Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Saturday, May 29, 1976, page 15 (of 31)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Gardening can be healthy and economical, too
Each summer, more families across the country experience the delights of vegetable gardening. Growing your own vegetables is an economical and enjoyable way of providing fresh, healthy vegetables for your meals. A vegetable garden does not have to be large. It can be a small patch of land located on or near your house, but the patch of land must receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. A 12-foot by 15-foot plot of land can produce from 10 to 15 different vegetatables, depending on what you plant and when you plant it. Fast-growing crops such as broccoli can be followed by a crop of green beans if the broccoli is planted early in the season. Cucumbers, tomatoes, peas and other climbing plants can be grown against a chicken-wire or chain-link fence or trellis. Like many vegetables plants, these plants flower before producing their crop, adding color to your garden. Your decision on what to plant should be determined by the climate, soil conditions and the area available for a vegetable garden. Soil can be improved to provide the necessary nutrients and extensive watering provides moisture in arid regions. Soil should have good drainage so that excessive water runs off after a rain. Novice gardeners usually start with plants that are easily grown in most areas. Zucchini or yellow summer squash, beets, cabbage, several lettuce varieties and radishes are easy to grow anywhere. Plant only one or two rows of each crop for a variety of vegetables. Rows should be even and parallel. Trenches can be dug between rows of plants for irrigation. Vegetable seed packages give detailed instructions for planting and growing each vegetable. If you are buying seedling plants, the nursery can give you information on transplanting and cultivating the seedlings into mature plants. Make sure that all vegetables receive adequate water, mulch to retain moisture and fertilizer when necessary. Grass clippings, wood chips and gravel can provide mulch for plants. The head, tails and entrails of fish that you might catch can be buried in the irrigation ditches to provide the plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, (Remember, the Pilgrims were taught by the Indians to bury a fish with the corn they planted in the Massachusetts Colony, more than 350 years ago.) If you live in an apartment or townhouse, try growing vegetables in 18" paper pulp pots. You can plant the seeds in a commercially-prepared potting soil which contains a time-release fertilizer and other nutrients necessary for plant growth. Keep these plants on a sunny balcony outside of your building and water them regularly. You can grow vegetables in the pots from spring until late fall in most areas. Leafy-green vegetables including spinach, cauliflower and brocolli grow well in these recycled paper pots. Why not give vegetable gardening a try. It's fun, especially when you harvest your first crop!
...how about one for the kids to hoe
When you're plotting the garden plot — and we do hope you're doing that important paper work before planting time — how about a fun garden for the kids? If you have the space, it's a wonderful way to introduce the sprouts to gardening. First, as the old joke goes, you have to get their attention. Seed catalogs have suggestions on plants to capture a kid's imagination and make him want to get into digging. You can make their area look different from the main garden with a few simple arrangements. Kids love pumpkins, for eating, watching, and at Jack o' Lantern time, so build them a "fort" of pumpkins. Stake out four posts about four feet apart and cover three sides with chicken wire. Plant seeds and train vines to cover the framework. Children will love it and use it to hide out, most likely from garden chores. A bean wigwam serves the same purpose. Set five or six thin poles in a circle, leaving a wedge-shaped opening. Tie at the top and plant pole beans. They'll cover the tent and maybe you can train the kids to keep them picked for you. Peanuts are another fun crop. The biggest problem is making the darlings keep them in the ground until harvest. They love the blossoms and the greenery, but keep wanting to pull out plants to check peanut growth. Older kids can be encouraged to plant their own easy to grow vegetables on a "will it or won't it be better than Mom's?" basis. Such competition can lead to lifelong interest in gardening. So take up the challenge and get the kids interested in digging as a family project.
SELL IT WITH CLASSIFIED
666-7981
OK POOL SERVICE
$15.90 MO. 15x30 POOL ALL CHEMICALS FOR YOUR POOL PUT IN BY US OK POOL SERVICE 264-8616
WE ARE MAKING LOANS NOW!
Get an auto loan from Sun Banks of Miami. We can put you into the car of your choice from the smallest compact to a limousine. We'll process your application quickly, and get back to you in as short a time as possible. Sun Banks are making loans for every other worthwhile purpose, too. Home improvements, education, business and whatever. Come to any Sun Bank soon and find out how easy getting a loan can be. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER CORAL GABLES 1300 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. MIAMI WEST 8300 Bird Rd. MIDTOWN 1400 N.W. 20th St. RIVERSIDE 60 N.W. 12th Ave. WEST DADE 11291 Bird Rd. Sun Bank MEMBER FDIC