Vegetables Gardening - Growing Organic Vegetables

Hi Jim,

I just listened to the Mittleider DVD and read most of the Gardening Course
so I have a few questions.

Last year I tied up my tomatoes with some twine that broke half way through
the growing season and I had to re-sting all my tomatoes. The book says to
use string but I have no need to re-do my work again so what kind should I be using? - (Use Polypropylene that is used as baling twine. It will last for years - JK)

Minnesota is a phosphate free state and thus no products with phosphorous in them can be sold - not even dish detergent. I'm not sure I can even get a fertilizer with it in. What are your suggestions for the fertilizer? I did buy the Natural Mineral Fertilizers from you. - (Look for three sets of numbers on fertilizer bags - Farm Supply stores must surely have them. 16-16-16, 15-15-15-, or 13-13-13 are most common. It there truly is none then I would SURELY schedule a trip to Iowa or Wisconsin and load up a 3-5 years' supply! - JK)

Having read your email to the group from October 20, 2011 entitled Small Garden Plan - Feed a family of 3-4, I have questions regarding planting non-companion plants next to each other. You advocate planting peas and onions next to each other, cabbage next to broccoli, cucumber by the melons, and beans by tomatoes (if you don't like eggplant). I quick search of google lists several sources but I used http://www.almanac.com/content/plant-companions-friend-or-foe Can you explain this further? - (I was NOT advocating companion planting. Each of the crops listed are to have their own bed, with cabbage, etc. on both sides (two rows in the bed). I was simply give examples of how much space to give each crop. Taller crops are to be planted East or North of shorter plants - JK)

I see an ADLF for celery but I'm unclear when I should start the seedlings? (Go to the Files section of this website - mittleidermethodgardening@yahoo.groups.com, then click on Files, then look for Gledhill documents on the first page. The file Planting Guide Data should be printed out and laminated by every member of this group! It tells you exactly when to plant every plant in your garden, whether you're growing from seed or planting seedlings, and even when to start your seedlings eg celery should be started 6 weeks before the adlf - JK)

Also in Appendix C of the Garden Course, for spinach it says to plant
seedlings but the hardiness guide and your above stated email imply seeds. Could you please clarify this? If it is a seedling, when should that by started? - (see above - JK)

Thanks so much for all your help! Can't wait for spring.

Blessings,
Gwen Krehbiel
Hastings, MN zone 4b

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