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Dillsburg, PA

I have learned a great deal this year in changing my approach to growing. Not an expert by any means but I continue learn and listen to a variety of opinions. Here are some things every grower should do before they plant.
1. Soil test- this will tell you how you should use ferts during the year. I always used 20/20/20 and aged my plant prematurely. Until realizing after my soil test this year (all my nutrients were sky high). I cut back to fish/seaweed/mollassis and my plant looks awesome still and it having to weather a very hot summer of almost constant 90's.
2. If your soil test comes back good/high I would lay off the high ferts.
3. Adding anything like 0-0-60 will put your plant into shock and damage your soil. It takes a while for this things to leach out of the soil.
4. Early control of disease and bugs is a must. If PM gets into your patch it is very hard to contain. Rotate these products never using the same twice in a row.
5. These things get huge. Allow enough room. Never allow a plant to be out of control. Prune and direct vines when things get tight.
Good Luck, Jeff

8/9/2005 6:39:55 PM