Seeding a Salsa Garden

The weather is warming, and green thumbs are itching. Magazines are featuring colorfully crisp, tailored patios surrounded by flowers and container gardens. This makes you stare longingly out into the back yard, plotting your acre. While planning your vegetables, set aside a small space for a salsa garden. Not only is it colorful, but you can't beat the sweet and zesty homemade condiment that can bring a smile to the most finicky of eaters.

The basic salsa ingredients are tomatoes, cilantro, onions and peppers (either hot or sweet). Many gardeners prefer purchasing the plants, but it seems even more are willing to try their patience through the seeding period. Here are a few tips for prepping your seeds.

If you insist on onions off the vine, plan on starting them in October. Long-day onions (14-16 hours) generally grow better in the north, while short-day (10-12 hours) do best in the south. Onions generally grow best on raised beds about 20 inches off the ground. Bury the seed a quarter of an inch deep in the soil. They should start sprouting in 7-10 days. Insure there is at least three inches between plants. They should start to yield within 8-10 weeks.

The alternative, in case the utterly brilliant idea of a salsa garden has just struck you, is to plant onions in a container. Seedlings can be planted in late February/early March, and must be transplanted by May. Decide on the number of plants you are aiming for, and choose the containers accordingly. Plan on three plants to a five gallon bucket. Again, bury the seeds a quarter of an inch deep. Make sure you have adequate lighting. If you can't place the container beside a well-lit window, consider purchasing a shop light. Make sure the tubs provide drainage, and plan on giving them two to three inches of water a week. Check with your local professional to see which varieties are best suited for container growth.

Tomatoes should start 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Create small furrows in your soil about a quarter of an inch deep, and drop the seeds in. Water, then keep the seeds in a warm place, about 75-80 degrees. Once you see the plant, make sure it receives plenty of light. Upon producing healthy leaves, it can be transplanted into the containers, leaving room to expand and grow. Tomatoes generally do better in four or five gallon containers.

Soak pepper seeds until they sink to the bottom of the cup, then plant them about a month after the tomatoes go in. They should be about a half inch apart. Try keeping the temperature around eighty degrees, and keep the soil moist. Pepper seeds do best under very bright light, so again a shop light is preferable. Once the plant sprouts two leaves, they are ready to be transplanted. If planting outdoors, place them 12-18 inches apart. Or you can select a two-gallon container, leaving room for growth.

Cilantro seeds should be buried one-fourth on an inch below the surface of the soil after the last frost. Pick off any spent flowers to keep the growth under control. This herb can be grown in any size pot.

Before starting your salsa garden, do your research. Find out which varieties will be more productive in your climate. Explore the different varieties of plants. You may want sweet tomatoes or sweet peppers, or you may want something more spicy. Check through the countless recipes on the internet and find one that appeals to you, then purchase your seeds accordingly. And seeing as how everyone has their own green thumb, take advantage of the countless gardening tips that are available through the websites below.

www.gardeningknowhow.com
www.davesgarden.com
www.reneesgarden.com