

GARDEN INFORMATION you should know 


1. Materials required are: Redwood flats; 
broken crocks, gravel or other drainage mate- 
rial; sifter, with a bottom of 142” wire mesh; 
compost (1 part of garden loam, 1 part leaf- 
mold, 1] part of sand. A'mixture of 24 peat and 
Y; sand can also be used.) Sift compost, mix 
well, place in flats, pressing it firmly into the 
corners. 
Ug" BELOW TOD patios, 
2. For a smooth surface, level with wooden 
block, leaving “4” of space between the soil 
and the top of the flat. To provide a very 
smooth surface for small seeds, such as prim- 
ulas, an extra surface sifting of compost 
through a fine sieve is recommended, 

v4 BETWEEN 
3. Using a short ruler or a straight-edged 
stick, make shallow drills 2” apart. If the seed 
to be sown is coarse, the drills can be quite 
deep (approximately 14”). Sow fine seed in 
very shallow drills (¥” or less). 
4. Write labels and place them at the head of 
the drills. Small sticks or green bamboo stakes 
can be used to separate drills containing dif- 
ferent varieties. Mix small seed with a little 
fine sand before sowing—to see clearly where 
the seed falls. 



TRANSPLANTING SEEDLINGS 
UT ASE RL eee GOL 




1. The operation of transplanting seedlings is 
called ‘“‘pricking out.’”’ The initial preparation 
of the flat is the same as for seed sowing. The 
compost or soil mixture contains 2 parts of 
good garden loam, | part leafmold, | part 
sand and 2 part peat. 




2. Seedlings are ready to prick out when they 
have 2 pairs of leaves. Sprinkle them a short 
time before pricking owt with Vitamin B-I 
solution to reduce shock from moving. Lift 
seedlings from the seed flat with a fork and 
gently separate them. Most seedlings should 
be pricked out 2” apart each way. 
3. Working quickly, insert individual seed- 
lings in the holes and firm them in with a 
dibber or one’s fingertips. Keep the point of 
the dibber at least 42” away from the deli- 
cate roots. Work in shade and out of drying 
winds or drafts. 

5. Cover the seed with the same compost to 
which extra sand has been added. Some pre- 
fer to use sand only. A good rule to follow is 
to cover to the depth of the seed itself. Extra 
fine seed should not be covered; merely press 
it gently into the soil with a flat, level piece 
of wood. 




4. After pricking out a flat of seedlings, water 
immediately with a fine spray to settle the 
soil around the roots and to freshen wilted 
stems and leaves. A watering can is better 
than a hose. 





5. If the seed box from which the seedlings 
have been taken has been in the greenhouse, 
the newly pricked out flat should be placed in 
the greenhouse... Cover with a sheet of news- 
paper from 3 to 4 days, or until the seedlings 
have stiffened up. 
6. In about 4 or 5 weeks, the young plants will 
be ready to go out into the open ground. A 
few days before planting, move the flats into 
the open to harden off. Nip back spindly 
plants to encourage bushiness. 

COVER W/TH 
GLASS - AND THEN 
WITH PAPER 
6. Thoroughly water the flat with a fine over: 
head spray or by soaking the flat in a large 
basin. Place it in a greenhouse or a warm spot 
not reached by direct sunlight. Cover with a 
glass and a double thickness of newspaper. 
Turn the glass each day to ventilate and re- 
move excess moisture. 













eeeeesoned 


LAGOMARSINO of CALIFORNIA 

Marte” “AMERICA’S SEED HEADQUARTERS” 
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 
23 

Seedames 
