Mittleider Grow-Box Gardens By Jacob R. Mittleider

Adjustments & Improvements Since Publication

Page # Original Book Recommended Changes 33. Grow-Boxes 5 wide . . . Now recommend 18 or 4 wide Grow-Boxes.

38. Aisles of 3 . . . Aisles of 3 recommended for 18 Grow-Boxes 4 aisles are recommended for 4-wide Grow-Boxes 38. 1 X 8 redwood or cedar wood . . . Treated 2 X 8 pine recommended Redwood or cedar stakes . . . Pine stakes preferably 2 X 2 and painted preferred. 41. 12 1 X 8 or Stake for splicing Treated 12+ 2 X 8 is recommended for splicing. End pieces 5 long 1 X 8 Use 2 X 8 treated lumber 18 or 4. 43. Spreader board 2 X 4 X 6 Use 5 length for 4-wide box or 2 length for 18 box. 46. Sawdust from almost any wood Avoid walnut sawdust, which is toxic to many plants. 47. Spread 10# lime on ground . . . Apply Pre-Plant only In 18 box apply 1 oz/ft in 4 box apply 2 oz/ft. 48. Pre-Plant formula . . . Pre-Plant - calcium, magnesium, & boron 80-4-1 ratio. Apply 12# 2 oz to soil In 18 box apply 1 oz/ft in 4 box apply 2 oz/ft. Apply 5# lime to soil None, only Pre-Plant above. Weekly Feed nothing said Apply oz/ft in 18 box apply 1 oz/ft in 4 box See Weekly Feed formula in Mittleider Gardening Course 53. Dates for planting common crops Supplement with Garden Planting Details schedule, and use Your ADLF (average date of last frost) for planting dates. 54. Sample Planting Layout There is real merit in this, because short rows of many crops can be ideal for family gardens. However watering, fertilizing, and difficult access to the center of the bed convinced Dr. Mittleider that 4 wide and planting length- wise is generally a better solution for the home gardener. After a crop is harvested . . . Apply both Pre-Plant (1 oz/ft) and Weekly Feed (1/2 oz/ft) mix with the soil, and plant another crop if time allows. 55. A marker for uniform plant spacing Use an 8-long 2 X 2 board, with dowels 6 apart on one side and 7 apart on the opposite side. 56. List of plants and spacing. Recommend using Garden Planting Details schedule if growing lengthwise in 18 or 4 boxes. 64. Transplanting Solution Immediately after transplanting apply oz/ft of nitrogen fertilizer down the center of the row and water in.

steven.smithHighlight

68. Plants can be watered with a . . Automating the watering is recommended. See Mittleider Gardening Course Lesson 16.

One or two . . watering per week Do not let your plants begin to wilt! Water daily if needed. 69. Nearly 95% of a plants weight . Water constitutes about 80% of a plants total weight. As much as 95% of the water entering a plant on a hot day passes through as transpiration, to keep the plant cool. 71. Mittleider Nutrient Formula Fertilizer formula in Mittleider Gardening Course Lesson 5 is recommended, or purchase Micro-Nutrients from FFEF website www.growfood.com and mix as instructed. Feed 1# 4 oz for 5 X 30 Box Apply oz/ft WF down the center between 2 plant rows. Stop feeding 2 weeks before harvest Stop feeding 3 weeks before harvest for single-crop plants. Stop feeding 8 weeks before hard frost for ever-bearing. 72. Optional Nutrient Formula This formula works short-term in many soil-bed gardens Grow-Box gardens need the complete nutrient mix. 73. Very Important Eliminate paragraphs 13, 14, and 15. 75. How to support tall plants See Mittleider Gardening Course Lesson 15, and the How to Build and Use T-Frames schedule. Use a single T- frame with 6 top for 4-wide boxes placed in middle. 76-86. Guiding, pruning, & tying Excellent material and highly recommended. 97-108. Making a simple greenhouse Recommend Constructing a Greenhouse Appendix D of The Mittleider Gardening Course book. Any greenhouse should have sides that roll up for ventilation, and if larger than 10 wide a continuous ventilator at the top is important Soil-beds or Grow-Boxes should be 18 wide, and aisles should be 4 wide. Therefore, 12 6 of width is minimum needed for 3 soil-beds or Grow-Boxes. 109-110. Filling Grow-Boxes in Greenhouse Use Pre-Plant Mix 1 oz/ft in 18 & 2 oz/ft in 4 boxes. 111. Now add the Pre-Plant fertilizer . . Use Pre-Plant formula of calcium, magnesium, and boron In the ratio of 80-4-1. Apply 1 oz/ft in 18 box & 2 oz/ft In 4 box. Apply Weekly Feed at oz/ft in 18 box & 1 Oz/ft in 4 box. 112. D. & Note Lime or gypsum is not needed in addition to Pre-Plant Mix. Plants in the greenhouse are fed a The same amount of fertilizer is used whether plants are in larger amount of fertilizer. The greenhouse or outside in the garden and whether in the soil-beds or Grow-Boxes. 114. Preparing your nutrient mixture See pages 71 & 72. From the time seeds are sprouted. . . Weekly Feed is applied oz/ft in 18 beds or boxes, and they are fed . . . 1 oz/ft in 4 beds or boxes. 115. After flowering begins . . . to end Continue feeding the same amounts of Weekly Feed until

3 weeks before harvest for single-crop varieties, and until 8 weeks before the first hard frost for ever-bearing plants. 116. Plants appear to be nutrient hungry Increase the feedings to twice per week for two weeks. 116-117. For training vining and climbing . . Recommend 1 row of plants per bed or box, with alternate Plants going up baling-twine strings to 2 rows of wire, pipe, or 2 X 4s on edge 28 apart. Aisle space at the top is 33 in the two aisles. The bottom end of the string . . . Is tied to tie-wire placed at the base of the plants. The tie- wire is attached at both ends of the Grow-Box and to stakes at maximum intervals of 10 the length of the box. 121. Watering in the greenhouse . . . Watering Grow-Boxes should be daily in greenhouse &

garden. 123. Mild climate greenhouse plastic Use UV-protected 6 mil greenhouse plastic for all climates. 135. Starting seedlings for transplanting Tomatoes and peppers take 8 weeks from seed to trans- plant-size plants, so growing these in a protected environ- ment can save you that much time. Large-seeded plants like beans or squash take much less time to grow to transplant size, so you will be saving only 3 to 4 weeks. Bottoms can be made with 3 slats Using 5 or 6 narrower slats to cover the bottom is better. 136. Spread oz lime & oz 0-45-0 Spread 1 oz (3 TBSP) Pre-Plant Mix and mix into soil. 137. Seeds per row in 18 X 18 flat Celery & parsley should be 100-125 /row. Large seeds Such as beans, squash, etc. should be 25-30/row. 138. Every watering after seeds sprout When sprouts first appear begin watering with Constant Feed solution 1 oz Weekly Feed in 3 gallons of water. Seedlings are transplanted to . . The first transplant should be into 2 or larger pots, or Into other flats, 49 to 81 per flat, depending on plant size. 140-141. If flats have been used before . . Methyl Bromide is very difficult to obtain, is very expensive, and can be deadly. A Pesticide Applicators license is required to handle it. Therefore other methods of sterilizing your flats should be pursued. Bleach and water (1 to 10), or vinegar and water (1 to 2) can be used. 145. Common soil us usually more work Many years experience in soils all around the world taught and somewhat less rewarding than Dr. Mittleider that growing in the soil was just as product- Grow-Boxes or greenhouses. ive as Grow-Boxes & greenhouses. See 6 Steps to Success ful gardening, Grow-Bed Gardening, and The Mittleider Gardening Course books for greatest success in the soil. 146-153 Open furrow soil-bed gardening Numerous material changes and improvements have been discovered and perfected since this book was written. Raised level 18-wide beds with ridges are a big factor in making soil-bed gardening at least the equal of Grow-Box

gardening. The books named above are highly. Recommended.

For field crops 3 applications of Weekly Feed are normal 1 before planting and 2 after at 3-4 week intervals.

170. Questions often asked: Why use redwood or cedar Now that treated 2 X 8 lumber is readily available and safe to use, that is preferred over redwood or cedar. Should Grow-Boxes face N/S Not necessary. What IS important is that tall plants be

grown North or East of shorter plants, so as not to shade them.

173. Appendix II Sizes of Grow-Boxes have changed, fertilizer formulas have changed, and application rates have changed. Read previous comments and review topics in The Mittleider Gardening Course book. 183. Appendix III A much more comprehensive schedule of nutrient deficiencies and corrective treatments is attached hereto. 187. Appendix IV For materials list to build recommended greenhouse see Appendix D of The Mittleider Gardening Course book. 192. Appendix V While numbers, sizes, and configurations are no longer valid, multiplied thousands of families around the world have proven the validity of the assertions made herein.

mittIeidergrow-boxgcwdens

Dr. .IR llitt1.eid.er

mittleidergrow-box

gardensBY

JACOB R. MITTLEIDER, LLD.AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT

LECTURER, LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY

ILLUSTRATED BYDON BERGGREN

InbUnationCll Food PtOCIuction mczthocl).lnc.Salt Lake City, Utah

Published and Distributed by

International Food Production Methods, Inc.Post Office Box 17114Salt Lake City. Utah 84117

Copyright 1975 by Jacob R. Mittleider, under the title "More Food From YourGarden."

This edition printed by arrangements with Woodbridge Press Publishing Company,California 93111.

All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any formwhatsoever. whether by graphic. visual. electronic, or any other means; or be translatedinto any language, devices, or symbols. without the written permission of InternationalFood Production Mettlods. Inc.Post Office Box 17114. Satt Lake City. Utah 84117.

Library of Congress Catak>g Card Number: 78-52953

Printed in the United States of America

DThis book is dedicated to my family -

Mildred Mittleider, patient and supportive wife, tolerant and braveamid the frustration and uncertainty of life with an adventuroushusband. Without her, success would not have been possible.

Douglas and Carol Deitrich, son-in-law and daughter, whoencouraged me in the development of the first experimental modelsthat stimulated this entire program; and who still inspire towardcontinuing refinement and perfecting.

Dr. James R. and Jeannie Wise, son-in-law and daughter, whoalso built and planted the early model gardens whose success wasconvincing evidence that millions could benefit from theseextraordinarily productive techniques - if only they had theinformation.

To these, and others, who encouraged and motivated me toaccomplish that in which I really believed, I gratefully dedicate thisbook.

-The Author

I wish to thank -

Edmond Henken, my chief associate, for his encouragement.loyalty, hard work, advice, and support through both prosperousand adverse times. In my estimation, he is the one person who hasgained the most complete knowledge of my entire concept andmethod as outlined in this book. He has not only the theory but alsothe practical experience to conduct the program and also toadvance it.

Willis J. Hackett, for his confidence and encouragement, for hisbelief in the methodology, and for the foreword he generously wrotefor this book and for a previous book.

Lynn Galr, M.D., for loyalty and personal involvement in pastyears. helping to bring this program to success. Without his helpthere would never have been the opportunity to develop it, eitherabroad or in the United States.

D. L. Stoops, M.D., whose humanitarian nature led him to studythe Mittleider program thoroughly as a means of helping hungrypeoples, and then to promote it and encourage its development.

Don Berggren, the illustrator of this book. Without his outstandingtalent it would not have been possible to prepare this work formankind. It is a rare privi lege to work with so talented a person whois also selfless and sensitive to human need.

-The Author

FORE.WORD... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II

INTMDUCTION ..... .... . . . 13

a"..WHAT 15 TH~ M1TTL.e.IDE.R. METHOD ?. Z"!~ .GARVE.N GPDW -OOXE.'S .... '" 2>3

~ HOW TO MAf

uf6 COL'DWEATHER. ~E.NING ....... 11.3n~ STARTING 5E.E.OLlNG5 FOR

TRANSPLANTING ....... " . 135

~.THE. MITTLE.IDER METHOD INOPEN FURROW 143

D THE HARVE.'5T : ISS

g lQJJESTIONS OFTEN "''5I

Three decades of almost constant study and research on foodproduction problems in many parts of the world have long sinceconvinced me that the most prom ising approach is a synthesis olthebest features of several major methods of gardening.

Organic gardening emphasizes plant access to all available soilnutrients and microbial activity; conventional gardeningemphasizes adequate fertilization and pest control; hydroponicgardening emphasizes high-density planting in a controlledenvironment.

But each of these methods, alone, has some limitations.What I have been demonstrating in various countries isa bringing

together of the best scientific knowledge and experience in each oflhese approaches. I believe that the results speak for themselves.

This book is a step-by-step guidebook to the use of my methodsby the home gardener. If you have a rewarding gardeningexperience and it is due in part to the instructions given here, I shallbe amply rewarded for the effort involved.

I would encourage the serious student of gardening to obtain acopy of a previous book, coauthored with Dr. Andrew N. Nelson, agifted man whom I greatly admire. Its title is Food for Everyone and itmay be obtained through the publisher of this book.

- The Author

Abundant food now flourishing on once arid and unproductiveland because of the skill and ingenuity of Jacob Mittleider is asource of great hope to the world's hungry peoples whose desperatecries have echoed around the world.

I have seen the lifeless eyes and the spindly, wobbling legs ofchildren denied the balanced nutrition of an adequate food supply.Hungry children of war-torn countries have snatched food from myown hands.

