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  • PAM'S PANORAMA: 'Resources for vegetable gardeners'

  • Home vegetable gardening has been a strong and growing trend for the last several years.


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    • Kiowa County, Ks
    By Patrick Clement - Signal Editor
    Updated Mar. 26, 2012 @ 6:53 pm

  • Home vegetable gardening has been a strong and growing trend for the last several years.

    Before that, the number of Americans growing food crops had been declining for decades. As a result, many of today’s vegetable gardeners are still gaining skills and looking for reference materials.
    There are three useful publications that are easily available. Kansans can get copies at their local K-State Research and Extension office or if you have a computer you can access them on the Web. The resources are:
    • “Fertilizing Gardens in Kansas” – a revision of a classic with new artwork and updated information. The 12-page publication has information on soil testing, fertilizers, composting and pH. It includes facts on changing pH, as well as fertilizing specific fruits and vegetables. (http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2320.pdf)
    • "Vegetable Garden Planting Guide” – timeless information on (a) amount of each vegetable to plant per person, (b) expected yields, (c) plant spacing and (d) days to first harvest. The fact sheet includes a chart with suggested planting and probable harvest dates for Kansas.  (http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf315.pdf)
    • “Recommended Vegetable Varieties” – just what its name suggests, plus a useful shopping list for gardeners in the central United States.(http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/L41.pdf)
    • “Kansas Garden Guide” -- a 76-page, four-color publication that covers everything from planning to soil preparation, composting to recommended varieties, and irrigation to pest control. It charts the annual and perennial herbs plus discusses each of the major vegetables. It costs $5 in hard-copy form, but is free to download from the web.
    (http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/s51.pdf.)
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