Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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 Treated 12”+ 2” X 8” is recommended for splicing. End pieces – 5’ long 1” X 8” 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 . . . Pre-Plant - calcium, magnesium, & boron – 80-4-1 ratio. Apply 12# 2 oz to soil In 18” box apply 1 oz/ft – in 4’ box apply 2 oz/ft. Apply 5# lime to soil None, only Pre-Plant above. Weekly Feed – nothing said 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 length- wise is generally a better solution for the home gardener. After a crop is harvested . . . 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. 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 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. 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 T- frame 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 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. 112. 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. 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 tie- wire 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 trans- plant-size plants, so growing these in a protected environ- ment 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. Seedlings are transplanted to . . The first transplant should be into 2” or larger pots, or Into other flats, 49 to 81 per flat, depending on plant size. 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 product- Grow-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 Now that treated 2 X 8 lumber is readily available and safe to use, that is preferred over redwood or cedar. Should Grow-Boxes face N/S Not necessary. What IS important is that tall plants be
grown North or East of shorter plants, so as not to shade them.
173. Appendix II 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. 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.
mittIeidergrow-box
gcwdensDr. .IR llitt1.eid.er
mittleidergrow-box
gardensBY
JACOB R. MITTLEIDER, LLD.AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT
LECTURER, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
ILLUSTRATED BYDON BERGGREN
InbUnationCll Food PtOCIuction mczthocl).lnc.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Published and Distributed by
International Food Production Methods, Inc.Post Office Box 17114Salt Lake City. Utah 84117
Copyright © 1975 by Jacob R. Mittleider, under the title "More Food From YourGarden."
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 formwhatsoever. whether by graphic. visual. electronic, or any other means; or be translatedinto any language, devices, or symbols. without the written permission of InternationalFood 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 braveamid the frustration and uncertainty of life with an adventuroushusband. Without her, success would not have been possible.
Douglas and Carol Deitrich, son-in-law and daughter, whoencouraged me in the development of the first experimental modelsthat stimulated this entire program; and who still inspire towardcontinuing refinement and perfecting.
Dr. James R. and Jeannie Wise, son-in-law and daughter, whoalso built and planted the early model gardens whose success wasconvincing evidence that millions could benefit from theseextraordinarily productive techniques - if only they had theinformation.
To these, and others, who encouraged and motivated me toaccomplish that in which I really believed, I gratefully dedicate thisbook.
-The Author
I wish to thank -
Edmond Henken, my chief associate, for his encouragement.loyalty, hard work, advice, and support through both prosperousand adverse times. In my estimation, he is the one person who hasgained the most complete knowledge of my entire concept andmethod as outlined in this book. He has not only the theory but alsothe practical experience to conduct the program and also toadvance it.
Willis J. Hackett, for his confidence and encouragement, for hisbelief in the methodology, and for the foreword he generously wrotefor this book and for a previous book.
Lynn Galr, M.D., for loyalty and personal involvement in pastyears. helping to bring this program to success. Without his helpthere would never have been the opportunity to develop it, eitherabroad or in the United States.
D. L. Stoops, M.D., whose humanitarian nature led him to studythe Mittleider program thoroughly as a means of helping hungrypeoples, and then to promote it and encourage its development.
Don Berggren, the illustrator of this book. Without his outstandingtalent it would not have been possible to prepare this work formankind. It is a rare privi lege to work with so talented a person whois also selfless and sensitive to human need.
-The Author
FORE.WORD... • • • . . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . •. II
INTMDUCTION •..... ..•••.. . . . ••• 13
a"..WHAT 15 TH~ M1TTL.e.IDE.R. METHOD ?. Z"!
~ ••.•GARVE.N GPDW -OOXE.'S •..•.•.••• '" 2>3
~ HOW TO MAf<.C. oFOW-eoXE.'S ~1
~ USING "CUSTOM-MADE. 'SOIL" 4S
~ PLANNING YOUR ~DE.N LAYOUT.. 51
@ PLANTING YOUR G~N GROW·eoX... 57
77 WATERING AND FE.E.OING
YOUR PLANTS.................... /&.1
~ .•. HEL.PING PLANTS Gf<.OW•.•.••.• 75
rtJ .... GRE.ENHOUSE. - SHE.L..TE/<.E.DGf<OW- e,oXE.S en
!lV... MAKlNG A SIMPL.E0RE-ENHOUSE. . . . • . • •. . . . . . . . . . . "17
OD....succesSFuLG~HOU5E GARDENING /O'l
uf6 COL'DWEATHER. ~E.NING ••.•.•..... 11.3
n~ STARTING 5E.E.OLlNG5 FORTRANSPLANTING .•.•.••••.••... " •. 135
~••.THE. MITTLE.IDER METHOD INOPEN FURROW 143
D® THE HARVE.'5T : ISS
g lQJJESTIONS OFTEN "''5I<.E.D 110
.!§S .. MITTLEIDERFERTII.-I"l.E.R FOf<,MULA'5 •....•..•. 11~
~..PLANT NUTRIENTDE.F/CIENCI E'5 183
m.. iVlATE.RIAI.-S LiSTS FORGr<DW- eoXE.S ANDGREEN HOU6E.,=> 1f'1
~ •..COMME.RCIAI.- APPLICATIONSOF THE. MITTL.E.IDER METHOD.... 1'12
Three decades of almost constant study and research on foodproduction problems in many parts of the world have long sinceconvinced me that the most prom ising approach is a synthesis olthebest features of several major methods of gardening.
Organic gardening emphasizes plant access to all available soilnutrients and microbial activity; conventional gardeningemphasizes adequate fertilization and pest control; hydroponicgardening emphasizes high-density planting in a controlledenvironment.
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 oflhese approaches. I believe that the results speak for themselves.
This book is a step-by-step guidebook to the use of my methodsby the home gardener. If you have a rewarding gardeningexperience and it is due in part to the instructions given here, I shallbe amply rewarded for the effort involved.
I would encourage the serious student of gardening to obtain acopy of a previous book, coauthored with Dr. Andrew N. Nelson, agifted man whom I greatly admire. Its title is Food for Everyone and itmay be obtained through the publisher of this book.
- The Author
Abundant food now flourishing on once arid and unproductiveland because of the skill and ingenuity of Jacob Mittleider is asource of great hope to the world's hungry peoples whose desperatecries have echoed around the world.
I have seen the lifeless eyes and the spindly, wobbling legs ofchildren denied the balanced nutrition of an adequate food supply.Hungry children of war-torn countries have snatched food from myown hands.
Students of the future declare that the prospects for feeding theincreasing millions of the 1980's are grim. Mittleider has the answer.He is dedicated to the task of meeting the nutritional needs ofpoverty-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 unproductivesoils can produce an abundance. In many instances his methodshave doubled and tripled production on abandoned land.
This book, like Food for Everyone, the work coauthored by JacobMittleider and Dr. Andrew N. Nelson, will be hailed by many as apractical contribution to making food production more efficient.
Mittleider's demonstrations and institutes everywhere haveproved that his method can be used by anyone, anywhere, totransform unproductive lands and greatly increase crop yields.
I hope that the publication of this book, More Food From YourGarden, will help dispel hunger and produce beautiful gardenswhere now only thorns and weeds are growing.
- Willis J. HackettVice President
World Conference of Seventh-day AdventistsAdvisory Chairman
Education and World Relief
Washington, D. C.
1/
".
Jacob R. Mittleider
c
The "miracle" garden yields you may have been reading aboutlately are for real- and actually are the result of some fairly simpler>ew applications of well-established agricultural principles.
Jacob R. Mittleider is the plant"magician"who has been in scoresof countries these past few years turning people on to the thrills ofunbelievable 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 "foodrevolution" every time.
How about 30 tons of sweet potatoes where only 4 had previouslyoeen possible? or 6,000 pounds of rice where only 1,000 pounds..ere considered normal? or 100 tons of tomatoes compared with 20Ooefore?
Experts say that with Mittleider's simple methods, this earth couldleed nine times its present population - with no further agricultural<nowledge. That's about 32 billion people!
These same simple methods - now presented for the first time ina popular book - can help you to feed your family moreabundantly... with food grown more easily ... in less space... with'ewer gardening problems... than you ever thought possible.
The Mittleider Method can be used on any kind of ground rocky, hilly. alkaline, clay, depleted; in any kind of climate - hot,moderate, cold; at any time of year - winter or summer.
If you are so inclined, this method can be used to attain completeeconomic self-sufficiency on less than half an acre of land!
/3
Mittleider's university-sponsored demonstration program in New Guinea used poorland where only scrubby growth had previously been possible (above) and turned itInto lush, productive gardens (below).
High Commissioner James B~ Lampert (right) end University President TetsuoTakara of Okinawa join Mittleider in examining young cauliflower that will produce 18tons per acre - every 10 weeks - on rocky hillsides of the Ryukyu Islsnds.
Mittleider has proven repeatedly that his unique grow-boxconcept, with his simple, plastic greenhouse plan can produceenough food on even an eighth of an acre (5,000 square feet - asmall city lot!) to feed a family plus enough to sell for livingexpenses.
Governments, universities, and mission organizations sponsorinternational Mittieider institutes in which people from many landslearn how to dramatically improve the amount and quality of foodavailable.
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 couldname... anywhere people are interested in food!
It has been commonplace for people who observe the MittleiderMethod to speak In terms usually reserved for magic shows."Astonishing ... l couldn't believe my eyes ... spectacular... amiracle... 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 toradditional school funds.
B.D. Lakshman, with huge agricultural holdings in Fiji, declared,"Ten thousand speeches could not have convinced me, but in lessthan two hours of demonstrations I am completely converted. It isnothing short of a miracle."
The then High Commissioner James B. Lampert of Okinawa,urged the people of the Ryukyus to observe "this unique opportunityto gain spectacular results from the very soil which, for centuries,has brought much discouragement."
Ambassador TakaseJiro of Japan praised the Mittleider approachas "an accurate and practical program of superb food production; apractical method of solving the problem of feeding the increasingpopulations of the world."
Willis J. Hackett, a general vice president of the Seventh-dayAdventist world conference, with special emphasis on educationand world relief programs, declared that the Mittleider program "hascertainly paid off in New Guinea" where Its abundant crops continueafter many years to help support educational institutions and toprovide more nourishing diets for the people.
17
Africa to the Arctic - searing heat, freezing cold cannot stop the amazing productivity ofnature 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 atthe results. The work has surprised us and shown what can be donein this country."
Loma Linda University (California) sponsored Mittleider on a 24nation survey of food production problems, leading directly to thedevelopment of a series of institutes co-sponsored in some cases byhost governments.
It is nowonder that such authorities look to the Mittleider programwith great expectations. Where machinery is not readily available,where soil is poor, where weather and pests are destructive, JacobMittleider has shown that simple, ordinary people, using simple,ordinary hand tools, can actually out-produce heavy farmequipment and great outlays of capital!
Imagine the sense of dignity and self-respect that comes to afamily 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 inMittleider 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 partsof the world that an Okinawan magazine was moved to describeMittleider as "a man who can give hope to people throughout theworld."
Because his simple methods have proved so eminently successfulfor so many people in so many countries, M iltleider is convincedthat "hunger is no longer an agricultural problem; it is a humanproblem, a social problem." If politicians, educators, and interestgroups can cooperate, he says, this world can feed an expandingpopulation indefinitely.
In the meantime, the Mittleider method can certainly be a helpinghand for you, your family, and your friends ... in making gardeningfar more rewarding - and productive - than you ever thoughtgardening could be.
1'1
Mittleider grow·boxes can be used for large-scale production of garden crops - or, inones and twos, for backyard family gardens - with the same productivity.
Can you imagine this concentration of luscious tomatoes In ordinary gardening? ThisMittleider grow-box provides ideal soli conditions and adequate nutrllion to supportclose planting and heavy bearing - more food In less space!
Rocky hillsides become productive farms with the grow-box technique. The boxes can beused on any kind ot terrain, over any kind ot soil- previously barren land can "blossom asthe rose"!
Jacob R. Mittleider is an international agricultural consultant andlecturer, Lorna Linda University, Lorna Linda, California. Hisinstitute and lecture schedule is booked well ahead; but if you oryour group would like to hear him, he may be contacted through thepublisher of this book.
- Howard B. Weeks, Ph.D.
Santa Barbara, California
2.1
A Mittleider seminar group In Okinawa tills grow-boxes with custom-madesoil - learning how to produce super yields where nothing would growbefore.
One grow-box for 'the back yard or hundreds ot them for a universitydemonstration farm - the same spectacular results are realized all over theworld. Mittleider students cover a steep hillside with boxes.
Six thousand pounds ot rice per acre on land that used to produce 800 to1,200 pounds; 21,000 pounds ot green beans and 28,000 pounds of sweetpotatoes per acre on previously unusable land. That's why the MittleiderMethod is called a "food revolution" In many countries.
Crowds gather in the city to see the simple Mittleider grow-boxes andsuper-simple greenhouse-eovering demonstrated as a means toward moreself-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 inwhatever space you have to use.
D
THE MITTLE.IDEF'. ME-IHOD COMe>INE:<S lHE e>EST
FEATUf/.E.5 OF :;OIL GfAfCDt.NING AND HYDiZOPONIC
GrARDtNINCi. Ii 15 A COMF'~ETE:) EA<7Y- iO -FOU-OWPLAN THAi E:L.IMINATE:<S GUE:..3hWO'*- AND INSURES
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 FQ'" NUT"'ICNT5 p..q, m UNi<NOWN Of<. THAI,
WHILE: tlDT ES5E:NTII'-L TO Pl-{>.NT Gf/OWTH) A~
USEFUL IN HUMAN NUTf2.1TI0N.
2"\
TI ME. 15 f>ElIEfl. UTiLiZED e€CAUSfO 11IEMITTLEIOE./l. GROW-fOX AND 5IMPL.E G~KOUSE
G~TLY EXTEND 11IE. GROWING 6E,A'SON. IN TflE:MITTLE:IOE.f1. MEfflOO YOU KAVE. A eu:,o.fl. PATT~N
fO FOLl..OW FOfl. SOIL. ~Af'I'TION)6EXOING AND
f'L.ANTING) FEeDING AND WATeRINGI PL.ANT CAflC ANDHA~ve5TING I AND f'/2Ol"'eCliON FROM IHsecr6,D/9eASe, !'NO WeATHE~. YOU SIMPLY CANNOT FAIL.___YOU WILL HAVE A SUCCE.S6FUL. GARDEN IF YOU
FOL.L.OW THE METI-IOO p~reo IN (HI'?ea:>f'. .H~ N43; SOME 6PEGIAL FEATUiZE6 OF "WI:.MITTl.EIl/~ ME-fHOD :
I. "CUSTOt-01- MAoe; 601L."IN OF'EN-FUF<ROW C7AF<OENING Of'.. FAAMING',
MITTLE:IDE.,CZ. PLANT NUTiZlflON COM PE.NSATE6FOfZ. NATUAAL 601L. VEFICISNCIE:S. IN G~'OOXE'3,
SOIL CAN ee. ''ClJ0T0t-01- t-01A1/E.'' J!1'( COM~ININC7
NUT~IENT5 WITH INEJ2.f ANO OI'6ANIC wrrEf/.LAL5L1fl€ 5IWO ANo q,o.WOU5T. (CHl\f'T'ef'.. 4o)
2. SIMPLE. I GN<-OEN GflOW - eooXE'3
OPEN I WOOD FAAME5, FIL.LED WlfH"CUSfOM-/'o1AOE'. '301L.", PiZOVIOf:. RJfZ. CON~17FaJl7 Pf2OOUCTION IN LlMITEO SPKE Of'. ON
OIFFICULT TEiZAAI N ,WliH NO '3P&C1AL. EllIUIf'ME.NT
OF,ANY ""ND. "THE E!:OI<E5 !'lAo Ei<TEND 1116
GROWING 5E/'6ON ANI? '3IMf'L-IFY THE. "\IIOfl.l<'-"
OF C7~ING. (~F"1'"E.f2-. 3)
3. P~eN PLANT NUTf'.liION
THE MITTL.EJOEf'. NUif'.leNi FOf<MULA'3 GIVEN TO•
You IN THIS !!a?k__ H,wE. C31fZf3.AT VI\l-UE j
THE 1"&6UI-T OF ?O '(EAI<6 OF EX~E:NCE:. IN
Al-M05i E:lfEfZ.Y Pf'F':( OF iHE WO/4.0. THEY iHETHE. GU&.;<;;WOfZlL OUT OF PLANT FEEDING.
CCI\'f'l"E.f'. 1 ; APPE.N0 1)1. IT )4: '6YGTEMi'"G WbiEf'.lNG
THE. tvlITTlEJDEf'. tvlE::Tf-\OV U5f;S 40 PEfZ.GE::NT
LEGS WAIE:f'. THAN 1XI€'3 WNVENTIONAL.
~IN(7. P<T THE ~E' TIME. IT GIVE'S THIf'.ST,(
f'1...'\NT'S \HE. WP<Te<Z- THEY NeED MOfZ6CON'SISTENTI-Y AND EFfl::Cnvay. (CIlP<f'['EJa 7)
5. PI'OOUcriVE. PLANT CAI"E
SfEP-etr'-SIEf' INSlf'.UCTION5 Af'.E GIVEN IN lHl'S
fXVl( FOE'- T~INJNG} ~UNING} R?/..UNAilNG,
~ING PLANTS Ff20M IN<SeGTS ANDVISEA'7E--- i..ElTING NATUI"E- OUTOO H~/..F
IN Pf2OOlJClNO AOONDNli FCOD. (CIl!'PTEfZ.5 8,11)
iU. F'f!OTEGTION Ff20M WEATHEfZ.
G~HOi..I'3E. 0HalEf2. eecoME'S SIMf'LE P<ND
INEXf1::NSlVE THE Ml11i.E1~ WAY. Gf20W- eoXE''6
QoN ee S1MP/..Y COVEfZEO) ~NHOlJ'%'6 SiI"lPI-Y
CONGTIWCTEO. YOU/,- G!"OWING %AOON CAN e>ELONG f*jO fl2OOtJCTIVE: AT 5/VIA/..L C05T AND
WIIH ,HE: MOOT ELEMefiTp..fZ-Y EtSIUIPMEfil.CCHAPTEflG '1, 10I I~)
?>I
GITH /HE. MIl"Tt..eIOE.f2. METHOD::J
I. OJ2VINAI<'( PEOPLE: q>.N ro ~F-OINAI<Y
~ING.
'1. 6IMf'LE. I HANO~ c;.N ourPEf2.FO,*"E';.XPeN6IV6 ~u(PMENT.
