A few weeks ago we discussed the soil preparation needed for a successful vegetable garden. Assuming that the soil has been prepared and allowed to settle (rest) for two or three weeks, you are ready to plant your vegetables.

In the Bay Area we plant winter vegetables and summer vegetables. At this time of year we can plant tomatoes, squash, string beans, pumpkins, peppers, eggplant, carrots, turnips, radishes, potatoes, spinach, chard, lettuce, cucumbers, beets, basil, and of course, parsnips. It’s too late for asparagus, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and the other cole crops which are winter vegetables. Peas are also winter vegetables.

Your vegetables can be planted from seeds or from individual seedlings purchased at Wegman’s. When you want tomatoes for home use, it is more practical to buy six different varieties of seedlings rather than a package of 75 or more of the same kind of seeds. On the other hand, 48 string bean plants will sprout in four or five days and produce a stronger root system if they are planted from seeds.

Radishes, beets, carrots, turnips and other "root crops" have to be planted from seeds because they are not sold as seedlings.

Tomatoes (see the Care Sheet on our website) will need support to keep the fruit off of the ground. You can build your own support or buy ready-made tomato cages such as the Texas Tomato Cages that Wegman’s features. You need a minimum of six feet of support. Cucumbers will grow nicely in the small three foot tall tomato cages.

If you want to plant corn, you need to plant a block at least six or eight feet square to ensure that you get adequate pollination. Otherwise, you may end up with ears that have large gaps in them. Raccoons will probably eat most of the corn, anyway.

String beans can be either bush beans or pole beans. Pole beans can be easily supported on plastic bird netting and will produce more beans than the bush beans. Be sure the pole beans are located so that they do not shade other parts of the garden.

Plants in the squash family have long vines and could usurp limited space in a small garden. Plant squash, pumpkins and such plants at the edge of the prepared garden or raised bed and let the vine trail out onto the lawn, sidewalk or whatever.

Radishes, carrots, lettuce and small crops can be planted in between and around tomato plants to make use of vacant soil spaces.

The vegetable garden will need to be irrigated and fertilized on a regular basis. Master Nursery Tomato and Vegetable Food applied once a month provides all necessary nutrients. For those organically inclined, Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer applied every two months is recommended. The organic fertilizers take longer to break down and therefore are applied less often. Fertilizers such as Miracle Gro are so short-lived that we can not recommend them for the vegetable garden. Covering the entire area with another one to two inches of Gold Rush as mulch after fertilizing is highly recommended.

Soaker hoses are our choice for irrigating the vegetable garden. Water is not wasted and the soil is kept uniformly moist to encourage well developed root systems for all of the crops.

Last week, we said that 55 °F was the soil temperature at which plant growth would become active. If you can’t wait for the temperature to reach 55 °F by itself, you can help a little bit. Before planting your seedlings and after planting seeds, cover the entire area with a piece of 2 mil clear plastic. Then cut X’s in the plastic and plant your seedlings in the soil. Hold the edges of the plastic down with soil and leave in place until the plastic starts to interfere with plant growth. Covering the soil with plastic early in the year can probably increase the soil temperature 10 to 12 degrees.

Wegman’s is introducing Cedar Raised Beds (4 feet by 4 feet by 11 feet) by MinifarmBox. MinifarmBox delivers everything you need to start your own organic vegetable garden today. A MinifarmBox keeps your soil light, airy and loose, giving your plants optimal drainage and oxygenation. This gives the roots more growing space. And bigger roots make bigger plants with bigger crops, up to twice the yield of conventional ground planting--which is why MinifarmBox is the perfect no-dig solution for the urban gardener.

•100% green-harvested Cedar. Lasts 10-15 years

•Simple tool free assembly in just minutes

•No rusty screws, nails or split boards. Ever!

•Grows double the yield of regular ground planting

•Unique design looks great in any yard

•You’ll use less water and get fewer weeds

•Saves yard space. And your back, too!

Wegman’s has a huge variety of organic and non-organic vegetable starts, and as the weather warms up more and more will be arriving!

We also have a huge variety of flower and vegetable seeds from Botanical Interests, Franchi, Lake Valley and Renee’s Garden.

San Mateo Arboretum Society is hosting a free seminar on Basic Orchid Repotting on Sunday, March 7 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Dan Alvear, SMAS’ orchid expert, will demonstrate techniques for repotting orchids from the Phaeleanopsis, Oncidium, and Dendrobium groups. A focus of Dan's presentation will be on eliminating common misconceptions about orchids. Classes held in San Mateo Central Park at the historic Kohl Pumphouse, 101 Ninth Avenue, San Mateo. For more information: www.sanmateoarboretum.org (650) 579-0536.

Wisteria plants are vigorous, twining vines with wide landscape usage where space permits and gardeners are committed to keeping them in bounds. Among their attributes are hardiness, vigor, longevity and the ability to climb high. They are greatly valued for their large, pendulous flower clusters that occur in the spring. Flowers are pea-like and may be white, pink, lilac-blue, bluish-purple or purple in color.

Wisteria beautifully c loaks shade arbors and structures. It is ideal for arching over gateways and entries or along the top of a wall. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer like Master Nursery Formula 49 or Bud and Blooming. Provide support such as a trellis or arbor. Prune annually to control size.

Bare root season ends Sunday, February 28! After that we will be canning the bare roots, and your chance for savings is gone! Come in and see our selection of Bare Root Fruit Trees and Bare Root Flowering Trees including Wisteria. Bare roots also include grapes and berries. So don’t wait or the savings will be gone.