Garden planning


Soil preparation

Pre-planting care
If you cannot plant the same day of purchasing, water vegetables

Planning your garden
First, make a list of all the vegetables your family enjoys (there's no use growing a vegetable if it won't get eaten). Then, put a number beside each variety indicating the number of plants required to feed you and your family. The table on the opposite page will help you as it indicates the number of plants required to feed a family of four.

How to plant
Moisten soil before planting, allowing it to dry slightly until it's workable. Generally, plant seeds about three times as deep as their diameter. Cover small seeds with finely sifted compost, soil or vermiculite. Plants not in individual containers should be gently separated to retain as much soil around the roots as possible.

Vegetables are thirsty! Water them thoroughly with a mild fertilizer to give them a good start. Thereafter, water whenever the soil begins to dry. Water early in the day by soaking the soil. Do not just sprinkle the foliage with water.

After-planting care


Vegetable No. of plants required family of four
Beets 24-30
Broccoli 6
Brussels sprouts 6
Cabbage: early, late 10-12
Cantaloupe 4
Cauliflower 6
Celery 6
Cucumber 2-4
Eggplant 2
Lettuce: head, leaf 10-12
Onions (Spanish) 25
Parsley 4
Peppers 4
Spinach 6
Squash 2-4
Tomatoes 4-6
Watermelon 3-6
*For successive harvesting, plant some of each variety.