~. ,AWNONJI RX>O CAN ~~ 01'1 N-l,( ~INO
OF LAND) ON L~ l..ANO--- ANYWflEllf: IN -ruE. WO~1J.k. 6ucces6 IS C€(2:T',AlN f!:;ECAl.J68 i'lOTIIlNa I<S
tEff 10 CAAr-JCE: •
J. R. Mittleider and his chiefassociate, Edmond Henkin(left), examine the produceof lush experimental andteaching gardens.
The Mittleider methodmakes the most of land areaavailable by close spacingof plants in simple "growboxes," filled with inert ororganic materials at handplus nutrients.
It is like hydroponics inthat supplemental feedingof nutrients make this closespacing highly productive;but unlike it in providing forroot access to the naturalsoil for the best possibleplant nutrition.
Simple greenhouse shelter, where necessary, produces abundant, yearround yields.
The bestfeatures oforganic,hydroponic,and regulargardeningproduceoutstandingquality inthe MittleiderMethod
The Mittleider "grow-box" technique makesa real difference in home gardening. In theopen or sheltered by a simple greenhousecovering, grow-boxes produce qualityfoods - to spare!
Corn and tomatoes, cabbage andpotatoes, broccoli and onions,melons, squash, and cucumbers or papaya and rice - name it andyou can grow it the Mittleider way!
Nitrogen Potassium
Symptoms of nutritionaldeficiencies. You nolonger need to leaveplants to the mercy ofdepleted or hostile soils.The Mittleider nutritionalprogram will preventmost deficiencies andprovides help should theyappear. See Appendix IIIfor description ofsymptoms and correctivemeasures.
Potassium
Calcium
Boron Molybdenum
~~000 ~ ~ ruro ~~ 000
GROW- Ex:)XE:.'3 Afi!.E. WnOMu:.?5) WOODEN op...
CeMeNT FAAME.S LEVELE.D IN PLACE. USUALLY
5 FEET WIDE:.) ~O FEET LONG) ~ INCHE.'3 VE.E.P j
WT THE.Y CAN bE ANY SIZE:.. THE.Y CAN e,e:.I?UIL.T i\LM06T ANYWHEF-E:.. THEY ARE FILLED WITH
"CU5fOM-MAlJE 601L/1 A MIXTU!ZE OF ~WOU'3T
ANO SANO ) OJZ. OfHE:JZ. INEJ2.T Al'lV Of2.&,ANICCOM2:>INATIONS TOGETHE:JZ. WITH A e>ALANCEOf ~TILlZ.~.
"CU<STOM- MADE. 'SOIL" wrn~ IT'3 e>Ai.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:.l<S11lG Pa>T~ PalE.TAAT~ TI-IE
SU~IL,AN!? ~P-b t-1ANY ~ I ~ __.F3irAA IMPOfZ.TANT MINE:fZ.AL-~. f\:'"" .",,,,,.~ I.......EN'" d \ ~ '" '"~ IT HA? A CCVL.ING ~e:cr d J \,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 •
ASPECIAL- ,aEASON fOfZ. GI20WING PLANTS ING(lON-ex:Y!.EE> IS 1lll'-T '(OU CAN Cfl.f.e fOP. 1llE croP FFOMTHE SIDES. 'StlOE.'3 CNlfl-Y'DISEASE. AND WEE.D eeEOO.va NOT WAL.~ IN 11-IE GflOW - P-:;O)(ES !
.1
Gf<OJJ- OOX G~DE.NING ~UI(Z€.'3
FEW TooL.S. TIlE ~) I'CUflTOf'o'!-MN:e
SOIL-" CAN f:E. WOP-I'&OWIIH ~SIC HN-lO Tool-S0(2- JUS, WITH "THE. HAN06.
WITH Gf2Ow-eo><es YoU CAN MAIlG~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<e:.S ~ f"t2Ov'IPE:. FOr<- A ~IL-'('S
NEWS !Wo A l.#CJf; ~lJf2-PL.lJS R'12- ~L.L.ING 0f2SH.¥JNG. TWENTY-riVE. TO FIFTY Gf!OW-eoxES
CAN P~VIOe:. FOr<- COMPL.E:'E ECONOMICSeL.F - -6UFFIGIENCY !
" '0
EVEN IN Nl&6WITH <;£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 THEHITrLeIOE-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<s,c.NIC)
AND CONVENTIONAL G,AIZOE:NltJG MeTHQ1/g>./1 f?MPHA'SIZES THE Use. OF ~L.,A.NaO NUifZ.lENTS.IT P(Z.OV/~€> FOf2. f2a:Ji~ ,0 -rne. 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 POIJNOIN HIN~L- tJOll-€» NUTfZ.lE:NT€> VE:ft..Y U~y
Ne:Weo f7( MAN.
, i Iii II IW..J:1TTt'..u-'-'5ELECT A SUNNY LOCATION,
IN CCOL CLlMATEOS, etJlLD eoXcs
WITH A <:oUTHEf1N E:,l(A:JSUF€. NW
AHOUGE: ) PATIO, ~F<N 012- PUGINTO A HILLj310~.
YOU CAN f:.\IEN eoll-O Gl'OW-eoXE:5 ON R::OF'-,HILLSIDE; L,6NV, ttaALY SOIL) CLAY) ALt<Al-1) CJr2.- A5F'HN-T.
rr mCSNT MA11Bf1., TIlE' GflOW-/!:O><Y.3> 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'avITHG Gl'OW- f!;OxG0. f2<XTf5 'OF'OWN IN
STANOING WI'ifGft..
e>UIL.V THEo NUM~ OF GI'ON-WXE5 NEE:OW TO FITYOute- PLOT. GPOW-wx 'SIZE. CN4 VNl-Y TO FIT UNUSUAL.
eouNPN'lES. IF 56V~ GPOw-wxe;"" HlE WIL-T5101:-TO-511::1:, I L.INe; THSo1 UP SfAAIGHT FOte
ATTI2."CTIVENE9S AND fA5'( WOf'l'-lNG. PI2Or'IOEo ?J-o" OFWOf'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'-D5-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<e5.
c.) ONe fl:)UNO OF 4" NAlLG.1) ON e; Wf2E;E.--POUNO HAMMEJ2. 01'- KAU.-.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 THE6I2OW-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!'ESON 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 ?OINCHES A~f1.i />J..ONG THE COJ4;> l-INEO FOf'. ONE Glt:EOF WE ~. WHEN IJ'-li.-EO %C<il'el-Y TO THE lEVEl-EO
I"XB" e<::l'<W? I THE TOf'e~ OF~ AND Tfi£6T~ ~Ul..D eE lEvel.- (Fu.J5/1).
--~
NAIL A ,'xe," sire I!:Q'fO Fl.lJ~
WITH lOP OF STF*Eo NeJ\I2E"'T Al!:OI\ END. D!"lVE 5T,AfE ~D <SIDE~D -DEEfEIZ. TOSETHEI'!- UNTIL ecrrOM E:C\9E: OF SlOEe:o,..,e.o TOUCHES -mE Gf2O(JNO. PJ2<XEEO TO eecotJo
~.
40
/1/1
I
NAIL A 5-FOOT r \~;::'>.f!>OX ENO- PIEce (I".ei') 0 ~c;i
TO E/>Ql END OF -meLEVELED 51 DE. •
WITH Po LElIa ON ToP= OF e.::#O """ISSOf'- LOWE!"-~ TOLEva Fl::>SITION j
Ol'IVE~ veEI'EJ2..UNTIL. FLLJ!'>H WITHLeVSLW~. ,
THEN NAIL.~ TO"'Tm Wlnl "TWO NNL.'2>./'£PEAT 11110 SAME AT E/ICI1STN'-€: 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'<ND -r.¥E' A1'2.-INCH -lL!N6 1";<e"e.?A"-D, NAIL. IT AC~ .............TIJE JOINT WHEfZE THE '31C'e : ::e<?AF'O EN~ Meet. \ .,\,JiPOfZ. ~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 TOTHE STN'€.
41
])~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 eoTH5101i- ~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<O OF!!t'l'.
TO l-EVEl.- "OlE Of!'05ITe 6108~~ PL.'CEo LEVEL-)Ae>\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<E.TO f'IZOfEI!. rePrH I f-\<\IL..~ TO 5TAI'e.
1"Ef'E\'<T, 1'5 FOI'- FII26T
SIDe eoNZPI AND CONTINUETO 0PFt:lS1TEc' EONV OF eo)<.
42
WHEN MANY 61'DW- eo~E<S Aflf:. TO e£; BUILT,HEJ'E; IS A METHOD TO 6F'EED UP CONsnauerION.
STI'E-TCI1 AND STAi<E COf2.D6 R:1f". nll= 'TWO eo~ ENOS
AND ON/..Y ONE SI\?E.. /..E.VEl- THE- '5IOE AL.ONG -mE COf2.D.
use; ,~ ~"ANI? 11-15 lEl/EL.- TO L.EVE:L. 1l!£01\l~ SlOE Al-JD THE- 1WO ENPS.~ .~~~ II IS A Z"X4" X cD-FCOT
LOI-6 ecAJZ.O WITH 'l"X4" ~cD II·L.CNG e>~ NAILED
<DO INCHES !'f'AI"-T (ourSIDE DIMENSION). THE TWOet..ocre CONTWL. THE IN51tlE WI'D1"H OF THE eo)/..PI.ACt. THE SPf2EAVE,e.~ fJOf'-IZONTAl-L-Y /'C.flO'3J3-mE eo)'.. I?Y AAISING O~ LOW~NG -mE I..OOe£ SlOE
~ TO THE- LEVa.. ON THE- "Sf'l2EKJE-fl. ~IIYou CNJ MAI'E- THE LCo.3E- SIDE- lEVEL-) UN8 IT
UP SfAAIGHT) 5TP-I'E 11'+10 NAIl.- IT iN ONEopE.!2ATION !
-"' t IMembers of a Mittleider class and workshop clean up the area after construction ofgrow-boxes. The boxes are now ready to be filled with custom-made soli.
'If>
o~
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 tv1Of2GANO MOF!e SE«/OUS. "CU6TOM-~€OIL II-THE HeA<!=rOF 1}Ie MITTLEl0E.{2. M8THOO- 15 U6€O '-0 MOlD f"J..J.THE:OSG 'DISAPPOINTMENTS. I,. AflGUfl.E.'S GUCC8SS
EVE:fi1.Y TIME) AND G~TL'(' INGreAGE'S Yla~!
'1 0°°0 111mC\.. ~(~ ~ 15 "cUSTOM ·MADE. SOIL-j
,.,;:;:; ..IT IS A MI 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 1llENUTfZJEtJTS ~eeo IN THIS e:a:>j(.,
IT PE:Ji'.FO(lJY1'S ALL THE FUNCfONS OF MolIDEAL !J,A.TURA/- 601L., 60IL IS NO
MYSTEF-Y j IT IS SIt-1PI..:( TIN'(.••'9OMCTIf'1ESNOT 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'€: ~.
m50% 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
O~ PIeces.a:®il3g e»LOW5AHD IS FINE 5I*JD L.11'f. THAT H&R:D UPe>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
OF wcoo. FfleSH FIlOI-1 THE 'SAW Oil- I'eF:D - EITt£IZ-loS ea:>o. ""VOI'O ~VING9. THEY ~ MI~~ ToMIX Pt-Jo PL,t>.N, IN. TJ-IEY TE.ND TO FLATTEN INTo
/.AYrEfl4; f>..NO 4au~.
f!.EMEM~ TtlE 'SOIL UNO~ Yourz.G(2OW-f!;C)'I. CAN ~ '€>NJO) f20aG)
~VEL)GOOD5OIL)~,)CLAYJ
0(2. CEMENT.
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 erzow- 00)( LE.VE.L. FUl.L. WITH iHE. MI)(TU~
You CHOSE. Frzot-'l TilE. FOUp..
COM~INATIONS
[..I6rW E?,AfZ.L.1e.F-.
ro NOT TAMP orz..f'fa::. THE. £OIL.MI){TtJ~.
~: OVE~-FIUEO
EOXE,S CANNOT ee.WATEf2erl ,bCCUAATel.'(.
MIX THE. M,b.TEfl./AL.THOf!OUGHL.Y. A f!H.E0f2.~ FOTOTILLEF
WIl.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 WETYou 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'-lTOP 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--FILLTHE. eflOW-ez,)<.. WITH 1I€01L.\1 M()CT'U~. flNI5H f;I(
NEATL.Y LE.VE.!.-ING THE. COr-1f'Len~ MIXTUI"'-E. TOTHE. Tor WeE. OF "THe &f2OW-e:ax.. • 6f'1Z.lNI'LEU6HTL.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 INTHE. 00)(. Of!. YOU CAN Tfl.I\N5PL..N-lT 5EE.OL.IN05fl20M -r~E. NUF-5EfZ.Y O[L ~M YOUIL OWN6TArz:rlNG FAAME.6.
HEIZE IS IHE AMAZING THING YOUHAVE: 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"TWlu... 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-.YMOIST 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..EOfLOINAre.y ~reOEN '(IEL-OS ANYWHe,e.E.) INANY 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...YsaF - SUFFICIeNT 01'1 AN p.aze OF- LESS.
YOUr<. Gf20W-eoy.. IS fl.f.ADY
TO PLANT. tASY TO WOP-iL-) INA SMALL. Sf'ACE--ANO IT WILLP~OUCE t--\OI2E OE:.L.ICIOUS I
HEAL.THFUL. FOOD THAN YOUE.V6f2. IMAGIN6D.
HEf2bSCEL.Ef1-YPEN-!UT'3
PfAs~T5
'3f'//-lACH
RifATOee.ONION'3
P,A~LE.Y
?•
NAMe IT ,AND YOU CANPLANT IT IN A MI1TL.E.lO~
GFOW-eox :G~N eEANSTOMATOESPEPPEr<..:;MELONSZUCCHINI
f#OCCOL./
CUCUM~'3
CAU/.../FLOWE~
~
((,AO/~GS
EGGPLANT~A~D
C\ 't.. _:~
o
SEED O/l2eC-rL'( INrO -me. "CUSTOM -MADE: €OIL" IN WE:
6fi1OW-eoX Cf:€E, CHAFTEf2. G) ) 0fZ. "f1ZI'.N5Pl,ANT YOUNGSEeDLINGS. 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 THEG(20WING 6E,b€ON. E,AJZ{..y J FfZ05TY NIGHTS I'-lLL.
6OM~~ } ~T 1-!E;f2.E: I~ A LiST OF SOHE WHlaICAN 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 TOKA-iOE.'S I PEPPE!".S
JULY 1 COf2.N ) ZUCCHINI
JULY 5 POTATOES
JULY 10 COLLAf2.VS
JULY IS G~ eEANS) e€ET'S
AUGuST 1... ..CAf2.I2OTS I ONIONS I GAf2.LIC
CAULIFLOW~
AUGUST 10 !"ALE
AUGUST IS. e>f<OCCOLI ) CHAfLV,Bf2.U65EL 5f'f'.OUTS. Cp.,e,BN!>E,
AU6UST 10 W fLUTAe>AGAS
AUGUST '1.0 lETTUce
SEf'TEM2>E./<. i. ...TUfI-N IPS
SEPTEMl!:>EF'- 10 ....sPINACH ) MUSTAj2.0~S
CELE.f2.Y
OCTO~ 1.....AAoISHES
VATE'S (>.fI.E. 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<D IF
PI?OTECTe:o e>Y "?NOW 012- 5rflAW.
Hm 1'5 " €>"MPLC PLANTING LAYOUT. IT H.'6 T0"6TEAPFeN- AND VA/<Ie;TY R:l12- YOUI"- TI'e>LE I Lf>6TINGFOf'. MONTH",.
ro" -4 "_._ . ._.. _._._.-._ ....
lO'l --" _II -~--------10 - _.._._.._._._II _._-._--._._.-
10 --- _
14" - - - - - - 14"1 ---'l' _. _ _ _ _
14-"~"'-"le'l --t ._._._._
Jel' _.}""" .._-----
?XiI -)
?Oil ---,
~ LEAF LeTTUCE: rows e" f>.PNLT•t=>-TU~ IP rows eo II M!'f'.i.
~I'eO ear rows 2>" M!'f'.T..-- SWISS CHAf'.O...--~ /4-" VI/lMEl"E.eS.
<--- CAUL.IFLOWEf'.- /4-" VIAMen;.e.s.<-- e>fZOCC01.-1 14-" VIAMETE:f'.6.> flOWS OF PEAS Ie> II A"Ml-T.
..- ea-L..~ '8 Pl.t"N1S K-F'086.
7FOTATO I20WS Ie." APAJ2.T
POLE. eQN !'OWS 30" AfN'-T.
7.----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 CI'OP IS ~Al2-VES1EDIIHI'1EVI,ATE.!-YAPPL..YiHE 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.IETY0,," A PI FFEF'-ENT C!'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<E- SUPPLY OF Ff2.ESH YEbETp.e,LeS
SC/lE:OUU::: TEN V....yS e€.TWreN PLANTINGS OF
~ISHES J 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 A6M!'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 NESOp.."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<V
WITH Yot" VIAMETEI'- ~ '2 v~ "LONG WOOD roWELS S€TAT 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 'TOI'1A12f'. eoTH 11lE LEN01H AND WIUTH OF THE GI'OW·OOX.
55
HEi<E. IS I>. LiST OF PLANTS I>.NOSPI'CING !'ECOMMENOATION5.
PISTANCS ee.TWEEN
INPIYIDUI>.l.. 6!:EOSAND PLANTs.
DISTANCE: eawa=Nf2.ows OF PLANTS.
CM'I'OT5 ,TUfl.NIf5~_ ~SEEO U6HTl.'(~ ~ ~ ~~~ 7"
IN I'OWS6I'eeJ ONIONS Y5I'-y CiD-lE lOOeTlIEI'- 4-"MOI~e;s I" 5"f'!'ASi~S I" Ie"e€ETS 2." 5"ONIONS '2.. 11 (oll
~SH eE.ANS 2,." 15"
'.3c\ltJI'8Il , E£6PLANT __~ PLANTS!'CfZCti:6 'lb"THE 7' WIDE ""ROW-eo>'.
PEANUTS 4" Je, 1\-------- - ---------RJt.e =ANS 5" Z4"~ ------- -----------sPIN~ 1" 10"
eeu...~I CO~ 1" Ie>"CUCUM~) 1Q1J':1lJES__1" +e>"
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 yOUCilCO% , 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) NOTJUST 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 THEFi:lU.OWING AS A GUIDE..
COVE/<- SEEDS 2~ TIMES THEIl'
THICi<NESS (NOT THEIf'.. LENGTH).
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<I'-5L.EY)
DIL.L. ) 01'- CN'-f2OTS WITH gaiL.. I< G£NTL.E
WI<TEf2.ING AFTEf2.- eoWING G1VE.S ADEQUATE
COV~NG. YOU WIL.L. HAVE. MOf2.E SUCCESS
IN GEf2.MINATING SMAL.L. SEEDS IF) I<FTEf2.
