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SHOULD LIME BE USED? Most
Pennsylvania soils which are suitable in other respects for gardening
probably will not require liming. The advice of the County Agricultural
Extension Representative should be sought through the local Victory
Garden Committee; he is able to test representative samples of soil for
lime requirement, if he suspects that lime may be needed generally in a
given locality.
If lime is needed, it is the least expensive fertilizer that can be used
for the gains which may be obtained. The preferred form to use is ground
limestone which may be obtained from most dealers in garden supplies;
hydrated lime also may be used. Ground limestone may be applied where
needed at the rate of four or five pounds to 100 square feet (10 by 10
feet); three-fourths as much hydrated lime will be sufficient. Spread
the lime evenly over the surface before spading, and mix it deeply and
thoroughly with the soil. WHAT FERTILIZER WILL GIVE
BEST RESULTS? If well-rotted stable manure can
be obtained in sufficient quantities, it is the best garden fertilizer.
It should be spread over the surface before digging or plowing, and
should be spaded or plowed into the soil, though not all at the bottom
of the trench or furrow. Fresh manure may be used only if several weeks
can be allowed after spading before seeds or plants are planted.
Most Victory gardeners will be obliged to rely upon chemical fertilizers*
to a greater or lesser extent. The Victory Garden Special fertilizer,
with analysis or grade of 5-10-5 (5 per cent. nitrogen, 10 per cent.
available phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent. water-soluble potash) is the
only fertilizer which is permitted by governmental regulations to be
packaged especially for home gardens. Apply this at the rate of two to
three pounds to each 100 square feet.
Superphosphate may be all that is needed on fertile gardens which have
been well manured, or on which a good growth of weeds, compost, or other
organic matter has been spaded in. Apply at the same rate as the Victory
Garden Special fertilizer. If chicken manure is used, superphosphate
alone, or a mixture of phosphate and potash (0-14-7 analysis) may be
added, to make the chicken manure go farther.
Dried manures may be used, though they are often somewhat expensive in
comparison with chemical fertilizers containing equivalent amounts of
plant nutrients. Follow directions on the bags.
*earthly pursuits strongly recommends that
chemical fertilizers not be used. Organic fertilizers and compost are
not only much more healthy for the soil but also for you and your
families, pets and wildlife. see
Organic Gardening
Books for more information. |
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click for larger photo
Victory Gardens
Handbook of the
Victory Garden Committee
War Services, Pennsylvania
State Council of Defense
April, 1944
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page v
page vi
page vii
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