Epson Salt...

1. Improve Seed Germination

Using Epsom salt as a soil amendment before seeding will give your garden a powerful boost right from the start. Magnesium aids in seed germination and helps to strengthen cell walls, leading to more and stronger seedlings. For best results, incorporate 1 cup of salt per 100 square feet of tilled soil or mix 1 – 2 tablespoons into the soil at the bottom of each hole before dropping in seeds.

2. Increase Nutrient Absorption

Many commercial fertilizers add magnesium to help plant roots take up vital nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur.) For those using all organic materials to feed their gardens, adding Epsom salt to soil will improve absorption naturally, eliminating the need for processed chemical fertilizers.

3. Counter Transplant Shock

We’ve all seen how our plants and seedlings wilt when we move them from a small pot to a larger one, from indoors to outside, or from greenhouse to ground. Try feeding transplants with Epsom salt once they’re in their new environment to help injured roots overcome transplant shock. Remember to add a layer of soil on top of salt sprinkled in holes so roots don’t come into direct contact with these concentrated minerals right away.

4. Green Up Foliage

Plants that aren’t getting enough magnesium can be identified by their yellowing leaves. This is because magnesium is an essential component in the production of chlorophyll. Try sprinkling Epsom salt around your plants to achieve healthier foliage. About 1 tablespoon per 12 inches of height once a month will benefit the plants in your vegetable garden, as well as any trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses you want to green up.

5. Prevent Leaf Curling

Leaf curling may also be caused by magnesium-deficiency in plants. Again, add Epsom salt to the soil around the base of the sick plant. Alternately, for faster absorption you can mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water and apply directly to the leaves.

6. Deter Garden Pests

While Epsom salt won’t dehydrate slugs and snails like table salt (sodium chloride), it can still be used to deter pests. Hydrated magnesium sulfate crystals are sharp and when sprinkled around plants, they can scratch and irritate the bodies and feet of unwanted critters in much the same way as diatomaceous earth. (Keep in mind that Epsom salt dissolves very easily in water, thus any amount of rain will likely wash them away.)

7. Grow Sweeter Fruit

The production of fruiting bodies is the most taxing process in the life cycle of a plant. Apply Epsom salt to fruit and nut trees, bushes, and vines using the same methods and quantities stated above to boost chlorophyll levels inside the plant cells. Increased energy means more sugar, allowing the plant to produce higher yields of sweeter, healthier fruit.

8. Tastier Tomatoes

Tomato vines are one of a handful of common garden residents whose fruit to plant size ratio is heavier than average, leading to an even higher likelihood of magnesium-deficiency. For this reason, tomatoes should be fed Epsom salt twice as often as other plants. Also, because tomato vines are prone to calcium-deficiency (blossom end rot), the majority of tomato fertilizers contain calcium which will compete with magnesium for root absorption. Therefore, foliar feeding is the more efficient method for delivering magnesium to these plants. Water tomato vines with dissolved Epsom salt – 2 tablespoons per gallon of water, every 2 weeks.

9. More Plentiful Peppers

Peppers are another popular garden plant with a higher-than average fruit to plant size ratio. As such, they should also be fed magnesium every two weeks to achieve higher yields of larger fruits. For hot peppers, over-watering can lead to fruit with less heat, thus the soil amendment method may be preferable in this case. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for every foot of height around the drip line of your pepper plants once per week.

10. Beautiful, Bountiful Roses

Ever wonder why your neighbors’ rose bushes are fuller than yours and sport so many more blossoms? It is highly likely that the answer is Epsom salt. Not only does it help roses to produce larger blossoms in greater numbers, many successful rosarians will agree that magnesium also aids in the growth of new canes from the base of the plant. And of course, Epsom salt increases chlorophyll production meaning darker leaves. For maximum benefit, roses should at the least be fed with Epsom salt at time of planting, then again at the first sign of new growth, and once more when the flowers are in full bloom. Bare root roses may also be soaked in water containing dissolved Epsom salt before planting.

It is almost impossible to use too much Epsom salt in your garden. Magnesium sulfate is pH neutral, so it won’t harm your soil. The crystals break down into water, magnesium, and sulfur – three components which are beneficial in some way to most plants. Epsom salt is safe, easy to apply, and works fast to correct a variety of problems and increase the overall health of your garden. As if that weren’t enough, Epsom salt is also inexpensive making it one of the most perfect tools for the health-conscious, responsible gardener.

We'll have to remember this trick to beat the late frosts. Or "time to buy a bunch of lunch bags and nails"

If there is one thing a gardener always has to remember – it’s that Mother Nature controls the show.  So even after a few warm weeks of Spring, with humid days – and nights that rarely dipped below 60 – she came roaring back with a blast of cold to get us scrambling in the garden.

