Organic Kid's Collection

Planting Greens:

Direct seed in early spring. Sow thickly in wide rows or in beds. Cover lightly (about 1⁄4 inch deep). Plant every one to two weeks to insure a constant harvest. Choose an area with full sun to partial shade and soil pH of 6.2-6.8. Lettuce is a heavy feeder and prefers a rich, well cultivated soil with good drainage. Some success can be expected even in poor soils using the loose-leaf types. Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting. Benefits from regular feedings with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Mulching is useful to keep soil cool and reduce weeds. Harvest when plants are 3-4 inches tall. Simply cut off the leaves above the soil. Under proper conditions the lettuce will regrow and provide a second harvest.

Planting Cucumbers:

Sow indoors 3-4 weeks prior to last frost or direct seed after all risk of frost. For indoor planting use 2 inches square jiffy strip pots and plant 1-2 seeds per square; thin to ensure one plant per pot. Plant seeds 1⁄2-1 inch deep, transplant or space plants 6 inches apart in rows 4-6 feet apart. Plants are tender, so soil should be warm (18-24 degrees C) for germination to begin. If growing on a trellis, space plants 18 inches apart. Cucumbers require full sun and soil pH of 6.0-6.8. As they are heavy feeders, an application of compost or well-rotted manure worked into the planting area will help. Regular applications of a complete soluble fertilizer during the growing season is beneficial. Plants should not be allowed to wilt. Make sure they are well-watered before transplanting. Spread a mulch around plants before they start to vine, to cut down on weeds and conserve moisture. The mulch will also help to keep the fruit clean. Pick slicing cucumbers when they reach 6-8 inches long; pickling types at 3-5 inches. Harvest cucumbers for pickling early in the morning.

Planting Carrots:

Sow as soon as ground can be worked. Even moisture and soil temperature (18-24 degrees C) are essential for good germination. Sow seed 1⁄4-1⁄2 inches deep. Seed takes 14-21 days to germinate. Planting a few radish seeds helps to loosen the soil and mark the rows for these slow emerging seeds. Thin plants to at least 1 inch apart in rows spaced 18-24 inches apart. Carrots are best grown in full sun but will tolerate light shading. Choose deeply-worked, stone free soil with pH of 6.5. Chantenay types are suitable for shallow or heavy soils. Raised beds or rows are recommended. Carrots are light to moderate feeders. Avoid using fresh animal and green manures at the time of planting. Moisture is required for good root formation.

Planting Beans:

Direct seed after risk of frost when soil warms to 18-24˚C. Sow 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches (bush beans) to 24 inches apart (shell beans). Reseed until mid-summer for a constant supply all season long. If using untreated seed, plant thicker and thin to desired density. Use inoculant at the time of planting to help boost soil fertility. Beans require a full sun location, soil pH of 6.5-7.5, and well-drained soil. Good air circulation around plants is essential, especially for late shelling or dry type beans, as they are very susceptible to fungal diseases which prevail later in the season. Beans are light feeders; compost or well-rotted manures worked into the soil at the time of planting is sufficient. Use maturity days as an indicator. Harvest once the beans are smooth, firm and crisp. Keep plants constantly picked to ensure a fresh supply. Bean formation in the pod is a sure sign of over-maturity.

Tomato Planting:
Tomatoes are tender plants and are very susceptible to frost damage. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow 1 seed in 1x1 inch cell. Cover seed with 1⁄4 inches soil and provide a constant soil temperature of 21-24°C.
After plants develop 1-2 sets of true leaves, transplant into 4-4.5” pots. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks.
Provide lots of light, 10-12 hours a day. Without sufficient light, seedlings will become tall and spindly. If you use a windowsill for your light source, be aware that it may get very hot on sunny days and very cold at night. Plants may dry out or get frost or heat damage. Turn containers frequently dissuading elongation.
Water when potting mix is dry to the touch. Feed regularly with any balanced vegetable tomato liquid fertilizer or organic equivalent. Feed once a week with half rate fertilizers or once every two weeks with full rate. You may also use a slow-release fertilizer especially for containers.
Moving Outside:
Gradually adjust your plants to outside conditions over a period of a week or two. First place them outside on a warm, calm day in the shade for a few hours. Work up to more sun, wind, and cooler temperatures and finally leave out overnight. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. When transplanting, space 24-36” apart with rows at least 36-48” apart.
Growing:  
Full sun location, with good air circulation. Soil should be well drained and fertile. Amend soil with compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting. Feed regularly during the growing season with compost tea or well-balanced liquid fertilizer or incorporate a pelleted fertilizer. Avoid excessive nitrogen, particularly before flower or fruit set. Provide even moisture during fruit set and development. Excessive watering can increase fruit size but decrease flavour.
Pruning:
Determinate Tomatoes are tomato plants with a set amount of growth and yield and do not require pruning. Determinate tomatoes typically do not require staking and produce all fruit at the same time. 
Indeterminate Tomatoes will continue to grow and produce fruit until the first hard frost. Pruning removes unwanted growth and redistributes energy that would have been used for the unwanted growth in other areas of the plant like fruit production. Leaving indeterminate tomatoes unpruned is not detrimental to the plant’s health and growth. In fact, many gardeners do not prune their tomatoes and still get plentiful yields. By pruning, you are taking the next step in producing bigger and more flavourful tomatoes.
Harvesting:  
Pick fruit firm but with a little give and when fruit is half coloured. Overripe tomatoes rot quickly. Tomatoes will ripen off the vine if there is any colour showing.
Pests & Diseases:  
Protect from cutworms by using protective collars around the plant stem or place cornmeal around plant base. Blossom end rot (a brownish-black, sunken dead area that forms on the bottom of the fruit) is a condition caused by a calcium deficiency due to uneven watering. Blight, another disease common to tomatoes is caused by warm, humid conditions particularly if plants have not been given some support to keep foliage off the ground. Use copper or sulphur sprays to help prevent blight. Good air circulation along with proper rotation will help to prevent onset of this harmful disease.