General fertilizer recommendations for several vegetables are listed. This is the amount of complete fertilizer such as 8-24-24 or equivalent to add per 100 feet of row on soils of low to medium fertility.

For soils of higher fertility, reduce the rate about 25% to 50%. Remember that 1 pint of fertilizer is equal to about 1 pound.

*Requires at least one sidedressing of about 3/4 pounds (about 1 ½ cups) of ammonium nitrate per 100 feet of row or per 300 square feet. Additional sidedressings are beneficial in obtaining high yields. A substitute for ammonium nitrate is a A substitute for ammonium nitrate is a 33-0-0 product containing urea and ammonium sulfate. Another would be nitrate of soda. Soil pH will determine which product to use.

NOTE: An 8-24-24, 7-21-21, or 6-24-24 is usually a better fertilizer than 8-8-8 for most vegetable crops because of the low ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus and potassium. One of these should be available in your area. If 8-24-24, 7-21-21 or 6-24-24 is not available, don't hesitate to use 8-8-8, 13-13-13, or other complete fertilizer.

Hardening Off" Vegetable Transplants
Before vegetable plants are transplanted in the garden, they should be "hardened off". This means gradually subjecting them to adverse growing conditions. To harden off transplants, water lightly and less frequently, and gradually expose plants to lower temperatures by opening the top of the hot bed or cold frames or by setting the plants outside for longer periods each day and night. This is usually accomplished over 5 to 10 days.

By the time the plants are transplanted, they will be better adapted to outdoor conditions. Just before setting the plants in the garden, water them well.