Gardening

Still very rough stuff

• Soil Health

  Based off of this source accessed June 12th, 2024

  Squeeze Test

  Take damp soil (not too wet) and squeeze then open hand.

  • If it falls apart, it's sandy -> probably low on nutrients and does not retain moisture.
  • If it doesn't fall apart, it's clay.
  • Otherwise, it's Loamy -> good: Video Link

  Drainage Test

  Dig 30cm³, put aside for acidity test. Fill with water.

  • Less than four hours to drain - good.
  • More -> improve drainage by either:
    • Building a raised bed for your garden.
    • Planting in raised rows.
    • Adding more organic material to make it loamy (if your soil composition is off).

  Worm Test

  Moist soil above 10 Celsius should have ~10 worms in 30cm³ if healthy. If less, need more compost.

  pH Test

  Alkaline soil ("sweet soil") has pH > 7

  • Contains sodium/calcium/magnesium

  Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO₃) is a base like all alkali substances.

  • Mix baking soda and water with soil -> the more it fizzes, the more acidic your soil is.

  Vinegar is acidic

  • Mix 2 tablespoons of soil with vinegar -> The more it fizzes, the more alkaline (basic) your soil is.
• Lower Mainland & Vancouver Island Planting Chart

  This planting chart shows average seeding windows for folks in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. It gives an overview of what to start when in trays, greenhouses/cold frames, and direct seeded outside from January to September - happy planting!

  Adapted from bcecoseedcoop.com:

  Plant	Start Indoors (Trays)	Greenhouse/Cold Frames	Direct Seed Outside
  Arugula	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Basil	Mar - Apr	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Beans	Apr - May	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Beets	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Broccoli	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Brussels Sprouts	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Cabbage	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Carrots	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Cauliflower	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Celery	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Chard	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Corn	Apr - May	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Cucumbers	Mar - Apr	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Eggplant	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Kale	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Lettuce	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Melons	Mar - Apr	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Onions	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Peas	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Peppers	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Potatoes	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Pumpkins	Apr - May	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Radishes	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Spinach	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Squash	Apr - May	May - Jun	Jun - Jul
  Tomatoes	Feb - Mar	Apr - May	May - Jun
  Turnips	Feb - Mar	Apr - Oct	Apr - Oct
  Zucchini	Apr - May	May - Jun	Jun - Jul

  For additional details on specific seeding times and methods, refer to the original chart or contact BCEcoSeedCoop.

• Nicotiana rustica (Wild Tobacco)

  Direct sow in spring, pressing into the surface of the soil. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which usually occurs within 10-20 days. Or start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring. Keep seedlings moist until they become established.