Vegetable Gardening

List four things to consider when choosing a site for a vegetable garden.

Draw a simple garden plan that allows for successive planting of early and late harvest vegetables.

Describe the steps in maintaining a vegetable garden.

Learning Objectives

Cole crops (Brassica) ◦ Cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower,

kohlrabi, mustard Cucurbits

◦ Cucumber, cantaloupe, watermelon, pumpkin Solanaceous Crops

◦ Potato, tomato, pepper, eggplant Root Vegetables

◦ Beets, carrots, radish, rutabaga, sweet potato

Classification of Vegetable Crops

Cool-Season Vegetables ◦ prefer daytime temperatures 60-65°F

Spinach, cabbage, broccoli, radish, beet, asparagus, garlic, brussels sprouts (frost tolerant)

Lettuce, celery, artichoke, endive, mustard, carrot (damaged by temps near freezing)

Warm-Season Vegetables◦ Must be planted after danger of frost has passed◦ Sweet corn, pepper, snap beans, squash,

pumpkin, lima beans, cucumber, tomato, cantaloupe

Warm- vs. Cool-Season

Frost-Free Map

Early Spring Late Spring/Early Summer

Hardy (2-3 weeks before FF date)

Semi-Hardy (1-2 weeks before FF date)

Tender (on or after FF date)

Very Tender Hardy (plant in summer for fall harvest)

ArtichokeAsparagusBroccoliCabbageKohlrabiOnionsPeasRadishRhubarbSpinachTurnip

BeetCarrotCauliflowerEndiveLettuceParsleyParsnipPotatoSalsifySwiss Chard

CeleryCucumberDry BeanSnap BeanNew Zealand SpinachSummer SquashSweet Corn

CantaloupeEggplantLima BeanPepperPumpkinTomatoWatermelonWinter Squash

BeetsCabbageKaleLettuceOnionRutabagaSpinachTurnip

Average Planting Dates for Wasatch Front

Sunlight ◦ Avoid trees

Good soil ◦ Sandy loam is best

Source of water ◦ Usually culinary or canal

Topography ◦ Avoid steep slopes

Wind ◦ Needs protection from strong wind

Choosing a Site

Avoid shading shorter plants with taller plants

Create paths for easy access

Separate perennial crops (asparagus, rhubarb) from annuals

Succession cropping

Veggie Garden Design

Clay or sandy soils ◦ Incorporate organic soil amendments

Well aged manure Compost Peat moss or coir dust Cover or green manure crops

Weed elimination Pre-plant incorporation of fertilizer

◦ Balanced granular: 10-10-10 works well

Never till soils when wet to avoid destroying their structure.

Preparing the Soil

Sowing seed Interplanting Thinning Transplants

◦ Peppers and tomatoes need many heat units for good production

Beans/peas, carrots, cucumber, melon do not transplant well

Planting the Garden

What is the purpose?◦ Control weeds◦ Retain soil moisture◦ Reduce compaction◦ Keep produce free of

soil contamination Organic Plastic

◦ Weed control◦ Modify soil

temperature

Mulches in Veggie Production

Side dressing◦ Apply to the top of the soil

3 to 4 inches to the side of stems.

Banding ◦ Dig furrows between

planting rows and apply fertilizer to the rows.

Fertilizing

Hand or sprinkler

Furrows and soaker hoses◦ Broad and shallow furrows are best◦ 3 to 6 in. deep

Drip irrigation

Soak the soil to wet the entire root system

Irrigating Veggies

Protecting Your GardenPlant: Basil Marigold Garlic Mint Onion Radish Rosemary Tansy

Repels: Flies/Mosquitos Many Insects Many Pests Cabbage Moths Ants Many Insects Bean Beetles Beetles

Site selection ◦ land sloping south gets warmer earlier

Cultivar selection ◦ early maturing

Use transplants ◦ Protection

Hot caps Row covers Plastic mulch

Extending the Season

Helps with pest control

Maintains soil fertility

Perennial crops should not be included in the cycle

Crop Rotation

Cole

LegumeRoot

Warm-Seaso

n

The cole crops are __________-season vegetables.

Name one way that mulches protect vegetable crops.

Name one reason crop rotation is important.

Review Questions