Our roma tomatoes covered up with lunch bags to protect them from frost

Every year, it’s always a guess as to when to put the tomatoes, peppers and other summer crops into the ground here in Ohio.  We usually like to use the 15th of May as our rule of thumb – but we also consider things like soil temperature and the long-term forecast to decide when to take the plunge.

This year – with the unusually warm weather the last few weeks – the soil had warmed up beautifully. Add in a solid 10 days of warm temps with the long-range forecast – and we decided to roll the dice and put our plants in the ground a little early on the 6th of May.  Well, as with most gamblers, we came up on the short end of the stick as last night’s predicted temperatures were changed to now dip to the frost mark!

So there we were last evening – covering up every single plant – over 120 in all of peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini and more.

New plantings are especially susceptible to frost

To protect them all, we use simple brown paper bags with a nail pushed through the bag and into the ground to hold it over the plant.  It’s actually a very easy and inexpensive way to protect such a large number of plants – and a lifesaver when you need to keep from losing your future table food to frost!

The good news – according to the forecasts, it should be just a one night event. The temperatures are expected to rebound the rest of the week to the 50 to 55 degree nightly range that is more normal for our area.  (Of course, those are the same forecasters a week ago that said we were out of the woods with frost for the year :) )

Gardens teach children important life lessons

Kim forwarded me this great article.  Thought you might enjoy it as well!

Young children love gardening. For parents, a home vegetable garden provides a great opportunity to teach children some of life’s most valuable lessons.

In October 1977, LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball provided this instruction:

“Who can gauge the value of that special chat between daughter and dad as they weed or water the garden? How do we evaluate the good that comes from the obvious lessons of planting, cultivating and the eternal law of the harvest? And how do we measure the family togetherness and cooperating that must accompany successful canning? Yes, we are laying up resources in store, but perhaps the greater good is contained in the lessons of life we learn as we live providently.”

With spring just a couple of weeks away, now is the time to prepare for the season of sowing, and it's a perfect time to get children excited about working in the garden. Here are some ideas for things parents can do now to build their children's enthusiasm:

Draw a diagram of the garden area and let children help decide the types of vegetables they want to grow.

This is a great time to explain the varying needs of different plants: i.e., pumpkins need lots of space, but carrots can be planted close together.

Let children accompany you when buying seeds or plants for the garden.

When starting early plants indoors, let children fill the containers with potting soil and plant and water the seeds.

Young children may not be able to turn the dirt in garden beds, but they can help smooth and rake, fertilize and get the beds ready for seeds. When planting time arrives, children love putting the seeds into the ground and covering them with dirt.

Explain to children that plants will need ongoing care to produce the best vegetables. Help them weed and water on a regular basis.

Some additional tips for gardening with children from familyeducation.com:

Be willing to put up with a less-than-perfect looking garden. Crooked rows and weeds are OK.

Leave an area where kids can dig, even after planting. This is often their favorite part of gardening. Look for earthworms together.

Kids like extremes, so plant huge flowers, like sunflowers, and small vegetable plants, like cherry tomatoes. Plant fragrant flowers or herbs like peonies, lavender and pineapple mint. Show your kids how to rub the herbs between their fingers to get a really good whiff.

“We are too accustomed to going to stores and purchasing what we need. By producing some of our food … we involve all family members in a beneficial project," wrote President Ezra Taft Benson in a 1980 Ensign article. “There are blessings in being close to the soil, in raising your own food even if it is only a garden in your yard and a fruit tree or two. Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own.”

Gardening is a good way for children to learn patience. Consider this advice from mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com: “The thing about gardening is that you realize you can’t rush things. A seed takes a certain amount of time to sprout, no matter what you do. A plant or tree takes a certain amount of time to grow, flower or bear fruit, no matter what you do. No amount of chemicals or technology can make it go faster.”

Gardening also provides chances for lessons about science, nature, nutrition, and even cooking and preserving food. In addition, children gain a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and self worth when they harvest food they helped grow.

“We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees — plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard," President Kimball said in 1976. “We should train our children to work, and they should learn to share the responsibilities of the home and the yard. … Children may be given assignments to take care of the garden, and this will be far better than to have them for long hours sitting at a television.”

Mini-Greenhouses for Sale!

I stumbled upon a great deal online and wanted to pass it on to you first before I send it to my email list of 150 people.  It is for this mini inside greenhouse:

I found it for $30 (that includes shipping).  This is the same kind that I use when I am taking care of our community garden's seedlings in my house!  Next year in order for us to continue saving monies by growing our veggies inside by seed we will need others to help share in the growing/nurturing of these seedling babies!

This is one of the things that you would need to have in order to do this!  If you are interested in buying one of these mini greenhouses, let me know ASAP -- I ordered 10 and I am sure they will go fast.  $30 total. They should arrive later this week and they come in a box for easy storage.

