5 Hacks for an Up-And-Coming-Farmer/Gardener!

5 Hacks for an Up-And-Coming-Farmer/Gardener! 

1. Egg Shells 

-When transplanting, add crushed up egg shells to the soil 

-useful with: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc. 

                                                                          Benefit: 

-renews calcium to the soil and helps make the plants 'stronger'

2. Tying Tomato Plants

-Grab some twine, a wooden or plastic stake and a tomato plant

-stick/hammer the stake into the ground next to the transplanted tomato 

-tie the plant to the stake, and continue to tie as the plant grows higher
- also, be sure to pinch off the 'suckers' as illustrated in the picture below.  Suckers are the stems that grow at the junction of the main stalk and the lateral leaves.

Benefits: 

-allows the plants to grow vertically (instead of growing horizontally along the ground, often results in tomato rot) 

-tomatoes are easier to pick, water, and care for if they're tied up 

-tomato plants are less likely to become diseased or blighted if they're tied up, as it allows for breezeways around the plant 

3. Manure 

-It may smell horrible, butttt purchasing/acquiring a batch of composted manure will do wonders on your plants! 

Benefits:

-helps with soil aeration and water infiltration 

-renews the soil's nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

-is an organic fertilizer (yes, we use it right here at CCF!) containing no chemicals or synthetic fertilizers 

4. Digging trenches 

-When planting beans it is important to dig a trench with a garden hoe to allow for beans to sprout out of the soil bed 

Benefits:

-better water absorption in root system

5. Be Patient 

-Gardening takes time. It can be frustrating when something goes wrong, but don't lose hope! Keep at it!!

STAY TUNED FOR MORE GARDENING TIPS! UNTIL THEN....HAPPY GARDENING!