Readings for Module 5
In our Cornell Garden-Based Learning Gardening 101 presentation we stressed the need for consideration of sun, soil health, right plant in right place and water. We know direct you to explore these a little deeper by reviewing content on specific pages of the “how-to” section of www.gardening.cornell.edu and www.extension.org
Sun
Few plants can live long without it. All the food that we eat, not to mention the fossil fuels we burn are a product of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar, which is then converted into chemical forms of energy that can be used in their biological systems.
Look pages 9 to 12 in this Site Assessment for Gardeners pdf document. We will look at this document a number of times so you might want to keep it handy.
Soil health
The capacity of a soil to function to sustain productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health is the foundation of soil health.
The Garden: Soil basics page provides a brief introduction to getting to know the physical components of soil.
The Garden: Soil: Testing page provides some activities to evaluate your specific garden soil. Look at pages 25 to 32 in this Site Assessment for Gardeners pdf document that you looked at for sun to see some further explanation of soil characteristics and drainage.
Your assignment this week will be to find a garden or potential garden site, take a good soil sample and conduct the home test on soil texture and drainage.
The Garden: Soil: Management page offers some ideas for promoting soil health once you done a bit to get to know your garden soil and asking what is next.
Right plant, right place
Choosing plant material based on your site conditions is critical for a beginning gardener who wants to see success. Experience gardeners eager to experiment and push the limits or more time and effort go out on limbs all the time and the risk can pay off. This is the fun of gardening! For those looking to start with success, stick with learning your site conditions and what plants might thrive in those conditions. Here are some growing guidelines and tools highlight specific crop needs as well as the Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners forum to find out what gardeners are growing near you.
Water
Plants need water for their biological processes. Having it readily available ensures that you can apply it when water from precipitation is not sufficient. Here are some details about water management for different crops. These are pages from eXtension.org Gardens, Lawns and Landscape resources.
Lawns (from Cornell’s www.gardening.cornell.edu)
Remember local knowledge might be your best resource.
Find Extension Master Gardener programs
Find local Cooperative Extension programs
Other basic gardening resources you would suggest? Start a discussion topic in the forum to share.
Next, go on to the Assignment Module #5 or go to Whole Class Discussion Forum...