Vegetable Gardening: Spring & Fall - Softcover

Burrow, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0943629179 ISBN 13: 9780943629179

Publisher: Swan Pub Co, 1996

Synopsis

How to successfully grow vegetables whether in the city or country. How to begin, determine the size, location, tools, test for drainage, soil preparation, fertilizer, compost drainage and what to plant. Along with all the vegetables from A to Z including herbs and when to harvest your fresh produce.

About this title

About the Author

JOHN BURROW was born in Tulia, a small city in Texas, about 50 miles south of Amarillo on a 160 acre rented farm that grew cotton and maize. From talking to him, it doesn't seem that he enjoyed farm life (what kid likes hard work?) but apparently, much of what he learned as a young boy has carried over into his chosen field, talking about the growing and care of plants and flowers. But, spending so much time with his daddy was special to John. If you listen to John over the KTRH Gardenline program, you'll learn several things. First, that he knows what he's talking about and second, if he doesn't know, he'll tell you so then find out about it for you. The third thing I feel you'll discover is that John is, in fact, a "country boy" and he's proud of it. And lastly, that John is a "real" person. He's come a long way from that rented farm in Tulia to being co-host on the top garden show in all of Texas with far over 2 million listeners who, when they call in, all seem to know him, or at least they "feel" they know him. John's first radio show was on KGNC in Amarillo and lasted from 1974 to 1986 where he did a Farm and Ranch show. "Yep, I did a Cows and Plows show and talked about horses, cows and hogs; about hay and feed and manure, and a lot about corn and cotton. I was on from 4-6am six days a week. It was a living. But when I got a call from KTRH in May of 1986, I jumped at it and have been doing the show ever since. Each book reads in the same easy-going manner that John displays over his program. There are many gardening books written but with John's books, they are packed with information and not only act as a ready guide to problems but are also fun to read.

From the Back Cover

-- A city vegetable garden -- A country vegetable garden -- An apartment or condo garden -- Garden tools -- Vegetables from A to Z -- Planting dates -- Sprays -- Pests -- Fertilizers -- Compost -- Herb gardens

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1: When you choose your planting area that has available water, dig a hole maybe a foot to a foot and a half deep with your spade or shovel and fill the hole with water to determine the type of drainage you have. If this water disappears in 20-30 minutes, you've got a good start. If it drains in 10-15 minutes, that's even better. If it drains faster than that, you have far too much sand and need to add humus (black rich stuff at the bottom of your compost pile, or some good topsoil) to help the soil retain water long enough for your plants to take root properly. Now, if that hole you dug and filled with water doesn't drain very fast, say there is still water in that hole after it's set overnight, you'll have to make a raised bed with topsoil and some sharp sand to make it drain properly. If it drains too fast, the plants get thirsty and die. If it drains too slow, you'll drown your roots and they'll rot. This is your first step in soil preparation. The next thing it's wise to do is to test your soil. You've already tested for water drainage, now let's find out the type of soil you have. I know this sounds like a lot of effort and you think it's starting to sound like work, but if you want a healthy, productive garden, do in right. Testing the soil is as smart as it is to build a strong foundation for your house. It will save you time and money in the long run.

Edition details

• Publisher: Swan Pub Co
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0943629179
• ISBN 13: 9780943629179
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 121