There are 2 types of vegetable crops, cool crop and warm crop vegetables.

• Some cool crop vegetables are lettuce, the cabbage family, onions, radishes, peas and broccoli. These vegetables can be grown when there is no longer a threat of hard freezing, these vegetables can handle a light frost only – consider covering if you are unsure.  Radishes and lettuce can also be planted late in August for a fall harvest.

• Warm crop vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, should be planted when there is not longer a threat of frost, normally mid May or later. This is Wisconsin so be prepared to cover them if there is a sign of frost.

The black spots that develop on the bottom of your vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash and melons are called Blossom End Rot. This condition is caused primarily because of a calcium deficiency. There are sprays you can use to help correct this but the best solution is prevention. We carry many products that are organic and can add calcium to your plants. Calcium should be applied next to the plants, avoiding foliage and stems – it could burn the affected area.

Stop weeds before they happen. We carry organic pre-emergents that can be applied after you have planted that will prevent any weed seeds in the ground from germinating. It will not kill existing weeds so you will have to remove those. Do not apply to areas that you planted with seed because pre-emergents will keep those seeds from germinating also. You can use paper or wood mulch to reduce weeds. Perennial weeds will have to be pulled or controlled with Round-Up.

The control of insects eating your vegetables is essential to a good harvest. Many times you are about to harvest only to find that something has damaged your vegetables. Application of chemical or organic insecticides will reduce damage to your garden. Insecticides should be applied early and be water based, not in the hot sun. Dusts work best if dew or moistures exists. We also carry praying mantis eggs and lady bugs to help control insects in your garden.

• You should avoid using grass clippings in your garden if you have used any type of chemical herbicide on it.

• Grass clippings can add nutrients and reduce weeds.

A lot of problems with your vegetable garden, like growth cracks on your tomato, can be avoided by proper watering. Most problems like this are a result of hot weather, drought conditions followed by heavy rains or watering. Consistency in watering habit is the key, maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Watering should be done when the soil 2 inches below the surface is barely moist. This will minimize wilting of your plants.

We carry many different means to limit damage due to animals in the garden. There are several effective organic and non-organic repellents offered that may be used. We also carry different size fence products to protect your garden from rabbits and deer. If birds are present and the problem, see us for netting to keep them out of the garden.

We carry all the materials suggested to be use in square foot gardening and also in raised gardens. We do not recommend treated timbers because the chemicals used in them may leech into the soil and affect your vegetables. We recommend to use our cedar timbers or the assorted planting kits we have in stock.