Garden Tidbits March 29, 2006 Seeds & More If you haven't already it's time to plant sweet peas! They will germinate around 55 degrees F. and can be direct sown as soon as you can work your soil. Plant the seeds 2 inches deep and 4 inch apart. Water well and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. This could take two weeks or more. When the seedlings are growing well, and 5-6 inches high, mulch well to keep the roots cool, which is important to their growth. During April you can sow seeds outdoors for lettuce, greens, spinach, radishes, carrots, turnips, mustard, and peas. You can also direct sow aster, bachelor button, calendula, pansy, candytuft, English Daisy, larkspur, snapdragon and stock. A few things to remember when direct seeding: working wet, soggy, heavy soil isn't a good thing. Wait for these areas to dry out some before seeding. If the soil is too light, perhaps sandy or just really dry, it will need an addition of compost. It'll dry out too quickly if left as is. When direct seeding work the soil well, remove any rocks and rake so it's fairly smooth before seeding-you don't want any clumps of dirt. You can also add an organic fertilizer to the soil. Compost Tips A few tidbits on compost. If you haven't tried composting, you should give it a try, even if you have a small space in which to keep a pile. Yes, fancy composters will most likely give you fast compost, but you don't need anything more than some chicken wire or wood, and organic matter. A pitch fork does come in handy for turning if you have one. Remember not to add meat or bones to your compost. The theory is that you layer organic matter, which heats up, and turns into nice dark compost that your soil and plants will love. Form a circle with chicken wire-- into the circle place a layer of weeds, leaves, and other 'brown' organic matter. The next layer should be 'green' matter such as grass clippings, kitchen scraps, etc. Then top it will another layer of the brown matter. The smaller the matter, the quicker it will compost. One method is to take off the chicken wire, move it next to the pile, and shovel it into the circle in the new spot. Another way is to build two 'bins' out of wood and shovel back and forth between them. There are many methods to making compost, but as you try it you'll figure out the best way for you.

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Jeff Radel, CRS 'Make a Smart Move' House of Brokers Realty, Inc. 1515 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203 Phone: 573-446-6529 Fax: 573-446-5408 jefrealtor@aol.com Website			Donna Adams, GRI, ABR 'Make A Smart Move!!!' House of Brokers Realty, Inc. 1515 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203 Phone: 573-446-6530 Fax: 573-446-5408 dadams@houseofbrokers.com Website