Common Sense Vegetable Gardening for Texasagrilifecdn.tamu.edu/.../files/2012/03/Vegetable-gardening-Frank-3.pdf · Common Sense Vegetable Gardening for Texas Steve Chaney...

Common Sense Vegetable Common Sense Vegetable GardeningGardening

forforfor for TexasTexas

Steve Chaney Steve Chaney CEACEA--HorticultureHorticultureTarrant CountyTarrant County

Modified by Frank Durda

Why Garden?Why Garden?Why Garden?Why Garden? HomegrownHomegrown Homegrown Homegrown

vegetables taste vegetables taste betterbetterbetter.better.

You have control You have control over what pesticidesover what pesticidesover what pesticides over what pesticides are applied.are applied.G d iG d i Good exerciseGood exercise

Great stress relieverGreat stress reliever FunFun

Planting By ThePlanting By The MOONS?Planting By The Planting By The MOONS?

How to be a How to be a Green Thumb GardenerGreen Thumb Gardener

Plant at the Right Time.Plant at the Right Time. Plant a variety known to grow well here. Plant a variety known to grow well here. Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization.Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization. Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization.Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization. Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects. Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects. Adequate Soil Moisture.Adequate Soil Moisture. Harvest at the Right Time .Harvest at the Right Time . Harvest at the Right Time . Harvest at the Right Time .

Ideal Garden LocationIdeal Garden LocationIdeal Garden LocationIdeal Garden Location Receives 8 + hours of sunlightReceives 8 + hours of sunlight Receives 8 + hours of sunlight.Receives 8 + hours of sunlight. Some leaf vegetables can get by with 6 Some leaf vegetables can get by with 6 Soil has good internal and external Soil has good internal and external

drainage.drainage.drainage. drainage. Free of competition from other large Free of competition from other large

l t b ildi tl t b ildi tplants, buildings, etc. plants, buildings, etc. Near a source of water. Near a source of water. Visible! (Out of sight out of mind) Visible! (Out of sight out of mind)

Garden DesignGarden Design

Traditional Garden Box Garden

Postage Stamp Garden

What is an Ideal Soil?What is an Ideal Soil?What is an Ideal Soil?What is an Ideal Soil?

pH 6.0 pH 6.0 –– 6.5 (Slightly Acid).6.5 (Slightly Acid). 5 5 –– 10% Organic Matter.10% Organic Matter. 50% Pore Space ( Air Water Micro50% Pore Space ( Air Water Micro 50% Pore Space ( Air, Water, Micro50% Pore Space ( Air, Water, Micro--

organisms).organisms). Texture Texture -- Sandy to Sandy Loam.Sandy to Sandy Loam.

Soil PreparationSoil PreparationSoil PreparationSoil Preparation Have a soil test runHave a soil test run Have a soil test run.Have a soil test run. Incorporate plenty of Incorporate plenty of

organic matterorganic matterorganic matter.organic matter. Add bank Add bank sand, sharp sand, sharp

d d dd d dsand or expanded sand or expanded shale to improve shale to improve d id idrainage.drainage.

Add nutrients if Add nutrients if necessary.necessary.

PlantingPlantingPlantingPlanting

Select Recommended VarietiesSelect Recommended Varieties Select Recommended VarietiesSelect Recommended Varieties Adequate Light For What You Want To GrowAdequate Light For What You Want To Grow

i hi i li hi i l i hbi hb Five Zucchini Plants May Five Zucchini Plants May Lose You Neighbors Lose You Neighbors What Will You Eat? (Or Not)What Will You Eat? (Or Not) Do Not Plant A Whole Row Of RadishesDo Not Plant A Whole Row Of Radishes Plant Short Rows Every Two WeeksPlant Short Rows Every Two Weeks Plant Short Rows Every Two WeeksPlant Short Rows Every Two Weeks Some Seeds Need Help To Germinate Some Seeds Need Help To Germinate

T i k H l S S d G i i AT i k H l S S d G i i A Tricks to Help Some Seeds to Germinate in A Tricks to Help Some Seeds to Germinate in A Reasonable TimeReasonable Time

Cultural Practices Reduce Cultural Practices Reduce Pesticide UsePesticide Use

Healthy SoilsHealthy Soils SanitationSanitation Resistant VarietiesResistant Varieties Planting TimePlanting Time

Weed ControlWeed Control Diverse PlantingDiverse Planting Planting TimePlanting Time

Proper WateringProper Watering Diverse PlantingDiverse Planting Crop RotationCrop Rotation

Soil FertilitySoil Fertility

Floating Row CoverFloating Row CoverFloating Row CoverFloating Row Cover

22°° 44°° F f FF f F 22°° to 4to 4°° F of Frost F of Frost Protection.Protection.