50WING AND GENTL.Y WATEf2.ING) yOU COVEfZ-
THEM WITH I< LAYEf2. OF E?Uf2.l.,W Of'. CHeESE. CLOTH.GENTL.Y W~TEP. THfIOUGH TftlS COVE,eING UNTIL
THE seeDs E;>E6lfJ SPf2.QUTING.
12-E1Y10VE: THE E>Uf2..LN' COVEI'-ING AS '5CONAS 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'STf?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.FIN SEEV-<?TAi<-nNe I!>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 ee. PUf2CH,ASED FfI.OH YOUitGo'-fZOeN SUPPLY <STO!2-E. FOL.LOW OlflGCTJONS
Cf'/lBFULL'(.
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 TfIEAFTEI"-NCON !?EFV~ YOU PL.ANT,
3. THE NEXT MOf2NING) THOf20UGHL.Y STIf2..) MI)(JANO l..iXl'2>EN THE "SOIl-" HIXTUI2E,nlls CANe>E WNE <S;>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-ING TO f'€E.F' THE' 'W1"-Fi'CE FF'-Ot-1Ol"-Y/NG TOO MUCH. ee SU/ZE. THE 6(2ON-W)(
IS L.Eva- FUL.L. WITH THe: 115011." MIXTUflE.
f2.ULC~ FOf2- 0rz.eATE~T ?UCCE% CONTINUE.D_
(Po THE 0f20W-~)(. <e>u f2.Fi"CE AfZ.€.A Ic? NO Wrz.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. !'COTSWITH TWO FING>e.f'.'3 WHIl.E
LIFTING> THE PLANT E>YTHE 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.INGMOTION. (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 mCLEAf'. WITHOUT CU~ING Of'. TURNING UP Fi'OMe>f'.U5HING AGNN6T THE SIOE.S OF THE. HOLE.
2. GENTL.Y LOWEPPLANT (HeW INF-IG>HT ~"NO) INTOTHE HOL.E TO TH E:.PflOPE:.fI.. DEPTH.
~~ THE Pf/OPEF- DEPTH WIl.-L- N.J,..OW
THE PLANT TO STAND WITHOUT TIPPINGOVER) 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 NOT5E.VEflELY) ,bG{>.INST THE. PL..,I;NT I"<X1Ts.DO NOT Pf>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 Vf2ENCHINCWDED IF NecE.~Y).
TAANSPLANTING 5OWTIONA FIVE-G.'-l.LON E!>l'-TCH WILL Tf!.CAT
40 PLANTS
5 GoALLON'" OF WATEfL
2.~OUNce5 AMMONIUM NITAATE
I".. OUNCE'S VIAfVlMONIUM PHOSPHATE2.0 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 ecoo FUNGICIVE roWOEf2-.
LOCAL AGf2-/CULTUAAL OFFICEl'-S CAN I-IE.LP YOUIDENTIFY VISE,AISE ~E>LE.M5. 0
00 0 .o· .
~ .. '
.J" .Q? .•/'<:- .0.
TO CONTF'OL "WHIPTAIL- VISEASC"Jl-CAUSED E!>YMOLYI?OE:NUM VEFICIE.NCY AVO 20 Gl2AINS
(Naf GAAt-1S) S?VIUM MOLY~Ol'TEOPMOLYe>'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 OFCfllL-V/Z.E.N.
'" 5E£ COLOf'. PLATE' 'S - NUT~e;NT tlE"FICICNCIES .
cDS
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<OOT ~,
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-ANTS USUAI-LY f2.ECOVE/2
ff20/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 THIIlSTYAFF€CT PL.ANTS TIlESAME WAY.GiVe; THEM WATEi<- WHEN THEYNEEO IT \ THE!2€- 15 NOAf!.e>ITAA1W "eoesT TIME.."
PLANT I2COTS VIE. 0
(5MOTHE/<.) IN 901L-5THAT 'DON'T OI',t>.lNP~PE:/<J...Y !
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'TEY
SHOULD BE. OOZING QU, THE E01\OMSIDE-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.IN1'-L1NG - aN)012.,0. fIOSE- WITH
SPAAY ATTPCH Iv1 ENT •
you CAN USE A HOSE
WITH THE END
CLOTH-COVE,<tED TO
,Ai...Low FUl-l
VOL.UME. WITHOUT
OAMA6ING PLANTS
012. EfZODING THE SOIL.. ~ '"THIS GIVES GOOD PENET""'TION
"NO f2.eDUC£S Wf'-TEf'-ING TIME..
<DB
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..'<E THFZOUGf.l "T!".ANSPlf'tI-TION ".
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. CfZOPSYOU 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>.Ft
NUTi<lEN,<;; FOf'. ,~E WEEi<-L-Y FEEDING Pl'OGf'I'oM.
THESE AFtE: PLACEV) E:>Y HANV) N~ THE. PLANT.
THEY NZe lllUICI'-LY DISSOLVED IN CONTPGTWI,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'.)<PEFtIENCE l(YOU i"1AY WltlTE
THE. PUe>LlSHEI'
FOr<. UPDATED
US, OF
NU'f'.IE.N'SUPPLIER'S.)
Ml1ll.E.IDISf'- NUTF'-IEN T FOfZ-IV1UL.A
I. 9 POUNDS c,<>.u:;IUM NliAATE-2. 4- POUNOS AMMONIUM NITAATE
~. IYol. fOUND'S DIAMMONIUM PH0'3f'HATE-
4. 4 Yol. POUNDS POiASSIUIV1 CHL.Of'-IOEOIZ 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\ 10. 1'2. Gf4*o15 Mi'NGANESE SULFATE
* II. ? G/ZAMS 1V10LYe>OSNUM (SODIUMMOLYI?VATE 01'" MOL.YWIC "CIO.
'!fUSE ONLY IF NEEDEO.USUAL.LY NOT NEE.OE.O
~~ Of'. 4 YE,AJZ.SOF HEAVY Q20p ~OVAl..
(E.><CEPT IN G/<EXNHOUSE5).
FE-E.D I POUND 4- OUNCE'S OF THIS Df'-YNUTIiIl::'NT MIXTUFCE. ONCE. EVEI'"Y WEE/L TO
EACH STANDAI'"O-'SIZ-E GJ2.0W-eox (S'i<?o').STOP FEEOING :2 WEEKS ee.FOf2,E fl.A,eVESllNG
THe q20P. 7/
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 PAGES11B I nCf. FOR SOURCE.S OF f4:ADY-MIXEDFE.F.TIUZE~S WRITE TO -..J. R. MITTLEIDE.RIN CARE OF THE. PUBL.lSHE.F<..
Melons flourish, fed by dry, granular nutrients spread in a narrow band down the length ofgrow-box. Regular watering dissolves nutrients, carrie. them to plant roots. This grow-boxIs 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.8f2
MIXTU 142- eoE.TWEEN THE. PLANT !'OWS I'<GHION THE SOlL SUi<-Ff'CE.. IF Ft:lS'31 E>LE. ) i"CEP
THE. MI)(TU~ 4- INCHE0 AWAY Ff20M STEM';:' OF
PLANT0 AN 0 OFF ALL. LEAVE'?
"I/) r;p !,J '" ..,
"" '<P 'IJ .;..jJ ~
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 ONCEA WEEj<C NO Mi'TTEI2- HOW MF\NY TIMes YouMAY WATEJ'- . IF PLANTS SHOW HUN6EF'
SYMP1VMS (SIX M'PENVlll JII.) ro NOT INCI'€I'6ETHE p.MQUNT OF TIlE FeFtfILlz.E12. PEF'- APPL.ICATION.
AATH~) FEEO TWO TIME'? A WEEI<'- FOf2- TWOWEE!"G) THeN ~U~ TO THe f2E6UL,AfZ..ON(G-A-WeEI<'- FeEDING. 13
Grow-box gardening makes efficient use of overhead space. These Ilmpletrames support tail-growing plants like pole beans, melons, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes.
74
pOLLINATION 15 USUALLY AUTOMATIC, BUT
TAAINING) P~UN ING) WEEDING ANO PFOTEC,INGPLAN,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 THeOUTSIOE. 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 ,HETOP E06E.. OF THE GIWW-e,oX SlOES) NAIL5-FOOT-LON6 I"X'll/ s .
15
TIE HEAVY DUTY 5Tf2.ING5 NlQUND nlE TOP5-FOOT l'x1-" TO CO~5PONO WI,H THe PLANTSIN 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-LOVEF-, ~UL.LY 6U10E
THEM {>.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
II
T~NIN0 PLl>NTS UP
lIND i'I2OUNV STf'.ING'3
DEMAND'3 CAP-€:-. MOIO~ING,TWISTINS)
Of'.. e>(l.UISING THE
STEMS OF/<UNNEJZ.S.
TWISTING O/ZUUISINS A
STEM I'-Iu..S IT.
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 WILLCL.1~e> THE STF'lNSS) IF THEY N4=. Pl,"CED
FPDPE&-Y) WITHOUT ANY A9SISTNJa.MOf'..E ZUCCHINI SQU;'SH
WILL f:>E. Pf'..ODUCEDINA VEf2.Y SMAL.L
AfZ.E.f>. IF THE
Gf'..QWINS ENDIS TIED TO A
STfZlNG i'6 IT
LENGTHENS. TI1I'&
PLANT CANNOT~ 0U1OEOA/ZOu NO THE: SW·ING.
/k:/
WH~N TH~ GTE:M5 N'-E e. INCHE:", HI6HE:f2. THANTHE 5TI'IN65 CUT -rwo INCHES OFF THE: eND OFTHE: STEM. THIS STOPS THE:. STeM FI'OM GI'OWIN6LONGEI"-. P/WNING HE.LPS po. PLANi TO ee MO!'-E
Pr<GOUCTIVE.. HERE'S HOW -ro Pf2.UNE; %VE;F2/>L
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 A51 NGLE STf2.1NG.
WA,CH FOf2. NEWf2.UNNEf2.S iHi'T GflOWOUT FI2O~ iHe; II MIU", II
OF THE MMJ STE.t-01.(THE AXIL. 15 iHE UPPEf2.
f'lN6LE. eeTWEEN
L.EAF AND 5I'Et-01 •)
78
CUCUMe>E12-6 t\NO ME.LOfJ6 AfZBPf'1.uNED AL-I!LC,
PLANT '2. 5EW6 PE.I2- f'l./IoCC:.. mez. se:e:z:;>;.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.YCAAAYING A L.EAF.). EVEI'-Y NOPE. HAS A e>uD.
THESE e>uJ?o? BeCOME NEW flUNNEi<S. {l.L-L.OW
THEM TO GfiOW TO THEIf2. FIF'ST L.E,AF. THEI'-E
YOu WILL SEE -? THINGS.
~ill THe LEAF) STEM,!'ND NODE
ffi A SMALL CUCUM E>EI2-
ANv -::'OME MALE
FLCWE,e'3 17EVeLOPING
~ THE APEX (6f2QWING
'-- TIP OF THE ~NN~) .-"
7"1•. ,' ','" I .":'C'."· .'
/T', • J1J, , I"
FOLLOW IN5TF<UCTIONS
CAf2.e.FU LL.Y
I. CUT OFF THE YOUNG
L.EAF. (SHOWN WITH
VA6HED WNE0ON 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<UNNEftWIWL. HAVE A SMAL.L. alCUMe€f1. WITH ITS
FLOWEfZ. f;UO AND f'QS<?1E?L.'( '2Ot-oIE.DBIELOPING MALE FLOWEfZ.S. THE. MNNSTEMWIL.L. ee. CAfll'-'(ING LEPlIE.'S) CL.U'3TEfZ.'S OFMALE. FLOWE!"?) AND CUCUMe€f'.S AT E.VE!Z-YNODE. f'J..CJNG IT'S E.NTlf2.e. LENGTH. '00 NOTPfaUNE THE. i'-'\,AJ NSTEM. Pr'UNE. ONl..:( THESIDE f<UNNE./<.S!
80
THE. NE.W ~NNEf2-'S) IF NOT PP-UNE.D) WIL.L
0f2.0W L.I!<C THE MAIN STEM. THEIf'. NOVES
WIL.l- Pt<oDUec. MO!'-E. F'UNNEf<.S) ETC j THE
VINE? WIL.L e>ECOME 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'STIllS.
MALE FLOWEI<-__
MAiN VINE Of>STeM ~NNE.f'..""""'"
A NOVE IS TH"T_--"\
PAf'.T OF" STEMTH"T CAP-f2.IE'S A
L.E'AF AND e>UVAf.lV HaJ~ ONTO
THE MAIN VINE
0(2. STEM •
81
MEL.ONS OTi-lE.1'- TAAN WATE'I"-MEL.ONSN'£ PF'UNED THE:. S/'.ME /'.S CUCUMe€f"S.
WATEl'-ME.LONS f'.E:QUIf'-E SPECIAL. PI'VNING
Pf<CJC.EDUf2-E.S. THEY Af'f3. A L.J>.W TO THEMSEL.VESANO 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 NTYING THE GI20WING POINT TO THE S-rf2-ING
WHEN PL~NT IS 14 fo 18 INCflE.<7 LONG.
TEI'M/NAG BUD'?012- CJZOWNS.:::--r--..,
THE ONL.Y f'!'<UNING
MUI!ZE.o WITH WCCHIN/IS THE 1'&10'1AL OF- El<Tf2-ACI20WNS THI'T MAY Tf2-'( TOVEllELOr ) !'NO J2€MOVAL OF rHE. Ol.:DEf2- LEAVE.'S16 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:<S) N2t USUAl.LY Gf10WN Fi<OMTiZANSPLANTS. S(;LECT ONl.Y H(;ALTHY,
VIGOf<OUS PLANTS. TIE. STf2..lNGS A'S You
VIO FOf1- CUCUIvI~S. AS THE: tvlAINSTEt-1
0f'OWS IT WILL PI"OOUCE. NEW SHOOTSAT EVEf!..Y LEAF NOVE.
THE'SE NEW 'SIDE 'SHOOTS MUST ~ CUTOFF 012- E:>i2OiLEN OFF AS SOON P-S POSSI £::>LE •
THE. TOMI'TOE'S THEMSELVE0 I'f/.f:.. PI'OVUCE:DON SE:PM·ATE ST{;IvIS OF FLOWE«.S WHICH
Gf'OW Ff1Ot-1 THE MI'lNSTEIvI ~TWEEN TtiE
NaVES. ro NOT CUT TI-IE'SE OFF. TtlE'SEFLOWEi'< 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 owYELL..OWING l.EAVeS THAT N'-E. D/<.YING.
THE TE.f'.M INALBUD_ SAVE.
"7"1---SUCI'£f'. TO E:E.!'-€MOVED! CUT
Of'- E>J2.CAt'- OFF.
,AJ..l. THESE FL.OWE.J2.S
e€M'· Ff'.UIT _ S;WE.
(tEA'S'I"USH) !'-EGul..N'- e.USH PEA,? PF'ODUCE
HEAVI~ CflOP5 WHeN THEY Afl-E. GI'OW~ INGI'OW-eo)(E.S. PL.ANi PEAS IN MULTIPL.E.
I'OW5. EXAMPL.E ~ J 4 J iP ALL.OW TKE. PLANTSTO GflOW UP~16HT
UNTIL. TKE-Y e>f.6INTo FAL.L oVErt.
THE.N 6E.N'LY ,MIN THE. PLANTS(f>Y PUSHING OVEFl) SO THE TWO I'OWSL.E.AN TOWAf2.DS E,AOl DiHE./<..
VEJl.Y 5XlN iKE. PLANTSfiASTEN TENDFlILS APOUND EACH OTHEf2.
AND WILL 6f1.OW UPWAf2.D TOGETHEF-}SUPPOFtTING EACH OTKEf2.. THUS TKE MAINCf1.OP IS MATUFlEO UP OFF TIlE 6(20UNV.
DOING THIS ELiMINAiE-S STAlLING ANDTYING 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<OW-OOXES.
P~TE.CT YOUF!- PL-ANT5 f~~ DISEASE..
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 THATII 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.) ISe>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.
;r-'"_......-<~ "
__~/ I '\...... 000< I " I
--/ '" I (, I \.... <; I ~ I \
/ 'I '\ I \ II '\/ I \ I Ir ~ I ,'I· " I: 1\ I ,',', .•...' I .' .I '. . III..
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<E. 51i"\PLE. GNWE.N ef'OW-et::Jff=.s.HOW TO PPEPAPE "CUSTO!-1-MAVE. SOIL.. ".HOW TV ~mE A Pf'ilCTlC!'L~ LAYOUT.HOW TO PLANT You Po G"f".OE.N GfIOW- eox •How TO WATER AND FEEO YOUR PLANTS.HOW TO TAA1N) NURTURE, AND PRUNE:. YOURSF'Ec.lAL Cf'OP5.
NOW YOU CAN TAi<E A Gf!EAT STEP FORWAIO-P et(
PROTECTING YOUi< Gj20W-l!Ox GN2DE.N WmI ACOVERING YE'S A Gf2.eE:.NHOUSE. !
en
e€FO~ YOU PANIC SEE. HOW SIt'\PL.~ AND
EASY IT CAN i:£! YOUR Gf'OW-eoi' ITSELF- CAN
5~VE AS THE Bf>6E; OF A SIt'\Pl-E GREENHOUSE..
ONE WAY TO MAKE A SIt'\Pi.-E. SHEL.TER FOf'. YOUi<
GF'OW-WX IS TO USE PLASTIC (PVC) PIPE. FOf2.
THE Fi<,AME STf'.UCTUf'.E.. THIS PIPE. (AT WIL.OING
SUPPLY STO!'e'S) 15 L.IGHTWEIGHT)STi<ONG,ANP
f./'-SY TO USE. IT Al-'SO ~ITS M....XIHUrv1LIGHT TO f'€ACH THE
PLANTS. C::'J.--:-J
H~ IS A H"'T~IAL.'S LIST FOf'. EoUIl-PIN6 ASTRONG 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 OFPL"STIC PIPE SHOWN INTHE. MATERIAL'S LIST
ARE. THE. Pf<OPERLeNGTHS FOR QUICKASSEMBLY.
PRIVE.. THE I-INCH,IS-INCH-LONG PLASTIC
PIPE. (L1G1ITWEIGH,)
DOWN THE. SIDE.S OF THEGf'OW-eo><. (OUTSIDE.)
UNTIL. FLUSH WITH TOP. EDGE. OF THE SIDE. eoAAV. STN<-TFLUSH 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 THEPtJ>6TIC PIPE. USE. A
WOODEN ~LOCK ON
TOP OF ,HE PIPE ,0A~fZe> THE.HAMME./<. BLOW5.
