• About 5 weeks before you want to transplant outside, buy tomato seed of your choice, potting wafers or soil, and planting pots. We use the Wonder Soil® expanding potting mix wafers with Ecologic starter pots and tray so the pot/plant can be put directly into the ground when ready.
• Place a wafer in each of your starter pots and wet them well with warm water. Once the wafer has expanded, poke a hole in the top and put a seed in the hole about 1/4″ in. Then brush soil over the hole to cover it.
• Put the seeded starter pots under direct light- a flourescent light on a shelf works well. The light should be no more than 6″-8 ” above the pots.
• Keep the soil damp and the plants should sprout in about 7 to 10 days.
• Keep the plants in the direct light and moist until they are ready to transplant outside. Do not transplant until the soil is warm and the temperature at night is consistently above 50 degrees.
• You are ready to transplant outside once the the plant is about 6″ tall and has several sets of leaves.
• Dig the hole for the plant and water well. Once the water has soaked in, fill the hole about 1/4 full with organic fertilizer before adding the plant and more soil.
• Pinch off the first 2 leaves at the bottom of the stem before transplanting. Put the plant into the soil with the stem covered over the bottom set of leaves. Fill in with organic soil. The tomato will grow roots from the stem and will be stronger.
• Water the plant well with liquid organic compost tea.  Cut the top and bottom off a gallon plastic jug and place around the tomato to protect it from the wind and allow it to “harden”.
• Once the plant is sturdy and about 10″ tall, remove the plastic around it.
• You should have tomatoes in about 60 days!

- Ann Ruten, Sisters Gardens ‘Organic Woman’. As always, this is just our experience. No guarantees.

Have a question? Ask Ann.

One of the first things a gardener learns is that the soil is the key. Composting is nature’s way of making natural fertilizers, in turn giving you rich, dark, fruitful soil. It really is quite easy, so give it a try.

COMPOSTING
Composting is the science of combining organic materials under controlled conditions so that the original raw ingredients are transformed into humus – a natural fertilizer.
Organic decomposition occurs constantly and gradually in nature. When you build a compost pile, you intervene to speed things up and create a source of high quality nutrition and soil ammendments for your garden. Compost improves soil structure and moisture retention and can protect your plants from many diseases.

Building A Compost Pile – LAYER, MOISTURE, TURN, HEAT/BAKE
Ingredients: The quality and quantity of the materials you use affects the process and determines the nutrient value of your finished compost. Compost organisms require the correct proportion of carbon and nigrogen, called the C/N ratio, the ideal being 25:1. It’s not as hard, however, as it might sound. Rule of thumb is 1/3 dry materials to 2/3 green materials.

LAYER:
Begin your pile by placing regular soil about 2″ deep. Then alternate layers of high carbon materials: brown or yellow, dry and bulky – such as sawdust, dried leaves, and shredded paper; then high nitrogen materials- green and moist, such as fruit and vegetable waste, green leaves and grass clippings.
Materials to avoid when composting: animal wastes and products, as they may carry disease organisms and will cause your compost pile to have an odor. Also avoid meat scraps and fatty materials such as egg shells and dairy products, as these break down slowly and attract insects and animals.

MOISTURE:
A good compost pile is about as damp as a sponge. To control moisture levels in your compost pile build your pile on a site that is well-drained or put it on a bottom layer of sand or gravel so it never sits in a puddle. Sprinkle each layer with water as you construct each layer and when you turn the pile.

TURN:
Compost piles need aeration, enough air to encourage thorough composition. Frequent turning, with a pitchfork or shovel is an efficient way to aerate.

HEAT/BAKE:
Compost piles bake, as heat builds up in the pile and the organisms break down. Therefore, your compost pile needs to be in an area that receives sunshine at least 4 hours per day. You can tell if your pile is baking correctly if you place your hand inside the pile, and it is very warm.

Sisters Gardens offers composters that can add speed for composting, as well as dried molasses to enhance the nutrients.

Disclaimer: all information provided on our blog is our comments only, and is not guaranteed in any way.