Wind Protection.Wind Protection.Keeps Out InsectsKeeps Out Insects Keeps Out Insects.Keeps Out Insects.

Allows 85 to 90% Allows 85 to 90% Light Penetration. Light Penetration.

Growing Up Not OutGrowing Up Not OutGrowing Up Not OutGrowing Up Not Out

CompostingComposting –– Recycle Yard WasteRecycle Yard WasteComposting Composting Recycle Yard WasteRecycle Yard Waste

WHAT CAT?WHAT CAT?WHAT CAT?WHAT CAT?

Mulching MaterialsMulching MaterialsMulching MaterialsMulching Materials

CC CompostCompost Leaves Leaves Pine NeedlesPine Needles

HH HayHay Grass ClippingsGrass Clippingspp gpp g Paper Paper

l il i Plastic Plastic

Starting Your Own Plants from Starting Your Own Plants from SeedsSeeds

Select ProperSelect Proper Select Proper Select Proper Varieties. Varieties. Sterile PottingSterile Potting Sterile Potting Sterile Potting Media. Media. S il C iS il C i Sterile Containers. Sterile Containers.

High Light Intensity High Light Intensity for 14for 14--16 hours. 16 hours.

Regular Applications Regular Applications g ppg ppof Soluble Fertilizer of Soluble Fertilizer

Container GardeningContainer GardeningContainer GardeningContainer Gardening

Excellent for smallExcellent for small Excellent for small Excellent for small yards or patio homes.yards or patio homes.

Requires more care:Requires more care: Requires more care:Requires more care: Water.Water. Fertilizer.Fertilizer.e t e .e t e .

Use large containers Use large containers with a loose potting with a loose potting p gp gmedia to reduce media to reduce compactioncompaction..

Harvest at the Proper TimeHarvest at the Proper TimeHarvest at the Proper TimeHarvest at the Proper Time

Q litQ lit Quality can vary Quality can vary greatly depending greatly depending

ti h t dti h t don time harvested.on time harvested. Take the time to Take the time to

learn when the learn when the various vegetables various vegetables should be should be harvested.harvested.

Warm Season VegetablesWarm Season VegetablesWarm Season VegetablesWarm Season Vegetables

Nightshade FamilyNightshade FamilyNightshade FamilyNightshade Family TomatoTomato TomatoTomato PepperPepperpppp EggplantEggplant PotatoPotato TomatilloTomatillo TomatilloTomatillo

R i f S f lR i f S f lRecipe for SuccessfulRecipe for SuccessfulTomato ProductionTomato Production

1. Plant large, vigorous plants. 1. Plant large, vigorous plants. IncorporateIncorporate plenty of wellplenty of well--Incorporate Incorporate plenty of wellplenty of well--composted organic matter prior to composted organic matter prior to planting.planting.

2. Wrap tomato cages with row 2. Wrap tomato cages with row cover.cover.

3. Work in 23. Work in 2--3 Tbs. of high nitrogen 3 Tbs. of high nitrogen fertilizer or topfertilizer or top--dress with compost dress with compost when 1when 1st st cluster of fruit sets but notcluster of fruit sets but notwhen 1when 1 cluster of fruit sets, but not cluster of fruit sets, but not until then.until then.

Growing PotatoesGrowing Potatoes

SOME WAYS TO GROW POTATOESSOME WAYS TO GROW POTATOESFIRST (TRADITIONAL) WAY---Dig a trench or hole 6 inches deep, drop in the

i C i h i h f il h dd il h lcut potato piece. Cover with one inch of soil then add soil as the plant grows until you fill the trench. The potatoes will grow on roots that grow from the stem ABOVE the cut piece.