WITH A t"1E.TAL"u"CLAt-1p; NAIL THE I-INCHPIPE 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<OOFAf?CH.
, ,: : N'TE~ cunl NG THE.
PLA~TIC 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<J..Y.
90
--HEf'.E. IS "N El>6Y WM TO eoE
SUi<.E "L.L. E.IGHT "'~CHES MEEVE.N AT THE F<iOGE'S AND TOP.
MARK E,AD\ PI..ASTIC LEG THATFIT6 INTO THE I-INCH PIPE,
G> INCHE5 Ff<OtvI END OF-
THE PIPE I-E.G.
p~u... A 5MAI-L...
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-INeH PI FE THE: NAJ l.- f<.E5TS ON THE TOP
OF THE I-INCH PIPE. ANO HOL...V<S II "T
THAT P051\10N.AFTER PLACING N-L. EIGHT FAAMES,
ATTACH A I"~ 'L" WCOD SIDE.-Wf>..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. "u "CLAtvlFSTO !'\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:>AACEAT Ei'CH 5101:. OF THE. FIF<.5T FF<AME. SPACE.
AT EACH END.
.'1>'. / ........•..
';., .. ' : --
. -.'/:"/1Y I
THIS WIPE. Bf',ACING STIFFENSTHE: 5TIWCTUF-E.
"12.
.............
WITH "LL TH~ FAAM~S IN PLACE. "NO PflOPE$l.Y~D THE STi<UCTUF<E IS F<EADY TO E>E.COVEi<ED. USE 4-·t-1IL) TAAN'SPAAENT
F'L,"6TIC f~t-1 E>UILOING 'SUPPl.Y COMPANY.
PUT THE END PLJ>6TIC ON FIi<5T i 5TITCr! IT
WITH NYLON C.ORD LINE. TO THE:. E:.NVFAAME.5.C.f>UTION : usE. STITCHIN6 NYLON COfl!.OTHAT ~sIST5 ~.
,, ', ,
\ \I II II II I___J. I
.......--t -L------c,:t'F',,-
CUT F~""
A II:;'-FOOT-WIDE.)
4-MIL WLL OFTAANSPAAE.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 ANDSTITCH JUST THE. CURVED FORTION OF THISTOP PIECE TO THE. END FRAMES.
--;',,
,-/
II
/~
"IIII
, I, I, I, ,, ,
v!"'~r---~~~_ :I --- ,I ---.J, I
I __ -,.,.'1"~ - rl " ___
,
THE. SIDE.S MAY BE. FaLLEo UP FroMTHE. BOTTOM TO PERMIT WORt<.IN6 THE&ROW-I3OXES j CARING FOR THE CI<OP, IINOVENTILATION.
I/ ,; ! I
II I
/ /
NAIL.. 1'~2")( 10'-0" LONG STRIPS OF
WCXJD ON EAOl SIDE OF THE. PLASTICNEAi<. THE. E.oGE. THAT IS i<.OLL..Eo UP.NAIL THIS SECURE.LY-TO TIGHTLY~DWICH THE PLASTIC BETWE.EN-O~ THEPLASTIC WILL TEAR LOOSE..
(NAIL.. EVERY 10 INCHES.)q..,.
YOU CAN VARY THE GJPOW-eo'i. Gl<C£NHOU5E.SHELTE/<.. CUT A IO-INCH W/>J..K-W"y roWN THE.MIVDL.E. OF THE. IO-E.GUL.Af<, Gi<OW -00)(,. PUT A
VCO~ IN EJ'CH ENV ANO YOU HAVE. Af;OUT THE.M05T UNIQUE:. ANO INE:.)I.PE.N6IVE. G~E.NHOU%
EVEf1. ! IN THI'S TYPE:.) THE:. PLA'STIG SIOE.S MIGCOVE.f<E.O WITH SOIL. "T iHE. GF1OUNO L.E.VaAND ~N FIXED.
THE VOO!<WAY5 PROVIDE. VE.NTILATION •
YOU CAN BUIL-O YOU~ OWN G~HOU5E.
AS St-1AL.L- of<. COtv1PL.E.)( AS YOU PREFE.f<..YOu CAN E.VeN WY A r<:EAVY-tvlA'DE:.GReENHOUSE:. FOf<. ASSEMBL.Y IN YOuR.YAR.D AND MAI<E.G~-eoXE.'3
TO FIT.
'15
THE.RE. ARE. MANY GOOD ~SON5 R:JR
GREENHOUSE GARDENING:CONT~L OF PE.STS AN'D DISEASE.S.
EXTENDED GI<OWING SEASON.CONTINUOUS CROP P~uCTION.
E.NHANCED NUTRITIONAL. cl;>uAL.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 GARDENING •
IN ANY Cl../MAiE ~OEN Cf'!Of'5 CAN
e>E G~WN.
ACTUALLYITHE.SUP~-~E.
FARMING ~NHOU5E IS NOT ASPROPUCTIVE IN F!ELATION TO SIZE ASTHE 5TAN'DA!<D-'5/ZS MITTL.E/DEf'1..
6f':EENHOUSE f'l<E5E.NTE.D IN THENEXT CHAPT~.
THE. FIRST POINT TO e>E. 'DECIDED 15 WHERE. TOe>UILD youR G~HOU6E.! PLEASE. FEAD
AGAIN CH,I>.PTE«. 3) "HOW TO I'1Aj{G 6i<OW-eoXCS Il•
THAT CHAPTER DEALS IN DETAIL. WITH WCATION ANDTHE. 'St'ME INFO~"'TION APPL.IE.S TO ~HOUSE.S.
i<£ME.M e>e:R - YOU Q>.N WILV 0I/f.F. AL.MOST ANYKIND OF SURFACE IF IT CAN BE LE.VEL.ED TOACCOMMODATE 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<...
~:n"- ~"
""
.. "1···'_. \9
...
m Af'-EA ~ fEET e>Y 4'l. fEET WI u.. HOl.OfOUf<., 'STANO~D-Slzc. G~HOUSES. t-10~
THAN P-OEQUATE. TO SUPPl-'( P<l.l- THE. FP-8SHP/(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. F~ 10-~HOU6E.'S. THI<E:> C!'N 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 !Yo5TAND,¥.O-61ZE:. ~HOU6CS !
"Ie
_--..t!E.f<.ES HOW TO MI'I'E THE ST,AND~O
/~. \ ---_ MITIl.E.lDE«. 6~HOUSEI I ----_I I - ............_I I " .....I I / '\I I (II ./~ I II<' I I
'...... I' ......LEVEL ENOUGH "...... I /GPQUND FOP- E;A.cH ......,-J-,/GP-EENHOUSE:. uSE: ST,AJ«:S) COP-D) ~U~),ANO
LE-VEl. ,0 LiNE UP YOU«. G~NHOU6E 5TAAlGHT
eoTH 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.
....-~/ ----
( ,---------I I ----I -;-~I I / \I I {I
I I I......... I I
~........, I I
..............E'STAe>L.ISH ....... , ......
,AND 'S>TN'G iHe::
FOUfiL COfiLN~
OF THE Gl:EENHOUSE.
"l"l
MEASURE AND curTO l.ENGTH J EI6HT
~DWOOD (OR CEDN<)
4",4" Fl?5TS'I F!?ET LONG.
MEASU~ ANDMAF11'- Ie. INCHe;:SFflOM 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) TOTHE IB-INCH MAi<-!<-. USE L.E.va TO Pl.UMB THE
POST (Mf'.I'.E IT VE.RTICJI,l.» THEN TAIv1P iT FIRMl.YINTO PLACE WITH OII'<T. THE '5E:COND POST TO
SET 1'5 THE OPPOSITE COP-NER (b) j BUT~
SETTING THIS POST TIGH'I YOu MUST E5TMLiSHTHE. L.EVEL. OF THE. GF<E.ENHOUSE.. 00 THIS WI,H
A COF<O, LEVE.L. I AND CAF<PENTEFl'5 5<S(UAfl.E,L.I t<C. TH 1'5 :
Dfl.IVe A NAIL. Cc) NEAR THE TOP OF POSTCa) .TIE. THE COi<.D TO THIS
'1l~ NAiL..IIJ ,.................................... .'N.lR\ "LEVEL eeJ (C)
5/S1UARE LEG Cf)
.. .-& .."""----=----~
(b)..~
PULL. THE COF<O OVER Tf\E TOPS OF POST (a)AND 1liE. L.OOSE POST (t:» J N'PL.YING ENOUGHTENSION ON THE. COi<.D TO !<€£P IT FfI.OM
SAGGING e>E.TWEE.N ,HE POSTS. HOL.D THE
~uA/<£ Cd) FLAT "NO ?<SlUAAE IIG~NST
THE LOOSE POST. LINE UP THE. DlHE:.F< LEe>(f) OF THE. ?<SlUAF<E WITH THE COi<.D.PLACE. THE L.E.VEL (e) ON THIS" L.EG" OFTf\E 5(S1UARE..
IMPORTANT: i<.EEP THE. "LEG" OF THE 'S<S1UA«.E
(n STRAIGHT WITf\ THE. COFlD AT AL.L.TIMES (e>Y MOVING THE TOP OF THE R::>5T
LEFT OR ~16HT). 101
RAISE. OR LOWE.R THE POST (b) UNTIl..- THEl-EVEl- Si40W5 "l-EVE.lo" AND THE: SSlU~E:."l-E.G" (0 IS PN<AloloE.L WITH AND LEVELWITH THE. COf<.D. TAMP THE. POST TI0HTWITH DIRT. IT IS pl..-UMe J VERTICAL., AND THETOP OF THE POST (b) 15 LE.VEI..- WI,H THE ,OP
Of THE POST (a).
-
NEXT, L.OWE.R POST (~) It-lTO THE. HOLE. ATTHE. CORNEl<. ON THE oPPOSITE SIDE OF THESTRuCTURE. THE DISTANCE:. f>STWEEN POSTS(b) AND (9) IS [3 FEET-INSIDE.PL.ACE. A STf4'10HT, '2."x41' 10'-0" l.ONGe.:JARD ON TOP OF POSTS (b) AND ('3). L.AYTHE. 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<E THE FOST (':3) VERTICAl..- AND TAMPIT fll'<M AND 'SOUP. f<E.PEAT THISPROCESS AT THE. OTHER END OF THESTRUCTURE) U'5ING POST Ca) TO SETP0'5T (h) VERTIG,AJ.... AND I..-EVEL.
102
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).
----//
/
ON ONE SIDE. Of THE. ST~UCTUf<.E STf<.ETCH
A CO~D eL) TIGHTL.'( FMM THE. TOP Of ONE
COF<NE~ POST OVEf'. THE TOP OF THE. OTHEr<
COf'(NEf'. pOST. MiSE. Of'l L..OWEf'. THE. SIDE.
POSTS (j) AND (\<.) UNTIL.. THE:Y TOUCH THE.
STf'(ETCHED COf<?D OVE.'1.HEAD. PL.UMe> THE:
Ftl5TS AND TAM P THEM TIGHT.
F'-E.PEAT fOf'l THE OTHElZ SIDE:. OF THE
5TiWCluf<?E. WITH THIS ACCOIYlPL..ISHEO THE
Mf<?OEST PMT OF eUIL.DING youfl..GF1<:ENHOUSE IS DONE.. 103
, .. , .... , ...
N/lIL 2"J'.e" eoAi<.DS Af<OUND THE. INSIDE. ATTHE: TOP OF THE: f06IS AND f'Cf<C$S THE:WIDTH BETWEEN THE:. POSTS. NOW JUSTN""I L. I" l<.'2" BOAf<.DS 'SPACEO 'l.4 INCHE.'S
APART DOWN THE SIDE5 /lLONG THE LENGTH.
INSTALLING Gf<OW - WXESTHE. BASIC Pf<OCE.DUf<,E. OF LE.VELING ""NOINSTALLING THE SIPE.S OF THE. GfZEENHOUSEGWW-BOXE:S IS SlrvtlL,AR TO THAT PE5Cf'.IBEOIN CAAPT'E:f<. ~ ON OUTlXO~ Gf<.OW -BOXES.
E 0 0 J ISo "' .. ' "
lB"
I I":;0" a,..-0)
16\
I 15"w w w w
Ul
'"IIIz
HE.1<£ IS A PLAN VIEW OF THE: i.J'YOUT OFTHE GflOW- BOXE.S. THE SIDE. BOXE.S Nl-EIS INCHE.S WIDE.) THE. AISLE:.S AfiG Ie INCHEsWIDE. AND THE. CE.NT~ GflOW-BOX IS
?>O INCHES WIDE. 104
---,,- - .....;' ...
;' '-/ ...
/ "/ ...
THE 1XTTTEV LINESSHOW THE: SUPFtJRTWIRES. THE WIRES RUN THE LENGTH OF THEG~ENHOUSE. OVE~ THE G!<OW-eoXES.
STRING'S THAT WILLSUPFtJRf TIlE VINE'S ARE
TIED TO THESE WIRES.
INST/>.LL 2"X4"FRAMING AS SHoWNAT THE ENOS FO~ AlJa)~ OPENING.THE too~ IS30 INCHES WIVE.IT IS MAVE UPOF 2"x2" FflAMlNGANV HINGIED TOSWING FROM THELEFT OUTWARD.
THE WI~'S MUSTe>E STRONG ENOUGHTO CM<RY TIlE ENT/r<:E.CROP. INSTALL 2"X4-"BAACE.S IN END WALLS.
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<VED i<lXJF. THE """.'SIC ~CE.DURE
FOR INSTAL.UNG THIS Pl-,6-STIC PIPE IS 51MILM
TO THAT AL~Y VISCU9SE.D IN CHp.PTEFl qON 0J<EENHOU0E.-0HELTE.f!CV 0I'OW-eoXE.S.
-------
-------.. (a)
(al
(a)
. (b)
THE PLASTIC PIPE. II LE.GS II AP-E:. FASTENED TOTHE: l"x'2" '6 (a) ALONG THE SIDES AND TOTHE: SlOE OF THE Gf!OW-r::ox (b) j USEO METAL
"U"aJ>-Mf'S. THE CURVED ~F !"1EMBEf<S ARE:CONNECTED 10 THE '2"x'2" A"T THE Ft-IOGE
WITI-I "u" CLAMPS AL.SO. 10'"
THI'S CflD'O'S <S6GTION INVICi'TE.S HOW TO COVEl'THI: 'ST~UCTUf<.I:. WITH PLA'STIC.FI~'ST, THE (P-FCl?"T
WIDE. 'SoIDE. PIECE'S (a) Afl.E. T,<>.c.reD IN PL..'>CC JUST
ABOVE. THE TOP I"~'l." 'ST~IP (d) ~NNING ALONGeoTH 510E.~ OF THE G~HOUSE.. NEXT) THE.
ICo-FOOT-WIDE PLASTIC TOP-PIECE (I:» 15 PUL.LEDIN PLACE.. TH E. TOP- PIEeE. OVEf2..l.APS THEcP-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../'<THE.O ANO NAILED TO THE. LOWEI<.I"~'l." (e) ON eorH SIDES. THE. L.C09E. EOOE. OF
THE PLA'STIC ON THE. 6I1OUND (f) 16 COVE.~D
FI~MLY WITH SQIL THE. ENTI~ L.ENGTH OFTf/E. Gf!EEN HOu.,;E..
101
THE LATH STItIPS ,fASTENING PLASTIC Sec.u~Y
TO THE I"~'Z." ~ ON EACH SlOE;, 1*10 THE; 'SOILFIItMLY HOLDING THE; PLASTIC TO THE:. GroUNDMCHOIt 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. AND10,'Z.O,01t ~ FEE, LONG-WITH ONLY TWOIS-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 ,0 f'~EVENT
THE PLASTIC COVE/<ING F/ZOH TEA~ING
WHEN ONLY ONE LAYE/< OF PL,<'6,ICIS USED.~ g FOIt COL.DE/< WEATHE~ THE BASIC5TANPA~D MITTLEID~ ~NHOUSE 1'3
DESIGNED 50 THAT IT MAY ~ COV~D
WITH TWO LAYEf'.'.3 OF PLASTIC WilH A3-TO 4-INCH I DEAD N~SPACE BE,WEENTHE. LAYERS CAN IMFOf<T#lT EcoNOMICF?CTO~ WHEN HEATING THE ~NHOUSEIS NE.CESSAFlY). FO~ FUR:THER DETAILSON "COL.P WEATHEF- G~OENING tI
SEE CHAf'lEf'. 1'2. •
108
NOW YOU AA£:. READY TO PREPAA£:. THEC;i<:OW- BOXCS IN YOUR Gr<:E.eNHOUSE. FORPLANTING. "CUSTOM- MADE. 'SOIL" TO FILL THE.THi<:EE Gi<EE.NHOUsE. ep.QW- BO)(E.S CAN ee:. THE~E. yOU MADE. FO/<. THE OUTOOO/<. Gf'OWf>OXE5. CHOOsE. ANY OF THE COKf>INP-TIONSLISTED INCHAPTEr<: 4.
HEf<.ES HOW TO FILL THE. THr<:EE. er<:DW-l!>O)(ESIN 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<;;uMOIEi<: TIlE ceJTE/<. ~-INCH f>Y 'Uo-FOOT
6POw-BOx. 10'1
~~ THIO 6YPSUI'1APPLICATION (A.) ISTO BE' SP~O ONTHIO FACE. OF THEVI~IN SOIL ,,1 THE.
eorroM OF 1HEBOXES~ THE
"CUSToM-HAre SOI~:"~~~~~~~;~:::~HEDIA IS "WEt>TO FILL THE6~W·~S.
B) FILL THE BOXE.~
JUST LEVEL..- FULL..WITH THE.HA1EP.IA.LS YOU HAVE:CHOSEN. f(EHE:MBE~ 00 NaT OVE~FILL..soTHA.T WATE.~ WOULV ~N OFF. 00 NaTTAMP 0f1. p"q<.. YOuF1- "CUSTOM-MADE SOIL".
C) MIJC. THE MATEf<l"LS THO~UGHLy'." AAI'-E.O~ CUF1-VED-TINEV MiLE. WILL WOF1-iLNICELy' •
110
OJ WHILe: MIXIN0,ADD JUST e:NOUGH WATEf'..TO Pt<QDUCE A WET MEDIUM, BUT NOT 50WET THAT YOU COU L.D €xS1Ue:E.ZE WATE.fZ..FJ'1OM IT.
~ g THE MIXTUF<E YOU HAVE JUST MADECAN BE. USE.O FOF< STARriNG 'SeEDS)TMNSPI...ANTS, OF< FOF< GfIOWING croPS.