Students of the future declare that the prospects for feeding theincreasing millions of the 1980's are grim. Mittleider has the answer.He is dedicated to the task of meeting the nutritional needs ofpoverty-stricken populations wherever they are found.

Single-handedly, he has demonstrated from Alaska to California,from Fiji to Okinawa and Africa, that even the most unproductivesoils can produce an abundance. In many instances his methodshave doubled and tripled production on abandoned land.

This book, like Food for Everyone, the work coauthored by JacobMittleider and Dr. Andrew N. Nelson, will be hailed by many as apractical contribution to making food production more efficient.

Mittleider's demonstrations and institutes everywhere haveproved that his method can be used by anyone, anywhere, totransform unproductive lands and greatly increase crop yields.

I hope that the publication of this book, More Food From YourGarden, will help dispel hunger and produce beautiful gardenswhere now only thorns and weeds are growing.

- Willis J. HackettVice President

World Conference of Seventh-day AdventistsAdvisory Chairman

Education and World Relief

Washington, D. C.

1/

".

Jacob R. Mittleider

cThe "miracle" garden yields you may have been reading aboutlately are for real- and actually are the result of some fairly simpler>ew applications of well-established agricultural principles.

Jacob R. Mittleider is the plant"magician"who has been in scoresof countries these past few years turning people on to the thrills ofunbelievable gardening success.

He has moved into food-problem areas of New Guinea, Africa,Bang ladesh, Lati n America, the U.S.A. - and has started a "foodrevolution" every time.

How about 30 tons of sweet potatoes where only 4 had previouslyoeen possible? or 6,000 pounds of rice where only 1,000 pounds..ere considered normal? or 100 tons of tomatoes compared with 20Ooefore?

Experts say that with Mittleider's simple methods, this earth couldleed nine times its present population - with no further agricultural

Mittleider's university-sponsored demonstration program in New Guinea used poorland where only scrubby growth had previously been possible (above) and turned itInto lush, productive gardens (below).

High Commissioner James B~ Lampert (right) end University President TetsuoTakara of Okinawa join Mittleider in examining young cauliflower that will produce 18tons per acre - every 10 weeks - on rocky hillsides of the Ryukyu Islsnds.

Mittleider has proven repeatedly that his unique grow-boxconcept, with his simple, plastic greenhouse plan can produceenough food on even an eighth of an acre (5,000 square feet - asmall city lot!) to feed a family plus enough to sell for livingexpenses.

Governments, universities, and mission organizations sponsorinternational Mittieider institutes in which people from many landslearn how to dramatically improve the amount and quality of foodavailable.

Mittleider students are at work in India, Borneo, the U.S.A.,Taiwan, Okinawa, Japan, Fiji, the Philippines, Samoa, New Guinea,Africa, Latin America almost anywhere you couldname... anywhere people are interested in food!

It has been commonplace for people who observe the MittleiderMethod to speak In terms usually reserved for magic shows."Astonishing ... l couldn't believe my eyes ... spectacular... amiracle... a marvel. .. amazing."

15

Struggling bean plants barely survive with conventional gardening methods(above) but burst into abundance on the very same plot with Mittleider methods

Abandoned as "devil land" - totally useless until the Mittleider Method was applied- this plot now provides a good diet tor college students, and surpluses to sell toradditional school funds.

B.D. Lakshman, with huge agricultural holdings in Fiji, declared,"Ten thousand speeches could not have convinced me, but in lessthan two hours of demonstrations I am completely converted. It isnothing short of a miracle."

The then High Commissioner James B. Lampert of Okinawa,urged the people of the Ryukyus to observe "this unique opportunityto gain spectacular results from the very soil which, for centuries,has brought much discouragement."

Ambassador TakaseJiro of Japan praised the Mittleider approachas "an accurate and practical program of superb food production; apractical method of solving the problem of feeding the increasingpopulations of the world."

Willis J. Hackett, a general vice president of the Seventh-dayAdventist world conference, with special emphasis on educationand world relief programs, declared that the Mittleider program "hascertainly paid off in New Guinea" where Its abundant crops continueafter many years to help support educational institutions and toprovide more nourishing diets for the people.

17

Africa to the Arctic - searing heat, freezing cold cannot stop the amazing productivity ofnature when provided with adequate nutrients, water, shelter.

Bob Ackeroid, senior agricultural officer in NewGuinea, reported,"I think everyone in the Agricultural Department has been amazed atthe results. The work has surprised us and shown what can be donein this country."

Loma Linda University (California) sponsored Mittleider on a 24-nation survey of food production problems, leading directly to thedevelopment of a series of institutes co-sponsored in some cases byhost governments.

It is nowonder that such authorities look to the Mittleider programwith great expectations. Where machinery is not readily available,where soil is poor, where weather and pests are destructive, JacobMittleider has shown that simple, ordinary people, using simple,ordinary hand tools, can actually out-produce heavy farmequipment and great outlays of capital!

Imagine the sense of dignity and self-respect that comes to afamily when almost overnight their life can be changed from one of

This African land Is producing many times its former yield with cuslom-made soil inMittleider grow-boxes - 44 Ions of cabbage per acre every 12 weeks!

poverty and hunger to one of health, good food, good income -self-sufficiency and pride!

This has actually happened to so many families in so many partsof the world that an Okinawan magazine was moved to describeMittleider as "a man who can give hope to people throughout theworld."

Because his simple methods have proved so eminently successfulfor so many people in so many countries, M iltleider is convincedthat "hunger is no longer an agricultural problem; it is a humanproblem, a social problem." If politicians, educators, and interestgroups can cooperate, he says, this world can feed an expandingpopulation indefinitely.

In the meantime, the Mittleider method can certainly be a helpinghand for you, your family, and your friends ... in making gardeningfar more rewarding - and productive - than you ever thoughtgardening could be.

1'1

Mittleider growboxes can be used for large-scale production of garden crops - or, inones and twos, for backyard family gardens - with the same productivity.

Can you imagine this concentration of luscious tomatoes In ordinary gardening? ThisMittleider grow-box provides ideal soli conditions and adequate nutrllion to supportclose planting and heavy bearing - more food In less space!

Rocky hillsides become productive farms with the grow-box technique. The boxes can beused on any kind ot terrain, over any kind ot soil- previously barren land can "blossom asthe rose"!

Jacob R. Mittleider is an international agricultural consultant andlecturer, Lorna Linda University, Lorna Linda, California. Hisinstitute and lecture schedule is booked well ahead; but if you oryour group would like to hear him, he may be contacted through thepublisher of this book.

- Howard B. Weeks, Ph.D.

Santa Barbara, California

2.1

A Mittleider seminar group In Okinawa tills grow-boxes with custom-madesoil - learning how to produce super yields where nothing would growbefore.

One grow-box for 'the back yard or hundreds ot them for a universitydemonstration farm - the same spectacular results are realized all over theworld. Mittleider students cover a steep hillside with boxes.

Six thousand pounds ot rice per acre on land that used to produce 800 to1,200 pounds; 21,000 pounds ot green beans and 28,000 pounds of sweetpotatoes per acre on previously unusable land. That's why the MittleiderMethod is called a "food revolution" In many countries.

Crowds gather in the city to see the simple Mittleider grow-boxes andsuper-simple greenhouse-eovering demonstrated as a means toward moreself-reliance in home food production.

Name it and you can plant it in your grow-box - tender bell peppers, melons of atl kinds;in high concentrations with high yields, for the greatest amount of food possible inwhatever space you have to use.

DTHE MITTLE.IDEF'. ME-IHOD COMe>INE:ESTFEATUf/.E.5 OF :;OIL GfAfCDt.NING AND HYDiZOPONICGrARDtNINCi. Ii 15 A COMF'~ETE:) EA

TI ME. 15 f>ElIEfl. UTiLiZED eCAUSfO 11IE-MITTLEIOE./l. GROW-fOX AND 5IMPL.E G~KOUSE

G~TLY EXTEND 11IE. GROWING 6E,A'SON. IN TflE:MITTLE:IOE.f1. MEfflOO YOU KAVE. A eu:,o.fl. PATT~NfO FOLl..OW FOfl. SOIL. ~Af'I'TION)6EXOING ANDf'L.ANTING) FEeDING AND WATeRINGI PL.ANT CAflC AND

HA~ve5TING I AND f'/2Ol"'eCliON FROM IHsecr6,D/9eASe, !'NO WeATHE~. YOU SIMPLY CANNOT FAIL.___YOU WILL HAVE A SUCCE.S6FUL. GARDEN IF YOUFOL.L.OW THE METI-IOO p~reo IN (HI'?ea:>f'. .

H~ N43; SOME 6PEGIAL FEATUiZE6 OF "WI:.MITTl.EIl/~ ME-fHOD :

I. "CUSTOt-01- MAoe; 601L."IN OF'EN-FUF

3. P~eN PLANT NUTf'.liIONTHE MITTL.EJOEf'. NUif'.leNi FOfI

GITH /HE. MIl"Tt..eIOE.f2. METHOD::JI. OJ2VINAIO CAN ~~ 01'1 N-l,( ~INO

OF LAND) ON L~ l..ANO--- ANYWflEllf: IN -ruE. WO~1J.k. 6ucces6 IS C(2:T',AlN f!:;ECAl.J68 i'lOTIIlNa I

J. R. Mittleider and his chiefassociate, Edmond Henkin(left), examine the produceof lush experimental andteaching gardens.

The Mittleider methodmakes the most of land areaavailable by close spacingof plants in simple "grow-boxes," filled with inert ororganic materials at handplus nutrients.

It is like hydroponics inthat supplemental feedingof nutrients make this closespacing highly productive;but unlike it in providing forroot access to the naturalsoil for the best possibleplant nutrition.

Simple greenhouse shel-ter, where necessary, pro-duces abundant, year-round yields.

The bestfeatures oforganic,hydroponic,and regulargardeningproduceoutstandingquality inthe MittleiderMethod

The Mittleider "grow-box" technique makesa real difference in home gardening. In theopen or sheltered by a simple greenhousecovering, grow-boxes produce qualityfoods - to spare!

Corn and tomatoes, cabbage andpotatoes, broccoli and onions,melons, squash, and cucumbers -or papaya and rice - name it andyou can grow it the Mittleider way!

Nitrogen Potassium

Symptoms of nutritionaldeficiencies. You nolonger need to leaveplants to the mercy ofdepleted or hostile soils.The Mittleider nutritionalprogram will preventmost deficiencies andprovides help should theyappear. See Appendix IIIfor description ofsymptoms and correctivemeasures.

Potassium

Calcium

Boron Molybdenum

~~000~ ~ ruro ~~ 000

GROW- Ex:)XE:.'3 Afi!.E. WnOMu:.?5) WOODEN op...CeMeNT FAAME.S LEVELE.D IN PLACE. USUALLY5 FEET WIDE:.) ~O FEET LONG) ~ INCHE.'3 VE.E.P jWT THE.Y CAN bE ANY SIZE:.. THE.Y CAN e,e:.I?UIL.T i\LM06T ANYWHEF-E:.. THEY ARE FILLED WITH"CU5fOM-MAlJE 601L/1 A MIXTU!ZE OF ~WOU'3TANO SANO ) OJZ. OfHE:JZ. INEJ2.T Al'lV Of2.&,ANICCOM2:>INATIONS TOGETHE:JZ. WITH A e>ALANCEOf ~TILlZ.~.

"CUAi.ANCC"O NUT~IENT5AND f'/2OP~ MOISTU~ AND .FE:E:.DING Pl2OOUCE. H/GHEP-YIELDS ANO 6'1UALI1Y ON MUCH l..!?35~ TI{

THE. 'SOfT /CUSTOI"\-t-1~E 'SOIL. IIOFFEr6ES) INCL.UDING

~ DAAlNAGE) AEI'SOfL-O,AMP AND OFT. llH~ u:.lT~ PalE.TAAT~ TI-IESU~IL,AN!? ~P-b t-1ANY ~ I ~ __.F3irAA IMPOfZ.TANT MINE:fZ.AL-~. f\:'"" .",,,,,.~ I.......EN'" d \ ~ '" '"~ IT HA? A CCVL.ING ~e:cr d J \,ON FOOTS VU(Z.ING 1llG HOT '!3UMHe:fZ.. AND~%IT W,AfZ.M~ UP 6)UIC~L:( IN THE: r:A(2.LY 5Pf2.ING.LVGL GflON- f:,OXEG FILLE:!? WITH OFf)"CU9!Ol'1-tvl,AOE OIL-" GAVE: ,t>.e:x?UT 40 ~E.NT INWArE:!ox. MUGT HAVE GO:7D )'Df

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f(X)O PI200UCE:.O IN GflOW- eoXE.'S ~Y THEHITrLeIOE-f2.. HE1ll00 IS EtSlUAL 012- 0UP~I012TO iHAi 0120WN e>Y ANY OTHE-r'- HE:iHOP. ITCOMP.;>INES T!-Ie e:eST OF HYOf2.0R?tJICS) Orz./1 f?MPHA'SIZES THE Use. OF ~L.,A.NaO NUifZ.lENTS.IT P(Z.OV/~> FOf2. f2a:Ji~ ,0 -rne. OOILUNOef2.NEATH THE:: eoXE:S. THe: f'l...ANT> THu> 1'f!;>'eO~1f2,N;et8 Of ,A.U... OfHe:tz. AVAI t..N?;:JU3. NUTtz.teNTS POIJNOIN HIN~L- tJOll- NUTfZ.lE:NT> VE:ft..Y U~yNe:Weo f7( MAN.

