GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS
CARE AND MAINTENANCE NOTES

HOW TO HAVE SUCCESS WITH VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS

AT A GLANCE:

• Position: most vegetables need full sun, and perhaps shelter from wind.
• Height: dependent on variety.
• Width: dependent on variety.
• The label should indicate size and planting distances.

SELECTION : Vegetable seedlings come in varying forms. Most are available by the dozen (approx. only) in punnets or singly in small pots which are more practical for varieties which yield higher crops. Choose those varieties which are in season. Your GREENGOLD GARDEN CENTRE staff member can assist you here, but do give consideration to the types that all the family like.

WHEN TO PLANT

 Drainage of the vegetable beds is very important, so it is a good idea to heap up the soil to create a raised bed. It's easy to do this while turning the bed over with your spade. You can even build a timber frame to hold your soil in place. Raising the bed will help ensure the roots don't get waterlogged.

For container growing, use a good Potting Mix like GREENGOLD PROFESSIONAL BRAND as it will provide the right drainage and water retention. Garden soil in pots is unsuitable for vegetables.

Having raised the growing bed or filled your containers, simply smooth the top surface with a rake. Use the rake handle to make straight rows if you want them.

PLANTING

Water the seedlings thoroughly a few hours before planting (the garden bed should also be watered) and mark out the position for each seedling. Remove seedlings carefully from punnet, (separate just prior to planting) keeping as much soil and roots per plant as possible. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, set the seedling in place at the same level or slightly deeper than at which it was growing, and carefully firm soil around roots. Planting distances vary depending on the vegetable (refer to instructions on the label).

WHERE TO PLANT An open sunny site is a must (at least four or five hours direct sunlight each day). A level site is best. Cold winds slow down growth and hot dry winds evaporate enormous amounts of moisture from soil and plants, so try to position your bed accordingly. Keep clear of shade from nearby trees, and of competing root systems.

SOIL PREPARATION To make a vegetable bed, turn over the soil, breaking clods or lumps as you go. Add some compost, well rotted manure or GREENGOLD PROFESSIONAL FERTILIZER and turn the soil again to mix it through.

Water well, and we suggest you use GREENGOLD PLANT STARTER to give your seedlings an initial boost after planting. In hot weather it is preferable to transplant seedlings in the cool of evening. If the weather remains hot it may be necessary to shade the newly planted seedlings for 2 or 3 days to reduce plant stress. As tender young seedlings are most attractive to snails and slugs you should sprinkle a small amount of snail bait sparingly around them to ensure they don't disappear.

FEEDING It is best to apply a pre-planting fertiliser such as GREENGOLD PROFESSIONAL Plant Food for each vegetable crop you grow. Root crops need little additional fertiliser after the initial feeding, whereas fruit and seed vegetables benefit from a side dressing of mixed fertiliser.

Leaf vegetables need liquid feeding as well while they are growing.

Tomatoes benefit greatly from applications of YATES LUSH Tomato Food, and all vegetables respond well to PHOSTROGEN or THRIVE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE liquid fertilizer.

WATERING After planting, seedlings should be watered frequently until established and new growth has started. (Sprinklers with a slow application rate and fine droplets are best for vegetables). To help minimise transplanting shock, GREENGOLD recommends weekly watering with GREENGOLD PLANT STARTER for 3 or 4 weeks. Once vegetables are established, a good soaking will encourage deep roots. This helps them to withstand dry conditions for longer periods.

MULCHING Garden compost or well rotted animal manure help an even temperature and discourage un-wanted weeds. When preparing for the next crop it can be dug into the soil.

PESTS AND DISEASES The best way to prevent pests is to grow healthy plants that will maintain a healthy tolerance to problems. To prevent the spread of diseases (or insect pests) which may attack vegetables belonging to the same group, crops of the same family group should be rotated. Initially, slugs and snails are the main pests. If you are unsure what control is needed just ask your GREENGOLD GARDEN CENTRE staff member for their advice.

OTHER USES If you have no room for a vegetable plot, grow some tomatoes, radishes, capsicum or lettuce in pots in a sunny position on the patio or balcony, where they will look good as well as being useful. Try some lettuce in a window box or grow cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket.

Refer also, to the specific pages on the GREENGOLD web site for tomatoes, and other fruit and vegetables.

Check out also, the YATES pages as they are updated weekly with information and advice what to plant currently. Also check out the RENAISSANCE HERB pages, as they frequently provide good advice on vegetable growing, as do NEWPORTS.