Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503150013
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
However, with today's concern for the environment and excessive fertilizer used by home gardeners compared to farmers, it's worthwhile to know that both of these early spring garden vegetables are considered ``medium-heavy feeders.'' Just before seeding, you need to scatter two to three cups of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 25 feet of row and thoroughly mix into the top 6 inches of soil.
More fertilizer than that, or granules not thoroughly worked in, will be wasted and possibly end up as a water pollutant.
Let's look at a few tips for these two greens.
Leaf lettuce seems much easier to grow than head lettuce. If you like to grow crops in rows, sow 10 to 20 leaf-lettuce seeds per foot of row, but remember to thin individual plants to 4 to 6 inches apart as soon as they are sturdy enough. If you want multiple rows, allow at least 20 inches between rows. Leaf lettuce also can be grown very successfully in wide rows or bands in which the seed is sown in a strip just wide enough to allow reaching and picking; again remember thinning.
The spacing for spinach should be about 4 inches between plants, because crowding in the spinach row does encourage early development of flower stalks, part of a condition that is referred to as ``bolting.''
Both early green crops need an adequate supply of water. Lettuce is known to become bitter as a result of lack of moisture. Spinach production is just not very good without water. However, too much moisture can cause leaf rots in lettuce and reduced production in spinach.
Q: We have a green mold growing in spots on our slate walk. This mold becomes very slick when wet. Is there a solution with which we can kill the mold but not harm the surrounding grass and plantings? L.F., Roanoke
A: Consider these points: (1) the mold is likely growing because of moisture on the slate surface; find the dampness source and eliminate it; (2) kill the existing mold with any lawn-disease fungicide mixed according to the label (example: Daconil 2787) or a mild bleach and water solution brushed in; (3) the dead mold will probably stay on the slate until it is scraped or brushed off.
Q: I purchased three ``hummingbird vines'' a few years ago and planted them in full sun. One died. The others have done well, have grown about 20 feet long, but have not produced any flowers. Any suggestions? P.E.,Blacksburg
A: This ornamental vine, which is also known as trumpet creeper or trumpet vine, is a robust, tough plant that should grow well in full sun, as you have yours, or even in part shade. I am unable to find any possible causes for the lack of blooming. I guess that the plants you received could have become weakened in propagation. My only suggestion is to give them time (years).
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered each week. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples, or pictures.
Extension office green line
Consumers with horticulture questions for the Roanoke Extension Office are requested to call between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., the time period when staff should be available. The extension horticulture phone service with those hours has been called ``the green line.''
by CNB