, i Iii II IW..J:1TTt'..u-'-'5ELECT A SUNNY LOCATION,

IN CCOL CLlMATEOS, etJlLD eoXcsWITH A O 1:'/'NN.NSE': AWAY Ff'avITHG Gl'OW- f!;OxG0. f2

e>UIL.V THEo NUM~ OF GI'ON-WXE5 NEE:OW TO FITYOute- PLOT. GPOW-wx 'SIZE. CN4 VNl-Y TO FIT UNUSUAL.eouNPN'lES. IF 56V~ GPOw-wxe;"" HlE WIL-T5101:-TO-511::1:, I L.INe; THSo1 UP SfAAIGHT FOte-ATTI2."CTIVENE9S AND fA5'( WOf'l'-lNG. PI2Or'IOEo ?J-o" OFWOf'lLlNG 'GP/IC.C aJ EI'C+l 610E.= OF 1\11: !!OX AND!?'-O" OF v-tlf2.l"INIS 6P.Aa: AT THE END";' OF THE !Ox.

HEflf' 15 THE MATEf2.IN.h L-1'3T fOl'- -me; 6fANON'-D5-RXlT-WI0E ~-R::OT-LONIS />.NO 8-INCH-~P)

MITIL.EI~ GPOW-!;OX.

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Members of a Mittleider class and workshop clean up the area after construction ofgrow-boxes. The boxes are now ready to be filled with custom-made soli.

'If>o~

IICU5TO!'.H"VVE. OIL II 15USeD TO {WOlD C~p FAH.U~S.CflOPG FAlL. IN 5TUe:>e:oFaN)HAW-TO-MANAGe OILS~.J.cp:. ~USe OF OIL 'D1Ge:ASE../-.....-.uI.,.;>L--U-"l.LJu.l-~~--.c~~ AND INSECTS)GOPflE.l26) MOlES)

,AloJD ~TS, 1'J..'20 WEfZ.6 ISTHE CONSTANT E!l'\11'LE. ~INST We::r>G) #10 THE NumENT'DEFICIENCIES IN SOILS WHICH NZf!:. ee.coHING tv1Of2GANO MOF!e SE/OUS. "CU6TOM-~OIL II-THE HeAj(.,IT PE:Ji'.FO(lJY1'S ALL THE FUNCfONS OF MolIDEAL !J,A.TURA/- 601L., 60IL IS NOMYSTEF-Y j IT IS SIt-1PI..:( TIN'(.'9OMCTIf'1ESNOT 60 TINY f1OCI

CHC\96E: />.Ny p..V~ILf>bLE. MATe:rz.IAL'5 LlI'e THs;E AND/"fAltB TliE: COMf>INATION YOU LII': ~.

m50% ewW>,AND WI/H 5'0% PE;A.r M06G.@ 15% ~WDU5r WITH ~?"O fINE: f'.N17.(ID SO% p~ure. Wr-m ~ro fl:=AT t-1O'SG 0(2. 5fo.WDU5T.Il 50% SAWDUGT WITH 5070 eTY'(2.0fVAl'1 ~u..ere

O~ PIeces.a:il3g eLOW5AHD IS FINE 5I*JD L.11'f. THAT H&R:D UPe>Y THE WIND (~O OUNES).

~L.ITE IS f'JITS OF VO/..QNIC Gl./>6S 1/ POFPED /I BoY tlI;,A.T.IT IS ""/>J~ "'T CClNSTUcrION T IS~ 10 Uge Ff2Olv1 ,Ai..MO'ST />U- ""NO'SOF wcoo. FfleSH FIlOI-1 THE 'SAW Oil- I'eF:D - EITtIZ-loS ea:>o. ""VOI'O ~VING9. THEY ~ MI~~ ToMIX Pt-Jo PL,t>.N, IN. TJ-IEY TE.ND TO FLATTEN INTo/.AYrEfl4; f>..NO 4au~.

f!.EMEM~ TtlE 'SOIL UNO~ Yourz.G(2OW-f!;C)'I. CAN ~ '>NJO) f20aG)~VEL)GOOD5OIL)~,)CLAYJ0(2. CEMENT.

ctlEy.ac'5 HOW TO FIl.l. YOUIl- GPOW-'OOX)Sfl2NJ TEN roUNDS GY~Ut-'I (l-IME.) E.VENl.Y

OVfJ2.. THE. l/\liSIOE. A~ OF ONE 51)(~IGfZOWeo)

HE~ ~ Tf-lE. INSj2.E.DIWTS FOF- THE MITTLEIOEF-P~-PLANT FE.f2..TIL.lze~ M 1)(.. CAfl.E.FUL.L'( WE.IGHAND MIX TOOE.THEf2. THE:. FOL.L.OWING, WHICH AfC.E.AVAIr..Ae>t..F3. AT YOUp- (;I~OE.N SUPPLY 5TOf!..C.

.~

l. 4 Ft)UNDS OOUe,L.E 5UPEJ2..PHOSPHATE.'l. '2. POUND5 POTA

THOf2.QUGHLY MI)(. 61EJ2.YTHING IN THe:G~w-eo)(. TOGE.THE12- -TH6 IlCU9TOM~MAOE. OILI~L-1r-1E.) AND f'~-Pt..ANT FElZ-TIUz.EfZG. AOO ENOUGHWAT&1t TO t-'!A(E A WET I"\Il

HEIZE IS IHE AMAZING THING YOUHAVE: OONE IN THIS CHAPTEfZ.:

I. YOU HAVE C(VI.TED A 6f'5CIAL. ,I'IND OF 'oIL.ANt' PJ,..,ACW II IN A PFOTECTIIIE FRAME. TIl"TWlu... LET YOU ENJOY THE: PL.EASU,zES Of

(?,~ING WITHOUT ITS u~,AL. HEAV,AC"'66.~, YOUF- "5011.." IS rztCH AND EJi6Y TO WOf2.-.

PQJTS q.,N F'EN8TAATe INTO THE Pe.fZ.PETUAU-.YMOIST SUe:>OIL FOfZ. AODD) PE:IlH~UNiLNOWN NUTf!.ICNT5.~. EXPE,e.lENCE.S Af!OUND"THE WO~L..D SHOW THAT

YOU C'l-N OOUe>t.f:. ,AND T!Z/Pt..EOfLOINAre.y ~reOEN '(IEL-OS ANYWHe,e.E.) INANY eLI MATE:.

4-. WITH nilS SIMPLE. PI..AN yOU CAN Gf!OW INYoure.. OWN ,(AI2O Au... THE f'/2ODUCE YOU NCED.P;,Y At'DING G(l.OW- eo>

YOUr

oSEED O/l2eC-rL'( INrO -me. "CUSTOM -MADE: OIL" IN WE:6fi1OW-eoX Cf:E, CHAFTEf2. G) ) 0fZ. "f1ZI'.N5Pl,ANT YOUNGSEeDLINGS. YOU CAN PfeiL Ff2t:.Gt-t fTZODUCE. 8 TO 1'2. WW-'5~JEJ. ~ Tf2ANSPLANT/NG SE8:'UNOO. G(2OW '(OUIZ.OWN ~OUNOO FOLLOWING THE M11ILE.loe.JZ. METHOD':3!iOWN IN CHAPTEfZ- I~ ) Of!.. GE.T THEtv1 Ff20M You!2-

~ SHOP.

THE. GflON- eoXE'S NYO E.XTfZA -o"'YS TO THEG(20WING 6E,bON. E,AJZ{..y J FfZ05TY NIGHTS I'-lLL.

6OM~~ } ~T 1-!E;f2.E: I~ A LiST OF SOHE WHlaICAN eE. PL.,ANTEO EVeN mal. IF M,A"TUf2E. E'.tOUGH)TIlEY c,oN !2.EM.AlN IN iHc Gl>-12VEN UNTIL Mlo-teeeMee:p:.IF PFOrecreo !:t'( SNOW J LE.AVe; } OJZ.

HEr

Hm 1'5 " >"MPLC PLANTING LAYOUT. IT H.'6 T0"6TEAPFeN- AND VA/EF- rows '!Io" APMl-T

(oNE P-OW)

'------ TOiYIATO PONS ~,,~(ONE flOW)

PL.AN VIEW OF STANOI>-I2-0 Size 50'" '!:>O'G!'Owe>:>x SHOWING PLANTING OI6f!'NCELAYOUT OF V!'f'.IOUS VEGETAP7L.ES.AFT~ A CI'OP IS ~Al2-VES1EDIIHI'1EVI,ATE.!-YAPPL..Y

iHE MITTUEiDEj2. ~-f'1J*lT FEf2.Tll.-lzel2- 1'11l< f>6AIN(CIl!'fi6l'- 4-). MIl< AND f2.EWL./INT THE s,o,HE. V.Af2.IETY0,," A PI FFEF'-ENT C!'OP.

SHAVE F!UINS =OME Cf'OPS. PLJo.NT TI'LL GflOWEl26ON THE NOJZrH SIIlE. OF TH~ LDW-G/'OWING Cf1Gf'S.TO ST~TCH THE TAeoN'T. f2C0T'5 W NOT NESOp.."J MUCH I1roM To f!O,AM. ~W IS (>.~ FOf'.UNlFOI2M FL#JT Sf1>C.ING. IT IS A I"x 2" ~ 5' eo,AJ6SUI2CS e,AOlPLAN, ITS PI"OF~ SPACING. THE. TOOL IS USED 'TOI'1A12f'. eoTH 11lE LEN01H AND WIUTH OF THE GI'OWOOX.

55

HEi. LiST OF PLANTS I>.NOSPI'CING !'ECOMMENOATION5.

PISTANCS ee.TWEENINPIYIDUI>.l.. 6!:EOSAND PLANTs.

DISTANCE: eawa=Nf2.ows OF PLANTS.

CM'I'OT5 ,TUfl.NIf5~_ ~SEEO U6HTl.'(~ ~ ~ ~~~ 7"IN I'OWS

6I'eeJ ONIONS Y5I'-y CiD-lE lOOeTlIEI'- 4-"MOI~e;s I" 5"

f'!'ASi~S I" Ie"eETS 2." 5"ONIONS '2.. 11 (oll

~SH eE.ANS 2,." 15"'.3c\ltJI'8Il , E6PLANT __~ PLANTS!'CfZCti:6 'lb"

THE 7' WIDE ""ROW-eo>'.PEANUTS 4" Je, 1\

-------- - ---------

RJt.e =ANS 5" Z4"~ ------- -----------sPIN~ 1" 10"eeu...~I CO~ 1" Ie>"

CUCUM~) 1Q1J':1lJES__1" +e>"

MN'-E. YOU I'-~N ATT~IVE. IT IS Pf'.PCTIC/'-L)MAGNETIC, AAV A ~Uj>.CE OF PLE....SUfl.E AAV f'1tlVE. \Gf'OW ONe CI'OP IN YOUiZ- e>j>.Ow-eo", IF yOUCilCO% , Of". IJ,f.OW A VAF-lETY.

5eD

YOU CAN fJW SEEDS PIi>ECTl.Y I Of'. YOU CANTAANSPLANT PLAN'-S INTO YQUf'. GI2OW-eoxES.IF You ON EGOS VIJ2CTl.Y INTO YOUf'.(?;p.j)W- f!:O'/. I1a--1EH!!:I'- THSGG WI t-JTS :

I. use. c.af2.TIFIEO %Eo) WHeNEVE:F- F!>9SIe>l.6.(CSMIFIEO 0EEr;I '''' f'F'Ot:>UCO UNPef2. i"-"Of25

"'GID IN~TION .)~. ee SUI2e THE

PO NOT COVE12- SMAL.L- SEEDS L1J'E. PIE6lfJ SPf2.QUTING.

12-E1Y10VE: THE E>Uf2..LN' COVEI'-ING AS '5CONAS YOU SEE. iflE' FlFtsT WHITE SEEV-SPF'OUT.FAiL.Uf! To DO ifllS WIL.L. 12-ESUL.T IN WEAiL) T\lINSEVUNGS.

.,..:. .. r..

TAAN'SPLANTI Ne YOUNe 'SEOL.I Nee,

You CAN I'AL-Il.e EAl'-LIEI2- PI2OOUCY TfW.!SPL.ANTING HfALTHY5E.eDL.lNGS PUF::CH,Ae,ED FI":OH THE NUfZ6EI2-Y OF'-G.AfZOEN ~OP) 012- GtzoWING THEH YOUI2-9;L.FIN SEEV-

( FOI.LDW THESE: I'UL.EoS FO'" Gfl.EATEST success )I. CHECi'- THE. P/?-E-PI..I'NT Fe"'TIl-Iz.EF'- MIX, IF THESE.

NUiI2IENTS HI'VE:.N'T e>eeN SPF'-E:AV ON THE "SCIl-"/VI/XTU~ IN THE 6f1OW-WX, ro IT NOW.(5E CIi.APTEfZ. 4)

2./?-EPLENISH THE MOISTUI2G SUPPL.Y IN THEGf1OW-WX e>Y WATEf'1ING FNI"-L.Y HEAVIL.Y TfIEAFTEI"-NCON !?EFV~ YOU PL.ANT,

3. THE NEXT MOf2NING) THOf20UGHL.Y STIf2..) MI)(JANO l..iXl'2>EN THE "SOIl-" HIXTUI2E,nlls CANe>E WNE UICl'-LY ANO E,b611-Y WITH A 4-TINEVCUI"-VEO FOf2.IL,~N f'N'E) 0f2.. rzoroTII-L.Ef2...

