“Sow the Seeds of Victory” was a phrase familiar to all Americans in early spring of 1917. They hadn’t yet entered “The Great War” that was ravaging our allies’ food supplies and with it, a lack of fresh vegetables.
All across Europe, “. . . agricultural workers were recruited into military service and farms were transformed into battlefields. As a result, the burden of feeding millions of starving people fell to the United States.”
And, as we are wont to do, we rose to the occasion, planting food crops in backyards, vacant lots school grounds and parks.
“In 1918, for example, 2,400 women picked fruit in the Niagara region. The Young Women’s Christian Association, or YWCA, also ran agricultural work camps, as did some charitable agencies and provincial departments of public works. While there were no formal programs like this in other provinces, rural women contributed extensively to farm work, as they had before the war, but now they often did so without their husbands, sons, or labourers to assist. Despite these challenges, it was this type of lonely, back-breaking labour that helped Canada to supply its Allies with war-winning material and food”. Courtesy of the Warmuseum.ca
Today, we find ourselves at war again only this time our enemy is a virus. The rush to stock up left supermarket shelves bare for a time and now, months into the battle, there are still many items that are in short supply.
If you’re a member of the country’s budding new vegetable gardener crowd, read on. We’ve put together some tips for growing the three most popular crops.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are by far the most popular crop for home gardeners. Nurseries run out of starter plants quickly.
Tomatoes are easy to grow (they can even be grown in containers), provide a large yield and can be used in lots of different ways.
The time it takes to grow a tomato depends on the cultivar, but typically ranges from 60 to more than 80 days.
Tomato plants are susceptible to several disorders, diseases and pests. The one that stymies new growers the most is blossom-end rot. Caused by a lack of calcium in the plant, new growers automatically assume that supplementing the soil with calcium will cure the disorder.
More often than not, the cause is inconsistent watering. Once the gardener begins watering the tomato plant consistently, the disorder typically clears up.
Need more tips on becoming a world-class tomato grower? Visit Sunset.com.
Cucumbers
The two things that cucumbers require above all else is heat and consistent moisture in the soil. Get that right and you’ll be successful.
One of our favorite things about growing cucumbers is that if you buy the bush type you can grow them in small gardens or even in containers.
Grow cucumbers in rich soil, in full sun. When you’re preparing the soil, add about two inches of well-rotted manure or compost and mix it into the top 6 inches of soil.
For more tips on growing cucumbers, from planting to harvest, watch this video at YouTube.com.
Bell Peppers
If you’re a new gardener, you can’t go wrong growing bell peppers – a definite confidence booster!
You’ll want to plant bell peppers in full sun – the longer they get sunshine every day, the larger your peppers will be.
Follow the soil advice for cucumbers, above, and ensure the soil drains well. The soil temperature should be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit before planting your peppers into the garden.
A good rule of thumb is to provide the bell pepper plants with an inch or two of water a week. During periods of intense heat, or if you’re a desert gardener, you may need to water daily.
Like tomatoes, bell peppers are also susceptible to blossom-end rot so create a watering schedule and stick to it.
Get more tips on growing peppers and advice on how to spot problems at West Coast Seed.
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About the Author:
The above article on The 3 most popular vegetables to grow in a pandemic garden was provided by Regan Pyke, a leader in the field of sales, marketing, and investing in real estate. Regan can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 778-228-2448.
Thinking of selling your home? I have a real passion for buying and selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & real estate investing. I’d love to share my expertise!
