Seeds, Seeds, And More Seeds For The Vegetable Garden

If you are starting your vegetable garden from seed, then there are some things that you need to know about seeds. If you have seeds left from last year, they should have been stored in a cool dry place. Plant them a little thicker then you normally do to make sure that you have a good harvest. The plant can always be thinned out after they start growing.

Some vegetable seeds live longer than others Her is a look at the longevity of some popular fruit and vegetable seeds.

Short-lived (usually not good after 1-2 years)
* Leek, onion, parsley, parsnips, sweet corn.
Moderately long lives ( good 3-5 years under good conditions)
* Asparagus, bean, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, cress, endive, kale, kohlrabi,lettuce, okra, peas, pepper, radish, spinach, turnips, watermelon.
Long-lived (good more than 5 years under good conditions)
Beet, cucumber, muskmelon, mustard, tomato.

If your have started plants from seed. It is best to transplant them after they have 4 or more leaves, so that they can withstand the shock of being moved.

When planning your garden it is a good idea to have 3 different areas.
* Plant perennial crops, such as asparagus, artichokes, and herbs, in a separate area so they won't get in the way when you're cultivating annual crops or plowing up the garden in spring and fall.
* Grow plants together according to the time that it takes for them to reach maturity. For fast growing vegetables such as: radishes, turnip greens, mustard, spinach, leaf and bibb lettuce, and green onions. Have them all in one area.
* Slower growing vegetables in another area such as: peas, beets carrots, Swiss chard, kale, head lettuce, collards, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bulb onions, and early potatoes. You can harvest one without bothering the other group.

It is always a good idea to place a marker as to what you planted in the different locations. If you use the seed package that you emptied, it shows what they look like when they first come up so that you know them from weeds.

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