4, WITHOUT ANY 'VE.l.AY J /Z.AI" ~o L.EVEL. THE "SOIl-"Mlnu~ EVEN AND 'SMCOTH.

5. It-1MWIATEL.Y GIVE \HE "SOIL.1I A L.IGHT5P1"-1 NI

f2.ULC~ FOf2- 0rz.eATE~T ?UCCE% CONTINUE.D_

(Po THE 0f20W-~)(. u f2.Fi"CE AfZ..A Ic? NO Wrz.eAc7Y TO e:. MN2~D WITH THE: MA~TO f'!2OVIOE. EJ>Q.l pL.,t>.~-r WITH THE.SP.ACIN6 !>-No GJZOWING N2eA IT MUST HAVE.

Healthy young seedlings off to a good start In a Mittleider growbox filled with nutrientrich, custom-made soil.

(01

GENTLY ~~VE {>, PLANTFPOM THE SEED eo'" (FLAT)e>Y ~ING THE. !'COTSWITH TWO FING>e.f'.'3 WHIl.ELIFTING> THE PLANT E>YTHE SEED LEAF WITHTHE OTHEF- HAND.Al.WAYS HANDt-EO PLANTS/l>Y THelf'. l.eAVES.

TAANSPl.ANT IN THI'eE MOTiONS

I. WITH THE L.FT HANDMAI'E. (SHAPE) THE P/lOPE.f'.SIZE. HOl.E.) IN ONE:e.{>,C'I'-WAf'-O PUt-l.INGMOTION. (00 Nor MOVE:HAND FfI.OM HOLE..)GJVi:B ~ {>, P~PE:f'. SIZE HOt-E IS ~eENOUGH FOFl THE J2aJT5 OF- THE: Pl.ANT mCLEAf'. WITHOUT CU~ING Of'. TURNING UP Fi'OMe>f'.U5HING AGNN6T THE SIOE.S OF THE. HOLE.

2. GENTL.Y LOWEP-PLANT (HeW INF-IG>HT ~"NO) INTOTHE HOL.E TO TH E:.PflOPE:.fI.. DEPTH.

~~ THE Pf/OPEF- DEPTH WIl.-L- N.J,..OWTHE PLANT TO STAND WITHOUT TIPPINGOVER) 0/E. BL.OWN OUT OF THE "SOl t..!'l?Y LIGHT WINDS.

3. fZ,fv10VE. THE !..CFT Hl'-NO FF-Ofv1 THE HOLE{>.NO IN THE. 5f>.fv1E. MOrtON P~(ONCE ONLY) THE 'SOIL FlftMLY (eoUT NOT5E.VEflELY) ,bG{>.INST THE. PL..,I;NT I"O!- Of2. Pi'T THE SOIl.- ArzoUNV /

/THE. P/...f>.NT. /110

TO KELP "",pua; THE.SHOCiL OF TAAN5PLANTING1!1UICI4..Y pou~ N20UNOEACH PLANT ONE PINT OfA TAAN5Pl.ANTING 5OL.-UTION(FUNGICIDE AND Vf2ENCHINCWDED IF NecE.~Y).

TAANSPLANTING 5OWTIONA FIVE-G.'-l.LON E!>l'-TCH WILL Tf!.CAT

40 PLANTS5 GoALLON'" OF WATEfL

2.~OUNce5 AMMONIUM NITAATEI".. OUNCE'S VIAfVlMONIUM PHOSPHATE

2.0 0AAM'3 f!:)fASSIUM SULFATE O~ CHLOf2-/0E.'20 0AAtv1S fv\AGNESIUM SULFI'rrE (EI"SOM SALT)~~ IF FUNGUS VISEASES Af!G f'IaE'SENT(ESPeCIALLY IN T~PICAL Af2eA5) AOO:!oS GfIAM'S OF- A ecoo FUNGICIVE roWOEf2-.LOCAL AGf2-/CULTUAAL OFFICEl'-S CAN I-IE.LP YOUIDENTIFY VISE,AISE ~E>LE.M5. 000 0 .

o .

~ .. '.J" .Q? .

/'

TO CONTF'OL "WHIPTAIL- VISEASC"Jl-CAUSED E!>YMOLYI?OE:NUM VEFICIE.NCY AVO 20 Gl2AINS(Naf GAAt-1S) S?VIUM MOLY~Ol'TEOP-MOLYe>'DIC !'CIV. TO CCNTiZOL '.:OIL MASGOTS1'00 20 GAAMS VIA'ZINON POWVE:f2.(Of!. '.:OME. SIt-1ILAf2. P/ZOVUCT).

ALL THE.SE. t-11'TE.F'IAL'::> CAN e>E I'VDE.V ANDAPPliED IN ONE. OPE.MIION.USE. CHeMICALS ONLY WHEN !Z6lUliZEV.I?E. Vf:P!.Y CAfZE;FUL ANV ACClJAATE. WHENU51N6 THEM. I'EEP OUT OF I2,ACH OFCfllL-V/Z.E.N.

'" 5E COLOf'. PLATE' 'S - NUT~e;NT tlE"FICICNCIES .

cDS

THE flf2.ST WI',Ef2.ING I'FTE.f2. Tf2.I'N'SPt..>-NilNG15 THE MOST IMPOf2.TAN, ONE. IT SHOUI-D e>EGENTI-E. I!>UT THOf2.0UGH ENOUGH TO SETTI-E.THE 'DAYS AFTEI2- T1!PNSPLAt-J,INGTO iLEEP ,HE LEAVES ff2.0/Vl SUNE?Uf2.NING.

PI-ANTS USUAI-LY f2.ECOVE/2-ff20/Vl TAANSPLANT WIL.TINGIN '2. 0f2. :; PAYS. THEf2.EAfTEf2. iNOf2.MAL. WATEf2.I NG 1'2> VON E .

(SEE. CHAPTEf'. 1 FOf'. NOf2.MAL. Wi'TEf2.ING.)/PI

DPLANTS NEW WATEf!- AL.L-THE TIME. THE AMOUNT VAf/.IESWITH T&1f'EAATUIZE, HUM IOITY)WIND) THE IYPE CF SUe>sGIL..UNDE.1C THE GJ'OY'{-E!OXES,ANO WITH THE SIZEANO !'-INO OF PlANTS.CONOITIONS T~ATMA!'-E yOU THIIlSTYAFFCT PL.ANTS TIlESAME WAY.GiVe; THEM WATEiITAA1W "eoesT TIME.."

PLANT I2COTS VIE. 0(5MOTHE/

EVE.l2.Y TIME. You WATEf2-) PUT ON ENOUGH-iT's THE- I2COTS THAT NE-E-D IT! AWUTW MINUTES AFTEl" WATEf'-ING) '3OME- Wi'TEY-SHOULD BE. OOZING QU, THE E01\OMSIDE-OS OF THE GfZOW-W)I.. ONE 0(2. TWO SUCHWATEf1.INGS PEf2. WE.~ N'E USUAu-yADE6/U,o.TE.

PLANTS Q>.N BEWATEf1.EV WITH ASPI2.IN1'-L1NG - aN)012.,0. fIOSE- WITHSPAAY ATTPCH Iv1 ENT you CAN USE A HOSEWITH THE ENDCLOTH-COVE,

FI'OM THE ENO OF THE DEEPEST OF'-LONGE'S! F'CO! IN THE SOIl.- TO THE 8NP OFTHE HI0HEST LEAF-TIP," PLANT IS"CONTINUOUS W"TEF- PIPE.

,

NEAALY 95 PEPaNT Of A PLANTS WEteliTIS WATEfI-. EVEI'-Y DAY PLANTS LOSE.: Gll-u..oNSOF WATf-R (DEPENDING ON PLANT SIZE) TOTHE ATMOSPHE..'

NOW THAT THE G>I'OW-ec>l'- is PLANTED; yOUS~OuL.O eG>IN A I'EG>UL./'1'- WEEJL PI'OSAAMTO SUPPLY PLANTS WITH THE: NUTfl.IENTS NE'CE!J-N'YTO VE.Vaop THE. W5CIOUS VEGETAE:>LE. CfZOPSYOU WANT. (YOUr.CC.UF4'TE IF 'KE NUTf'.IENTS Af2.E WElSHEDAND N"PL-IED C/'./ZEFULL-Y.

HEI'f. IS THE MITTLE.lDEf2- NUTf'.IENT RJf'.MULf>.FOf2. YOUf'!- PLAN,S WIZI

Ml1ll.E.IDISf'- NUTF'-IEN T FOfZ-IV1UL.A

I. 9 POUNDS c,.u:;IUM NliAATE-2. 4- POUNOS AMMONIUM NITAATE

~. IYol. fOUND'S DIAMMONIUM PH0'3f'HATE-4. 4 Yol. POUNDS POiASSIUIV1 CHL.Of'-IOE

OIZ SUL.FATE.5. OSNUM (SODIUM

MOLYI?VATE 01'" MOL.YWIC "CIO.

'!fUSE ONLY IF NEEDEO.USUAL.LY NOT NEE.OE.O~~ Of'. 4 YE,AJZ.SOF HEAVY Q20p ~OVAl..(E.>

Tf-IE. FOI2-MULJ>. GIVEN H~ IS ENOUGH TOFE.EO~ 0T,A/'JOJ>.l2.O-'7I"lE GfZOW-f;O)( (?IX~')FOfZ- '2'2. WEE:/(.S. IN A ~-TO S-~N

CONTAIN~ WITH TI6HT L.IV (P~E~YPLASTIC) ACCUAATEL.Y WE.I0!-I THE: FEJqIL.\'Z.~'=',AND MIX At-L T06E:T\l6f2... THOrzoUGtlLY.WHEN ST~6) ~ 1-10 TI0HTl-'( Gl..05EO!

FORJv!U l-AS FOR GPOW - BOXES IN4--FOClT 5ECTIONS Afl.. GIVEN ON PAGES11B I nCf. FOR SOURCE.S OF f4:ADY-MIXED

FE.F.TIUZE~S WRITE TO -..J. R. MITTLEIDE.RIN CARE OF THE. PUBL.lSHE.F

HE.~'5 HOW YOU APPLY THE. OiAATH~) FEEO TWO TIME'? A WEEI

Grow-box gardening makes efficient use of overhead space. These Ilmpletrames support tail-growing plants like pole beans, melons, squash, cucum-bers, tomatoes.

74

pOLLINATION 15 USUALLY AUTOMATIC, BUTTAAINING) P~UN ING) WEEDING ANO PFOTEC,INGPLAN,S F~M VI5,A.SE: AND PESTS 15 NECESSN''1'.TO MAi'-E. e:EST USE OF ALL f"JAJL.Af:>l-.E Sp,oa:.)INCWDING THE: Sf'i'CE OVEf2.l1EAV, P~VIVE.sUPpOJq FOfZ.. TAu..~ PLANTS. THIS ALLOWS

M~ uGtlT ANV AI12-, TOO.

H~'S HOW TO SUPPOf1" TALL PLAN,S LII'-E.POLE: eeANS, pOLE. PEAS I TOMATOES) CUCUMf;>C12-S,MELONS J AND ZUCCHINI 96{UASH. NAIL TO THeOUTSIOE. 51PlO5 OF THE. G~W-OO)( FAAME..)1-fQO, -LONG l"x1."s. p.c~ ,HE. lOP Of'THE: 1 - FCOT STAt'E.S AND ACF0e!5 ,HETOP E06E.. OF THE GIWW-e,oX SlOES) NAIL5-FOOT-LON6 I"X'll/ s .

15

TIE HEAVY DUTY 5Tf2.ING5 NlQUND nlE TOP5-FOOT l'x1-" TO CO~5PONO WI,H THe PLANTSIN THE 6flOW- eox NJ.'D I-ONG ENOUGH 10 Tie

~UNO THE 5-FCOT I"x'!." AI THE 001L- t..e:Va.

0/.. " .

WHEN PLANT'; GET 00Tf'LL THE.Y E'::6SIN TO FAL-LOVEF-, ~UL.LY 6U10ETHEM {>.F!OU NO THE. 'STI'! NG'SIN A CLOCI'-W/5E. VlflECTION.

nll~ M{>.Y HAVE TO e:E. WNE2. 0f2- ? TIMeG A WEEJ

II

T~NIN0 PLl>NTS UPlIND i'I2OUNV STf'.ING'3DEMAND'3 CAP-:-. MOIO

~ING,TWISTINS)Of'.. e>(l.UISING THESTEMS OF/E. Pf'..ODUCEDINA VEf2.Y SMAL.LAfZ.E.f>. IF THEGf'..QWINS ENDIS TIED TO ASTfZlNG i'6 ITLENGTHENS. TI1I'&PLANT CANNOT

~ 0U1OEOA/ZOu NO THE: SWING.