SECOND WAY---Dig a hole about 1 or 2 inches deep, drop in the cut piece and cover about one inch. As the plant grows cover all except the top with a mulch until you have about 12 inches of mulch (Shredded leaves work great) The rootsuntil you have about 12 inches of mulch. (Shredded leaves work great) The roots will still grow from the stem above the cut piece you planted, The only difference will be that most of the roots will be on top of the ground. When you have flowers on top you will have potatoes under the mulch. You can carefully p y p ypull the mulch aside and decide if the potatoes are big enough to harvest for new potatoes. If not you push the mulch back without harming the plant any and wait a few days to look again. This method is really great for kids.

THIRD WAY– Do both of the above.

EggplantEggplantEggplantEggplant

How to Produce Large BellsHow to Produce Large BellsHow to Produce Large BellsHow to Produce Large Bells Select HybridSelect Hybrid Select Hybrid Select Hybrid

Varieties.Varieties.Plant When SoilPlant When Soil Plant When Soil Plant When Soil Reaches 65Reaches 65--7070°° F.F.F ili F lF ili F l Fertilize Frequently Fertilize Frequently With High Nitrogen With High Nitrogen F ili f i i i lF ili f i i i lFertilizer after initial Fertilizer after initial fruit set.fruit set.

Remove The First Remove The First Fruit.Fruit.

Everyone's hot forEveryone's hot forPeppersPeppersHOT!

Pepper Varieties Worth TryingPepper Varieties Worth TryingPepper Varieties Worth TryingPepper Varieties Worth Trying

Red Cheese Pimento

Mucho Nacho Senorita Jalapeno Jalapeno

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Nightshade Family of the Nightshade Family

Legume FamilyLegume FamilyLegume FamilyLegume Family Green (Snap) BeansGreen (Snap) Beans Green (Snap) BeansGreen (Snap) Beans Lima BeansLima Beans

S hS h Southern PeaSouthern Pea English PeaEnglish Pea EdibleEdible--podded Peapodded Pea SoybeanSoybean SoybeanSoybean JicamaJicama

R BR B Runner BeanRunner Bean

Green (Snap) BeanGreen (Snap) BeanGreen (Snap) BeanGreen (Snap) Bean

Plant MarchPlant March AprilApril Plant MarchPlant March--April April and September and September

Moderately Fertile Moderately Fertile Soil.Soil.

Harvest When Harvest When Pods are YoungPods are YoungPods are Young Pods are Young and Tender.and Tender.

Lima (Butter) BeansLima (Butter) BeansLima (Butter) BeansLima (Butter) Beans

Plant March Plant March -- Early Early April and September. April and September.

Moderately Fertile Moderately Fertile Soil.Soil.

Harvest When Pods Harvest When Pods are Mature and Seedsare Mature and Seedsare Mature and Seeds are Mature and Seeds Fully Developed.Fully Developed.

Southern PeasSouthern PeasSouthern PeasSouthern Peas Plant April thruPlant April thru Plant April thru Plant April thru

August.August. Prefers warm soil.Prefers warm soil. Requires Requires

moderately fertile moderately fertile yysoils.soils.

Harvest when pods Harvest when pods are mature and are mature and start to yellow.start to yellow.

EdibleEdible--podded Peaspodded PeasEdibleEdible podded Peaspodded Peas Plant Late Plant Late

September thru September thru January.January.

Moderately Moderately Fertile Soil.Fertile Soil.

Most Varieties Most Varieties Need Support.Need Support.Need Support.Need Support.

Light Production Light Production But High QualityBut High QualityBut High Quality.But High Quality.

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Legume Familyof the Legume Family

Grass FamilyGrass Family –– Sweet CornSweet CornGrass Family Grass Family Sweet CornSweet Corn

Plant March Plant March –– April.April. Fertilize at Planting,Fertilize at Planting, Fertilize at Planting, Fertilize at Planting,

1 Foot Tall & Tassel 1 Foot Tall & Tassel Visible in the Whorl Visible in the Whorl with with ½½--1 Cup 211 Cup 21--00--0 0 per 10 Ft. of Row.per 10 Ft. of Row.

90%+ Harvested the 90%+ Harvested the same day.same day.

