The days are getting longer, garden catalogs are arriving in the mail; now is the time to get those trees pruned and the garden equipment ready to go.
Remember to pickup some extra sparkplugs for the small engines, fresh gasoline and always change that oil. Did you know that old engine oil is the number one reason for poor engine performance and permanent damage to the cylinders? It is always better to change the oil more often, at least every 20 hours of operation, than to leave the engine neglected. Check the oil level before every use.
Depending upon where you live, new seeds should be in the flats, January and February, and kept amply warm for quick germination. Seed flat temperatures can range from 60 to 80 degrees F.
Keep a piece of plastic food wrap over the soil until the seeds germinate, along with a good moisture content.
Be aware of the dreaded white fungus around those small seedling stems. This is a good indication of too much moisture, not enough air ventilation and perhaps poor potting soil.
Sterilize the soil in a 225 degree F oven for about an hour before planting with new seeds, especially tomatoes and peppers.