/k:/

WH~N TH~ GTE:M5 N'-E e. INCHE:", HI6HE:f2. THANTHE 5TI'IN65 CUT -rwo INCHES OFF THE: eND OFTHE: STEM. THIS STOPS THE:. STeM FI'OM GI'OWIN6LONGEI"-. P/WNING HE.LPS po. PLANi TO ee MO!'-EPr

CUCUMe>E12-6 t\NO ME.LOfJ6 AfZBPf'1.uNED AL-I!LC,

PLANT '2. 5EW6 PE.I2- f'l./IoCC:.. mez. se:e:z:;>;.HAVE SPf2QUTEO J PUL-L. OUT THE. W~f2-.PLANT) L.EAVING ONe PL.ANT PEtEI2-

ANv -::'OME MALEFLCWE,e'3 17EVeLOPING~ THE APEX (6f2QWING

'-- TIP OF THE ~NN~) .-"7"1

. ,' ','" I .":'C'." .'

/T', J1J, , I"FOLLOW IN5TF

THE. NE.W ~NNEf2-'S) IF NOT PP-UNE.D) WIL.L0f2.0W L.I!LE) THE;MASS OF FOL.IAGE: WILL. CUT OFF UGHTNECESSA/

MEL.ONS OTi-lE.1'- TAAN WATE'I"-MEL.ONSN' PF'UNED THE:. S/'.ME /'.S CUCUMef"S.

WATEl'-ME.LONS f'.E:QUIf'-E SPECIAL. PI'VNINGPf

(TOt-1P-TOf:

SAVE. ,AJ..l. THE. TOM"'TO Fl.OWE/J2.CAt'- OFF.

,AJ..l. THESE FL.OWE.J2.SeM' Ff'.UIT _ S;WE.

(tEA'S'I"USH) !'-EGul..N'- e.USH PEA,? PF'ODUCEHEAVI~ CflOP5 WHeN THEY Afl-E. GI'OW~ INGI'OW-eo)(E.S. PL.ANi PEAS IN MULTIPL.E.I'OW5. EXAMPL.E ~ J 4 J iP ALL.OW TKE. PLANTS

TO GflOW UP~16HTUNTIL. TKE-Y e>f.6INTo FAL.L oVErt.

THE.N 6E.N'LY ,MIN THE. PLANTS(f>Y PUSHING OVEFl) SO THE TWO I'OWSL.E.AN TOWAf2.DS E,AOl DiHE./

WDING IS IMPOF!-TANT I E>UT WE.EDS APuY Pt..ANTS ONL.Y Ff20M ~PUTABLNU,aSE.~1E.5 01'- GA~DEN SHOPS) OF!- GI"OWYOu~ OWN HEAL.THY PLANTS.

i'ff.p OUT OF YOUI2- G!'f!.DE.N AL-L. DISEASEDPLANTS OfL.. CONTAl'1INATEPMATE.I'tJAL.S. BUI2-N AL.L. PL.ANT P,Af1.TS THATII E.VEN" ~IGHTE!: VISEAE.V.

THE MITIL.EIVE.f2.. 501L. VI'-ENCH (CH,APTEfa eo)PF!-E.VeNTS 5OME:. PI"OE:>LE.M f2.16H-r FIlOMTHE STAf'tT. CONTINUING PIlOTECTION,E;SPECIAL.L.Y FOfa INSe.c-r CONTf20L.) ISe>EST 'CUSTOMI'ZE.V" TO MEET YOUfl NE.EDS.CONSUL.T YOUf2. f..OCI>.L }>6f!.ICUL.TUI'-EAGENCY FOF'. ADVICE ON sPECIFIC P~e>L.EMS.

;r-'"_......-

eFO~ YOU PANIC SEE. HOW SIt'\PL.~ ANDEASY IT CAN i:! YOUR Gf'OW-eoi' ITSELF- CAN

5~VE AS THE Bf>6E; OF A SIt'\Pl-E GREENHOUSE..ONE WAY TO MAKE A SIt'\Pi.-E. SHEL.TER FOf'. YOUi"PIE.CE.S o/4-INCI1 PVC PIPE. 'Ie-INCHES L.ONG R:Jf'.THE L.EGS.B-PIECE'S %-INCH PVC PIPE 1't-INCHE'S LONG FORTHE CUR-VED 12COF-.leo"PIECt'S I-INCH PVC PIPE IS-INCHES LONGFOR- HOl-DING n1E. FI"AME. L.EGS.leo-METAL. HUH CLAMPS.50-FEET ~Uw. ~l.-ING WIf'.E. I - PINT PLASTIC CE.HENT.IG>- %-INCH PVC TE.E.5.JG>- o/4-INCH PVC EoLBQWS (45).

Y~- POUND ?-INCH-LONG GALVANIZEO NAILS.

~: THE LENGTHS OFPL"STIC PIPE SHOWN INTHE. MATERIAL'S LISTARE. THE. Pf

PLASTIC TEE5, AND 45"ELE::OW FITTINGS MME. ITEASY TO TURN CORNERSAND CuRVE THE. i

--

HEf'.E. IS "N El>6Y WM TO eoESUi INCHE5 Ff

ATTPCH "X" WI~ "RACING "'T EACH END."'LSO ATTACH ONE DIP.GONP.L. WIPE. f:>AACEAT Ei'CH 5101:. OF THE. FIF

.............

WITH "LL TH~ FAAM~S IN PLACE. "NO PflOPE$l.Y~D THE STi

L/>oP THE. TOP PIE.CE. OVE./< THE. E.NDS ANDSTITCH JUST THE. CURVED FORTION OF THISTOP PIECE TO THE. END FRAMES.

--;',,

,-

/II

/~

"II

II

, I, I, I, ,, ,

v!"'~r---~~~_ :I --- ,I ---.J, II __ -,.,.'1"

~ - rl " ___,

THE. SIDE.S MAY BE. FaLLEo UP FroMTHE. BOTTOM TO PERMIT WORt

YOU CAN VARY THE GJPOW-eo'i. Gl

THE.RE. ARE. MANY GOOD ~SON5 R:JRGREENHOUSE GARDENING:

CONT~L OF PE.STS AN'D DISEASE.S.EXTENDED GIuAL.llY.

CON~VAT\ON OF WATEF- /'NO NUTRlE.NTS.PREDICTABLE. YIELD AND COSTS.FAR MOf':E. RXlt> ON A GIVEN LAND Af!..EA.USE LAND OTHERWISE UNSUITABL.E.FOR GARDENING IN ANY Cl../MAiE ~OEN Cf'!Of'5 CANe>E G~WN.

ACTUALLYITHE.SUP~-~E.FARMING ~NHOU5E IS NOT ASPROPUCTIVE IN F!ELATION TO SIZE ASTHE 5TAN'DA!

THE. FIRST POINT TO e>E. 'DECIDED 15 WHERE. TOe>UILD youR G~HOU6E.! PLEASE. FEADAGAIN CH,I>.PTE. 3) "HOW TO I'1Aj{G 6i

If SEVEAAl- G~HOUSE6 N>E CONSTRUCTED,SEPARATE. THEM (D fEET J>.T THE. END5 ilNO SIOE:S.THIS IS E.SoSeNTIAl- fOf

_--..t!E.f. ST",e::,CH ,HE COf"O !'Nt:' TIE IT TO STAI'eSTHE: t.eN6TH OF ONe '7loE OF THE Gf'EENHOI..I?E:: P~oT.

....-~/ ----( ,---------

I I ----I -;-~I I / \I I {II I I

......... I I~........, I I

..............

E'STAe>L.ISH ....... , ......,AND 'S>TN'G iHe::FOUfiL COfiLN~OF THE Gl:EENHOUSE.

"l"l

MEASURE AND curTO l.ENGTH J EI6HT~DWOOD (OR CEDNEOVED IN THE: 6FaOUNO.

DIG E.IGHT HOLE'S 15 INCHE.S DE.EP WHE:./

LDWEF- " 4'~4-" fl:)5T INTO CO~ER HOLE Ca) TOTHE IB-INCH MAi5TLEFT OR ~16HT). 101

RAISE. OR LOWE.R THE POST (b) UNTIl..- THEl-EVEl- Si40W5 "l-EVE.lo" AND THE: SSlU~E:."l-E.G" (0 IS PN

THE FOUl

, .. , .... , ...

N/lIL 2"J'.e" eoAi

---,,- - .....;' ...

;' '-/ .../ "/ ...

THE 1XTTTEV LINESSHOW THE: SUPFtJRTWIRES. THE WIRES RUN THE LENGTH OF THE

G~ENHOUSE. OVE~ THE G!.LL 2"X4"FRAMING AS SHoWNAT THE ENOS FO~ AlJa)~ OPENING.THE too~ IS30 INCHES WIVE.IT IS MAVE UPOF 2"x2" FflAMlNGANV HINGIED TOSWING FROM THELEFT OUTWARD.

THE WI~'S MUSTe>E STRONG ENOUGHTO CM

THE. WOOD FAAMIN0 AND B~ING IS COMPLETE..NE.)(T IS THE: Pi...ACCME.NT OF THE. Pl-,6-STIC PIPE.FOR THE. CUF-Mf'S. THE CURVED ~F !"1EMBEf

THI'S CflD'O'S CC JUSTABOVE. THE TOP I"~'l." 'ST~IP (d) ~NNING ALONGeoTH 510E.~ OF THE G~HOUSE.. NEXT) THE.ICo-FOOT-WIDE PLASTIC TOP-PIECE (I: 15 PUL.LEDIN PLACE.. TH E. TOP- PIEeE. OVEf2..l.APS THEcP-FCOT SIDE-PIECE. (c)- ON THE. OUT>IOE(TO StIEO MIN). THE. TWO PIECE> OF PLASTIC(WHEN IN POSITION) A~ FI~ST NAILED

'SE.CU~EL,( TO THE:. TOP I"~ '2." Cd) ON earH>IPE"; OF THE. ST~CTUf2.E. WITf-\ LATH (9)ANV THEN l../'

THE LATH STItIPS ,fASTENING PLASTIC Sec.u~YTO THE I"~'Z." ~ ON EACH SlOE;, 1*10 THE; 'SOILFIItMLY HOLDING THE; PLASTIC TO THE:. GroUNDMCHOIt YOUIt. PLASTIC COVE:.lt.ING 6Ec.UfASIC PESIGN. ONEO ISItEOUCING THE. 'SIZE:. TO '3 FEET WIOE. AND10,'Z.O,01t ~ FEE, LONG-WITH ONLY TWOIS-INCH Gf1OW-BOXE'3 (ONE ON EACH SIPE)AND A 3D-INCH 61SLE IN THE. MIDDLE..

ANo-rHE~ CHANGE. IS TO TAPEf'. THE TOPENOS OF THE. 4-"}( 4" f'l:)SIS TO MATCH THE.CUI'1VE Of THE' ~F. THIS HE.Lf'S ,0 f'~EVENTTHE PLASTIC COVE/

NOW YOU AA:. READY TO PREPAA:. THEC;i

~~ THIO 6YPSUI'1APPLICATION (A.) ISTO BE' SP~O ONTHIO FACE. OF THE

VI~IN SOIL ,,1 THE.eorroM OF 1HEBOXES~ THE

"CUSToM-HAre SOI~:"~~~~~~~;~:::~HEDIA IS "WEt>TO FILL THE6~W~S.

B) FILL THE BOXE.~JUST LEVEL..- FULL..WITH THE.HA1EP.IA.LS YOU HAVE:CHOSEN. f(EHE:MBE~ 00 NaT OVE~FILL..soTHA.T WATE.~ WOULV ~N OFF. 00 NaTTAMP 0f1. p"q

OJ WHILe: MIXIN0,ADD JUST e:NOUGH WATEf'..TO Pt

D) NOW I f

YOUR ",REENHOU5E f>OXES) THfl.EE. PEl"-GREENHOUSE) A~ READY FOR Pt.J>.NTING. YOu C/J.NPLN-lT %0 VIRCTL.'( IN THE. eoi

HE.i"t ~IN I 15 HOW TO Pf1.EPNO-IO YOUf2..NUTI -GAAMS !"10LYe>OENLJM (-:oDIUM

\. MOLYWATE. Of/- MOLYWIC ACID)ALWAYS INCLUDE. THESE. IN THE. GflE.E.NHOU~FO~LJLA USE OUTOOO.'S IF NEEDED('SEE WPEN D1)( :n:) m: ).

FJ'ZOM THE TIME PLANTS NlG SEEDED Of'..T~SPL,b.NTED INTO THE ~HOLJ5E.G/EGINNINGTO FLOWEIi( (~)(/MATELY 4 TO CD WEEJ

THE FE~TILIZE.R MIlOVEFEEDING INC~'SE THE ,AMOUNT'S OFFEi

IF P-T /'.Ny TIME. THE PLANTS P-PPE:N

, II '

\11

THE. OVEJCKE.O TOE,ACH END OF THE Gf2OW-W>cGENTl.Y GUIDE. THE PL.ANTS~-"""'/' CLOCi

SOME. PLANTS RElSlUIRE HAND POLLINATIONIN THE. G/'l.E.E.NHOUSE. DURING THE:. WINTER. SEASONWHEJIl IT IS I

t'\{l.LE FLOWEF.CLO$E.D ft)51T10N

MALE FLOWE~OPEN POSIT JON

GENTLY TE.AI'l OFF AND ~OVE. THE PETALSOF THE MALE FLOWEf1..

~- NOW ALL THATSNECE55Af1.Y 15 TOGENTLY TOUCH THESTIGMA OF THE.FEMALE. FLOWEF. INTHE. oPEN P05IT10N.

ONE Mt--LE fLOW~-CAN TAAN5FEf1..POLLEN TO AHUi'iD~ OFt- MO~FEMALE. FLOWElt5.

II"!