NOW ADD THE Pt<EPL.ANT FERTIUZE.fZ.. MI'TERJAL.STO COMPLETE YOUf'.. IlCUSTOM-MADE eDIL" . .1
A) CAF<EFUL.L.Y WEIGH AND MIX T0GE1HER (V[<Y)THE FOL.LOWING FE:I<1ILIZ.~S.
4--poUNDS OOUf!>LE SU~PHOSPHI'1E..
2-pOUNDS POTI'SSIUM SUL.FATEo~ CHLOF<IDE..
4--POUNDS SUL.FATE: OF AMMONIA.2- POUNDs MA0Ne:SIUM SUL.FATE
(EPSOM 5ALT).2- OUNCES ({pO GAAMS) BOt<ON
(SODIUM WAATE. oPo- W«.IC ACID).12-POUNDS, '2.-0UNCES~
B) USE. :; pOUNDS OF THiS MIXTUf!E FOfZ.. EJ>CHIS-INCH e>Y 8O-FCOT G~W-eoX.USE
(P POUNDs OF THE MIXTUr<E. FOfZ.. THE30-INCH f>Y 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 FEI<II L.rz:.E.f1.MIXTU~E, EVENLY SFREAD I pOU~D ,4 OUNCES
6YPSUM I FO~ E.6CH IS-INCH BOX ,!'-NO Z FOUNDS,
8 OUNCE'S GYPSUM J FO~ EACH W-INCH
ceNTEf<. BOX.
~~ USE GYF5UH, IF ftJ5SIBLE, FO~ LIMEIN A~ID AfIEA'S GETTiNG l£SS THAN Ie, INCHE.SMIN ANNUAL.LY. IF YOUr<. Ar<EA GETS fYIOf'E.THA~ 10 INCHES OF RAIN PER YEAR, USE.AG~ICULTUAAL LIME': 012- VOLOHITE L.IME':,
IF POSSIe>LE..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 OUTDU~ING MIXING. ee. 6U~ eoXES AAE.l£VEL - FUL.L •
G) <3P~IN/4.E. THE -su,aF/>CE LIGHTLY TO mVENT
MPIO Vf<.YING. 1/'2.
YOUR ",REENHOU5E f>OXES) THfl.EE. PEl"
GREENHOUSE) A~ READY FOR Pt.J>.NTING. YOu C/J.NPLN-lT %£0 VIR€CTL.'( IN THE. eoi<E;S OR YW CANTJ<.NlSPLN-lT SE.EVl.IN<SS FJ<.OM THE NURSERY O!'FROM YOUR OWN GROWING FL.,o.TS.
THE I'1ITTLE.IVE-R GJ<.OW-l3Ox TECHNI~UE YOU
HME. LEAftNED 15 THE; ef'.S1"; FOR success IN
GREa<HOUSE GMDE.NING JUST AS IT IS It-J
OUTDCOR ~w-eo)( ~VENING. N-L THE
BASIC PJ<.OCEVURES NZ-E TIlE; 'SAME WHE.Tf~~
IN THE: GRE.ENHQUoSE; Of1. OUTOCORS.
HEf1.E ME; SOME VIFF~NCES IN F'F1OCEDURE
r£TWEE.N ~HOUSE; AND OUTax:>RGROW-ool( ~DENING.
PLANTS IN THE Gf<E.ENHOUoSE; AFC FED A
LA~ AMoUNT OF FERTILIZE.!'-. ~EMBER
THAT THE NUTf".IE.NT FORMUL..,A.S IN THIS ea?1'N2.E. CN-CUL/>-TE.O FOR THE STANOP&J GROWING
f>&:A SIZE. - FO!'- eoTH THE. GiZOW -OO){ NIPTHE. GI'EE.NHOUSE.. IF YOU CfJANGE. THE.
VIME.NSIOt-JS OF ,HE. oo){ES ) e>E 'S>Uf2E TO
/>-OJUSi ,HE. NU'~E.t-JT !'MOUNiSN:COi<-OI t-JGL:( •
II?
HE.i"t ~IN I 15 HOW TO Pf1.EPNO-IO YOUf2..NUTI<IENT MIXTUI<£. COMBINE DJ2.YTHE fOLLOWING:
"1- R:JUNDS CALCIUM NITAATE..4-f'OUNDS AMMONIUM NITAATE../Y'/.- R:JuNOS PIAMMONIUM PH05PHp;('e4~-fbUNDS POTA55IUtvI SULFATE:
Op. CHLO~D£.(p- POUNDS !"1AGNE:SILJM SULF,A.TE
(EPSOM SALT).8-0UNCES I/<ON SULF....TE..
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/<oWING f;.fI.C.A UNTIL.. THEY Nl.f:. e>EGINNINGTO FLOWEIi( (~)(/MATELY 4 TO CD WEEJ<.S))THEY AF(E FED (P OUNCGS OF 11lE. NUT~ENTMIl<.TUfl-E. FOf'.. E,AQ-I IS-INCH ~ ~-FCOT
GFVw-eox • USE 10 OUNCES FOP- THE3D-INCH ~y 2(P-FOOT CENTEfl. ~-eo><..
1/4
THE FE~TILIZE.R MIl<. IS SPf2.EAO IN" NJ>&>.OWUNO N-ONG THE flOWS OF PLANTS (t<E.E.PING3 TO 4 INCHES "WAY FflOtvI THIO PLANT STE.MSTHE E.NTI~ l.ENGTH OF THE flOWS). BE CAl<CFUlNOT TO eET THE MIX ON THE. LE:f>..VES OF THE: PLANTS.AfTE~ flOWE.RING e6SINS (USUALLY 4 TO Co
W~S) INc~ THE FE.eTIl-lzerz. NUTfi1.leNTAMOUNT TO 1'2. OUNCE.S FO(Z. EPCH I!HNCH e>Y
3O-FCOT !lO></AND TO
I pOUNO} 4 OUNces FO(Z.
THE. ?O-INCH e>Y 2l;>-FCOTCe:NTE:i<- !lOl<.
AFTEf<. to.eoUT ? WEEK'S OF THE N?:>OVEFEEDING INC~'SE THE ,AMOUNT'S OFFEi<fll.lZEf<. NUTF4E.NT'S TO THE. FOLLOWING:I POUND) 4 OUi'JCE..'5 (tvlMIfv1UM) FOf'!.. EPCHIS-INCH BY ?O-FOOT 00)(, AND 'L RJUND'S)4 OUNCE'S (fv1N<IMUM) \'O(Z. THE. CE.NTE~:;a-INCH er( 1&- FCOT 00)(..~~ 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 INeF:OWTH.
115
IF P-T /'.Ny TIME. THE PLANTS P-PPE:N<- TO l?E.NUT~IE:NT - HUNGf'.Y DO NOT INC/<E:ASE. THE.FEf'.TILIZEP- !*'\OUNTS. INCf'.EA'SE. THE. FEEDINGSF~M '2., TO .2... PE.f'. WEE.I<- FOf'.. ONE.. Of'.. TWOWEEI<-S. THEN f'..E:TUf'.N TO THE. /<.E.GULAFt.SCHEDULE. •~~ FOFt. COLOf'. PHOTOS OF SOME NUTt<.lENTDEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS AND INFOf'-MATION ONHOW TO coFlFlECT THEM SEE COWf'. PLATE'SAND APPENDIX III..
Faf'. T~NING TALL.-G~WING AND CL./MBINGPLANTS IN THE G/<.E.E.NHOU5E.) TIE ONE. END OFNYLON STf'.ING FOR EACH PLANT TO AN.OVERHEAD WIR.E. I
\ ,,c~'9
"
11!
IIG:>
, II '
\11
THE. OVEJ<J4E,A!) WI""''''' w.yBE ~N OV~ O~ Tflf/OUGH
THE: CE:NTE:R OF THE. '2.'WOOD cross -t-1EMBe;J<.5
FAAIvII NG eE"fWEEN THE. 4-.4- f\?5TS.DE-PENDING ON THE. WElGflT OF FF-UIT TO e>E
SUPPO~ED et( THE. OV~E:AD WIIZCS) Tfl£ '2..
CI'055-t-1EMBE.i<. MAY F-E<QUIr<E, BAACES TOTHE 4,4 ro5TS 1'6 6I1OWN.
THE. eoTTOM END OF Tfl£ STf'lING FOf'. TF1AININGTt\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 TOE,ACH END OF THE Gf2OW-W>cGENTl.Y GUIDE. THE PL.ANTS
~-"""'/' CLOCi<-WISE:. (TO THE ~GHT)
g. Af?OUND TflE.. Ve;J<.TICAL
....../ / STRI NG. PO THI5 TWO Of<-.,' THI'EE TIME'=> A WE.E.I<- AS
f<.E~UII'EDJp..S OlSCU55EDPREVIOUSL.Y IN a-IAPTE.Ft- B. PFtUNEIF NECES5MY AT THE ":3,"IME TIME.
SOME. PLANTS RElSlUIRE HAND POLLINATIONIN THE. G/'l.E.E.NHOUSE. DURING THE:. WINTER. SEASONWHEJIl IT IS I<E.PT CLOSED M05T OF THE:. TIME. •
ZUCCHINI J ME.LONS, CUCUM~S (EXCEPT THE
PARTHENOCARPIC) APe. EAAMF'LES. CONTAAFtY
TO POPULAR BELIEF J TOMATOE::; AND f1:)LE."!:.AN'S PO NOT f<.E&u It<G ARTIFICIfl.L ftJLLINATIONe,y SHAJ<.jNG OR THE BLOWING OF WINO ON THE.
PLANTS. HEi-E NZE SOME. POINTER::; ON HANDPOLLINATION. THIS I'S 'SIMPLY THE. F'~E9':>
OF TFWJSFEOR~N6 POLLE:.N FFOM THE. MALE:.FLOW~ ONTO THE STIGMA
(PISTIL) OF THE:. FEMALE. FLOweR.
STIGMA (PI5TIL)--:z..--_....-.-
-----
\1\'::~FRUIT~ J,i~/V'\i;;;'I;. ~ ~,
'.; '; .1' FEMALE. FlOWER
1 '~!'- FEMALE:. ,iff:'1 OPEJIl FlJ5ITION.
FLOWEI< "N~
lie I
t'\{l.LE FLOWEF.CLO$E.D ft)51T10N
MALE FLOWE~
OPEN POSIT JONGENTLY TE.AI'l OFF AND ~OVE. THE PETALSOF THE MALE FLOWEf1..
~- NOW ALL THATSNECE55Af1.Y 15 TOGENTLY TOUCH THESTIGMA OF THE.FEMALE. FLOWEF. INTHE. oPEN P05IT10N.
ONE Mt--LE fLOW~-CAN TAAN5FEf1..POLLEN TO AHUi'iD~ OFt- MO~FEMALE. FLOWElt5.
II"!
POLLINATE. 6<S!.uASH f'E..TWeE.N 1:00 AND'1:00 A.M. PAIL.Y. POLLINATE. CUCUMe>Efl.S I ANDMELONS eETWEE.N 11:00 M'I. AND 1.;~ P.M.
VAlLy'o POLWJATE ONLY HeALTHY) F~5H)FULLY OPENED FEMALE. FLOWeRS. POL.L.INATEOAIL.Y FOf'. MAXIMUM FF<UIT SET (CONTINUE.FOfl. 11. TO /15 WEEJ<.S). POL.L.EN IS VlAe>L.E
FOfl. JUST A FEW 110UI':-S AS 15 ALSO THEf'.ECEPTIVE STAGE OF fEMALE fLOWE.J<5.
EVEN THOUGH MOST VEGET,ABLE Cf<Of'S WWELL. IN A AATHE.I':. WIDE TEMP~TUI'!-E
f'.ANGE THEY U';UALL.Y W eE'.3T e>E.TWE,EN
lS"F AND 85" F. THE. Oe-JEeTIVE. IN EITHEf'...HEATING AND VENTILATING Yauf'. Gf1E.ENftJU5E15 TO MAINTAIN THIS IDEAl.- AANGE..
r r
\ 1. ...........\._--~
J.-.\....}
EASE OF VENTI LATION IS ONE OF THe flESTFEATuI'!-E'S OF 'SMAl.-L. 6f1.EE,NHOU6E
GAI<VENING. THE !XX)/'t5 ON EACH END OFTHE. Gi<E.ENHOU'SE. ,AFlE. AD851UATE. TO GIVE
Pf'.OP~ VENTILATiON UP TO 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< TEMPEPATUi<t? J ADDITIONAL. COOLINGc,o.N £?E. ProVIDED e>Y OPENING THE PLASTICI'-i<CHE-S f!€.1WEEN THE: TOP OF THE DOOt<. FAAMES
fINO THE TOP OF THE G~ENHOUSE.. ANOTHE/<.ME-THaD 15 TO WHITEWI'SH THE TOP OF THE
CSi<ESNHOUSE. IN PLACES WHE.O-E TEMPEi<ATLjf1.E5COMMONLY i<E,L>CH "IS· F TO II'::>"F YOU ctWUSE SAf2.AN NETTING) 4<P TO S'Z. PGJ<CENTSH,AJ:?E J TO COVE/<. '(out<. G~HOU'3E.IN THIS c,ASE THE E:NVS I't<.E NOT COVEf'.EO.
HEf(E N!-E 5:)ME TIPS FOt<. /<EGULATING
TEMPEi<ATu/<E<? /'NO VENTILATION:IN Ll'TE sPt<ING !'NO <?UMMEf<., OPEN
THE vcot<.'S i71 1:CO A·M. FOf1. VENTILAiION.CLOSE THEM e>'( (p:CO P.M. TO J<.EEP OUT
THE: NIGl-IT -FLYING MIL.l.-EJ:<.S.ON DI''('S WITH TEMPEi<ATUI"ES BE.l-OW
5S"F /<.EE.P THE: I:1X>t<.'S CLOSE.O. I'-T THIS
TEMPE!<ATu/<E. PL!'NTS ~ i'olE..¥LyDaR-MANT MJO TAANSPI~TION 15 VEf<.YLOW.
WATEf<,ING IN THE GIlEENHOUSE 15 USUALLY DONE.
TWICE: WE.E:/<J..Y. FOP. LN'-GE: PLAi'olTS IN THE: HE:I'TOF SUMMEf<. INCi<EA'SE: TO 3 WATEF4NGSWE:Ei<:.L'(. OU~NG THE WINTEr:: SEASON WHEN
PLANTS N!-E NEA/<.LY VO~MI'NTJ WATEfl..ONCE. A WEE"'- -OfHE.«.WISE THE AMOUNTS OfWATE/<. APPLIED AND APPl..ICATION TECHNJ<QUES
f>.$E. THE ~ME. AS WITH THE: OUTlXOr<Gf1OW-exJl<E.'S (CHAPTE/1. 1) .
12/
YOU CN4 ENJOY THEPL.EASU~S OFGo\,R.DEN ING EVEN IN ~.
THE Q;>L.DEST WEATHER YIF YOU P/WVIDE: i.AD82uATE 5HaTE~ \ .AND WARMTH. _ ........AT SO"F Ofl. LOWER,PL.ANT5 BECOME. DOf<.MANT. AT 32."F MANYWIL.L. DIE.. Gf<.E,ENHOUSE. ~DENINGfl.E.vuCES THE: NUMB~ OF "NO-GFOWTH"VAY6. IN SEVE.PoE. WEATHE.R) OF COUf'/SE.)Gf1.EENHOU% HE;A.T1NG roEs COST MONEY.THIS Q-I!,-PTEJ<. SHOWS yOU %VEfl.N-- WAYSTO MINIMIZe. SUCH COSTS.
HE.f<e ME. f!8:OMME.NDATIONS FOf<.0~ENHOUSE Gi'-F-DENING IN THfl..E.eDIFFEftE.NT CL.IMATIC Af<-E.AS - MIl-V,MOVERATE I AND COl.V.MIL.D Cl.IMI'-TE.
GREENHOUSE GARDENS Af<.E EASY TOMANAGE IN MILD ~S. roUBLE-wALLe'l.-O~ 4-MIl. TAAN5Pf'$ENT Pl.ASTIC)TIGHTl..Y eU1L.T J Pl.ASTIC GREENHOUSES
11.?J
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'SFf<.oM 4soF TO 7'3>°F AND NIGHTTIfv1E.TEMPE.t<ATUr<.E5 NEVE.j<:. L.OW~ THAN '2.7° FARE CON510~E.D TO eoe. MILD GLIfv1ATE:OCONDITIONS. JUST CLOSE THE P:JOfi:S Of':VENTIL.ATION t:€VICES EAfi:L.Y IN THEAFTi::~NOON TO CON5Efi:VE AND BUILD UPSOIL HEAT TO CAfi:fi:Y THfi:QUGH THE NIGHT.MOV~TE CLIMATE.
VAYTIfv15 TEMPEAATUfi:E5 eeTWEEN 40"1"AND COOoF AND NIGHTTIt-1E TEMf'E,leATU~
OOWN TO l~oF ME WNSlOEtzED TO BE.MOOEAATE: CL.IMATi:: CONt/ITIONS. THE WL.O5€A'SON IN SUCH A CL.IMATE 15 P-eOUT1'2. WEEf<.S. IF ENOUGH HEAT 15 SUPPL.IED)
OF COUfi:SE ) PL,ONTS CAN ee~NNO~ALLY IN THE Gi<EE.NHOUSE ALLWINTE~)WT COSTS MN'€. ~WINGVUf1.JNG THE: COL'PE'.ST WE:E:i<6 ECONOfv1ICAL.LYUNOOUNO.
JUST PL.ANT THE. Crop TO T~AOVi>-NTAGE OF NATU,ae.l:7 F~ SUfv1fv1EJ<HEAT) '30 THAT f'l..ANTS F-EACH Mp..)C.IMUMFIWIT <::E.T ANO V5GETATIVE GF10WTH f>yAUTUfv1N • TrtEN ALLOW TrtE PLANTS TOGfi:QW "T TH5 t-1ucH P-£OUCEO AATE C,b.USi::VE7Y LOWE~ TEMPEAATu~. THEY WIL.LGAAVUALLY MATUF-E VU~ING OECEMf>E.FlAND JANUA~Y.
124-
HE~ IS "'" EMHPLE.
\) TOMArOE.S q.N BE. se:.e.oeo e>Y JULY I)T~SPLANTE.O INTO FLATS Of'!. 4-It-lCHPOTS AND Gf10WN UNTIL- /l-UGUST.
'I.) P~FEI4\e>LY E'E.FOFlE. AUGUST 15 THESEPLANTS SHOULD f'E. TfZ!'NSPL!'-NTEOINTO THE GfZ.E.E.NHOUSE.. THEY WILL.fl.EACH THE-lIZ- M/I-)(.IMUM &f2,OWTH !'-NOFP-U1T SE.T BETWEEN NOVEMe>efZ. /l-NDVECE.He>ER I.