Plant Corn in Multiple RowsPlant Corn in Multiple RowsPlant Corn in Multiple RowsPlant Corn in Multiple Rows

Corn Insects and DiseaseCorn Insects and DiseaseCorn Insects and DiseaseCorn Insects and Disease

Cucurbit (Gourd) FamilyCucurbit (Gourd) FamilyCucurbit (Gourd) FamilyCucurbit (Gourd) Family CucumberCucumber CucumberCucumber SquashSquash

C lC l CantaloupeCantaloupe HoneydewHoneydew WatermelonWatermelon PumpkinPumpkin PumpkinPumpkin GourdGourd

Male and Female FlowersMale and Female FlowersMale and Female FlowersMale and Female Flowers

CucumbersCucumbersCucumbersCucumbers

Plant late MarchPlant late March –– Plant late March Plant late March April and September.April and September.

Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility. Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility. Easily trellised.Easily trellised. Harvest for picklesHarvest for pickles Harvest for pickles Harvest for pickles

when fruit reaches when fruit reaches desired size anddesired size anddesired size and desired size and slicers when near slicers when near maturity.maturity.yy

SquashSquashSquashSquash Plant late MarchPlant late March –– Plant late March Plant late March

April and September.April and September. Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility.yy HarvestHarvest

Winter Squash when Winter Squash when qqmature, rind hard.mature, rind hard.

Summer Squash Summer Squash h t d dh t d dwhen tender and when tender and

immature. immature.

MelonsMelonsMelonsMelons

Plant late April thruPlant late April thru Plant late April thru Plant late April thru July.July.Moderate FertilityModerate Fertility Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility.

Easily trellised.Easily trellised. Harvest at full slip Harvest at full slip

or tendril at base of or tendril at base of fruit turns brown. fruit turns brown.

Pantyhose MelonsPantyhose MelonsPantyhose MelonsPantyhose Melons

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Cucurbit Familyof the Cucurbit Family

Squash Bugs & Eggsq g gg

Squash VineborerPowdery Mildew

Squash Bugs

1212-- SPOTTED CUCUMBER SPOTTED CUCUMBER BEETLEBEETLE

FOUND ONFOUND ON FOUND ON FOUND ON EVERY KINDEVERY KIND

O AO A OF PLANT INOF PLANT IN THE GARDENTHE GARDEN

DIABROTICA

d i t tundecimpunctata

Mallow FamilyMallow FamilyMallow FamilyMallow Family

OkraOkra OkraOkra Plant April thru Plant April thru

July when soils are July when soils are warm.warm.

Moderate fertility.Moderate fertility. Harvest when Harvest when ves w eves w e

pods are small and pods are small and tender.tender.

Okra HarvestOkra HarvestOkra HarvestOkra Harvest

Okra DiseaseOkra DiseaseOkra DiseaseOkra Disease

Solarize

Nematodes

Elbon Cereal Rye

MorningMorning--glory Familyglory FamilyMorningMorning glory Familyglory Family

Sweet PotatoSweet Potato Sweet PotatoSweet Potato Plant after soils Plant after soils

h dh dhave warmed, have warmed, May thru July.May thru July.

Moderate fertility.Moderate fertility. Harvest when Harvest when

roots are fully roots are fully cured.cured.

Cool Season VegetablesCool Season VegetablesCool Season VegetablesCool Season Vegetables

Plant fromPlant from Plant from Plant from September thru September thru FebruaryFebruaryFebruary.February.

Heavy feeders. Heavy feeders. Use frequentUse frequentUse frequent, Use frequent, small applications small applications of high nitrogenof high nitrogenof high nitrogen of high nitrogen fertilizersfertilizers..

Crucifer (Cabbage) FamilyCrucifer (Cabbage) FamilyCrucifer (Cabbage) FamilyCrucifer (Cabbage) Family

CabbageCabbage KaleKale CabbageCabbage BroccoliBroccoli

KaleKale KohlrabiKohlrabi

CauliflowerCauliflower RadishRadish Brussels sproutsBrussels sprouts TurnipsTurnips

CollardsCollards MustardMustard TurnipsTurnips MustardMustard

CabbageCabbageCabbageCabbage

BroccoliBroccoli

CauliflowerCauliflower

Brussels SproutsBrussels SproutsBrussels SproutsBrussels Sprouts

Collards, Kale & KohlrabiCollards, Kale & KohlrabiCollards, Kale & KohlrabiCollards, Kale & Kohlrabi

Turnips and MustardsTurnips and MustardsTurnips and MustardsTurnips and Mustards

Radish / DaikonRadish / DaikonRadish / DaikonRadish / Daikon

Composite (Sunflower) FamilyComposite (Sunflower) FamilyComposite (Sunflower) Family Composite (Sunflower) Family

CardoonCardoon Cardoon Cardoon Globe Artichoke Globe Artichoke RadicchioRadicchio RadicchioRadicchio LettuceLettuce EndiveEndive EndiveEndive

LettuceLettuce

Plant when soilPlant when soil Plant when soil Plant when soil cools in fall & cools in fall & winterwinterwinter.winter.

