Re: [gardeners] Planted
George Shirley (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Wed, 14 Mar 2001 06:42:39 -0600
More than likely you had weevils in your pea seed although it could have been a
caterpillar. Also most likely that you picked it/them up in the bulk seed bin.
If I buy bulk seed that way I bring the seeds home and freeze them for three or
four days, generally kills whatever may be in there. I also do the same with
ground grains from the supermarket as I once got an infestation of miller moths
with some stoneground organic whole wheat flour. I'm familiar with square foot
gardening and even did it for awhile when we had a small area in which to
garden. It works well but is time intensive, an item which is in short supply
around the Shirley Swankienda these days with both of us working.
You're welcome and keep up the good work. You have some good ideas there and we
would all like to see them.
George
Craig Watts wrote:
>
> George,
>
> Thank you for a very informative reply. My appologies for assuming you'd
> beat me up.
>
> Mel's book goes on the premise that most gardeners do not give ample room
> when planting. He says that spacing the seeds the proper distance when
> planting is a very tedious job but time well spent. Now look at a pack of
> lettice seeds. Enough to plant 1,000 heads of lettice. Plant them
> individually and there's enough for 5 years with a slightly declining
> germination rate each year.
>
> I do not recall his storage methods. I have NEVER had a problem like this
> before. Maybe it was bcause I bought them out of a large bilk container and
> it was contaminated.
>
> BTW- I use to have a garden that was 10x10 at my house that was on a
> quarter acre. I'd plant radish with a 12"x12" piece of peg board marke for
> 3" spacing and 4" spacing. The results looked like a Geogia Pacific pine
> forest. Perfectly formed round individual radish. Each individual was great
> do to proper spacing. Thus the title of the book "Square Foot Gardening"
> aimed at people wanting to garden in limited areas. Apartments, small
> yards, etc.
>
> Thanks again for your info and experience.