Master Gardeners: Garden to Table

The Loudoun County Master Gardeners have a new group: Garden to Table.  The intent is to help educate folks on the best way to grow and harvest veggies.  Using the Demonstration Garden at Ida Lee Park as our focus, we will be sending a weekly statement of what we are doing in our garden so you can have an idea what to expect in yours.  Irene Mandracchia is our veggie queen this year, so what you see written is from her.  However, if you have any questions regarding any gardening (veggie or otherwise), please call or email the Help Desk, information at the bottom of this post.

This week at the Demonstration Garden at IdaLee we are still harvesting peas, chard, lettuce, beets, broccoli and onions.

We are planting another batch of bush bean seeds for a later harvest. If you haven’t planted bush beans (green beans) they are one of the easiest and most rewarding crops. Just plant the seeds about 1/2 inch under ground and water. The seeds will sprout in about a week and you will have green beans in a little over a month. Bugs do very little damage and can be hand picked and dropped in soapy water. You can mulch with some straw to keep weeds down.

Check tomato leaves for signs of disease and remove any that look suspicious.

If you planted garlic last fall you should probably get ready to harvest. Watch for the leaves to start turning yellow/brown. Don’t wait too long because you don’t want the bulbs to start to separate as they won’t store as well. And if you have never grown garlic, it is also a very rewarding crop. Order your bulbs now for fall delivery and plant in late September/early October for a summer crop in ’10.

If you are going to have a fall garden you can start your seeds under lights now. This would include broccoli, cauliflower, chard, cabbage, collards, kale.

Happy gardening and if you have any questions please contact the Master Gardeners at
Phone: (703) 771-5150; email:  vt107mg@vt.edu

You can find the Master Gardner’s demonstration garden at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg.