Starting The 2011 Garden NOW

By: Ron Cusano           Jan.. 26, 2011                            Vol. 3 Article 1019

   It’s the start of a brand new gardening season!   As I look out of the window, snow is falling and we’re expecting another 9” or so tonight.  But, my thoughts are in my garden still buried deep in previous snow.  My seeds have all been ordered, delivered, and in just a few weeks, a few varieties will be ready to start indoors.
     For the last few season, I and many of you have experienced sever fungal disease in the garden due to unusually wet and cold Spring conditions. Once these diseases take hold in your soil, it can take years for them to resolve, and in the mean time, you must deal with their effect in the form of reduced yields and even loss of your crop. There are a number of anti fungal treatment available that do work, however, once symptoms occur a lot of the damage, especially to the root systems is already done. Last year I used “Actinovate” sold by Johnny’s Selective Seeds, and it did a good job, but as mentioned, much damage had already been done.
     I want to share some information about a product that be the answer to preventing these fungal diseases effecting your plants, even if it is already present in your soil.  This year I will be using a product called “Root Shield” which contains a beneficial microbe that that shields the root system of plants so that fungal disease cannot take hold.  It is available from Johnny’s Selected Seeds” and other sources on the Internet.  It is restricted in New York and Canada for some strange reason, but available almost everywhere for shipping.  If you happen to live in NY or Canada, and know someone in another state . . .  It is not cheap! A 4 oz container sells for about $24.00 + shipping but goes a long way. It also only has a 6-8 month shelf life, so you can’t save it for another season.  It lasts longest if stored in the freezer.
   You mix 1-3 tablespoons to a gallon of water and and apply to the seed hole or trench when you plant. For seedlings you start yourself, apply to the starting mix when you seed, and just to make sure, add a little more once the seeds germinate.  If this product does what it claims to, it will be a good investment that can save the gardening season for those that use it.
     For a look at what varieties I will be growing this season, and my seeding and planting schedule, CLICK HERE! Check back ever now and again to see my updated reports on the progress of my seeding, planting and harvesting throughout the season!

Blessings,

Ron
“The Garden Guy”