Question and Answer Forum

Forced hyacinths - how long in the dark?

Question:

I put a hyancinth bulb in a "speciality" container a friend gave me, designed for forcing bulbs in-doors, and was told to keep it in the dark until it is ready to be brought into the light. How do I know when its ready?

Answer:

Rooting usally takes 10 to 13 weeks. When a Good mass of roots has formed and the tips of the bulb are and inche or two high, move the jar into full light in a cool room. Keep the glasses filled with only enough water to touch the base of the bulbs.

Leeks Disappoint

Question:

Although my leek plants look good in the garden, the edible white portion is very small. Did I plant the Wrond variety?

Answer:

Left to themselves, any variety of leeks will grow leafy tops and short, thich bottoms shaped like green oinons. You can encourage leeks to produce long, well balanced shafts, like those in the gocery store, by pilling dirt round the leeks as they grow. Take care not to mound soil higher than the point at which the leaves seperate form the shaft.

Will any vegetables take shade

Question:

I'd like to raise vegetables, but my garden is in shade except for 2 or 3 hours midday. Is there anything I can grow mostly in shade

Answer:

Yes most root crops (carrots, beets, radishes, potatoes) grow satisfactorily in areas with a minimum of sun. Lettuce and spinach also do well. If the shade is caused by mature trees close by, root competition will casue trouble.

What is an easy water-saving method

Question:

We live in an area where water is precious. I can not afford to install a sophisticated drip-irrigation system. Is there any simpler that would give similar results?

Answer:

Actually, there are several inexpensive yet effective drip-irrigation systems on the market. However, you can make a simple watering system using empty 2 0r 3 pound coffee cans. This method works well with deep rooted vegetables (squash, cucumbers, melons, corn) that are planted on hills or on level goround. Punch holes in the bottom and sides of the can, or simply remove the bottom. Burry the can in the middle of each hill or group before you sow seed. Until plants are about a foot high, irrigate by surface; then switch to deep soaking by filling the cans with water from the hose. When you want to feed plants, mix fertilizer with water adn pour into the coffee cans.

In the case of melons, for maximum sweetness it is the standard practice to stop watering the plants three weeks before the anticipated harvest.