All the Dirt on Gardening

Shakespeare's Hamlet said "To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? " Is it nobler to give your plants some food before they turn yellow and appear to be on death's door? Or is it a stronger gardener who waits for the enemy's approach and then takes arm against the sea of trouble? ORGANIC OR CHEMICAL WEAPONS? The next decision is whether to take an organic or chemical approach. Organics are said to feed the soil and chemicals are said to feed the plants. Organic gardeners believe that if you feed the soil your plants will be healthier. Microorganisms in soil break down organic fertilizers to make nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace minerals available. Typically, organic gardeners use products such as cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, manure, compost, mushroom growing medium and sludge. Chemical ferti...

Starter solutions available in nurseries, are usually called something like quick start. They are diluted to keep from burning tender stems, leaves and roots. Here's a recipe for how to make your own from OSU Fact Sheet 6007-4. Add two tablespoons of 19-46-0 or 12-24-12 or 10-20-10 fertilizer to a gallon of warm- ish water to dissolve thoroughly. Apply a cup of the diluted fertilizer to each plant, but avoid pouring it directly on the plant stems. Pouring in to the planting hole before adding soil and then the plant would be ideal for a small garden, but probably not practical if you are putting in 300 eggplants or cabbages.