The World 050422

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS
Things First-Time Gardeners Need to Know
CONTACT US
By Deborah J. Benoit
Extension Master Gardener
University of Vermont
Do you want to enjoy fresh, home-grown
veggies this summer? Perhaps you’d like to
adorn your home with fresh-cut flowers.
Whatever the reason, this year you’ve
decided to start a garden of your own. But
before you grab a spade and head for the
backyard, put pen to paper and make a plan.
Dream as big as you like, but for this year
at least, plan small. Your first garden will be
a learning experience. To ensure success, narrow
your focus. Trying to do it all is a sure
way to become overwhelmed.
Whether you choose to garden in a small
plot, a raised bed or a few pots by the back
door, gardening success isn’t hard to achieve.
First and foremost, like the old saying, it’s
all about location. Look around your yard at
various times of day before you decide where
to put your garden. The location needs to
provide three things that are key to success:
soil, light and water.
If you’re gardening in containers or raised
beds, you can purchase soil to meet your
needs. If you’re planning on a more traditional
garden plot, choose a location with
good soil. Ideally, you’ll want soil that’s
loamy – a balance of clay, silt and sand that
retains moisture but drains well and will provide
nutrients for your garden.
If you’re not sure about your soil, consider
a soil test. If your soil is less than ideal (most
are), it can be amended, for example, by the
addition of compost. A soil test will tell you
about your soil’s pH and nutrients and make
recommendations for amendments and fertilizer.
More information on soil testing can be
found at the University of Vermont (UVM)
Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab’s
website (https://pss.uvm.edu/ag_testing).
The location you select should provide full
sun for at least 6-8 hours a day since most
vegetable plants and flowers require that to
grow to their fullest potential. And you’ll
want a convenient source of water nearby.
Toting water to the far side of the yard in the
summer heat is a sure way to dampen your
enthusiasm, resulting in skipped watering and
Gardening Questions?
Ask An Extension Master Gardener
Wondering when to plant your tomatoes?
Confused about composting? Or maybe you
need some advice on caring for your lawn.
University of Vermont (UVM) Extension
Master Gardeners are available to answer
questions from gardeners in Vermont on a
broad range of home horticulture topics
including soil bed preparation and planting;
vegetable and fruit gardening; annuals and
perennials; backyard composting; sustainable
lawn care; plant diseases and integrated
pest management, among others.
Volunteers will answer calls on the Master
Gardener Helpline from 9 a.m.-noon,
Thursdays through October 27. The number
to call is (802) 656-5421.
Questions also may be submitted online at
https://go.uvm.edu/gardenquestion for a
• • •
VTF&W to Hold Deer Hearings May 10 and 12
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board will
hold two more public hearings on May 10 and
12 to solicit input on deer and the department’s
2022 Antlerless Harvest and Youth
Season Recommendation.
The hearings are scheduled for 6:30 to 9:00
p.m. at the following locations:
Tuesday, May 10 – Bellows Falls Union
High School, 406 High School Rd,
Westminster, VT 05158
Thursday, May 12 – Vermont Fish and
Wildlife Dept., 111 West St, Essex Junction,
VT 05452
“In recent years, the department has successfully
reduced deer numbers in many parts
of Vermont to bring populations into balance
with their habitat,” said Nick Fortin, deer and
moose project leader for the Fish and Wildlife
Department. “As a result, the 2022 recommendation
aims to maintain current deer
numbers in most of the state.”
Deer populations in five wildlife manage-
Choosing the right location, one with good soil
and light, is the key to success for healthy plants
and high yield of tomatoes and other crops.
(photo: Deborah J. Benoit)
unhappy plants.
Once you’ve selected a location and know
how much space you have available in your
garden, get to know the plants you want to
grow. Invest some time in a little research.
That tiny tomato plant in its 4-inch pot may
grow two feet wide and six feet tall or sprawl
out to cover several feet of your raised bed.
Be sure to give your plants room to grow.
Introduce your plants to the outdoors gradually.
“Hardening off” allows them to adjust
to conditions in the garden, particularly the
sun. Place your plants outside in a semi-shady
spot, gradually moving them into direct sun
over a week or two.
When planting, water them well. If a support,
such as a trellis or tomato cage, will be
needed, put it in place at the time of planting.
Cover garden soil with mulch to help retain
moisture and suppress weeds.
Keep an eye out for pests or signs the plant
may be stressed. Be sure plants get adequate
water, fertilize as recommended for your particular
plant and remove weeds. Before you
know it, you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your
garden.
The UVM Extension Master Gardener
website (www.uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener)
is an excellent gardening resource. If
you have questions, click on “Gardener
Helpline.” If you’d like to expand your
knowledge of gardening (and perhaps help
others to do so, too), consider becoming an
Extension Master Gardener. Information is
available through the “Master Gardener
Program” link.
• • •
speedier response. The online form includes
an option for providing up to three photos.
Gardeners also are encouraged to use the
online system to submit photos of plants
damaged by insects and diseases.
Soil tests for home gardens are available
through the UVM Agricultural and
Environmental Testing Lab. For information,
visit https://pss.uvm.edu/ag_testing. If you
have follow-up questions about soil recommendations,
please upload a copy of your
soil test report with the helpline online form.
Commercial growers of vegetables, berries,
tree fruit and related crops should contact
the UVM Extension Commercial
Horticulture Team at https://go.uvm.edu/hort
for information and assistance.
ment units, primarily in the Champlain Valley,
remain above their respective population
objectives, and increased antlerless harvests
are recommended in those areas to reduce
deer numbers.
The department’s 2022 Antlerless Harvest
and Youth Season Recommendation is available
at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
In addition to the public hearings, anyone
can leave a comment on the proposals with a
telephone message by calling 802-828-7498
or by emailing ANR.FWPublicComment@
vermont.gov. Comments must be received by
May 14.
Reasonable accommodations for persons
with disabilities are available upon request.
Please include a description of the accommodation
you will need. Individuals making
such requests must include their contact
information. Please send an e-mail to Nick.
Fortin@vermont.gov or call 802-793-8777
(voice), 1-800-253-0191 (TTY).
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May 4, 2022 The WORLD page 25 .