SIMMONS FARM 

A Local Farmer Growing For You

market@simmonsfarm.com
Planting your own garden
Greenhouse Now Open
Plant your own home garden!
Let us help you grow your garden

- We carry over 15 varieties of Tomatoes, 12 varieties of Peppers, Zucchini, Cabbage, Onions, Melons, Cucumbers, Perennial Herbs and many more.

- We carry the old varieties, that are tried and true. We also have the most up to date varieties available today. All of which we trust in our own fields.

- All vegetables are available at the Farm and the Rt.19 locations. 

- Stop in and let our knowledgeable staff  assist you in your selection, and in getting your plants off to a healthy start.

- For more information call (724) 941-1490 or email market@simmonsfarm.com
Step 1: Selecting your site.
- Select a site close to your home, you will be more likely to monitor and maintain your garden.
- Select a well drained site, this will help prevent diseases.
- Site needs at least 6 hrs. of sun a day but 10 would be ideal.
- Doing a soil test is the best way to tell if your site is suitable for vegetable plants. A pH of 6.0 - 6.5 will provide the best growing medium for your plants.
- Soil tests can be done through the penn state extension office, check out their website for details.
http://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/soil-testing/soil-fertility-testing 
2. Site Preparation.
-Plants require nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium for healthy growth.
- These can be added to the soil through fertilizers, based on your specific garden requirments.
- You can use organic or inorganic fertilizer, each have there advantages it is best to find which fits your specific garden.
3. Plant Selection.
- First choice you need to make is to use seed or transplants.
- If you want to use transplants it is best to select ones that are tried and perform in your area.
- All of the varieties that we grow have been grown in western PA for years.
- It is also important to start with disease free plants. All of our plants come from seed that is certified virus and disease free. If you buy seed to grow your self we recommend buying it from a trusted supplier, ball seed, harris seed, or seedway.
- We also recommend trying a new variety each season in small numbers to see if it will work in your garden. Ask us if you need a recommendation or want to know what we are growing in our fields.
4. Preventing Disease and Insects
- The best prevention for disease and insects are healthy plants. All plants have natural disease and insect prevention tactics, as long as they are kept healthy.
- Avoid water on the plant surfaces, use drip irrigation or water as close to the roots as possible.
- If using fertilizer do not over apply nitrogen, excessive soft tissue encourages insects.
- Encourage beneficial insects, this means insects that eat other insects. Once you identify your pest you may be able to match it with a natural predator. We can help identify your pest or contact your local extension agent.
- It is also best to sanitize all equipment before working with your crops. Cleaning any old plant debris off with bleach or alcohol can greatly reduce the transmission of diseases.
5. Container Gardens
-If a full size garden is not for you maybe a container garden is more your fit. You can use any container that fits your needs, however it is recommended that you use at minimum of 14inch.
- Select plants that are more compact, like tomatoes and eggplant may need staked.
- Plants like cucumbers may benefit from being raised up so when they vine they do not touch the ground.
- When planting tomatoes it is best to plant an early and late variety, as well as a grape or cherry tomato. This will provide tomatoes throughout the season.
- Just like conventional gardens container gardens need fertilizer. It is recommended that you use low nitrogen fertilizers combined with slow release fertilizers. This will help reduce unwanted strech that can cause problems in container gardens.
- Stop in and see us if you want a pre made container garden or need help getting started. Also if you have questions you can email us at market@simmonsfarm.com.
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http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetaGet more detailed information atble-fruit/production-guides/vegetable-gardening
More information can be found at Penn State Extension website.
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/vegetable-fruit/production-guides/vegetable-gardening.
Early Tray and Basket Growth
Early Hanging Basket growth
Early Pot and Basket Growth