Installation on Existing Chain Link Fence
Required tools/materials: Pliers, Diagonal Cutter, Tie Wire (14-16 gauges galvanized)
1. With a helper, straighten out the bamboo roll to eliminate any kinks.
2. With a helper,  hold bamboo roll against chain link fence to ensure that bamboo roll is level and one inch above the ground (helpful hint-set bamboo on top of one inch thick scrap piece of lumber).
3. Attach bamboo roll to chain link fence with galvanized steel tie wire every twelve inches altering top to bottom. Make sure that the fence is straight and level. Trim excess wire.
4. Enjoy your beautiful, tropical, eco-friendly bamboo fence!

Installation on Block/Brick Wall
Required tools/materials: Cordless drill, 2×4 treated lumber for horizontal rails, powder actuated tool with proper load and nail, or Topcon system (to attach rails), desk screws, and tapered drill bit with countersink attachment
1. Attach 2×4 near top and bottom of wall utilizing either your PAT, or Topcon system. Make sure the horizontal rail is level and flush with the wall (remove excess mortar prior to installation).
2. With a helper, hold flattened bamboo roll against horizontal rails. Pre-drill the bamboo poles with a drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the deck screw (this protects the bamboo from cracking or splitting). Fasten bamboo roll onto horizontal tails at 12” increments. Alternate top to keep fence straight and level.
3. Enjoy your beautiful, tropical, eco-friendly bamboo fence!

Installation on Existing Wooden Fence
Required tools/materials: Cordless drill, level, and Wood Screws (2”-2 ½”), tapered drill bit with countersink attachment.
1. Check that existing wood posts are secure and free of rot.
2. With a helper, hold flattened bamboo roll against either side of the existing fence. Raise bamboo roll 1” above ground level if necessary (alleviates soaking up moisture).
3. Pre-drill bamboo poles, then attach bamboo roll beginning at either top corner of existing fence (you can attach it to either the 2×4 or the wood fence panel).
4. Alternate top to bottom every 12” .
5. Enjoy your beautiful, tropical, eco-friendly bamboo fence!

New Fence Construction
Required tools/materials: Cordless Drill, Level, Tapered drill bit with countersink attachment, 4′x4′ treated lumber (fir or redwood for posts), 2′x2′ treated lumber (fir or redwood for posts), 1”x4′ treated lumber for horizontal trim, 2′x6′ treated lumber for top cap, 2” deck screws-use contemporary color.
1. Dig holes 6′ apart and at least 18-24” deep. Insert 4′ x 4′ post into holes and fill with concrete. Make sure post is plumb and level and 6’’1’’ inside diameter from post to post.
2.  Install horizontal rails neat the top and bottom of the posts (6-12”). Make sure the horizontal rails are flush with the back of the 4′x4′ post.
3.  With a helper, hold flattened bamboo roll against the horizontal rails. Pre-drill the bamboo poles with drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of the deck screw (this protects the bamboo from cracking or splitting). Fasten bamboo roll onto the horizontal rails at 12′ increments with a 2” deck screw. Alternate top to bottom to keep fence straight and level.
4.  Attach 1′ x 4′ lumber to top and bottom of fence (trims out fence).
5.  Enjoy your beautiful, tropical, eco-friendly bamboo fence!

Facts: Bamboo will naturally age to a grey-silvery color. This aging can be slowed down by maintaining your bamboo just as you maintain any outdoor wood product. We recommend using a wood sealant such as TWP-300 and Sikkens Cetol One.
Bamboo may mildew in wet weather. Use a 1 part bleach, and 3 part water solution. Use a spray bottle to spray solution onto fence. Leave on for 20 minutes; rub with a green Scotch Brite pad, then rinse the fence with a pressure washer. This is best done on a warm (75°-85°) day. Allow bamboo to dry thoroughly and then seal with a good quality oil based sealer that is UV resistant.
Bamboo may crack or split. This is a natural process and does not affect the integrity of the bamboo. 
Sisters Gardens is not responsible for the conditions listed above. We suggest that you apply a good quality oil based sealer to your bamboo fence immediately after installation.

When new and black, coat your wrought iron pieces with a polyurethane protective varnish.
Then, at least once a year:
Wash your wrought iron with soapy water and a soft brush or sponge.
Rinse with warm water and let dry.
Coat with a polyurethane protective varnish.