Planting Tips

Potatoes

I till my soil very deep with compost and some manure. I like to get down a good eight inches or so. After that I lay out three Garden Mat® #5’s, end to end. This mat has 3 rows of 4” holes, laid out in a grid pattern, 12” on center. I love that I don’t have to measure any more! I just put a seed potato – callused, of course – in each hole to a depth of about 5” or 6” in the soil. And, then? Then, I am done. Until it is time to harvest! Yuppers, it’s that easy.

Peas & Snow Peas

Use Mat#3. Prepare your soil with compost, manure and whatever else you normally use. Rake a flat surface for your mat. Pin your mat down per the instructions on the packaging sleeve. Drive a metal stake in the last hole at both ends of both rows of the mat. Next, stretch 4' high chicken wire up in between the stakes from end to end over each row. If necessary, add one or two more stakes in the middle, depending on the length of the mat you are using, and how heavy duty your stakes are. You don't want the fencing to droop in the middle. Once the fencing is in place, you are ready to plant. Put one or two seeds per hole. Sweep off any excess dirt on your mat, water and you are done.

Cukes, Squash & Melons

Use Mat#8. Prepare your soil with compost, manure and whatever else you normally use. Rake a flat surface for your mat. Pin your mat down per the instructions on the packaging sleeve. Put 3-5 seeds per hole and once the plants come up thing to 2-3 plants per hole. Sweep off any excess dirt on your mat, water and you are done.

Radishes & Carrots

Use Mat# 2 or 3. Prepare your soil with compost, manure and whatever else you normally use. Rake a flat surface for your mat. Pin your mat down per the instructions on the packaging sleeve. Put 3-5 seeds per hole and once the plants come up, thin to 2-3 plants per hole. Sweep off any excess dirt on your mat, water and you are done.