..o
YOU NEEV ONL.Y ENOUGH AF-TIFICIALHEAT 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.. WILLPf1ODUCE. ADEAD-All<.SPAcE.
WITH THE USE OF -11----1PL,A6TIC PIPE
ANOTHER FAAMEFait THETAANSPN<ENTP/.ASTIC COVERING
IS ~ILT OVER
iHE filtST fAAMEAND C<?VE:,e.IN6.SEE MATEfZ.lALS
LIST FOil- Tii ISfRAME. INAPPENt:'/X. N.
A 1"~2" IS NAILED TO THE.OUTSIDE. FACE OF THE. +";<4"ft'5TS. THESE. 1"~'2."'" ~
SPACED 2 INCH!::"" i'OOVE THE
1"''2.'' '" NAILE.D To THEINSIDE FACE- OF THE fl'STSFOFl THE FI,«5T' LAYEfC. OF
Tf'!AN6PA~T PLASTICCOV~IN6 • THE PLASTIC
LEGe OF THE. 'SECOND
Ffi',AME: N!E:. ATTACHE.D TOTHE 1",1." WITH METAL"u· CL,6.MP5.
LJIIIJ--
HE.~ IS '" CLOSE~ LOOI'- AT THE i<EJ."l>.TIONSfllPOF 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. ---...- --......,'//// "
// " ............/ \
/ \I \I \I II II - lI LOCATION OF FOST~LJ
-u1r
11.,
AT THE. 6~UND Leva THe Ffl,AME. LE.6SAt<€. IN6E.~TE.D IN THE. THIN WALL PLASTICPIPE; 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 ONN-JD LAPPE.D OVEIl- AT THE. SPLICE. LCXATION.A WOOD LATH IS THEN NAILED ov~ THISHO~IWNTAL 5PLICE 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 THEOUTSIDE. OF THE. 2".><4" FAAfvtE.WOf<:./<.-IX:OFl5INCLUDE.D - THUS I Pf<OVIDING ADE,t>.D-AIF!- SPAcE..
!"IITTLEIDER. ~EENHOUSE.5
AF!-E. EASY TO MAKE. ANDVE.RY EFFECTIVE..
12e,
?INGL.E TAANSPp.,~NT
PLASTIC WALL.
TWO T~SP~T PLI\STIC WALLSWITH DEAD -1\11<-. Sp,o..CE. •
12Cj
4) ALSO FO~ MODE.MTE. eLIMA"TE: fl.E:.610NS J
Pf<OVIDE. ACcEPTeO IN€>"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 TO1'l.OO WATTS WIL.L. WO[<.~. THIS A~TI FICIALHEAT WIL.L. ee. USED TH~UGH FE.f>~UAAY ISONLY AS NEeDE.D TO I'-€.E..P THE. TE:MP~TUf<.E
JUsT Af>OVe 31.° F. THE. COST 0HOUL.O E>EMODEMTe.
5) ON FEBf2.UAAY IS I THE. ow TOMATO VINESAf<G f1.E,MoveO ~D NEW PL.ANT5TAANSPL..N.JTEO E>Y FEf>fl.UN<-Y 'LO. THI'SsecoND C~P CAN BE. HMVE.5TED DUf<.INGM,A.Y J JUNE.. ,A.ND JUL.Y. THIS 'SCHEDULE.AL.L.OWS HA~VE.'STING TWO OUT-OF-SEASONCt<:Of'S YEA~LY WITH MINIIv1AL HEATINGEXPENSE..COLD CLIMI"TEG~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 MINUS3Q"F FO~ ONE-Of'. "TWO-WEEI'- O(CL.E5 j
I~O
AND AVE.f<W::>E. Di'''{LIGHT TEMP~TU~SBE.TWEEN WOF NlD 45°F. PLANNING FO~ WINTEf<.CflOPS IN 'SUCH- /'.f'.EA<:J <SHOUL.D resiN WITHGI'€ENHOUSE. LOCATION AND CONSTf<.UCTION.
~-,
...' ",' ,.......... i
~:: i~ "' """./ ", I I .;J "'-.;:.
( '1!~: c; . <JI
~I I ---~;;J,; /, I __'0 h . '7I I - •I ...... \(" .._____..
-----y ''-.CTHE. D/~CTION THE
~ Gi<EENHOUSE IS BuIL.TIS IMF'ORTi'NT. HEATING COST'S G,6.N BE ~DUCED
BY PLACING THE GI"EENHOUSE f:.!''=>1 AND WEST.THE NOf'?TH-SIDE WALL CAN E.VEN e>E. PUGINTO THE SOUTH SLOf'E OF A HIL.L., of<.PLACED p..,s,t>.JNSI AWAL.L LEAVING TIlESOUTH SIDE EXPOSEDTO THE: SUN.
- .... ,
_-------.J,-,,-..----_ _-.... .......... ..."
.................. ............ UNDEi<.Gf<OUND, ./ HOT-WAlE./<. PIPESe_ _
e>U~ED ABOUT(; INCHES DEEP INSIDE. THE Gf<E£NHOUSE.(ALONG THE OUTEF1- EDGES) WILL WAP-VOFF COLO Ffi?OM THE F~EN ~UND
OUTSIDE • I~I
/
I..
WITH ONLY THE'?E PF<E.CAUTIONS J '" PLP-NTINGSCHEDULE LI~ THE. E.)<,A.MPLE. DEsa.IBED INMODE.F\i\TE. CLIMATE. SHOULD Pf'OVUCE VE~Y
5ATISFACTO/'lY flE5UL.T5.VENTI LATI ONIN AUTUMN) WINTEI'l, AND E./'.f'!.L.Y SPJ<.lNG
IN ANY CLIMATE- E'ACH DI'-y'5 TEMPEF;A.Tu~
WILL. DETEf'!.MINE HOW MUCH I IF AT AL.L)TO OPEN THE: DQJFl5. 8'5 A FlULE) WHEN I:l<\YTEMPE~TUFlE6 fl.EACH to?" F OPE.N THE
.~_~. VOOFlS AOOUT U> INCHES)c:~ -----\'\\ EVEN IF IT 15 ONLY ~
~~ ";}";} ';::!.J AN HOu~ O~ TWO IN THE
(- "\. MIOOL.E. OF THE. <"'---........ DAY.\. ,. / ...
....-<.../. './ \•
J
THE IMPOFlTANT THING ISTO VENTIL.ATE AS MucH A5 POS6IBL.Ee>uT CLOSE. UP THE G~HOUSE.
EA/<-LY ENOUGH TO f<£Ef' THE 'SOILTEMFEAATUF!ES WELL ~VE SC"F ASLONG AS fl:)5SIBL.E FOI'l M,AJ<.IHUM
GFlOWTH.1~1.
WHAT WE. HAVE. 6E.E.N IN THIS CHAPTEf'2. \'" TAATNOf<.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. ANDJANUAf'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 areal economy, especially If you are planting a number of grow-boxes.
t;;;r(.-SEED
STARTING YOUR GNtDEN
FROM TRANSPLANTS RATHERTHAN SEEDS WILL PI<OVUCE G~/>.TE.R. YIELDSAND 8 TO 12 WEEJ<..,'S ~IER. THIS IS MOi<-ETf<UE OF 5Ml'J.-L SEED PLANTS LI~ TOMATOfWD PEPPER THAN RJR e€/>-.NS Or<. e6lUP6H.TAANSPlMTS COST QUITE f>- BIT I UNLESSYOU GfOW THEM YOURSELF. THIS CHAPTERTELL'S you HOW TO PO IT.
Mp..~ ? OfZ.. 4- BOXES (Fl,A.TS)
18 INCIlE'S '8QU~ BY3 INCHE.S VEEP. THEBOrTOMS CAN BE MADEWITH SLATS, f>-T LEAST
THREE I SEPAI<ATED'Ie-INcH FOf'- DFt,O.INI'6E.
135
FILL THESE FLATS WITH THE. "CLlSTOM-MADE 501~
USEV IN YOUI<. 6FaOW·OO><E'S 01<. Gf2.EENHOUSE. )WITHOUT THE Pf<E-PLANT FEi<.TILlZE.R. SPREADOVER EACH FILl-ED FLAT 1''2. -OUNCE LIME) ANDY'2. -OUNCE OOUe>LE. SUPEI<.PHOSPHATE (N'OUT'2. TAe>LE5PCON5 OF EACH).ADD WATER AND MIXTHOIWUGHLY 50 THATTHE SOl L IS 6lU ITE. .......,./
WET BUT NOT 50
WET THAT YOU CAN561UEEZE. WATER
FIWM Ii.
LEVEL THE. '.:OIL
SURFACE. AND MAAfC.FOI<. e POW5PER FLAT.
SEEDS MAY BE: SOWN (QUITE.CLD5E TOOETHER (~UT
CoCO -1000 SEEDS
PER EACH FLAT).
BEWARE OF PLANTING50 MANY SEEDSTHAT PLANTS WILl.BE C~WVEO. THIS
P~PUCt5 SMALL,
WEAtt- 5E€:OLlNGS.
HE~E IS GCOO SPACING IN THE SEEDeoxes (FLATS) FOI"- po. FEW iLlNO'SOF SEED.
"GEEDS ~11. flON ~~GE loo -12& CAULIFLOWEf2- 100-125
L&TTUCE loo - 125 Bf<OCCOLI 100-1'1.5TOM"TO 100 - 1'2.5 cELERY. '1.00-250pePPEI1.S ..l00 - 1'2.5 PAA5LEY. Ul?-Z50e>ESTS 50 -15 SWISS CHA~D. 50 -15
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 'SOILMOVEl1.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>.T5WHEI1.E. THE NEW PLANTS WILL I1.-ECEIVE NSMUCH LIGHT A'S fl:)SSI e>LE. IF WEATH~
'''' COLO) I<E.EP THESE FLf>.TS IN "G~NHOUSE Of'? po. SHe:LT~D FO~.
1?>1
IIFTEf<. 5E.E.D~ HIWE ~Pi<OUTED ) WA.TEf1...JUST ENOUGH TO Pi<OVIDE. FOft5A.TI~FA.CTOf<.Y GF?OWTH •
EV~Y WATEP-ING PFTEft SEEDS HAVE5P~UTE.D IS WITH THE FOLLOWINGWAT~-FEP.TILI7-E.ft SOLUTION. iN 55 GALLONSOF 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
t<E.MEMBEf<. THIS ~OLUTION /5 THE. ONLYL1<S>UID 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'.ANSPLANTINGWHEN THEY Hi'VE GP-OWN THElrz FIFlST Of>SECOND SET OF TFlUE. Lf;.AVES (/>'ooUTTWO Of<. THft.EE. \l'lCHE.~ KI0H'). SEEDLING?
"P-E USU~Y TAANSPLN-lTE.D TOA.NOTHE.f<. FLAT ) 81 TO I' FLI'T) orz INTO3-AND 4--INCH POTS-USING THE
" CUSTOM - tvlAVE. SOl L " .
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 8WEEI'-S (VE.P~DIN6 ON THE VAAETY).
WHEN WEATHE..f1. f'E./<MITS) THEY ~Pl-ANTED oUTDOOf/.5 Of/. INTO "THE6~ENHOUSE. WHEf1.E THEy WIL.L FI'1-UIT
fWD MATURE.
YOU CAN FOLLOW THESE SN-'IE P~E.Dui<ES
FOi<- JUST,... FEW SEEDLINGS IN THE SMI'-L.LFLi'TS i'''' DESCf<IBEO ) Of<. USE,... i<-E.GUL.AFl. )LAi<&E. Gr<DW-f!:£Yf.- (S'x?O') TO STAAT tvlMY,YE.S THOUS!'NOS I OF SEEDL..INGS TO PLANTA LAf<GE. Cr<DP•
...... ---e:-.:;:-- _
( '" 'J -;---....I ,,/ ....,
: I ,... )I I ( II I I II I I II I I
I IIII
SEEDLINGS eM<ALSO E>E.TAAN'SPLANTED INTO THEGr<DW-BOXE:S IN THE: Gf2lXNHOUSE..
YOUNG SEEDLINGS Af'.E VULNERABLE; TOfUNGUS DISEASES AND PESTS. HE.i<-E. N<ESOME THINGS YOU CAN 1XJ TO Pl<OTECTTHEM. ~
I) IF FL/>..TS HAVE BEEN USED OCFOi<-E. !'NOYOU A~ UNCE~TAIN THAT THEY Ai<-E.f~ OF FUNGUS Of<- OTH~ DISEASES)
STERILIZE; THEM BEFOF1t fiLLING WITHYOUR "CUSTOtvl- tvlfl.VE 'S::JIL ".
THIS CAN E€. tbNE BY STI'CI'-ING THEtvlUNOER fI. PLASTIC COVERING ANDFUMIGATING WITH STEAM Di<-METHYL I?f20MIDE (FROM YOUf<- FARMN'olD ~EN SUPPLY SHOP).
140
BE. CAREFUL IN USING ME.THYL e,&)MIDE..FOLLOW IN"STf<UCTIONS ON THE !.,ABEL.CP-REFULL'(. SEAL THE PLASTIC TO THE Gf20UNDWITH DIRT SO FUME'S OON'T ESCAPE. LEAVE,24 TO 'Ie HOURS) THEN EXFtlSE TO THE. AI~SEVEAAL HOUF<.S eEFO~ USING.2.) YVU CAN ST~ILIZE THE FLATS ONE AT A
TIME JUST BY PLACING THEM IN AN OlEN(2.50 OF) R'R 4S MINUTES. ANOTHEoF<.METHOD IS TO COVER THE. FLATS WITHBOILING WATERj ALWAYS BE: CA!ZEFUL.
YOU CAN ST~LlZ.E TAAYS (FLATS) AND THE.SOIL f'-.T THE. 0f>,ME TIME BY FILLING THE. TAAySAND STACi<ING THEM. STAG/<. THEM WITH~M FO~ AiR. CIf<.CULATION f>E.TWEEN.THENUSE THE METHYL-Bf20MIDE TREATMENT 1'6PRE.VIOUSLY VE.SC~Ie>E.D. THIS METHOD I'SESSENTIAL 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, TOMINIMIZE DISEASE PROBL.E.MS. HEFtE IS HOW TOT~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 Ai<E ~IE.D INSIDE THE. SEED.IT BECOMES ,o.c'IVE' ONLY WHEN TKESEED 6~M/NATe.:S. A FUNGICIOECClA-TING WIL.L. f(ILL. 'HE.M ~16HT ATTHE START.
HEt<E 15 HOW TO PELLE.TIZE SEED :I) IN A ONE.-6>UA~T, WIDE-MOUTH JAr<. 012
PLASTIC CON'AINe:.ca- PUT !Ie' TEASFtON OFCAFTAN) DI.....THANE. Of2- OTHEfa. FUNGICIDALP~OUC'. DISSOL.VE. THIS WITH JUST AFEW V~P'S OF W.....T~. PUT THE' SEEPS INTHE CONT"'INE.~ AND ~LL THE.l-1 ~UNOWITH you12- FINSERS TO SET f*l EVENWE.TTING AND CQ,b.TING ON THEM. THISAMOUNT OF M .....TERlP--L WILL COAT ATL.EAST ?GO OF P--NY ~NO OF SEEDS.
2) NEXT !'VD JUST ENOUGHAGf'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.LYO~ 'STOf<E.O FOf<. FUTU!'lE Uo:.E..
4-) I<GeP 5EE.D FLATS O~ BEOSIN '5!1ELTE.i<EO NlEA Of'- INA 6f!C£N HOUSE WITH5CfICENEO of'E'NIN6'3
TO I'a:P INSECT'SOUT.
S) IF NECE:9SARY,uSE. PFlEVENTIVESPfCAY P~M'SAPP~f':IATE TOYOUR ~Ior-Jls
f'WE>LEHS. YOUf<. •LOCAL Jl6fZ.ICULTU/4'-L -_•./
OFFICEF1-'S q.N HELPYOU A LOT.
w) IN TAANSPLANTING YOUNG SEEDL.INGS)FOLLOW THE ProfECTIVE P~CEOUI2E0
IN CHAPTER (0 AND II •
-0 e>E- SANITATION CONSCIOUS ~ CAFlEFULLYINSPECT N-L PLI>-N-rS 01<- SEWS~T~NG THEM INTO YOUR Gf'F2.VEN. IFTHEY 'SHOW 'SIGNS OF VISEASE., BUf2.NTHE.H ) EVEN IF THEY ~E F~M
WELL-HE,ANING FRIENDS.I DO NOT HESITATE TO i<ECOMHEND THE.NECESSARY USE. OF INSECTICIDES. IT I'"OFTEN A 'SIHPLE ~UESTION OF USING THEMOfl? LOSING YOUR C~P ! YOU OFTEr-J HAVE.TO HAt<£ THAT CHOICE..
14?>
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 THANG~w-eoXE.S ~ ~EENHOu5E GAf<PENINGBUT IT CAN BE 1X>NE WITH SUCCESS. THEMOST IMP01<TANT THING 15 THAT YOU AJ<.ESUPPLYING THE: PLANTS WITH THE. VITALTAACE ELSMENiS THAi A~E. OFTENLACI<ING IN ORVINAf<Y SOIL. .
. ."
=CLEA!< AND LEVE.L. ..•...
THE SURFACE. OF YOU!<. .
TILLED MEA. J<,.EMOVE ANY OBVIOUSLYLAR6E. f<QCI"-'3 I CLODS I PI<OTRuDINGr<ooT'3 OR WEEDS.
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. SOILIS CLAY 1,1'\00 fl..IVER S,/'\NO TO E6;)UAL I'eOUTSO/. OF THE. TOTAL t-1lxTUf<.E. MIX THO~GKLTWITH A f/OTOTILLE.fl.. O~ SI1OVE.L. CAUTION-DO NOT ~TOTILL <SOIL THAT IS D~Y-
NEITHEfl.. WHEN f<.EAL WET!
"-"r-' <cQ. ~__:.Jl"
~~~~ ~~, ~.-::--c.:~--~)o...,;-:'" ._. ... .--.__ '......-.--:--.~---.r '.
-", -- - --,..~-...----....~---.....-- '--;.:-'..r--'"
.-L~7"' -.,..---.~~-\--- -----.. -- ........... '-......"...' --./' -->l====::::2::'t;::::J
''''-', r '--"---,,,:, " .•.../' /" -~ \~ ....1'£....__~'"
fl..Ai<.E AND SMOOTH .- <.... . .~- -.,.
