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Ep 56 | Starting from Seed: Leafy Greens

Ep 56  | Starting from Seed: Leafy Greens

Leafy Greens

Salads, stir-fry’s, etc. Fresh lettuce is a great addition to any vegetable garden as they’re easy to grow and can even grow in those shadier spots in the garden. They can grow quickly in pots too! 

 

Starting From Seed
If you’re growing in the garden, due the fast growing nature of leafy greens, you can start them directly outside after the last frost in your region. If you’re growing in pots, you may start them inside to harvest sooner. 
 
Companion Planting
No major requirements.
 
General Requirements
**Always read your individual seed pack for directions. These directions are general for the grouping
 
Sun symbol" Emoji - Download for free – Iconduck     Refer to your individual seed packet. Generally, leafy varieties grow well in part sun or shade.
Soil Generic Flat icon  Light and good quality soil. A premixed potting soil is great for pots.
 
Fertilizer Basic Miscellany Lineal Color iconNitrogen-based fertilizer is best, but you can use a general purpose or vegetable fertilizer.
 
Water drop Detailed Rounded Lineal color icon    They will require consistent water as they are high production. 
 
Gardening - Free farming and gardening icons    Cut at the base and throughout the season. You may get more from the same plant depending on the variety. 

 

Herbs

Herbs are versatile and fairly easy to grow! You can harvest these plants throughout the season and continue to grow indoors throughout the winter.

 
Starting From Seed
Most herbs are fast growing so you can start these directly outside. Consult your individual seed packet to determine if that variety requires additional growing time. If you’re growing your herbs in a pot, then you can start them inside and just bring the pot out when the threat of frost is done. You may want to grow more tender herbs, like basil, indoors to protect against sudden cold and hard rain. 
 
Companion Planting
No major requirements but consider planting more aggressive plants like mint in a pot. Herbs can become a companion plant to other garden veggies since their protective oils will deter pests!
 
General Requirements
**Always consult your individual seed pack for special directions. Below are general tips.
 
Sun symbol" Emoji - Download for free – Iconduck   Generally, herbs such as lavender and basil require full sun. Mint can grow well anywhere.
Soil Generic Flat icon   Light and good quality soil. A premixed potting soil is great for pots.
 
Fertilizer Basic Miscellany Lineal Color icon
Nitrogen-based fertilizer is best, but you can use a general purpose or vegetable fertilizer.
 
Water drop Detailed Rounded Lineal color icon  They will require consistent water as they are high production. 
 
Gardening - Free farming and gardening icons    Harvest one third of your herbs at a time. Live head flowers if you’re growing to consume. Flowers will change the taste and send energy into seed production. Keep flowers if you’re growing for pollinators. 

 

Herb Inspiration

Herbs do really well when grown in a pot, especially mint which can become quite aggressive when grown in the garden bed. Plus, you may see yourself harvested a fair amount of your herb collection during the growing season, so why not have them close by and all together? You can even grow your most commonly used culinary herbs together in a pot, assuming they all share the same sun requirements! Check out these themed herb planters and try creating one this season!

 

Bugs, Diseases, Predators

 You may see just the typical suspects like aphids and spider mites throughout the growing season. Be aware of label warnings when using control products as some will recommend spraying a certain number of days before harvest. Because lettuce and herbs can be continually harvested, it may be a better approach to either hold off on harvest or consider live bugs such as ladybugs to naturally defend your plants. 

Standing water and overcrowding can attract diseases like root rot and powdery mildew. It’s best to keep up with garden maintenance and have good draining soil and pots to prevent them . Increase airflow by keep plants pruned. This is especially important when your growing shade-loving varieties. 

You may see some neighbourhood critters coming to sample your garden. Lettuce is more prone to damage than herbs due to the smelly oils that would deter predators. Try planting them together or try a product like Plantkydd to incorporate a smelly element that curious critters won’t like. 

 

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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.