Let me know!  Putting it out to my email list tonight!

Susan Wheatley
801-368-9865
susan_wheatley@comcast,net

Are you READY for some gardening?

It is definitely that time of year!  Hasn't the weather been absolutely gorgeous the last couple of days?  Well, we are still in that spring/summer/winter time of year and next week is supposed to be a little fickle, BUT not as cold as it has been the last few weeks.  As a matter of fact, we are hardening off our tomatoes so that they will be ready to plant mid-May.  They are looking great, but we do need to get them in the garden soon or else they will need more fertilizer.  You should see some of them -- they are HUGE!  As a matter of fact, I will post some pictures here so you can see where they have progressed from seeds that you planted to the beautiful plants that they are today.  We have had some casualties along the way (way too many to take care of and so I couldn't pay tender loving care to each and every one), but for the most part, they are BEAUTIFUL!

Hardening off the veggies during the day

A great big THANK YOU to the Hougaards who offered to take about 20 flats home with them -- I hope it hasn't been too much of an imposition on their family.  Also thank you to Brother and Sister Ken Clark who also took some home and are caring for them.

To be honest, NEXT YEAR we need to get more of you involved in this part.  I feel like we were really blessed again this year that they are doing as well as they are, but seriously -- way too many for just a couple of families to take care of.  We need for you to consider taking a few trays home with you next spring if you are in the garden and caring for them.  I can help you know what you need -- about an investment of $20 or so and after that, all they need is your love and attention.

Beautiful!!!!

I have to tell you a funny story -- it was cool, actually -- yesterday, we had all of the tomatoes outside for about an hour (enjoying the sunshine and the wind -- wow, was it windy for these sweet seedlings; side note -- it is good for them to get some wind because it makes them stronger)....anyway, when we hauled the tables back in with all of the tomatoes on them, we noticed that they were not happy campers.  I spent the next hour babying them and standing them back up and giving some of them drinks of water.  They still looked very droopy and like, "Mom, why did you take us outside?  It was too hot!  We like the comfort of inside!"  Well, I was wondering what else I could do to help them bounce back.  I was the only one home and I had heard before that plants like music just like babies do (and some of us adults) and so I put on some classical music and you should have seen them bounce back.  I'M SERIOUS!  It was amazing!  So, I have learned something new and that is going to be a new thing that I will remember.

A panoramic view of our back deck with all the tomatoes that were at the Wheatley home -- notice the huge ones on the right that I had to transplant into larger containers!

Peppers

Anyway, back to the garden -- I thought I would tell you that we planted about 13 flats of broccoli, cabbage, kale and marigolds on Saturday, April 26th.  Unfortunately, it was pouring rain and it wasn't very much fun for those who came, but THANK YOU for coming anyway.  It IS your garden and we need/want you to participate.  Well, the next week it froze outside.  We covered everything -- and I mean EVERYTHING, but it was just too much of a shock for all of those little guys and, except for the broccoli which had hot caps on them, all the rest faded away and died.  You can imagine my sadness!  Well, Kim went out and purchased some more marigolds and cabbage and kale (and we hope our broccoli starts growing more) and now we have our garden complete again.

Peppers -- aren't they beautiful - AND BIG!

Hopefully, we won't have any problems with the tomatoes and the peppers (speaking of peppers, you should see them!!!!!!).  They are HUGE!

Well, I just wanted to give all of you an update on where we are with the garden.  Kim said she is ready to start our weekly schedule, so I am sure you will be hearing from her this week.  So, put on your garden shoes and get ready to rock and roll!  Can't wait for the harvest!

Susan

Love this idea...

Read this article yesterday in my favorite blog... if you have a garden of your own at your home (or, if not, someday when you do), please think about doing this...I absolutely LOVE this idea.

Plant a Row For Someone You Know – A Garden Plan We Can All Do!

Posted on April 15, 2014 by oldworldgarden in Life in the Garden // 9 Comments

It’s not often that we ask anyone to share one of our gardening articles. In fact, I’m not sure we ever have. But this one is different – and I hope after reading – you will not only share – but maybe take part in the effort in your own garden as well.

Every year – we have always left a couple of rows in our garden plan for our “impulse buys”.  You know – those plants you might pick up at the nursery because you have never heard of them – or they simply catch your eye.

This year – we are going to take one of those rows and do something a little different.  We are going to make it a “Plant A Row For Someone We Know” area.

Before I go too far – let me share a short story from my own past that made me think about putting the plan into action.

A few years back – I had an Uncle pass away that quite simply was the kindest and most wonderful man you could ever hope to know.  He was my mom’s brother, and we all simply called him Uncle Tom.  He spent his life in the service of others – and I don’t think to this day I have ever met anyone that didn’t love our Uncle Tom.

