ADLF On ADLF 2-3 weeks before 4 weeks before 4 weeks before 2-3 weeks before 4 weeks before 2-3 weeks before 2-3 weeks before On ADLF 2-3 weeks after 2-3 weeks after On ADLF 4 weeks before 4 weeks before 4 weeks before 2-3 weeks after 2-3 weeks after 4 weeks before 4 weeks before 2-3 weeks before 2-3 weeks before 4 weeks before 2-3 weeks after 2-3 weeks before 4 weeks before 4 weeks before 2-3 weeks after 2-3 weeks after 2-3 weeks after 2-3 weeks after On ADLF On ADLF 2-3 weeks before 2-3 weeks after

Depth of Seed/Seedling (inches)

frost-sensitive frost-sensitive moderately-hardy hardy hardy moderately-hardy hardy moderately-hardy moderately-hardy frost-sensitive frost-intolerant frost-intolerant frost-sensitive hardy hardy hardy frost-intolerant frost-intolerant hardy hardy moderately-hardy moderately-hardy hardy frost-intolerant moderately-hardy hardy hardy frost-intolerant frost-intolerant frost-intolerant frost-intolerant frost-sensitive frost-sensitive moderately-hardy frost-intolerant

Rows per Bed (full bed)

either either seed seedling seedling seed seedling seedling either seed seedling seedling seedling seed either either either either either either either seed either seedling seed seed either either either either either seedling seedling seed either

Start Seedling (week +/- ALSF)

beans, bush beans, pole (vertical) beets, red broccoli cabbage carrots cauliflower celery chard corn cucumbers (bush) cucumbers (vertical) eggplant (vertical) kohlrabi lettuce, head lettuce, leaf melons, cantaloupe (vert) melons, honeydew (vert) onions, green tops onions, large bulb parsley parsnips peas, bush peppers, all types potatoes radishes spinach squash (vertical) squash, crooked-neck squash, yellow squash, zucchini tomatoes (indeterminate) tomatoes, bush turnips watermelons

Hardiness

When to Plant

Spacing (inches)

Plant Type

Seedling or Seed (most effective)

Garden Planting Details

65 75 55 85 85 65 100 60 60 80 65 65 90 65 55 55 85 85 65 65 65 65 60 85 65 25 45 90 90 90 90 90 90 25 90

Planting_Helper_Simple_20090427.xls Printed 4/20/2010

3 16 20 4 2 16 4 2 20 2 16 4 16 4 2 6 10 8 2 4 24 12 3 12 8 3 4 14 14 14 14 16 6 4 3

HOW TO BUILD & USE T-FRAMES Recommended for the Mittleider Method of Vertical Growing Author: Jim Kennard Illustrations: James Gledhill

Supplies The quantities below are required to build 4 T-Frames. This is enough for one 30’ foot-long grow bed

Quantity 6

Item / Description 8’ foot-long Treated 4x4 4 of these will be used for the 4 post. The other two will be cut into sections for crossbars and support braces

8

6” inch-long nails (spikes)

32

Smaller nails or screws

These are to attach the crossbar to the post These will be used to attach the support braces to the crossbar and the main post.

Construction 1. Set four of the 4x4’s aside. They will be the main posts 2. Cut the other two 4x4’s into equal lengths of 32” inches long. a. Four of these 32” inch pieces will be the top cross bar of the T-Frames 3. Mark two of the 32” inch long 4x4’s as follows (see the diagram below for more detail) a. On the bottom of the 4x4, mark at the following locations – from left to right. i. 10 5/8”, then 3 5/8", then 10 5/8", then 3 5/8" b. On the top of the 4x4, mark at the following locations – from left to right. i. 3 1/2", then 3 5/8", then 10 5/8", then 3 5/8" c. Draw lines between these marks, then, using a table saw, cut on the lines. 4. Pre-drill through the top center of the 32" tops, then use a 6" spike to nail into the 8' post. 5. Screw or nail the braces to the top and post. 6. If you feel like your wood could use more treatment where it will be placed in the ground, paint or cover the bottom 20” inches with exterior paint or roofing tar Your T-Frame should look like the diagram above. How to build & use T-Frames

1

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Put in the garden 1. Bury the T-Frame 15" in the ground at 10' foot (or shorter) intervals. T-Frames should be placed on the same side as your single-row of plants. The outside edge of the post should be lined up with the top of the soil-bed ridge. 2. Install the wire/pipe between the “T”’s on the outside edges. Some options are: a. Use 1/2" galvanized pipe held in place by two nails (you may be able to find this at “junk/scrap” metal places), or b. Use 1/2" rebar, or c. Use 2 X 4's on edge (or other strong supports you can find for a good price), or d. Use #8 gage wire and eyebolts between the T-Frames (this is very heavy gage wire – do not use smaller wire). Braces must be used on the outside “T”s to keep them from being pulled together by the weight of the fruit. 3. Attach a tie-wire to the outside edge of the “T”s at ground level – the tie-wire will follow the ridge. Nail 1 ½” inch nails to the outside edge of the “T” and wrap tie-wire around the nail. Tightly stretch the tie-wire to the next “T” and wrap around that nail. Do this with each “T” until the end of the bed. NOTE: The weight on the support wire/pipe become very heavy as the plants grow. These supports need to be very strong to support that weight.

How to use 1. Cut 9 ½’ feet lengths of bailing twine for each plant. Tie a knot on each end of the twine so they do not unravel. This way you can re-use them next year. 2. Tie the bailing twine with a slip knot to the wire/pipe at the top of the “T”. Alternate sides for each plant – left, right, left, right, etc. This creates an alternating “V” that allows the maximum sunlight in. 3. Attach bailing twine from both sides of the wire/pipe at the top of the “T” down to single tie-wire near the base of the plants. 4. As the plants grow, guide them up the bailing twine, alternating sides for each plant. 5. Remember to remove and prune suckers. (See Mittleider Gardening Course, Chapter 15 for details) NOTE: If you want to extend the growing season, use 2 X 4's on edge at the top of the “T”, and make an arched canopy with 3/4" PVC and 45 degree Slip fittings every 2', then cover in early Spring and late Fall with 6 mil clear plastic. And for those in hot climates place 25-30% shade cloth on top of the arched canopy only sufficient to give partial shade during the hottest 3 hours of the day. This can help your tomatoes, etc. continue fruiting in the heat of summer. 8'-0"

Cutting Details

T-Post main post #1

The diagram to the right shows the major cuts used for the six 4x4 post.

T-Post main post #2 T-Post main post #3

Four posts kept un-cut at the full 8’ feet. Two posts are cut in three equal lengths of 32” inches. Four of these sections are used for the top crossbars.

T-Post main post #4 32.00in.

Top Crossbar #1

The remaining two sections of 32” inches are cut for the supporting braces. (See diagram above) How to build & use T-Frames

32.00in.

Braces (see diagram)

2

32.00in.

Top Crossbar #2 32.00in.

Braces (see diagram)

32.00in.

Top Crossbar #3 32.00in.

Top Crossbar #4

3/5/2010

The big picture!

How to build & use T-Frames

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10 Mittleider Grow-BOX gardens .pdf

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