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CULTIVATION
As your garden grows, we at Miller Plant Farm stress the importance of controlling
weeds and maintaining loose soil around your plants. During this time, cultivation
is one of the most important garden jobs. Whether your garden is in York, PA,
or elsewhere, you can follow these guidelines to help your plants thrive.
- Proper cultivation loosens the soil and permits the rain to soak in so that none
of it is lost.
- It preserves moisture by killing weeds which, if allowed to grow, would rob the
crops of both moisture and nutrients.
- It provides favorable conditions so that beneficial bacteria in the soil can
do their work.
- Begin cultivation as soon as plants are up, provided the soil is not to wet.
Never work soil when wet.
- Cultivate as often as necessary to keep weeds under control. Weeds are easily
killed when they are small.
- If a crust has formed on the soil because of hard rains before the seedlings
are up, break the crust by going over the surface with a rake. Care must be taken
not to work too deep and disturb the seeds or seedlings.
- Roots of many vegetables are near rhe soil surface and can be damaged easily
by a hoe or cultivator if care is not taken when cultivating. As the season progresses
set the cultivator shallow, and do not get close enough to the rows to disturb
the plant roots.
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See more Gardening Tips, read our Frequently Asked Questions, or send your gardening questions to the experts at Miller Plant Farm. We're always glad to help you with your
gardening challenges.
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