POLLINATE. 6Efl.S I ANDMELONS eETWEE.N 11:00 M'I. AND 1.;~ P.M.VAlLy'o POLWJATE ONLY HeALTHY) F~5H)FULLY OPENED FEMALE. FLOWeRS. POL.L.INATEOAIL.Y FOf'. MAXIMUM FFE opENED Co INCHE'S OR WIDE.OPEN TO Pf'.OVIOE. THE ,A.IFl NEEOE-D.

1'2.0

AT HIGHEi< TEMPEPATUiY OPENING THE PLASTICI'-i

YOU CN4 ENJOY THEPL.EASU~S OFGo\,R.DEN ING EVEN IN ~.THE Q;>L.DEST WEATHER YIF YOU P/WVIDE: i

.

AD82uATE 5HaTE~ \.

AND WARMTH. _ ........AT SO"F Ofl. LOWER,PL.ANT5 BECOME. DOf

ARE i>-OElSlU,o.:fE TO I'-EE.P PLANT> G~WINGSTEADILY AL.L. WINTER. WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL.HEAT OF ANY j-YTI t-1E. TEMPEAATU.E'SFf

HE~ IS "'" EMHPLE.\) TOMArOE.S q.N BE. se:.e.oeo e>Y JULY I)

T~SPLANTE.O INTO FLATS Of'!. 4-It-lCHPOTS AND Gf10WN UNTIL- /l-UGUST.

'I.) P~FEI4\e>LY E'E.FOFlE. AUGUST 15 THESEPLANTS SHOULD f'E. TfZ!'NSPL!'-NTEOINTO THE GfZ.E.E.NHOUSE.. THEY WILL.fl.EACH THE-lIZ- M/I-)(.IMUM &f2,OWTH !'-NOFP-U1T SE.T BETWEEN NOVEMe>efZ. /l-NDVECE.He>ER I.

.

.

o

YOU NEEV ONL.Y ENOUGH AF-TIFICIALHEAT TO ~E.P THE. TEMPEAATUfZJUST /l-ecvE ~'2."F

1'2.5

3) NOT LATEI

A 1"~2" IS NAILED TO THE.OUTSIDE. FACE OF THE. +";

AT THE. 6~UND Leva THe Ffl,AME. LE.6SAt

?INGL.E TAANSPp.,~NTPLASTIC WALL.

TWO T~SP~T PLI\STIC WALLSWITH DEAD -1\11

4) ALSO FO~ MODE.MTE. eLIMA"TE: fl.E:.610NS JPf"TN-L.p..-f!oNS FOF1-AATIFICIp..L. ttE:A"T E:>E.FOf'l.. OC"ToeE.~ 10.

e:.LE.CT~IC tte,A.T L-p..MP> J TOT,A.L.ING '100 TO1'l.OO WATTS WIL.L. WO[~UAAY ISONLY AS NEeDE.D TO I'-.E..P THE. TE:MP~TUfOVe 31. F. THE. COST 0HOUL.O E>EMODEMTe.

5) ON FEBf2.UAAY IS I THE. ow TOMATO VINESAfY FEf>fl.UNE. ~WN INNIeA'S Hp..VING VEfl.Y CCL.O WINTEF1-

TEMPEMTU~'S OF f'LU", 10"F TO MINUS3Q"F FO~ ONE-Of'. "TWO-WEEI'- O(CL.E5 j

I~O

AND AVE.fE. Di'''{LIGHT TEMP~TU~SBE.TWEEN WOF NlD 45F. PLANNING FO~ WINTEf1 AND WEST.THE NOf'?TH-SIDE WALL CAN E.VEN e>E. PUGINTO THE SOUTH SLOf'E OF A HIL.L., of.JNSI AWAL.L LEAVING TIlESOUTH SIDE EXPOSEDTO THE: SUN.

- .... ,

_-------.J,-

,-,-

..----_ _-

.... ......

.... ...".................. ............ UNDEi

/I..

WITH ONLY THE'?E PF

WHAT WE. HAVE. 6E.E.N IN THIS CHAPTEf'2. \'" TAATNOfEfI.. AND L.E.T IT MOi'2-E.op.. L.E.'% COI'6T THfCOUGH OECE.Me>Ef2. ANDJANUAf'2.Y e>Y JU'i'>T I'6PING IT ALIVE.. THEFP-UI, WIL.L. ~TIl.L. 12-1PE.N DESPITE THEWINTEf" COLV AND YOU

Producing your own seedlings for transplanting Is pleasant work - and areal economy, especially If you are planting a number of grow-boxes.

t;;;r(.-SEED

STARTING YOUR GNtDENFROM TRANSPLANTS RATHER

THAN SEEDS WILL PI.TE.R. YIELDSAND 8 TO 12 WEEJ-.NS Or- BIT I UNLESSYOU GfOW THEM YOURSELF. THIS CHAPTERTELL'S you HOW TO PO IT.

Mp..~ ? OfZ.. 4- BOXES (Fl,A.TS)18 INCIlE'S '8QU~ BY3 INCHE.S VEEP. THEBOrTOMS CAN BE MADEWITH SLATS, f>-T LEASTTHREE I SEPAI

FILL THESE FLATS WITH THE. "CLlSTOM-MADE 501~USEV IN YOUILE. SUPEILE5PCON5 OF EACH).ADD WATER AND MIXTHOIWUGHLY 50 THATTHE SOl L IS 6lU ITE. .......,./WET BUT NOT 50WET THAT YOU CAN561UEEZE. WATERFIWM Ii.

LEVEL THE. '.:OILSURFACE. AND MAAfC.FOI

SEEDS MAY BE: SOWN (QUITE.CLD5E TOOETHER (~UTCoCO -1000 SEEDSPER EACH FLAT).BEWARE OF PLANTING50 MANY SEEDSTHAT PLANTS WILl.-BE C~WVEO. THISP~PUCt5 SMALL,WEAtt- 5E:OLlNGS.

HE~E IS GCOO SPACING IN THE SEEDeoxes (FLATS) FOI"- po. FEW iLlNO'SOF SEED.

"GEEDS ~11. flON ~~GE loo -12& CAULIFLOWEf2- 100-125L&TTUCE loo - 125 BfESTS 50 -15 SWISS CHA~D. 50 -15

COVER THE SEEDS LIGHTLY I AOOUT 'lY.z.-iIME.':>THEIR THICtt-NE'SS, WliH THE "CU5fot'\-MAVE eolC'

(~ 2 NolP II) SPf1.INI'-LE THE 'SOILMOVEl1.ATELY. COVE(2... WITH f>. PI CE. OF Wf1.I...I>,f'IINO iI-EE.P IT MOIST UNTIL YOU SEE. THE.FI11.-5T sPI1.OUTS. THEN) PLACE. THE. FL,I>.T5WHEI1.E. THE NEW PLANTS WILL I1.-ECEIVE NSMUCH LIGHT A'S fl:)SSI e>LE. IF WEATH~'''' COLO) I.TS IN "

G~NHOUSE Of'? po. SHe:LT~D FO~.

1?>1

IIFTEf

HEf'E IS AN EXAMPLE OF A 'SIMPLE. MAfl.KE.RMADE WITH 01 YZ-INCH - DIAMSTEr

YOU CAN FOLLOW THESE SN-'IE P~E.Dui

BE. CAREFUL IN USING ME.THYL e,&)MIDE..FOLLOW IN"STf,ME TIME BY FILLING THE. TAAySAND STACi.j

USE CE.f>.TIFIE.P SEED, IF POSSIBL.E, TOMINIMIZE DISEASE PROBL.E.MS. HEFtE IS HOW TO

T~T YOUR OWN SEED, IF YOU WISH.a) GIVE SOME SMAL.L SEEDS ~I i

3) 5E.W5 CAN f>E. 'SOWN IMMWII>-TE.LYO~ 'STOf

you CAN USE MITTLEIDEJ

IF THE. SOIL IS VE~,( ~D,( ) '" ~TOTILLEfE. USEV TO MI~ IN G~UND e",~) S{>.WDUST,PE.f>.IM055 OP- OTHE.F- SUCK Mf>-TEf-LS FOfl..BETTE!l====::::2::'t;::::J''''-', r '--"---,,,:, " ..../' /" -~ \~ ....1'....__~'"

fl..Ai

/141

/~>..)JY---

,//////"/''7!V1rl/

////~/

, ,/.', .

, ,, ,

, ., .

, ., .'

f-----X.-{

WITH A DIAMOND - POINiE-D ~DE-N iOOl-MN'-E- A FU~W AeOUi 3-iO 5-INCHE!S VEEP.USE: iHE ST~NG A'S A 6UIVE- iO t

USE. Yz -POUND(8 OUNCE.S) OF LIME:

- -., FOIt EAC H 10 FE:ET- i4:\,. OF FU~W fLOW

~ LENGTH.~ d)~~DONOT""'i'. .. ,:',,"'::' ,. i .r:' P/L.E 9l.J~PH05PHATE.15-pOUNDS POTASSIUM SUL.FATE Of/-

CHL.Ofl-IDE.75-POUNDS SULFATE OF AMMONIA.50-POUNDS MAGNESIUM SUL.FATE.5-POUND5 OOFlON (SODIUM OOAATE

Or

e) IF THE. -:'OIL IS Df

9) IF T~SPL.ANTING SEE. THi'T THE. f1O:?TSME. NO CLOSEF!. THAN ~UT ? INCHE.':>TO THE. FEf'.TI UZE.f

APPLY DOWN THE. PLANT Of

H~R~ """"'N FOf/- '(OUf/- CONVENIENCE ISTHE MITIl.E.IDEf/- NUTF1-IENT MIXTURE..MIX THE FOl.LOWING T06ETHEFt DI

TrlE. FE.RTIL.12E.R NUTRIE.NTMIXTURE IS SPREADDRY BY rlAND AND1\WATE.~D -I N IIAFTERAPPLICATION. j,

.P

APPLICATION ~Te:: FO~ EV~Y 10 FE.E.T OFfl.OW LE.N6TH SP~D BY HAND c:o OUNCESOF THIS MI)(TURE. OF NUTRIENTs IN ANAf/.fl.OW ,EVEN BAND roWN THE CENT~OF THE WATE.R FUf/.fl.OW.

PLANTS 6fl.OWN IN -mE. OPEN FUFt.f1.OW O~FIELD ME.THOD ARE. FED ONCE. EVERYTHFtEE O~ FOu~ WE.E.!'-S ONL.Y, ANO AL.Wf>.YSJUST BEFOi

The joy of successful gardenlnglllke the author, examining these choice melons, you canreap abundant harvests every time with the proven methods described In this book. SuccessIs certain because nothing Is leflto chance!

NOTHIN6 IS MO~ ~Af

HE.~E. IS HOW TO TeLL WHEN THINGS AAE:~EADY TO PICi

How simple can a greenhouse be! Here Is a standard MIUleider grow-box,large enough forall the fresh vegetables you could want, covered with a simple plastic shelter.

The sides 01 your simple "greenhouse"can be rolled up on pleasant days forventilation and tor easy working of crops,from the sides.

A standard Mittleider greenhouse, simpleand Inexpensive, provides room for thesethree grow-boxes, tilled with easy-la-work"custom-made soli." See Chapter 10.

Complete economic self-sufficiency, If you wish, on Ie.. than half on acrel Food to eat andfood to sell for your financial needs. Lush vegetable crops, melons, potatoes, tomatoes-whatever meets your needs or finds a market!

Simple, hand labor can outperform expensive equipment - the Mittleider way! Even torlarge-scale gardening operations a small rotollller is all the equipment you should everneed. Below: Simple, plastic framework provides tor covering shelter If needed.

Tall-growlng plants aresupported on strings asdescribed In Chapter 8,Page 75.

Tomalo vine Is pruned ofunneeded side growth,leaving 1I0wer and lrulibearing growth (at top).

Four Mittleider grow-boxes, easy to make, easy to work, wUl provide more than enough foodfor a large family - In a backyard space. These boxes are filled with soft, mulch-like"custom-made soil" (Chapter 4. Page 45), ready for planting an attractive garden(Chapters 5. 6).

Simple grow..boxes and simple, plastic greenhouse sheller will outperform the largestcommercial greenhouse operallor'lS at a smaUlraction of the expense. Average people cando extraordinary gardening with simple, hand tools - with certain success!

GrOW-boxes can be purchased in lour-foot increments or, as here, simply constructed byleveling and staking boards In place to hold sand-sawdust-nutrlent mixture of your choice.See Chapters 2, 3, 4 for detailed drawings and Instructions.

Simple Miltleider greenhouse takes shape. Growboxes Inplace; plastic pipe is going on to support covering.

With two layers of plastic covering, you can keep plantsgrowing through cold, cold weather, forout-of-season crops!

Detail showing framewOrk for second laye, of plastic, allready to be covered. (See Chapters 10, 12.)

In seed-starting boxes, can you mix seed varlelles?Generally speaking, yesl If sowed in rows and jf the germinationperiods are similar, several varieties can be seeded in the same box.

Can all varieties of plants be grown in the same area?Yes and no! Vining plants can smother out low-growing plants, andtall-growing plants can spoil low-growing plants by shading them.

Why do you use redwood or cedar to build grow-boxes?Only because these woods last much longer. You can use otherkinds if you don't mind rebuilding about every second year.

