AY Honors/Gardening/Answer Key 2

1. Prepare soil, fertilize, and plant a vegetable plot of not less than 100 square feet (30.5 square meters). Grow at least six different vegetables, three from seeds and three from seedlings, through harvesting.

First, you should note that there is an error in the metric conversion in this requirement. Although 100 linear feet equals 30.5 linear meters, 100 square feet does not equal 30.5 square meters. Consider a 10-foot by 10-foot plot of ground. Ten times ten is 100, and thus our plot of ground is 100 square feet. The same plot of ground would be about 3.05 meters by 3.05 meters (because 10 feet is about 3.05 meters). To get the number of square meters, we multiply 3.05 by 3.05, which is about 9.3 square meters.

Preparing the soil

The first step in soil preparation is to select a suitable site for the garden. It should be clear of trees and relatively level, and it should receive full sunlight. The soil hould be at least 30 cm deep.

Once the site is selected, it needs to be plowed and tilled. Plowing can be done with a plow for large (and medium-sized) plots, or with a spade for very small plots (this is heavy labor though). Plowing loosens the soil so that the plants will have easy access to the soil to a depth of 30 cm. Tilling can be accomplished with a disc for large plots or with a garden tiller for smaller plots. The purpose of tilling is to break the soil into a fine aggregate. The ideal time to till is when a dirt clod can be picked up and easily crumbled in the hand - it should not be done immediately following a rain.

Fertilizing

It's generally a good idea to test the soil before fertilizing it so that you know what type of fertilizer to apply. Soil testing kits are available in garden centers. Once you have tested the soil and have selected an appropriate fertilizer, it can be spread over the garden with a broadcast seeder. You can do this before tilling or after.

Planting

Planting includes plant selection and placement. In general, taller plants should be planted on the side of the garden furthest from the earth's equator. (In the Northern Hemisphere plant them on the north side. In the Southern Hemisphere plant them on the south side.) This is so they do not shade the smaller plants. Seed packets will contain data on them telling you how deep, how far apart from one another, and when to plant them in your geographic area. Seedlings can be bought from a nursery or grown from seeds indoor before the outdoor growing season begins.

For planted seeds, start by making a furrow with a hoe. The depth of the furrow should equal the desired depth of the seed. Then walk along and drop seeds in the furrow, burying them as you go. Be sure to space them as per the instructions on the seed packet. Do not pack the soil tightly over the furrow as you bury the seeds.

For seedlings, dig a small hole for each plant so that you can bury it to the soil line. Do not remove the seedling from the container until you are ready to plug it into the hole, and avoid exposing the roots to direct sunlight. Lightly pack soil around the plant.

Once the seeds and seedling have been planted, water the garden generously. After that, you will need to make sure the garden is watered deeply and on an irregular basis. If you over-water the garden, the roots will stay near the surface where they will be susceptible to disease, and where they will do a poor job of anchoring the plant should a stiff wind arise. Watering deeply and irregularly will cause the plants send the roots deeply into the ground in search of water and other nutrients. This will also protect them from disease and strengthen the plant against the wind.

3. What is mulch? How and why is it used in the garden?

Mulch is decomposed plant materials that are used as a planting bed, source of nutrients, and protective top layer that can maintain soil moisture levels and keep heat in.

4. What is hardiness? Which vegetables are considered hardy in your area?

Hardiness determines the extent to which a plant or tree can tolerate cold or heat. Normally this is measured in cold such as "plant hardiness to 27 degrees." This means that below 27 degrees the plant will begin to be effected by the cold, starting with freezing of leaves and or fruit.

In North America hardiness is classed by hardiness zone (see below). Seed packets usually have a color-coded map on the back showing these zones - and accordingly, an indication of when the seeds should be planted.

Hardiness Zones of North America

5. Do one of the following:

a. Test germination for 100 of the same kind of seeds.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Germination testing

b. Make and use a hotbed or cold frame.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Hotbed cold frame