Gardening Fundamentals
89 flashcards by MentisLibrary
The fundamentals a new gardener needs: soil pH, N-P-K fertilizer, watering, pruning, composting, companion planting, and pest control. Practical answers for a garden that actually produces.
- What do the letters N P K on fertilizer stand for?
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three primary plant nutrients
- What does nitrogen do for plants?
- Fuels leafy green growth and gives leaves their deep green color
- What does phosphorus do for plants?
- Supports root development, flowering, fruiting, and seed formation
- What does potassium do for plants?
- Supports overall vigor, water regulation, and disease resistance
- What soil pH do most vegetables prefer?
- Slightly acidic to neutral, about 6.0 to 7.0
- Which common plants need strongly acidic soil?
- Blueberries (4.5 to 5.5), azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias
- How do you raise or lower soil pH?
- Add garden lime to raise pH, elemental sulfur to lower it
- What is loam?
- A balanced soil of sand, silt, and clay that drains well yet holds moisture and nutrients
- What are the three mineral particle types that determine soil texture?
- Sand (largest), silt (medium), and clay (smallest)
- How do you test soil drainage before planting?
- Dig a hole about 12 inches deep, fill with water, let it drain, refill, and time the second drain
- What does compost do for soil?
- Adds organic matter that feeds soil life, improves structure, and slowly releases nutrients
- What is the browns to greens ratio for a compost pile?
- About 3 parts browns (carbon) to 1 part greens (nitrogen) by volume
- What should you keep out of a home compost pile?
- Meat, dairy, oily foods, pet waste, and diseased plant material
- What are the benefits of mulch?
- Retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature, and reduces erosion
- How many hours of sun does full sun mean?
- 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day
- What does part sun or part shade mean?
- About 3 to 6 hours of direct sun per day
- What counts as full shade in gardening?
- Less than 3 hours of direct sun, often just dappled light
- What is a USDA hardiness zone?
- A region defined by its average annual minimum winter temperature
- Why does your last frost date matter?
- It tells you when tender plants can safely go outside in spring
- What is the general rule for watering established plants?
- Water deeply and infrequently rather than lightly and often
- Why is morning the best time to water?
- Plants absorb water before the heat of the day, and foliage dries quickly, reducing disease
- How much water does a vegetable garden need weekly?
- About 1 inch of water per week from rain and irrigation combined
- What are signs of overwatering?
- Yellowing leaves, wilting despite wet soil, mushy stems, and fungus gnats
- What are signs of underwatering?
- Wilting with dry soil, crispy brown leaf edges, and slowed growth
- What is the finger test for watering?
- Push a finger 1 to 2 inches into the soil; water only if it feels dry at that depth
- What is damping off?
- A fungal disease that rots seedlings at the soil line causing them to topple and die
- What is hardening off?
- Gradually acclimating indoor grown seedlings to outdoor sun, wind, and temperatures over 7 to 10 days
- Which crops are usually direct sown rather than transplanted?
- Root crops like carrots, radishes, and beets, plus beans, peas, and corn
- How deep should you plant a seed?
- About 2 to 3 times the seed's diameter
- What do seeds need to germinate?
- Moisture, oxygen, and the right temperature; some also need light or darkness