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Vegetable Gardening. Learning Objectives. 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.
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Learning Objectives • 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.
Classification of Vegetable Crops • 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
Warm- vs. Cool-Season • 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
Choosing a Site • 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
Veggie Garden Design • Avoid shading shorter plants with taller plants • Create paths for easy access • Separate perennial crops (asparagus, rhubarb) from annuals • Succession cropping
Preparing the Soil • 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.
Planting the Garden • Sowing seed • Interplanting • Thinning • Transplants • Peppers and tomatoes need many heat units for good production • Beans/peas, carrots, cucumber, melon do not transplant well
Mulches in Veggie Production • What is the purpose? • Control weeds • Retain soil moisture • Reduce compaction • Keep produce free of soil contamination • Organic • Plastic • Weed control • Modify soil temperature
Fertilizing • 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.
Irrigating Veggies • 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
Protecting Your Garden Plant: • Basil • Marigold • Garlic • Mint • Onion • Radish • Rosemary • Tansy Repels: • Flies/Mosquitos • Many Insects • Many Pests • Cabbage Moths • Ants • Many Insects • Bean Beetles • Beetles
Extending the Season • Site selection • land sloping south gets warmer earlier • Cultivar selection • early maturing • Use transplants • Protection • Hot caps • Row covers • Plastic mulch
Crop Rotation • Helps with pest control • Maintains soil fertility • Perennial crops should not be included in the cycle Cole Root Legume Warm-Season
Review Questions • The cole crops are __________-season vegetables. • Name one way that mulches protect vegetable crops. • Name one reason crop rotation is important.