TKE. G~UNO FI/1.ST. \.THEN) LAY OUT THE \.,OISTANCE.S BE.IWE..E.N \..~WS) ~O INCHES ON \ncCE.NTE.P. (SPACING C#J VAAY nsF~M 'Ie, TO ~4- INCHE.S). STfl.E.TCH ST~NG
CO~O BETWEEN TWO STAAE.S TO LAY OUT ASTAAIGHT FOW. THE. ENTI~ LENGTH OFTHE. ~W SHOULD et FAIP-LY LEVE.L TOALLOW FOP. GOOD WATE.P- FLOWWITHOUT EJ<0510N.
14(0
/
141
/~>..)JY--
,//////"/''7!V1rl
//
///~/, ,
/.', ., ,, ,, ., ., ., .'f-----X.-{
WITH 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<EE-P THE-SEFU~~WS SiRAIGHT.
PUi MITTLE-IVE:~S P~-PLANT F~TILIZE-/<.MIX INiO THE FUJ<.l<QWS IN THE.FOLLOWING MANNE-/<.:
a) SPREAD A N~W e>AND OF iHE Vf2.YP~-Pl.-ANT FERTIL-IZE-iZ- MIJ<. e>Y HANDDOWN EACH OF THE. FURi<OWS.
b) USE- I'L OUNCES OF THE. Vf2.Y, BLENDE.DMIX FOR EVE-fty .!Q FEET OF FUf2.i<OW~W LENGTH.
c) THE-N) SPREAD aVEJ<. THE TOP OF THEFERTILIZE.f2. A NARi<-OW E7/>.NO OFLIME.
USE. Yz -POUND(8 OUNCE.S) OF LIME:
- -., FOIt EAC H 10 FE:ET- i4:\,. OF FU~W fLOW
~LENGTH.
~d)~~DONOT
""'i'.· .. ,:'·,,"'::'· ,. i .r·:' P/<.E. -MIX THE:. . F~TILIu:R WITH
THE: LIME.HE.FlE 15 THE: MITTL.EIDEt<. PI2-E. -PLANTFERTIL.IZER. MIXTU~ YOu st-\OUL.V USE.WEIGH CAf'lEFUL.LY AND MI)<. T110FlQUGHLYTHE: FOLLOWING -Df/-Y (E.NOUGH FOfI- ~-~VAfl-Y ACCOF?DING ro SIZE OF YOUF?. PLOT.'SEE AF'PE:N0 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 6YPSUMLIME FOr<. D/ZY CLIMATE. U~EA6FlICULTU/ZAL LIME Of/- DOLOMITE.LIME: FOr<. WET CLIMATE..
r<-EMEMBEiZ - THESE AMOU NTS Ar<.E.ENOUGH FOt<. 1'4 -ACf<E I TH""T'S 10,000SQUARE. FEET. APPLY AS Pr<.EVIOU5Ly'Dlr<.ECTE:O I WHETHEt<. THE FU~ fLOW5PACINGS AFlE '2.e;~OJOFl 34 INCHES ONCENTER. I4€>
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 WITHDRY 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~WIWW5.~ UP ENOU6H SOIL TO MAt(.E A1.-;0 "?-INCH AAISE.P F-l06E: OVEfl.. THE LENGTHOF THE FE/2.TILIZ.E.1<. IN THE FU/2.I<QW POW.;HI<;. BUi'CIE<S THE FEl<TILIZEJ<. '3 TO 8 INCHES
e€LOW THE TOP OFTHE J<.i06E. THIS ISWELL e>E.LDW THE
EA~Y)iEND~
~5OF
PLANTS.14"1
9) IF T~SPL.ANTING SEE. THi'T THE. f1O:?TSME. NO CLOSEF!. THAN ~UT ? INCHE.':>TO THE. FEf'.TI UZE.f<. IN THE. FU~W f2.0WUNDEF!. THE": F!.IDGE.
h) P~E.CT NEWL.Y TAAN'SPL.!'NTE.D PL.!'NTS Of/.5E.ED Ff2.01"1 SOIL MAGGOTS, FUNGUSDISEASES) CUTWOF!.I'1'S I 'SL.UGS AND SAAIL.S1'Y APPLYING A PLANTING PF!.E.NCHIMMEDIATEL.Y AfTEf/. TAANSPLANTING Of<.SEEDING.HEF!.E 15 THE I'1ITTLEIOE.!<. PLANTINGOF®JCH FOf/.f'-1ULA FOF!. OPEN FUf/.F!.OWFAF!.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....ZINON Of<. 'SIMILAf<.,Pf2.00UCT. ~
MI)(. THOf/.OUGHL..Y TOGE.THEft. i'NO N'PL..YAT THE. AATE. OF ONE. ~LLON TO EACHI<P FEE.T OF FUf'.f/.OW flOW LENGTH.
ISO
APPLY DOWN THE. PLANT Of<. SE.E.D ~W ONLY.DO NOT N'PLY IN THE WI>-TE.f>... FUf<.f<.OWSBETWEEN THE F4DGES. CUTWOi<.MS WILLBE MOST ACTIVE THE FIF/.ST NIGHT AFTER.TAANSPLANTING. CONTFtOl- THEM BYPLACI NG '2. Of<.:!> POISON PE.LLETS 01<. AL,bJ<GE PINCH OF FOlSON BAAN BESIDEEACH PLANT STEM - AFTE./<.. THE WATEf'(.J NGAND D/<ENCHING P/WCEDUfZ,E.S f'o.BOVE.SNf'o.lLS AND SLUGS CAN BE TAi<EN ~OF WITH POI'SONED e!'<IT AVAILABLE ATMOST STO~S.
L) Wf'o.TEP- THE p..owS OF PLANTS BY ALLOWINGWATEr<. FfWM A GNtVEN HOSE TO MOVESLOWLY OOWN THE FUp..p..oW LONG
ENOUGH FOP- WATEf<. TO SEEP UP INTOTHE i<./VGE5 TO THE PLANT ~S.ONE SUCH Wi'-TEi<lNG i'- WEEI'- IS USUI>-l-LYENOUGH EVEN IN HOT, MID /'Ii<l:,AS-UNl-ESSTHE 'SOIL 15 VE.r<.Y S/'-NOY. WEEDING ISMINI MIZ.E.D flY THIS ME.THOD OF WI>-TE.f<.1 NG.ONLY THE. WATEfl- FU~WS GET WE.TENOUGH FOi<. WEED SEED TO SP/<OUT.!'Ny I'-IND OF OVErzHEAD SP/<INI'-l-INGMETHODS WAI'E. UP WEED SEE.DS aVE/<THE ENTIF-E. GN<VEN AF-E.A.
J) FEED youfl. Pl.1'NTS THE MITTLEIDE.f>...NUT/<-IENT M/)(TU~ (CHi'-PTE/<. 1) FOP-THE FIF/.5T TIME ABOUT THF<E.E WEE:.Jl-SAFTEI<. TAANSPLP--NTING. (i<EMEMBE.r<. THATYOu NZ£ {lJ...READY WATERING THOi<OUGHLYEVEJ<:.Y WE.EI(.-OP- AS THE PLANTS ~UIf<.E.)
151
H~R~ """"'N FOf/- '(OUf/- CONVENIENCE ISTHE MITIl.E.IDEf/- NUTF1-IENT MIXTURE..MIX THE FOl.LOWING T06ETHEFt DI<Y:
q -fOUNDS CALCIUM NITAATE.4-pOUNDS AMMONIUM NITAATE:.IY'!.-POUNDS DIAMMONIUM PHOsPHP-TE.4Y1.-fOUNDS POTA5SIUM 'SULF;A.TE
OR CHLOI<IDE. .(P - POUNDS MAGNE.'SlufvI 'SULFATE.
(EPSOfvl SALT)./'2.-0RAMS eo~N 0=oViUfvI BORATE
01< 1'XJt':IC ACID)
4-0RAMS COPPER 'SUl.-FATE .B- 0I<AMS ZINC SULFAIE. .12- Gl<AM5 MANGIWE6E. 'SULFATE. .3 - G!<AM'S MOLYOOIC ACID Oft
SODIUM iVlOLYE7Vf'-TE..~ 8-0UNCES IRON 'SULFf'-TE. .
~GUV1t3 ~ USUALLY NOT NECE.<SSAfl-YBE.fO~ THE THlfI-D YEA!<- OF HEf'-V,(Gf'-RDEN ING •THIS FOI<MULA IS USED TO FEED GftOWlNGPLANTS THROU6HOUI THE ENTIFtEGROWIN6 PERIOD IN FIELD) 6flON- OOX )OR ~NHOU5E: ~ENING.
152
TrlE. FE.RTIL.12E.R NUTRIE.NTMIXTURE IS SPREADDRY BY rlAND AND1\WATE.~D -I N II
AFTERAPPLICATION. j,
.P
APPLICATION ~Te:: FO~ EV~Y 10 FE.E.T OFfl.OW LE.N6TH SP~D BY HAND c:o OUNCESOF THIS MI)(TURE. OF NUTRIENTs IN ANAf/.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. EVERYTHFtEE O~ FOu~ WE.E.!'-S ONL.Y, ANO AL.Wf>.YSJUST BEFOi<E A WATE.~ING. STOP FEEDINGPLANTS ABOUT TWO WE.EI'-S BEFOf2,EHMVESTI t-lG •
IF YOU Hf>.VE. A Pf<OBLEJY1 } YOU/<. LOCAL.AGRICUL.TU~ DEPi'RfME.NT OFFICe:.F.SWE.L.COME OPf\?Ft!"UNITIE.S TO HE.t....P. THE.YCAN APVISE MUCH MORE. EFFECTIVEL.YfOR YOUR SPECIFIC [<EGlON.SEE APPENDIX m FOR A CHf>.RT OF THE.COMMON NUTRITiONAL. DEFICIE.NCIE.'SAND INST[<UCf/ON'5 FOr< CO/<.r<E.CTINGTHE.M •
The joy of successful gardenlnglllke the author, examining these choice melons, you canreap abundant harvests every time with the proven methods described In this book. SuccessIs certain because nothing Is leflto chance!
NOTHIN6 IS MO~ ~Af<.DING THI*l PICKINGCHOICE., NUTRITIOU~ Ff<.UIT~ AND VE.GE.TAe>L-E.'5THAT YOU/<. OWN HANDS AND MIND H/>.VE HE.l.PEDNATU[<.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 YOUPLAN TO STO~ P/<ODUCE. FOt<. AWHIL-E., COOl.IT TO SO"F A~ QUICI'-LY AS POSSIl?LE.(WITHIN AN HOut<. APTEt<. Plc'''.JNe).TEMPEAATU/<.ES l.OWEI<- THN-J 4SD F TEND TODEHYO«.ATE NlD WILT VE6E.TAf>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 TOTU!<.N FI~/'<.OU5.
GP-EEN W5H Of<. FOLE E'EAN5.... WHEN FODIS WELV FIL.L.ED AND SWOL.L.ENBUT eE..F01<E. ST1<INGS DEVELOP.
Bf:ETS, CEu:.~YJOf<. CHIL.I PE.PPEf<.5....~SONAL TASTE. AS TO SIZ.E..
CABBAGE. .... WHEN HEAPS At<E SOL.ID ANDSTILL FIRH.
CHIVES AND PARSL.EY.... ANYTIME.CAUL./FLOWE/'<. AND B~CCOLI ....JUST WO~
HEAPS e€6IN TO L.rosE.N ANDFLOWE.~.
SWISS CHA~D AND SPiNAcH .... WHILELEAVES At<E. STILL.. TENDER.
cuCUH!?EJ<. .... f;E.FOF<-E SEEDS OEVEL.OP.GP-EEN ONION'S....WHILE TOPS AP-E 'STILL
FULL AND Cf<.ISp.Df<.Y ONION'S.... AFTE./<. TOPS Hi'VE DFUED.SWEET PEPPE:.Fli?.,.ANYTIME. ,THE.Y N<.E.
5WEET E.VEN WHEN ~D.
EGGPLANT. '" BE.fOf<.E. SEEDS MEWELL- DE.VELOPE-D.
TUF<-NIP5.... ANY SIZE. jUSE TOPS LII'-E 5PIN,t>.C.H.CANTELOUPE .... WHEN THE. STEH
SEPMATE.5 EASILY.roTATOE:'? .... NE.W pcrrl>-TOE:'S (SI'-lN SLIPS),
ANYTIME. FOf2- IMMEDIATE U5EjMATUf<.E ONE.S I>-FTE.f2- VINESe;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 forall 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 forventilation and tor easy working of crops,from the sides.
A standard Mittleider greenhouse, simpleand Inexpensive, provides room for thesethree 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 andfood 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 torlarge-scale gardening operations a small rotollller is all the equipment you should everneed. Below: Simple, plastic framework provides tor covering shelter If needed.
Tall-growlng plants aresupported on strings asdescribed In Chapter 8,Page 75.
Tomalo vine Is pruned ofunneeded 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 foodfor 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 largestcommercial greenhouse operallor'lS at a smaUlraction of the expense. Average people cando extraordinary gardening with simple, hand tools - with certain success!
GrOW-boxes can be purchased in lour-foot increments or, as here, simply constructed byleveling 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 Inplace; plastic pipe is going on to support covering.
With two layers of plastic covering, you can keep plantsgrowing through cold, cold weather, forout-of-season crops!
Detail showing framewOrk for second laye, of plastic, allready 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 germinationperiods 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, andtall-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 otherkinds 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 economicallyself-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 casesthere could be no argument.
Are the nutrients you use organic or synthetic?
With the exception of nitrogen they are neither. They are the same asthose found in mineral soils.
Is the dry, pre-plant fertilizer mix figured on square feet or cubicfeet?
On square feet - whether in the open field, the grow-box, or thegreenhouse.
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, nutritionaldeficiencies, 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 yourlocal 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 replacesawdust 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 andhave nutritional values.
Are soil-test kits practical?
No! For adequate analysis of soil in the open furrow garden, youneed the services of a good laboratory. Ask your local agricultureofficer or department.
Can waste materials from the garden be used in soil?
In field gardening they can be worked into the soil where they willdecompose.
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 testingand successful food production all over the world. They are ofimmense value to anyone who wishes to greatly increase garden orfarm yields.
Purchase the materials listed at your farm, garden, or hydroponicssupply house. You may also write to J. R. Mittleider, in care of thepublisher, for a free listing of the current best sources of ready~
mixed materials.
Be sure to read labels and follow instructions when using anyconcentrated materials - a rule as important in the garden as inthe kitchen or workshop. Keep such materials out of reach ofchildren 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 oneach side, 15 inches wide by 30 inches long; and one in thecenter, 30 inches wide by 26 feet long (Chapter 9).
173
174 More Food From Your Garden
1. Before anything else is placed in the grow-boxes, spread twopounds of gypsum evenly over the original ground (surface)inside the frame of each 15-inch-wide box; three pounds overthe 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 ofrainfall, agricultural lime or dolomite lime are preferred. Inany 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 boxesexactly level-full, without tamping down.
3. Spread evenly, right on top of the "soil materials," thefollowing formula for each 15-inch by 3D-foot box:
1 pound double superphosphate1h pound potassium sulfate or chloride1 pound sulfate of ammonia1h pound magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)1h ounce boron (sodium borate Or boric acid)
Spread separately:
1 pound, 4 ounces lime (gypsum), or agricultural lime- (See1 above).
For each center box, 30 inches by 26 feet, nearly double theabove 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, righton the original soil (surface), inside each 5-foot by 30-foot bya-inch box. (See note on rainfall and lime-choice in A-1above.)
2. Fill the grow-boxes with the inert/organic "soil materials(Chapter 4), then spread this formula over the top:
Appendix 1/ 175
4 pounds double superphosphate4 pounds sulfate of ammonia2 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride2 pounds magnes'lum sulfate (Epsom salt)2 ounces boron (sodium borate or boric acid)
Spread separately:
5 pounds lime (See note on rainfall andlime-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. (SeeChapter 7 for method of application.)
Weigh accurately and mix very thoroughly together (dry):
9 pounds calcium nitrate4 pounds ammonium nitrate1% pounds diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)4% pounds potassium sulfate or chloride6 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)8 ounces iron sulfate
~ 4 grams copper sulfate~a grams zinc sulfate~12 grams manganese sulfate12 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 visualsymptoms or soil test indicate need.
This mixture is applied by hand as dry granules (Chapter 7).
176 More Food From Your Garden
OPTIONAL PLANT·FEEDING NUTRIENT MIXTURE
If the complete nutrient formula above is unavailable, substitute thefollowing formula for outdoor crops, applying at the same rate as theregular formula. (Greenhouse crops will fail if the complete nutrientmixture above is not used.)
Weigh carefully and mix thoroughly together (dry):
8 pounds ammonium nitrate6 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)1% pounds diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)4% pounds potassium sulfate or chloride10 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)
Note: the complete formula above and this substitute formula are forfeeding growing plants - not to take the place of the pre-plantfertilizers. This optional formula will probably produce well for twoor three years before the crops decline due to trace-mineraldeficiencies (See Appendix III). The soil cannot produce beyond itsmost limiting factor.
SEEDLING NUTRIENT SOLUTION
This is a formula for the "seedhouse" - used to feed all sproutedseeds and seedlings in the seedhouse, regardless of plant sizeuntil they are set out as transplants. This formula is used as aconstant feed, meaning that every watering of the plants is with thissolution. Note that before seeds sprout, only water is used to keepthem moist.
Measure accurately and mix together:
55 gallons water (1 drum)8 ounces ammonium nitrate2 ounces magnesium sulfate2 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride2 ounces diammonium phosphate
Appendix IJ 177
Or:
3 gallons water13 grams ammonium nitrate3 grams magnesium sulfate3 grams potassium sulfate or chloride3 grams diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)
TRANSPLANTING FORMULA
This formula is for feeding and minimizing transplanting shockwhen plants are transplanted to where they will mature - in growboxes, in the greenhouse, or in the open furrow field. This operationis 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 water2 pounds ammonium nitrate1 pound diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)8 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride8 ounces magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)
If local conditions indicate need, add:
4 ounces Diazinon (or similar productfor soil maggot control)
12 ounces Dithane-45, Benlate (or similar productfor control of fungus)
PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER FORMULAFOR OPEN-FURROW GARDEN OR FARM
Formula to be spread in l;! narrow band and covered carefully withsoil before planting seeds or plants. See Chapter 14 for method ofapplication.
178 More Food From Your Garden
For 1 acre-
500 pounds double superphosphate300 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride300 pounds sulfate of ammonia200 pounds magnesium sulfate20 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 inchesrainfall, agricultural lime or dolomite lime is preferred.)
For 1J4 acre - 10,000 square feet:
125 pounds double superphosphate75 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride75 pounds sulfate of ammonia50 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 superphosphate1 pound, 12 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride1 pound, 12 ounces sulfate of ammonia1 pound, 4 ounces magnesium sulfate24 grams boron
Apply separately:
2 pounds lime (See above)
Appendix 1/ 179
Per 10 lineal feet of plant row length:
4% ounces double superphosphate84 grams potassium sulfate or chloride84 grams sulfate of ammonia60 grams magnesium sulfate6 grams boron
Apply separately:
4 ounces lime (See above)
Notes: There are 175 rows of plants in 1 acre - if the rows are 100feet long and spaced 30 inches apart.
