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Gardening 101

Planting
Prosperty

Dont
overwater
your vegetable
seedlings.
Sufficient moisture
is critical to avoid
drought stress; however, overwatering
leaches nutrients and
wastes time and money. Invest in a few moisture sensors to stick
into your soil to gauge
when your plants need
a little more H2O.

Urban gardener Ron Finley

shows how to plant your
own vegetable patch and
improve your diet

B y A m y El i s a K e i t h

68

v i s i t e b o n y. c o m / M A Y 2 0 1 4

Gardening has
been my meditation,
says Ron Finley.
Its my catalyst to
change the world.

W h at to p l a n t n o w

Collard
Greens

Sweet
corn

Where:

Where:

Plant in the garden

soil in wide rows
with ample sun.

A small square plot

is enough to plant
one variety, such as
Incredible Corn, of
these tall stalks.

How:
3

from top: 1. An overall look at Fin-

leys backyard garden, including a

composting station inside
his emptied swimming pool.
2. Succulents and leafy vegetables reside in shopping carts and
toy wagons. 3. Finley unlocks the
sweet aroma of homegrown spices.
4. Pruning curbside is a daily ritual
for the Gangster Gardener.
4

p h o to g r a p h s c o u r t e s y R o n f i n l e y

arrots, collards, sweet corn

and zucchini are just a few
of the delicious vegetables
you can plant this month in
order to satisfy your epicurean cravings. And, according to gardener and activist
Ron Finley, there has never
been a more critical time to start.
[In parts of] Chicago, New Orleans and South
Los Angeles, where I live, there are food deserts,
says Finley. No fresh food can be found for miles.
Only fast food, liquor stores and dialysis centers.
This state of food emergency has been the biggest
catalyst for Finley to start his garden on the front
lawn and in his backyard near Crenshaw Boulevard,
a stones throw from the new Metro line.
Nicknamed the Gangster Gardener, Finley insists, The drive-thrus are killing more people than
the drive-bys.
Before arranging dozens of pots and a trio of shopping carts as reimagined planters, Finley begins the
growing process by placing seedlings in moist containers to germinate, much the same way he learned
in elementary school. Hundreds of neighbors walking by his home smelling lavender, seeing dragonflies and hummingbirds buzzing about, tasting his
white strawberries and also sampling ripe bananas,
straight off the tree; however, the real fruit of his labor is that many of his neighbors are inspired to start
their own edible gardens.
His best advice for novices is, Plant what you eat.
If you dont eat it, dont plant, says Finley, whose
urban gardening TED Talk has garnered nearly 2
million views. Every so often, plant something that
you havent had [in order] to enjoy a new flavor.
Although you may think its too late to grow all
your favorite veggies, May is a great frost-free month
to kick things off, thanks to the warm temperatures.
The soil is perfect for the fast germination of summertime cooking staples. Whether you have sprawling acres or a square of concrete in the backyard,
get started with this easy-to-follow guide on what to
plant this month and how.

Sow seeds 8 to 12
inches apart and
less than 1 inch
deep. Wide-row
growing extends the
harvest into summer because the
soil in the row stays
cooler. The cooler
the soil, the better
flavored your crop
will taste.
Harvest:

How:

In full sun, sow

seeds 2 inches
apart, 1 inch deep,
allowing 1 foot between rows.

Little
finger
carrots
Where:

Plant these
small veggies in
raised beds.
How:

In full sun, sow

seeds 1/4 to 1/2
inch deep in fine
soil, 1 to 2 inches
apart in rows 12
inches apart.

Harvest:

Harvest:

September, usually
after about 11 weeks
for full maturity

September, after
about 10 weeks;
germination takes
about 12 days

Mint

Zucchini

Where:

Where:

Grow in a window
box, large pot or in
the garden. Mint
likes deep, moist
soil in a partially
shaded position.

Plant a variety such

as Cocozelle in a
well-composted,
raised bed with
mulch.

How:

Plant 4 to 5 seeds
about 3 feet apart
and in 1/2 to 3/4
inches of fine firm
soil. Water regularly
in full sun. Avoid
growing alongside
potatoes.

Plant roots or seedlings 2 inches deep

and 6 inches apart.
Harvest:

From late spring

until early autumn;
takes about 8 to
12 weeks

How:

Harvest:

July, after 7 weeks;

zucchini will grow to
about 12 inches long

August, after about

8 to 11 weeks
may 2 0 1 4

Dont
plant in the
off-seasons.
Wondering why your
turnips wont turn up?
It could be the wrong
season. Depending
on the climate in your
region, you could be
planting and harvesting at the wrong time.
Resources such as the
USDAs Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the
calendars on Gardenate.com will help you
plan for homegrown
success.
Dont
overuse
chemicals.
Finley insists that
Mother Nature is far
better than any product you can purchase
from the local nursery.
Instead of a spray
weed killer, the nonchemical approach is
to pull out weeds and
their roots as you dig.
Composting and using
fallen leaves for mulch,
Finley says, can be
better than options
sold in stores.
/ v i s i t e b o n y. c o m

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