Should the outdoor grOW-box face north and south?This is the preferred direction but it is not imperative,

Can grow-boxes be used for commercial gardening?Certainly! A small seed-starting house and multiple grow-boxes,with cold-weather protection, can easily make you economicallyself-sufficient.

170

Appendix I 171

Can citrus fruits be grown In a greenhouse in a very cold climate?Yes, but the economics of it says, "No"!

What is the difference between chemical and mineral fertilizers?

Mainly, the words. If the word minerals were used in both casesthere could be no argument.

Are the nutrients you use organic or synthetic?With the exception of nitrogen they are neither. They are the same asthose found in mineral soils.

Is the dry, pre-plant fertilizer mix figured on square feet or cubicfeet?

On square feet - whether in the open field, the grow-box, or thegreenhouse.

Do fertilizers mixed with water deteriorate rapidly?No. They may become concentrated when the water evaporates,however, and they are corrosive.

Can the complete nutrient formula be used on berries and trees?Yes!

How do you control tomato worms?

Control the butterflies that lay the eggs that become the worms.

What makes the flowers on tomato vines fall off?

Lack of water, nitrogen deficiencies, nematodes, nutritionaldeficiencies, not enough light, fungus, and diseases.

Can white flies in the house or greenhouse be controlled?Yes, by spraying with the materials available at your supply house.

172 More Food From Your Garden

Why does the fruit of apricot trees turn brown or black at the pit?Insufficient water, excessive heat two weeks before fruit ripens,boron or calcium deficiency.

What should be done about nematodes?

Sterilize the soil or use the right chemicals to destroy them. See yourlocal agriculture officer.

Should sawdust be pretreated with nitrogen?If you want to, yes. It is not necessary.

Is it necessary to compost fresh sawdust before using?No, it can be used right from the saw.

Can mushroom compost be used in place of sawdust?

No! In grow-boxes it can be used as a supplement but not to replacesawdust because it breaks down too quickly.

Are wood ashes good to use as a soil supplement?They are valuable as a covering over seeds. They are sterilized andhave nutritional values.

Are soil-test kits practical?

No! For adequate analysis of soil in the open furrow garden, youneed the services of a good laboratory. Ask your local agricultureofficer or department.

Can waste materials from the garden be used in soil?In field gardening they can be worked into the soil where they willdecompose.

What can be done to make up for nitrogen shortages?Use nitrogen fertilizers. If unavailable, bury organic material.

These formulas are the result of more than thirty years of testingand successful food production all over the world. They are ofimmense value to anyone who wishes to greatly increase garden orfarm yields.

Purchase the materials listed at your farm, garden, or hydroponicssupply house. You may also write to J. R. Mittleider, in care of thepublisher, for a free listing of the current best sources of ready~mixed materials.

Be sure to read labels and follow instructions when using anyconcentrated materials - a rule as important in the garden as inthe kitchen or workshop. Keep such materials out of reach ofchildren and pets.

PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER FORMULAS

For mixing with your choice of "soil materials" in Mittleider Grow-Boxes (Chapter 4), before planting.

A. For Grow-Boxes in the standard 8'x30'x10' Mittleider Green-house.There are three grow-boxes inside this greenhouse - one oneach side, 15 inches wide by 30 inches long; and one in thecenter, 30 inches wide by 26 feet long (Chapter 9).

173

174 More Food From Your Garden

1. Before anything else is placed in the grow-boxes, spread twopounds of gypsum evenly over the original ground (surface)inside the frame of each 15-inch-wide box; three pounds overthe inside area of each 3D-inch center box.(In arid areas, less than 18 inches of rainfall annually,gypsum is preferred; in areas with more than 20 inches ofrainfall, agricultural lime or dolomite lime are preferred. Inany case, the lime must not be omitted or plants will suffer.)

2. Fill the greenhouse grow-boxes with the inert/organic "soil"materials you have selected (Chapter 4). Make the boxesexactly level-full, without tamping down.

3. Spread evenly, right on top of the "soil materials," thefollowing formula for each 15-inch by 3D-foot box:1 pound double superphosphate1h pound potassium sulfate or chloride1 pound sulfate of ammonia1h pound magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)1h ounce boron (sodium borate Or boric acid)

Spread separately:1 pound, 4 ounces lime (gypsum), or agricultural lime- (See1 above).For each center box, 30 inches by 26 feet, nearly double theabove formula.

4. Thoroughly mix the above fertilizers and the inert/organic"soil materials." Again level the materials in the box.

B. For Mittleider 5'x30'x8" Outdoor Grow-Boxes1. Spread 10 pounds of gypsum over the inside floor area, right

on the original soil (surface), inside each 5-foot by 30-foot bya-inch box. (See note on rainfall and lime-choice in A-1above.)

2. Fill the grow-boxes with the inert/organic "soil materials(Chapter 4), then spread this formula over the top:

Appendix 1/ 175

4 pounds double superphosphate4 pounds sulfate of ammonia2 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride2 pounds magnes'lum sulfate (Epsom salt)2 ounces boron (sodium borate or boric acid)

Spread separately:5 pounds lime (See note on rainfall and

lime-choice in A-1 above.)

PLANT-FEEDING NUTRIENT MIX

To feed growing plants throughout the entire growing cycle.whether in outdoor grow-boxes. greenhouses, or open field. (SeeChapter 7 for method of application.)Weigh accurately and mix very thoroughly together (dry):

9 pounds calcium nitrate4 pounds ammonium nitrate1% pounds diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)4% pounds potassium sulfate or chloride6 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)8 ounces iron sulfate~4 grams copper sulfate

~a grams zinc sulfate~12 grams manganese sulfate12 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)~3 grams molybdenum (sodium molybdate or

molybdic acid)'Include these for the complete mixture for greenhouse grow-boxes- always; for outdoor grow-boxes or open field. use only if visualsymptoms or soil test indicate need.This mixture is applied by hand as dry granules (Chapter 7).

176 More Food From Your Garden

OPTIONAL PLANTFEEDING NUTRIENT MIXTURE

If the complete nutrient formula above is unavailable, substitute thefollowing formula for outdoor crops, applying at the same rate as theregular formula. (Greenhouse crops will fail if the complete nutrientmixture above is not used.)Weigh carefully and mix thoroughly together (dry):

8 pounds ammonium nitrate6 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)1% pounds diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)4% pounds potassium sulfate or chloride10 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)

Note: the complete formula above and this substitute formula are forfeeding growing plants - not to take the place of the pre-plantfertilizers. This optional formula will probably produce well for twoor three years before the crops decline due to trace-mineraldeficiencies (See Appendix III). The soil cannot produce beyond itsmost limiting factor.

SEEDLING NUTRIENT SOLUTION

This is a formula for the "seedhouse" - used to feed all sproutedseeds and seedlings in the seedhouse, regardless of plant size-until they are set out as transplants. This formula is used as aconstant feed, meaning that every watering of the plants is with thissolution. Note that before seeds sprout, only water is used to keepthem moist.

Measure accurately and mix together:55 gallons water (1 drum)8 ounces ammonium nitrate2 ounces magnesium sulfate2 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride2 ounces diammonium phosphate

Appendix IJ 177

Or:3 gallons water13 grams ammonium nitrate3 grams magnesium sulfate3 grams potassium sulfate or chloride3 grams diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)

TRANSPLANTING FORMULA

This formula is for feeding and minimizing transplanting shockwhen plants are transplanted to where they will mature - in grow-boxes, in the greenhouse, or in the open furrow field. This operationis done just once, at the time of transplanting (Chapter 6).Give each plant 1 pint of this solution (makes enough for 440 plants):

55 gallons water2 pounds ammonium nitrate1 pound diammonium phosphate (21-53-0)8 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride8 ounces magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)

If local conditions indicate need, add:

4 ounces Diazinon (or similar productfor soil maggot control)

12 ounces Dithane-45, Benlate (or similar productfor control of fungus)

PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER FORMULAFOR OPEN-FURROW GARDEN OR FARM

Formula to be spread in l;! narrow band and covered carefully withsoil before planting seeds or plants. See Chapter 14 for method ofapplication.

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For 1 acre-500 pounds double superphosphate300 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride300 pounds sulfate of ammonia200 pounds magnesium sulfate20 pounds boron (sodium borate or boric acid)

Applied separately before mixing the above with the soil:800 pounds lime (in arid areas - less than 18 inches rainfall- gypsum is preferred; in areas with more than 20 inchesrainfall, agricultural lime or dolomite lime is preferred.)

For 1J4 acre - 10,000 square feet:125 pounds double superphosphate75 pounds potassium sulfate or chloride75 pounds sulfate of ammonia50 pounds magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)5 pounds boron (sodium borate or boric acid)

Applied separately:200 pounds lime (See above)

Per 100 lineal feet of plant row length:2 pounds, 12 ounces double superphosphate1 pound, 12 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride1 pound, 12 ounces sulfate of ammonia1 pound, 4 ounces magnesium sulfate24 grams boron

Apply separately:2 pounds lime (See above)

Appendix 1/ 179

Per 10 lineal feet of plant row length:4% ounces double superphosphate84 grams potassium sulfate or chloride84 grams sulfate of ammonia60 grams magnesium sulfate6 grams boron

Apply separately:4 ounces lime (See above)

Notes: There are 175 rows of plants in 1 acre - if the rows are 100feet long and spaced 30 inches apart.Weights are figured on the basis of 30 grams per ounce; 160uncesper pound.

UNITS OF MEASURE

60 drops 0 1 teaspoon3 tablespoons 0 1 tablespoon

1 tablespoon 0 % ounce16 tablespoons 0 1 cup

1 cup 0 8 ounces16 fluid ounces 0 2 cups

2 cups 1 pint'/2 liquid pint ~ 1 cup

2 pints 1 quart4 quarts = 1 gallon1 pound 0 16 ounces

1 pint = 1 pound1 gallon = 8.337 pounds (8 pounds)

1 mile 5,280 ft., or 320 rods1 acre = 43,560 square feet

or 160 square rods

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To Change Centigrade to FahrenheitMultiply centigrade by 9/5 and add 32 degrees

To Change Fahrenheit to CentigradeSubtract 32 degrees and multiply by 5/9.Equivalent Rates in Applying Fertilizers

1 ounce per square foot1 ounce per square yard

1 ounce per 100 square feet1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft.

1 pound per acre5 gallons per acre

100 gallons per acre100 gallons per acre100 gallons per acre

= 2,722.5 pounds per acre302.5 pounds per acre

= 27.2 pounds per acre= 43.6 pounds per acre

1/3 ounce per 1,000 sq. ft.= 1 pint per 1,000 sq. ft.

2V2 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft.= 20 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft.= 1 quart per 100 sq. ft.

FERTILIZER FORMULASFOR SPECIAL-SIZE GROW-IIOXES

(4' Square Segments)

PRE-PLANT FERTILIZER

4'x4'x8" Grow-Boxes6V2 ounces double superphosphate3% ounces potassium sulfate or chloride6V2 ounces sulfate of ammonia3% ounces magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)6 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)1% pounds lime'

4'x8'x8" Grow-Boxes13 ounces double superphosphate6% ounces potassium sulfate or chloride13 ounces sulfate of ammonia6'/2 ounces magnesium sulfate12 grams boron (sodium borate or boric acid)3 pounds lime*

Appendix /I 181

4'x12'xB" Grow-Boxes1 '/4 pounds double superphosphate10 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride1% pounds sulfate of ammonia10 ounces magnesium sulfate18 grams boron4112 pounds lime*

4'x16'x8" Grow-Boxes1 pound. 10 ounces double superphosphate13 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride1 pound, 10 ounces sulfate of ammonia13 ounces magnesium sulfate24 grams boron6 pounds lime*

4'x20'x8" Grow-Boxes2 pounds double superphosphate1 pound potassium sulfate or chloride2 pounds sulfate of ammonia1 pound magnesium sulfate1 ounce boron7% pounds lime

4'x24'xB" Grow-Boxes2 pounds, 8 ounces double superphosphate1 pound, 4 ounces potassium sulfate or chloride2 pounds, 8 ounces sulfate of ammonia1 pound, 4 ounces magnesium sulfate36 grams boron9 pounds lime*

"In selecting the type of lime to use follow the instructions givenpreviously for the standard size grow-boxes.

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PLANT FEEDING NUTRIENT MIX

4'x4'x8" Grow-Boxes64 grams (2 ounces)

4'x8'x8" Grow-Boxes128 grams (4% ounces)

4'x12'x8" Grow-Boxes192 grams (6V2 ounces)

4'x16'x8" Grow-Boxes256 grams (8% ounces)

4'x20'xB" Grow-Boxes320 grams (11 ounces)

4'x24'x8" Grow-Boxes384 grams (13 ounces)

Note: Apply the fertilizers and water as outlined for the standard sizegrow-boxes.

(See Color Plates for photographs of some deficiency symptoms)

Here are the nutrients plants require for growth. Deficiencies of thefirst eight most commonly produce nutritional problems.

,. Nitrogen 8. Molybdenum2. Phosphorous 9. Manganese3. Potassium 10. Copper4. Magnesium 11. Zinc5. Calcium 12. Sulfur6. Iron 13. Chlorine7. Boron

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NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCYSYMPTOMS AND CORRECTIONS

The amounts of nutrients/fertilizers recommended here are basedon:

1. The standard Mittleider greenhouse (8'x30') containing threegrow-boxes - two, lS"x30' (one on each side); and one,30"x26'in the center. The amount shown in each case is for one lS"x30'box and should be nearly doubled for the 30"x26' box.

