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Intro:
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| For the first two to four days after a transplant, young seedlings will need protection against wind and cold. If such conditions threaten, cover the seedlings with a large container, like a box, basket or large pot. Set up supports for vined vegetables. Beans need a trellis, which can be built with two stakes and rows of string or wire (or you can use the side of a fence). Tomato plants can be attached to stakes with string, or you can buy tomato cages--a wire cone that's placed over the young plant, into which the plant grows. |
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Seeds are finicky--if one area of preparation is off, there's a chance they might not germinate. So when you plant, pay attention to the details. Pick the right day. Follow your planting calendar, but remember that the soil should be relatively dry. Avoid planting on days that have a strong possibility of heavy rain following them. Too much water too soon can flood out the seeds, or "cake" the soil when it dries, forming a crust that seeds have difficulty penetrating. Most vegetables are planted in rows for easier tending and harvesting. Some of the larger seeds need rows with a deeper, wider furrow (a V-shaped trench in the soil where the seeds are placed), while the smaller seeds need smaller, shallower furrows. For small furrows, drag the handle of your hoe across the marked row. For wide furrows, use the corner of the hoe blade (check the furrow widths against the package specifications).
Many vined vegetables, like tomatoes and cucumbers, are planted in mounds. If you're cultivating a large garden, these will still be in rows, but for smaller gardens, you can simply make a small mound and planting hole according to the package instructions. Add your seeds according to the package instructions. Always plant a few extra seeds in each spot to allow for failed germination. Cover the seeds with fine soil (no rocks or clumps!), pat firm (not too hard), then hose the planted area with a fine spray of water for a few minutes. Although they shouldn't have a torrent of water, seeds do need constant moisture to germinate, so make sure the ground stays fairly damp until the seedlings start popping up. If you're transplanting a seedling, the steps are simple:
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Plant your seeds
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