Maintaining Your Vegetable Garden

• Daily moisture should be provided on an individual basis to new plantings.  Depressions or basins around each transplant can be filled daily, or as needed.

• As a general rule, vegetable fertilizer at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet is suitable for our clay soil type.  Try our NHG Organic Herb & Veggie Food. Also, you can use a water-soluble fertilizer solution once a week. At first fruit set, for crops such as tomatoes, peppers and squash, apply a side dressing of NHG OHVF at a rate of 2 pounds per 100 linear feet of row space.  Side dress leafy crops such as cabbage and lettuce when they develop several sets of leaves.

• Regular weed removal is important, as weeds will complete with your vegetables for water and nutrients. Mulching between plants will help cut down on weeds.

• Cultural techniques, such as caging or staking, can also help maximize space in the vegetable garden.