2. The standard Mittleider outdoor grow-box (S'x30').Nutrients indicated should be spread evenly over the entire boxarea. See additional instructions for application at the end of thisAppendix..

Nitrogen DeficiencySYMPTOMS: general yellowing over entire plant; spindly,stunted growth.CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound, 12 ounces ammoniumnitrate.2. outdoor grow-box - 2 pounds ammonium nitrate.

Phosphorous DeficiencySYMPTOMS: a purplish discoloration of older leaves; stuntedgrowth, poor fruit set.CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 12 ouncesdiammonium phosphate.2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound diammonium phosphate.

Potassium DeficiencySYMPTOMS: scorching ("firing") of edges of mature leaves;shriveled seeds in cereal crops; poor fruit quality.

Appendix If! 185

CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound potassium sulfate orchloride.2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 8 ounces potassium sulfate orchloride.

Magnesium DeficiencySYMPTOMS: older leaves have dead areas and general yellow-ing; abnormally bright colors in older leaves - bright reds,oranges, yellows.CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 2 pounds magnesium sulfate.2. outdoor grow-boxes - 2 pounds, 12 ounces magnesiumsulfate.

Calcium DeficiencySYMPTOMS: dead terminal buds; stunted root growth.CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound, 8 ounces calcium nitrate.2. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 12 ounces calcium nitrate.

Iron DeficiencySYMPTOMS: yellowing of terminal buds with leaf veinsremaining green.CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 1 pound iron sulfate.1. outdoor grow-box - 1 pound, 4 ounces iron sulfate.

Boron DeficiencySYMPTOMS: death of terminal buds; black heart of tubers;flower end-rot of tomatoes.CORRECTION:1. greenhouse grow-box - 36 grams (1V4 ounces) boron, assodium borate or boric acid, mixed with 1 cup sawdust or sand.2. outdoor grow-box - 60 grams (2 ounces) boron, as sodiumborate or boric acid, mixed with 3 quarts sawdust or sand.

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Molybdenum DeficiencySYMPTOMS: "whiptail disease" (see Color Plates), narrow,long leaves, producing twisting patterns.CORRECTION:1, greenhouse grow-box - 8 grams (less than half an ounce)sodium molybdate or molybdic acid, mixed in 1 cup sawdust orsand.2. outdoor grow-box - 16 grams sodium molybdate ormolybdic acid, mixed in 1 cup sawdust or sand.

When a deficiency symptom is spotted, corrective measures shouldbe taken as quickly as possible. For example: assume that the grow-box has just been fertilized with the regular plant-feeding nutrientmix and watered. A deficiency symptom is spotted and diagnosed.Do not attempt correction on the same day as a regular feeding andwatering but don't wait a week either. The next day after spotting thesymptom, apply the corrective nutrient (as dry material spreadevenly over the box area) and water again with the regular amount ofwater. Do not repeat the corrective application until several weekshave elapsed.Note that a deficiency correction is in addition to the regularfeedingprogram, not along with it. In other words, don't simply add thecorrective nutrient to your regular feeding mixture; make a separateapplication, followed by a separate watering.

STANDARD MITTLEIDER OUTDOOR GROW-BOX(5'.30'.8")

(See drawings, Chapter 3)

Wood70 feet 1"x8"x20' redwood (or cedar) lumber25 1"x2"x18" pointed redwood stakes

Other Materials1 pound blue shingle nails1 pound 4-inch box nails

Tools1 3-pound mall or hammer1 regular-weight hammer1 level, two feet or longer100 feet strong cord

187

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MATERIALS TO CONVERT A STANDARD OUTDOORGROWBOX INTO A SIMPLE GREENHOUSE

(See drawings, Chapter 9)

A. Box covered with one layer of plastic coverWood

90 feet 1"x2" boards, 20' lengths jf possiblePlastic

152 feet J;"" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)16 314" PVC T-joints16 %" PVC 45 elbows1 p"lnt plastic cement50 feet 4 mil, 16-foot-wide clear plastic

Cut plastic pipe to these lengths:314" PVC pipe: 8 pieces, 60" long - for the width.16 pieces, 48" long - for the legs.8 pieces, 72" long - for the arched roof.1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs.

Other Materials1" metal 'U" clamps60 feet ordinary bailing wireY2 pound 2-inch galvanized nails

B. Materials for second plastic layer in colder climates

Wood210 feet 1"x2" boards, 20' lengths if possible

Plastic140 feet %" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200PST)4 %" PVC T-joints161'4" PVC 45 elbows50 feet, 4 mil, 16-foot-wide clear plastic

Appendix IV 189

Cut plastic pipe to these lengths:%" PVC pipe: 2 pieces, 64" long - for the width16 pieces, 56" long - for the legs8 pieces, 76" long - for the arched roof1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs

Other Materials50 feet ordinary bailing wire1 quart white exterior paint1 pound 2-inch box nails

Note: This list of materials does not include those needed for makingdoors on both ends of this type of greenhouse, nor an extra 60' of1"x8" boards needed to divide the grow-box, leaving an aisle downthe center. See Chapter 10 for illustrations.

STANDARD MITTLEIDER GREENHOUSE (8'.30'.10')(See drawings, Chapter 10)

A. Materials for frame, grow-boxes. and one layer 01 plastic cover

Wood60 feet 2"x6" boards, 10' or 20' lengths4 2"x6" boards, 8' length280 feet 1"x2" boards, 10' or 20' lengths8 2"x2" boards, 12' length8 2"x2" boards, 6' length200 feet 1"x8" boards, 10' or 20' lengths4 2"x4" boards, 8' length8 4"x4" posts, 9' long50 1"x2"x18" pointed redwood stakes1 bundle lath

Plastic260 feet %" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' length16 314" PVC T-joints16 %" PVC 45 elbows50 feet 2 or 4 mil clear plastic, 16' width1 pint plastic cement

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Cut plastic pipe to these lengths:%" PVC pipe: 8 pieces, 96" long - for the width16 pieces, 82" long - for the legs8 pieces, 108" long - for the arched roof1" PVC pipe: 16 pieces, 15" long - base for legs

Other Materials1 pound blue lath nails2 pounds 4-inch box nails2 pounds 3-inch box nails2 pounds 6-inch box nails4 "0" shaped door hinges, 3180 feet No.2 wire12 %"x6" eye bolts, threaded161" metal "U" clamps60 3/4" metal "u" clamps3 quarts white exterior paint

B. Materials for second layer 01 plastic in colder climatesWood

30 feet 2"x2" boards, 10' lengths180 feet 1"x2" boards, 10' or 20' lengths1 bundle lath

Plastic220 feet 3f4" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths20 feet 1" PVC pipe, lightweight (200 PST), 20' lengths4 3f4" PVC T-joints16 %" PVC 45 0 elbows50 feet 4 mil clear plastic, 16' width32 feet 4 mil clear plastic, 12" width

Cut plastic pipe to these lengths:%" PVC pipe: 2 pieces, 101%" long - for the width16 pieces, 90" long - for the legs8 pieces, 114" long - for the arched roof1" PVC pipe: 15 pieces, 15" long - base for legs

Appendix IV 191

Other Materials41" metal "U" clamps8 3/4" metal "U" clamps40 3/16"x4" threaded bolts with nuts16 2/16"x2%" threaded bolts with nuts

c. Measurements for three greenhouse grow-boxes

Materials are included above for the three standard grow-boxes inthe standard Mittleider greenhouse. Two boxes (either side ofgreenhouse) are 15" wide by 30' long, outside measurements; onebox (center) is 30" wide by 26' long - cut short 24" on both ends ofgreenhouse to allow for aisle access. See Chapter 10 for detailedillustrations.

Dramatically increased yields - and income - are possible, evenon poor land, with the simple 5'x30' grow-boxes and the inexpensiveS'x30' plastic greenhouses described in this book.The world demand for food increases daily and the problem isgrowing in intensitylThe so-called "good land" on planet Earth is already under intensivecultivation. But there are still millions of acres of "earth" lying idle inmost countries.

Over the years, crop yields per acre on this "good land" haveincreased many fold, and no doubt will be increased still more. Justhow much more remains to be seen. It is reasonable to believe thatfuture increases will be limited in comparison to the recent past.The greatest hope for providing food for an expanding worldpopulation is in the millions of acres of land that today lie unused,unproductive.

192

Appendix V 193

Until very recently, this land was regarded as worthless - but todayit has been proven that a very large part of this "worthless" land canbe used very easily and with maximum results.Simple grow-boxes, covered where necessary by inexpensive,plastic greenhouses, present the key to agricultural use of this land.Their dramatic productiveness in our Mittleider demonstrationprojects in many countries is unchallengeable.Look at the following comparative figures - you will be surprised!

Comparison 01 grow-box/greenhouse farmingwith some other types of farming

Crop: CABBAGE

Conventional Tractor FarmingNumber of plants per acreAverage weight per headMarketable heads per acreMarketable cabbage per acreCrop income per acre at 8lf: lb.Possible crops per yearPotential income per acre, per year

5'x30'8" Grow-Boxes

14-15,0003 pounds

40-50%24,000 pounds

$1,9202 (?)

$3,840

Number of plants per grow-box 135Grow-boxes per acre 156Plants per acre (135x156 19,000Average weight per head 3 poundsMarketable heads per acre 90%Marketable cabbage per acre 51,300 poundsCrop income per acre at 8 lb. $4,004Possible crops per year 2 or 3Potential income per acre at 2 crops $8.008Note: Conventional farming requires heavy mechanization. Grow-box farming, after the small cost of lumber. requires virtually noequipment - just one 7HP rototiller is all the machinery needed.Grow-boxes organize farming so that hand labor can compete withfarm machinery - and make it possible to use much of the poorestand heretofore unusable land.

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Crop: TOMATO

Large, Automated, Hydroponic Greenhouse

Greenhouse sizeCost to construct and equipTomato plants per greenhouseFruit per house, per cropFruit per plant (6-months picking)Fruit per acre (9 houses)Crop income per house, per crop at 25 lb.Crops per yearCrop income per house, per yearIncome potential per acre per year

150'x30' (1/9 acre)$25,000

1,68010 pounds

16,800 pounds75 tons$4,200

1V2$6,300

$56,700

Simple, 8'x30'x10' GreenhouseGreenhouses per acre 86Cost to construct and equip, inc. heat $385Tomato plants per greenhouse 150Fruit per plant (4 months picking) 14-20 poundsFruit per house, per crop at 16 lb. 2,400 poundsFruit per acre (86 houses) 103 tonsCrop income per house, per crop at 25 lb. $600Crops per year 2Crop income per house per year $1,200Income potential per acre per year $103,200Note: Modern hydroponic greenhouses require much equipmentand continuous, fixed monthly expenses for operating.The Mittleider 8'x30' greenhouse (except for the simple heatingequipment already included in the $385 construction cost) requiresno special equipment or machinery to operate. This eliminates theheavy monthly expenses and turns man-hour production into readycash.

As the figures indicate, there is an improvement in crop yields withthe small greenhouse and it allows the use of land formerlyconsidered "worthless."

Deficiency Symptoms in Vegetable Plants

(Corrective Treatments Per 30-long Row)

BORON (1-2 ounces Borax)General Symptoms Rosette Crown terminal buds; Death of terminal buds; leaves

are an off-green color; leaves are distorted; leaves are brittle, stiff, along margins; flowers and pods fail to mature. Cotyledons enlarged and true leaves of young plants turn purple; terminal shoots curl upward and die; blossom end rot of fruit. Black Heart in tubers.

Variety Specific Symptoms

Bean Death of terminal buds; leaves are an off-green color; flowers and pods fail to grow.

Beet Rosette terminal buds; leaves die in crown; roots show heart-rot and dry-rot; leaves are red, small and deformed.

Broccoli Head and margins of leaves are rust-brown discoloration; leaves become necrotic; stems of curds are hollow.

Cabbage Stems are hollow in the head region; leaves are distorted; leaves are brittle, stiff, along margins; leaves making up the head are unattached.

Cantaloupe Rosette terminal bud; and death of terminal buds.

Carrot Margins of leaves yellow, followed by red; roots split long and wide.

Cauliflower Same as broccoli.

Celery Crosswise cracks in the petioles; small center leaves turn brown.

Corn Growing point dies; no silk and no ears develop.

Lettuce Distorted terminal leaves; death of growing point.

Onion Leaves are deep bluish-green color; basal leaves develop transverse cracks on upper side.

Pea Yellow or white veins in leaves; terminal bud dies; blossoms shed; pods are poorly shaped and empty.

Potato Older leaves curl upward at margins; bushy appearance of plant; foliage thick and brittle; older leaf stalks break off easily

Radish Terminal bud dies; tubers crack and become hollow.

By Jacob R. Mittleider Edited by Jim Kennard 2010 Food For Everyone Foundation

Variety Specific Symptoms

Tomato Cotyledons and true leaves of young plants turn purple; terminal shoots curl upward and die; blossom end rot of fruit.

CALCIUM (16 ounces lime or gypsum)General Symptoms - Margins of leaves are light colored; leaves of terminal buds have

dead tips; plant growth is stunted. Leaves roll up at margins with necrotic edges. Death of terminal bud; older leaves - small to large portions of the leaf collapse, brown and die. Condition moves up the plant to younger leaves; warty appearance o