Maximum Yield USA December 2016 | Page 104

SEASONAL GROW TIPS Out-of-town Safety, Breaker Flip When breakers flip, they can throw off the whole growroom. The timers will be offset exactly by the amount of time that the breaker was flipped off until corrected. This could be minutes, hours, or even days. Depending on the duration of the loss of power, plants can be completely thrown off cycle, especially if their growing cycle is photoperiod dependent, meaning their cycles are triggered by the amount of dark (or light) they get in a 24-hour day. There are precautions proactive gardeners can take to protect their crops from this sort of occurrence. Just ask around at the hydro shop. 102 Maximum Yield USA  |  December 2016 Crop Rotations and Timing Vacations A simple way to maximize efficiency in annual garden production is to time vacations accordingly. Gardeners who plan ahead can easily take a two-week break during the holidays, or better yet, take cuttings or start seedlings right before leaving. With proper planning, gardeners can return home to see beautiful roots or seedlings. If vacations are timed properly in the cycle of the crop, this can be taken to the next level by planning for nutrient feedings, pruning, trimming, or other thoughtfully planned tasks. By planning ahead for garden tasks such as timing watering schedules or even overwatering, flushing, or refeeding your plants at the beginning of a vacation, gardeners can return to a thriving and even more beautiful crop. When leaving on vacation during crucial garden times, the more seasoned gardeners make sure there is a trusted friend available to help or plan to do the task(s) right before leaving or right upon returning. Otherwise, lack of planning can be detrimental to the entire crop. Don't return to stressed plants, do some planning and return to a thriving crop. Either way, it is really up to you, so plan ahead with some critical thinking on what the garden will need and want during your next vacation. GARDENERS WHO PLAN AHEAD can easily take a two-week break during the holidays, or better yet, take cuttings or start seedlings right before leaving."