Seed needs Seed needs light tolight tolight to light to germinate.germinate.R f iR f i Refrigerate Refrigerate before use.before use.

Parsley (Umbel) FamilyParsley (Umbel) FamilyParsley (Umbel) FamilyParsley (Umbel) Family

CarrotCarrot CarrotCarrot ParsleyParsley FennelFennel DillDill DillDill CeleryCelery ParsnipParsnip

CarrotsCarrotsCarrotsCarrots Plant seed fromPlant seed from Plant seed from Plant seed from

early October early October thru Decemberthru Decemberthru December.thru December.

Seed need light to Seed need light to germinategerminategerminate.germinate.

Give regular light Give regular light li i fli i fapplications of applications of

nitrogen fertilizer.nitrogen fertilizer.

Amaryllis (Onion) FamilyAmaryllis (Onion) Family OnionsOnions

LeeksLeeks LeeksLeeks GarlicGarlic

Sh ll tSh ll t Shallots Shallots ChivesChives

OnionsOnionsOnionsOnions Plant seeds in early Plant seeds in early

November, plants in November, plants in January.January.

Low sulfur soil for Low sulfur soil for sweet onions.sweet onions.

Fertilize with small Fertilize with small amounts of nitrogen,amounts of nitrogen,amounts of nitrogen, amounts of nitrogen, frequently. frequently.

LeeksLeeksLeeksLeeks Plant clusters of 5Plant clusters of 5--8 8

seed every 6 inches.seed every 6 inches. Start to thin when Start to thin when

pencil size.pencil size. Apply frequent, Apply frequent,

small amounts of small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer.nitrogen fertilizer.

Blanch to improve Blanch to improve quality.quality.

GarlicGarlic Plant cloves Plant cloves

about 4 about 4 –– 6 6 inches apart.inches apart.

Small frequentSmall frequent Small frequent Small frequent applications of applications of nitrogen.nitrogen.nitrogen.nitrogen.

Harvest tops and Harvest tops and roots as neededroots as neededroots as neededroots as needed..

Goosefoot FamilyGoosefoot FamilyGoosefoot FamilyGoosefoot Family

BeetsBeets BeetsBeets Swiss ChardSwiss Chard

S i hS i h SpinachSpinach

Lily FamilyLily Family AsparagusAsparagus

Plant in well drained, Plant in well drained, organic soil.organic soil.U hi h iU hi h i Use high nitrogen Use high nitrogen fertilizers. fertilizers. H t f h tH t f h t Harvest for a short Harvest for a short period in the spring and period in the spring and fallfallfall.fall.

Size of spears indicates Size of spears indicates plant vigor.plant vigor.plant vigor.plant vigor.

Know the Good GuysKnow the Good GuysKnow the Good GuysKnow the Good Guys

Green Lacewing

Ichneumon Wasp

Know the Good GuysKnow the Good GuysKnow the Good GuysKnow the Good GuysPraying Mantis

Lady Bugsy g

Lady beetle larvae

Integrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management

Provide plants with the best care and cultureProvide plants with the best care and culture Provide plants with the best care and culture Provide plants with the best care and culture possible.possible.Use only the most adapted varietiesUse only the most adapted varieties Use only the most adapted varieties.Use only the most adapted varieties.

If chemical (organic or manIf chemical (organic or man--made) control is made) control is i h h i lli h h i llnecessary start with the most environmentally necessary start with the most environmentally

friendly products first.friendly products first. Put your shadow on the garden Put your shadow on the garden every day. every day. Apply chemicals, (organic or manApply chemicals, (organic or man--made) made) pp y , ( gpp y , ( g ))

properly, safely and according to the label.properly, safely and according to the label.

Th E dTh E dThe EndThe End