| My 5 yr old and I have started vegetable seeds in containers and will transplant soon outside. Can you recommend a book or web site where I can get specific info on what to do with the plants once they start to grow? For instance stake, trellis, when and what to fertelize with. The gourds packet said it will grow 10ft. but is that upward or on a vine like a watermelon? |
| Gourds, like other members of the squash family, grow as a vine and can be allowed to trail over the ground or grow upward onto a trellis. Mine have done best on a trellis or a fence. (Note that large gourds will need some support so they don't pull the vine off the trellis with their weight. Make a sling out of soft fabric and tie to the trellis.) The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening published by Rodale Press is a good reference. I have found it valuable to have. You can order it online at www.Amazon.com Your local bookstore will also carry a selection of gardening books, or you can borrow some from your library to see which ones you find most helpful. Neighbors are often a great source of information too. Gardeners certainly love to talk about their gardens! Consider subscribing to National Gardening Magazine. You can subscribe through the web site: http://www.garden.org Your County Extension Office is a good source of help. The office is located in Bartow. The telephone number is (941) 533-0765. And, of course, if you have specific questions, feel free to submit another question via the web site! |