Growing up - I always looked forward to his visits – he was full of life – whether it was telling stories, playing cards, a game of horse  - or my favorite – a huge family game of croquet in the front yard.

My Uncle Tom as we all remember him in our younger years – he always had a smile and a way to make us laugh

As far back as I can remember my Uncle Tom loved fresh garden food.  He loved coming to our house – especially when it was for fresh corn on the cob and tomatoes.

When I grew up to have a garden of my own – I always loved whenever I had the opportunity to give him a bit of whatever I might have growing in the garden.

As the years continued to pass – time and health issues began to take its toll on Uncle Tom – and a few years back – he was to the point where he lived in an assisted living home.  But even then – he still enjoyed being picked up and taken to my mom’s house to have corn on the cob and tomatoes.

Uncle Tom (in blue shirt) just a few years back enjoying time (and of course food) at a family gathering.

Well, in what turned out to be the year before he passed – I had a particular tomato plant that produced to this day what may be the largest two tomatoes I have ever grown.  When I found out that Uncle Tom was going to be at my mom’s house for dinner – I couldn’t wait to make the trip to show him what I had grown.   In addition to showing him the mammoth prize tomatoes – I of course took him an overflowing basket of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to keep.

He kept marveling over the tomatoes during dinner – and as it came time for him to leave – he thanked me over and over for the tomatoes – and then it happened.  He simply said “I can’t wait to show these two beauties to everyone back at the home and tell them my nephew grew them!

Now, truth be told – the overflowing basket is what I had brought for him to take back – not of course, my two prize mammoth tomatoes.   But that was it – they were his.

Every gardener knows the best vegetables you grow in your garden are the ones you share with others

As he left – the rest of my family stared at me – and then we all busted out in laughter.  I realized then and there that as much as I beamed for having grown those tomatoes – it made me even happier to see that what they meant to him was so much more.

And that is what led to the idea of “Plant A Row For Someone You Know” Not to grow mammoth tomatoes for others of course – but to grow a row of fresh vegetables for someone that either needs it or misses it – along with the company and companionship that comes with visiting and taking it to them every week or so.

Maybe it’s the neighbor down the street who loved gardening but can’t anymore.  Maybe it’s someone in your own family.  Perhaps a fellow co-worker, a church member or shut in. Or maybe a family with young children who have never tasted the flavor of a fresh picked cucumber or tomato.  In reality – it doesn’t matter who it is – just that this year there will be a little more fresh veggies to go around and make the world a better place.

If everyone of us planted just a few plants extra – imagine what it could literally bring to the table!

The orange row in the garden plan is now the “plant a row for someone you know” area

As gardeners – as much as Mary and I grow fresh vegetables for our own family – I think we get the most satisfaction from sharing it with our friends and extended family.

Gardening after all is about caring and giving.  You care for your soil and plants, and you are given the gift of fresh vegetables.  It is a miracle I never tire of.  I have never met a gardener who doesn’t love to share in his harvest – and what better way to share than to grow a row for someone who can use a little fresh vegetables – and company.

So set aside a single row or a little area of your garden this year to grow a little something for someone else.  And as I did at the beginning of the article – I ask that you share this with your friends, co-workers and family as well. The more that get involved -the more people it can touch. A little bit from everyone can go a long way!

If you would like to receive our DIY & Gardening  Tips every Tuesday – be sure to sign up to follow the blog via email in the right hand column, “like” us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Happy Gardening!  Jim and Mary

Look at them grow!!!!!

Here are some pictures of our little seedlings that you all planted from seeds!  They are growing and growing and growing and growing!  We have almost 80 flats of veggies right now in various stages in my home, with about 10 more flats to add to them shortly!  I'm trying my best to keep them in the sun, but... there are only so many windows in this home of ours.  We'll do our best!

If any of you would like some beefsteak tomato seedlings of your own to grow, we have extras and, as garden members, you are more than welcome to some.  Just let me know ASAP because they are needing to be replanted in larger containers right away.  IF you want some, make sure to have potting soil that you can pot them into after you get them home.

Also, we are "almost there" but if anyone is available tomorrow afternoon or evening to transplant some more seedlings, we would greatly appreciate it.  We have one more flat of sweet peppers, one flat of various hot peppers and then a partial flat of miscellaneous seedlings (artichoke, eggplant, etc).  IF you can help, please let me know ASAP as we are heading out of town for the weekend and need these transplanted sooner rather than later!

Hasn't this weather been great?  Looking forward to getting all of "my babies" in the ground once the chance of frost has passed.  Keep praying for them that they grow strong and healthy!

Call me at 801-368-9865 if you are able to help transplant on Friday... thanks!

Susan