Weights are figured on the basis of 30 grams per ounce; 160uncesper pound.
UNITS OF MEASURE
60 drops 0 1 teaspoon3 tablespoons 0 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon 0 % ounce16 tablespoons 0 1 cup
1 cup 0 8 ounces16 fluid ounces 0 2 cups
2 cups 1 pint'/2 liquid pint ~ 1 cup
2 pints 1 quart4 quarts = 1 gallon
1 pound 0 16 ounces1 pint = 1 pound
1 gallon = 8.337 pounds (8 pounds)1 mile 5,280 ft., or 320 rods1 acre = 43,560 square feet
or 160 square rods
180 More Food From Your Garden
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 foot1 ounce per square yard
1 ounce per 100 square feet1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft.
1 pound per acre5 gallons per acre
100 gallons per acre100 gallons per acre100 gallons per acre
= 2,722.5 pounds per acre302.5 pounds per acre
= 27.2 pounds per acre= 43.6 pounds per acre
1/3 ounce per 1,000 sq. ft.= 1 pint per 1,000 sq. ft.
2V2 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft.= 20 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft.= 1 quart per 100 sq. ft.
FERTILIZER FORMULASFOR SPECIAL-SIZE GROW-IIOXES
(4' Square Segments)
PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER
4'x4'x8" Grow-Boxes6V2 ounces double superphosphate3% ounces potassium sulfate or chloride6V2 ounces sulfate of ammonia3% ounces magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)6 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)1% pounds lime'
4'x8'x8" Grow-Boxes13 ounces double superphosphate6% ounces potassium sulfate or chloride13 ounces sulfate of ammonia6'/2 ounces magnesium sulfate12 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)3 pounds lime*
Appendix /I 181
4'x12'xB" Grow-Boxes1 '/4 pounds double superphosphate10 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride1% pounds sulfate of ammonia10 ounces magnesium sulfate18 grams boron4112 pounds lime*
4'x16'x8" Grow-Boxes1 pound. 10 ounces double superphosphate13 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride1 pound, 10 ounces sulfate of ammonia13 ounces magnesium sulfate24 grams boron6 pounds lime*
4'x20'x8" Grow-Boxes2 pounds double superphosphate1 pound potassium sulfate or chloride2 pounds sulfate of ammonia1 pound magnesium sulfate1 ounce boron7% pounds lime
4'x24'xB" Grow-Boxes2 pounds, 8 ounces double superphosphate1 pound, 4 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride2 pounds, 8 ounces sulfate of ammonia1 pound, 4 ounces magnesium sulfate36 grams boron9 pounds lime*
"In selecting the type of lime to use follow the instructions givenpreviously for the standard size grow-boxes.
182 More Food From Your Garden
PLANT FEEDING NUTRIENT MIX
4'x4'x8" Grow-Boxes64 grams (2 ounces)
4'x8'x8" Grow-Boxes128 grams (4% ounces)
4'x12'x8" Grow-Boxes192 grams (6V2 ounces)
4'x16'x8" Grow-Boxes256 grams (8% ounces)
4'x20'xB" Grow-Boxes320 grams (11 ounces)
4'x24'x8" Grow-Boxes384 grams (13 ounces)
Note: Apply the fertilizers and water as outlined for the standard sizegrow-boxes.
(See Color Plates for photographs of some deficiency symptoms)
Here are the nutrients plants require for growth. Deficiencies of thefirst eight most commonly produce nutritional problems.
,. Nitrogen 8. Molybdenum2. Phosphorous 9. Manganese3. Potassium 10. Copper4. Magnesium 11. Zinc5. Calcium 12. Sulfur6. Iron 13. Chlorine7. Boron
183
184 More Food From Your Garden
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCYSYMPTOMS AND CORRECTIONS
The amounts of nutrients/fertilizers recommended here are basedon:
1. The standard Mittleider greenhouse (8'x30') containing threegrow-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 boxarea. See additional instructions for application at the end of thisAppendix..
Nitrogen Deficiency
SYMPTOMS: general yellowing over entire plant; spindly,stunted growth.
CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound, 12 ounces ammoniumnitrate.2. outdoor grow-box - 2 pounds ammonium nitrate.
Phosphorous Deficiency
SYMPTOMS: a purplish discoloration of older leaves; stuntedgrowth, 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 orchloride.2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 8 ounces potassium sulfate orchloride.
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 magnesiumsulfate.
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 of terminal buds with leaf veinsremaining green.
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, assodium borate or boric acid, mixed with 1 cup sawdust or sand.2. outdoor grow-box - 60 grams (2 ounces) boron, as sodiumborate or boric acid, mixed with 3 quarts sawdust or sand.
186 More Food From Your Garden
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 orsand.2. outdoor grow-box - 16 grams sodium molybdate ormolybdic acid, mixed in 1 cup sawdust or sand.
When a deficiency symptom is spotted, corrective measures shouldbe taken as quickly as possible. For example: assume that the growbox has just been fertilized with the regular plant-feeding nutrientmix and watered. A deficiency symptom is spotted and diagnosed.Do not attempt correction on the same day as a regular feeding andwatering but don't wait a week either. The next day after spotting thesymptom, apply the corrective nutrient (as dry material spreadevenly over the box area) and water again with the regular amount ofwater. Do not repeat the corrective application until several weekshave elapsed.
Note that a deficiency correction is in addition to the regularfeedingprogram, not along with it. In other words, don't simply add thecorrective nutrient to your regular feeding mixture; make a separateapplication, followed by a separate watering.
STANDARD MITTLEIDER OUTDOOR GROW-BOX(5'.30'.8")
(See drawings, Chapter 3)
Wood70 feet 1"x8"x20' redwood (or cedar) lumber25 1"x2"x18" pointed redwood stakes
Other Materials1 pound blue shingle nails1 pound 4-inch box nails
Tools1 3-pound mall or hammer1 regular-weight hammer1 level, two feet or longer100 feet strong cord
187
188 More Food From Your Garden
MATERIALS TO CONVERT A STANDARD OUTDOORGROW·BOX INTO A SIMPLE GREENHOUSE
(See drawings, Chapter 9)
A. Box covered with one layer of plastic cover
Wood90 feet 1"x2" boards, 20' lengths jf possible
Plastic152 feet J;"" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)16 314" PVC T-joints16 %" PVC 45° elbows1 p"lnt plastic cement50 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 Materials1" metal 'U" clamps60 feet ordinary bailing wireY2 pound 2-inch galvanized nails
B. Materials for second plastic layer in colder climates
Wood210 feet 1"x2" boards, 20' lengths if possible
Plastic140 feet %" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)4 %" PVC T-joints161'4" PVC 45° elbows50 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 width16 pieces, 56" long - for the legs8 pieces, 76" long - for the arched roof1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs
Other Materials50 feet ordinary bailing wire1 quart white exterior paint1 pound 2-inch box nails
Note: This list of materials does not include those needed for makingdoors on both ends of this type of greenhouse, nor an extra 60' of1"x8" boards needed to divide the grow-box, leaving an aisle downthe 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
Wood60 feet 2"x6" boards, 10' or 20' lengths4 2"x6" boards, 8' length280 feet 1"x2" boards, 10' or 20' lengths8 2"x2" boards, 12' length8 2"x2" boards, 6' length200 feet 1"x8" boards, 10' or 20' lengths4 2"x4" boards, 8' length8 4"x4" posts, 9' long50 1"x2"x18" pointed redwood stakes1 bundle lath
Plastic260 feet %" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' length16 314" PVC T-joints16 %" PVC 45° elbows50 feet 2 or 4 mil clear plastic, 16' width1 pint plastic cement
190 More Food From Your Garden
Cut plastic pipe to these lengths:
%" PVC pipe: 8 pieces, 96" long - for the width16 pieces, 82" long - for the legs8 pieces, 108" long - for the arched roof1" PVC pipe: 16 pieces, 15" long - base for legs
Other Materials1 pound blue lath nails2 pounds 4-inch box nails2 pounds 3-inch box nails2 pounds 6-inch box nails4 "0" shaped door hinges, 3180 feet No.2 wire12 %"x6" eye bolts, threaded161" metal "U" clamps60 3/4" metal "u" clamps3 quarts white exterior paint
B. Materials for second layer 01 plastic in colder climates
Wood30 feet 2"x2" boards, 10' lengths180 feet 1"x2" boards, 10' or 20' lengths1 bundle lath
Plastic220 feet 3f4" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths4 3f4" PVC T-joints16 %" PVC 45 0 elbows50 feet 4 mil clear plastic, 16' width32 feet 4 mil clear plastic, 12" width
Cut plastic pipe to these lengths:
%" PVC pipe: 2 pieces, 101%" long - for the width16 pieces, 90" long - for the legs8 pieces, 114" long - for the arched roof1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs
Appendix IV 191
Other Materials41" metal "U" clamps8 3/4" metal "U" clamps40 3/16"x4" threaded bolts with nuts16 2/16"x2%" threaded bolts with nuts
c. Measurements for three greenhouse grow-boxes
Materials are included above for the three standard grow-boxes inthe standard Mittleider greenhouse. Two boxes (either side ofgreenhouse) are 15" wide by 30' long, outside measurements; onebox (center) is 30" wide by 26' long - cut short 24" on both ends ofgreenhouse to allow for aisle access. See Chapter 10 for detailedillustrations.
Dramatically increased yields - and income - are possible, evenon poor land, with the simple 5'x30' grow-boxes and the inexpensiveS'x30' plastic greenhouses described in this book.
The world demand for food increases daily and the problem isgrowing in intensityl
The so-called "good land" on planet Earth is already under intensivecultivation. But there are still millions of acres of "earth" lying idle inmost countries.
Over the years, crop yields per acre on this "good land" haveincreased many fold, and no doubt will be increased still more. Justhow much more remains to be seen. It is reasonable to believe thatfuture increases will be limited in comparison to the recent past.
The greatest hope for providing food for an expanding worldpopulation 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 todayit has been proven that a very large part of this "worthless" land canbe 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 demonstrationprojects in many countries is unchallengeable.
Look at the following comparative figures - you will be surprised!
Comparison 01 grow-box/greenhouse farmingwith some other types of farming
Crop: CABBAGE
Conventional Tractor Farming
Number of plants per acreAverage weight per headMarketable heads per acreMarketable cabbage per acreCrop income per acre at 8lf: lb.Possible crops per yearPotential income per acre, per year
5'x30'8" Grow-Boxes
14-15,0003 pounds
40-50%24,000 pounds
$1,9202 (?)
$3,840
Number of plants per grow-box 135Grow-boxes per acre 156Plants per acre (135x156 19,000Average weight per head 3 poundsMarketable heads per acre 90%Marketable cabbage per acre 51,300 poundsCrop income per acre at 8¢ lb. $4,004Possible crops per year 2 or 3Potential income per acre at 2 crops $8.008
Note: Conventional farming requires heavy mechanization. Growbox farming, after the small cost of lumber. requires virtually noequipment - just one 7HP rototiller is all the machinery needed.Grow-boxes organize farming so that hand labor can compete withfarm machinery - and make it possible to use much of the poorestand heretofore unusable land.
194 More Food From Your Garden
Crop: TOMATO
Large, Automated, Hydroponic Greenhouse
Greenhouse sizeCost to construct and equipTomato plants per greenhouseFruit per house, per cropFruit per plant (6-months picking)Fruit per acre (9 houses)Crop income per house, per crop at 25¢ lb.Crops per yearCrop income per house, per yearIncome potential per acre per year
150'x30' (1/9 acre)$25,000
1,68010 pounds
16,800 pounds75 tons$4,200
1V2$6,300
$56,700
Simple, 8'x30'x10' Greenhouse
Greenhouses per acre 86Cost to construct and equip, inc. heat $385Tomato plants per greenhouse 150Fruit per plant (4 months picking) 14-20 poundsFruit per house, per crop at 16 lb. 2,400 poundsFruit per acre (86 houses) 103 tonsCrop income per house, per crop at 25¢ lb. $600Crops per year 2Crop income per house per year $1,200Income potential per acre per year $103,200
Note: Modern hydroponic greenhouses require much equipmentand continuous, fixed monthly expenses for operating.
The Mittleider 8'x30' greenhouse (except for the simple heatingequipment already included in the $385 construction cost) requiresno special equipment or machinery to operate. This eliminates theheavy monthly expenses and turns man-hour production into readycash.
As the figures indicate, there is an improvement in crop yields withthe small greenhouse and it allows the use of land formerlyconsidered "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.
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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 bluish-green 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)
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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.
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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.
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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).
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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.
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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 © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
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
Manganese
Molybdenum
Zinc
Potassium
Iron
Magnesium
Overall yellowing
Yellow, including veins – brighter than nitrogen
Yellow edges on small leaflets
Yellow and orange with green veins
Yellowing, followed by scorching or firing of leaf edges
Yellow with green veins
Bright yellow and/or red, and/or purple, and/or orange
By Jacob R. Mittleider – Edited by Jim Kennard © 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation
Garden Planting Details
Plant Type
Seedling or Seed
(most effective)
Hardiness
When to
Plant
Spacing (inches)
Rows per Bed
(full bed)
Depth of
Seed/Seedling
(inches)
Expected Yield
(full bed)
# Plants per bed
Fertilizer
applications
Plant Height
Start Seedling
(week +/- ALSF)
Plant in Garden
(weeks +/- ALSF)
Days to mature
Harvest Length
in Weeks
beans, bush either frost-sensitive On ADLF 3 2 0.500 68 lbs. 240 5 20 -2 +0 65 3beans, pole (vertical) either frost-sensitive On ADLF 2 1 0.500 180 lbs. 180 10-12 84 -2 +0 75 16beets, red seed moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 2 2 0.250 120 lbs. 362 5 12 -2 55 20broccoli seedling hardy 4 weeks before 14 2 alt.* deep 80 lbs. 52 5-6 20 -8 -4 85 4cabbage seedling hardy 4 weeks before 12 2 alt. deep 150 lbs. 60 5 15 -8 -4 85 2carrots seed moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 1 2 0.125 90 lbs 720 6 12 -2 65 16cauliflower seedling hardy 4 weeks before 14 2 alt. deep 100 lbs. 52 5-6 20 -8 -4 100 4celery seedling moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 12 2 alt. deep 120 lbs. 62 5-6 18 -6 -2 60 2chard either moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 6 2 0.250 150 lbs. 124 3-4 12 -6 -2 60 20corn seed frost-sensitive On ADLF 8 2 alt. 0.500 115 ears 92 5 72 +0 80 2cucumbers (bush) seedling frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 12 2 deep 248 lbs. 62 6-8 18 -1 +2 65 16cucumbers (vertical) seedling frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 9 1 deep 410 lbs. 41 8-12 84 -1 +2 65 4eggplant (vertical) seedling frost-sensitive On ADLF 9 1 deep 400 lbs. 41 10-12 72 -8 +0 90 16kohlrabi seed hardy 4 weeks before 2 2 0.250 120 lbs. 360 4 12 -4 65 4lettuce, head either hardy 4 weeks before 12 2 alt. 0.125 112 lbs. 62 4 12 -7 -4 55 2lettuce, leaf either hardy 4 weeks before 6 2 0.125 45 lbs. 122 3 12 -7 -4 55 6melons, cantaloupe (vert) either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 9 1 0.250 246 lbs. 41 8-10 84 -1 +2 85 10melons, honeydew (vert) either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 9 1 0.250 246 lbs. 41 8-10 84 -1 +2 85 8onions, green tops either hardy 4 weeks before 1 4 0.125 144 bunches 1440 3 12 -7 -4 65 2onions, large bulb either hardy 4 weeks before 4 4 1.000 135 lbs. 360 7 15 -7 -4 65 4parsley either moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 6 2 0.125 23 lbs. 120 3-4 12 -6 -2 65 24parsnips seed moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 3 2 0.125 160 lbs. 244 7 12 -2 65 12peas, bush either hardy 4 weeks before 2 2 0.500 90 lbs. 362 4-5 18 -7 -4 60 3peppers, all types seedling frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 12 2 alt. deep 310 peppers 62 8-12 16 -7 +2 85 12potatoes seed moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 8 2 alt. 1.500 145 lbs. 92 4-5 16 -2 65 8radishes seed hardy 4 weeks before 1 2 0.125 60 bunches 722 2 8 -4 25 3spinach either hardy 4 weeks before 6 2 0.250 46 lbs. 122 4 8 -7 -4 45 4squash (vertical) either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 9 1 0.500 154 lbs. 41 8-12 84 -1 +2 90 14squash, crooked-neck either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 21 1 0.500 135 lbs. 18 8-12 24 -1 +2 90 14squash, yellow either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 21 1 0.500 135 lbs. 18 8-12 24 -1 +2 90 14squash, zucchini either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 21 1 0.500 135 lbs. 18 8-12 24 -1 +2 90 14tomatoes (indeterminate) seedling frost-sensitive On ADLF 9 1 deep 615 lbs. 41 10-12 84 -8 +0 90 16tomatoes, bush seedling frost-sensitive On ADLF 14 2 deep 208 lbs. 52 6-8 24 -8 +0 90 6turnips seed moderately-hardy 2-3 weeks before 2 2 0.125 120 lbs. 362 4 12 -2 25 4watermelons either frost-intolerant 2-3 weeks after 21 1 0.250 320 lbs. 16 6-8 16 -2 +2 90 3
Find this in the Mittleider Yahoo Group [Gledhill Folder] 1 of 1 Planting_Helper_Simple_20090427.xls Printed 4/20/2010
How to build & use T-Frames 1 3/5/2010
HOW TO BUILDHOW TO BUILDHOW TO BUILDHOW TO BUILD & & & &
USE USE USE USE TTTT----FRAMESFRAMESFRAMESFRAMES 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 Item / Description 6 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) These are to attach the crossbar to the post
32 Smaller nails or screws 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 2 3/5/2010
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.
Cutting Details The diagram to the right shows the major cuts used for the six 4x4 post. 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. The remaining two sections of 32” inches are cut for the supporting braces. (See diagram above)
32.00in. 32.00in. 32.00in.
T-Post main post #1
T-Post main post #2
T-Post main post #3
T-Post main post #4
32.00in. 32.00in. 32.00in.
Top Crossbar #1 Top Crossbar #2 Top Crossbar #3
Top Crossbar #4Braces (see diagram) Braces (see diagram)
8'-0"
How to build & use T-Frames 3 3/5/2010
The big picture!
