Grow With Veseys Collection
This collection contains 3 pkgs, 1 each of Hampton Organic Lettuce, Little Birdy Red Robin Tomato and Matrix Jewel Pansy.
Hampton Organic Lettuce: Hampton is the perfect lettuce for a quick salad. With one easy cut, the leaves become unattached individually from each other and are ready to eat.
Little Birdy Red Robin Tomato: A member of the Little Birdy series, Red Robin is a compact, red, determinate cherry tomato. Plants are ideal for 5-6" pots or hanging baskets.
Matrix Jewel Pansy: Large-flowered pansies at their best that will put on an unmatched colour show for all to see. The Matrix series features a no-stretch habit that keeps them looking fabulous all summer, especially during the cool season. Great for pots or as a punch of colour in your landscape.
Details
Growing Information
Lettuce Planting:
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date for transplants. Direct seed in early spring, as seed will germinate between 40-80 degrees F. Sow thinly 1⁄4 inches deep. Spacing: Leaf types - 6 inches apart with 12 inches rows. Make succession plantings every 1-2 weeks to ensure a constant harvest.
Growing: Choose an area with full sun to partial shade and soil pH of 6.2-6.8. Lettuce is a heavy feeder and prefers a rich, well cultivated soil with good drainage. Some success can be expected even in poor soils using the loose-leaf types. Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting. Benefits from regular feedings with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Mulching is useful to keep soil cool and reduce weeds.
Harvesting: Harvest lettuce early in the morning. Looseleaf types can be picked as soon as leaves are large enough to eat. Harvest head types when they are firm and well wrapped. If your lettuce becomes bitter during warm weather, wash and place in the fridge for a couple of days before eating.
Pests & Diseases: Distract insects by using row covers and companion planting. Rotenone and Trounce will control aphids, plant bugs and leaf hoppers. Slugs cherish lettuce; use slug bait to control slugs.
Companions: Most vegetables, carrot, garlic, onion and radish make the best companions.
Tomato Planting:
Tomatoes are tender plants and are very susceptible to frost damage. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow 2-3 seeds in 1x1 inch cells and thin to 1 plant after germination. Cover seed with 1⁄4 inches soil and provide a constant soil temperature of 21-26 degrees C. Once plants are up, a growing light is necessary, or seedlings will become tall and spindly. After plants develop 1-2 sets of true leaves, transplant into 3 inches jiffy pots. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks starting at half strength and increasing to full strength over 6 weeks. Seedlings benefit from watering with Epsom salts, use 1 Tbsp of Epsom salts per gallon. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed. When transplanting, space 24-36 inches apart with rows at least 36-48 inches apart.
Growing: Full sun location, preferably with good air circulation. Soil pH of 6.0-6.5. Heavy feeders, prefer a warm, well-drained soil of good fertility and cultivation. Add plenty of compost and well-rotted manure prior to planting. Feed regularly during the growing season with a compost tea or well-balanced fertilizer. Avoid excessive nitrogen, particularly before fruit set. Provide even moisture during fruit set and development. Excessive watering can increase fruit size but decrease flavour.
Harvesting: Pick fruit when fruit is firm and turning red. Overripe tomatoes rot quickly.
Pests & Diseases: Protect from cutworms by using protective collars around the plant stem or place cornmeal around plant base. Blossom end rot (a brownish-black, sunken dead area that forms on the bottom of the fruit) is a condition caused by a calcium deficiency due to uneven watering. Blight, another disease common to tomatoes is caused by warm, humid conditions particularly if plants have not been given some support to keep foliage off the ground. Use copper or sulphur sprays to help prevent blight. Good air circulation along with proper rotation will help to prevent onset of this harmful disease.
Companions: Asparagus, basil, bush bean, cabbage, carrot, celery, chive, cucumber, lettuce, onion, pepper.
Pansy Planting:
Start inside 8 weeks before planting out. Lightly cover seed, provide total darkness and normal room temperatures. Should germinate in 10-20 days. May also be direct seeded into the garden in early spring or early autumn. Transplant outside in early spring into a part shade location.
Growing: Only plant in full sun in areas with cool summers. Very frost tolerant and prefers cool, moist conditions. Provide rich, moist well-drained soil. A mulch is often helpful. Deadhead regularly to ensure that plants bloom all season. Self-seeds.
