Plant the seed! Vegetable Gardening

Plant the Seed! Karen Eaton

Conservation Garden Park Horticulturist

Why plant a vegetable garden?

Higher quality produce

Health

Self- Reliance

Sense of accomplishment

Can be environmentally more responsible

Where to plant a garden

Full sun (at least 6 hours/day)

Plant large garden plots, use garden boxes or raised beds,

Tuck crops into existing landscape or plant vegetables in pots.

When to work the soil

Clay soil takes longer to dry out and warm up than sandy or loamy soil.

•Too moist forms clods •Should crumble when dropped

Improve soil by adding organic matter

What to plant

Choose crops you and your

family like to eat and share

• Let family members participate in choosing

crops.

• They will be more likely to eat those crops

is they have a vested interest in it.

Try a few new crops every year,

but in small quantities

• Plant crops adapted for our area (not blueberries)

• Pay attention to planting and harvesting times

Rotate crops for more disease resistance and soil nutrition

When to plant what crops

Very hardy crops, such as peas and potatoes, can be planted as early as mid-

March, depending on the weather.

Semi-hardy crops: lettuce, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, radishes, beets, carrots, chard,

onions can usually be planted in April.

Tender crops: tomatoes, peppers, melons, cucumbers, corn, beans, and basil, are best planted mid-May after frost danger is past.

Transplants should be hardened off before planting

outside

•Gradually expose them to full sun, cool

nights, wind etc.

Care of the garden

Mulch

Straw Compost

Watering: drip, sprinkler, furrow

Watering your newly planted garden

Watering according to soil type

Weeding and pest problems

•Plant disease resistant varieties of crops

•Use organic gardening principles

•Enjoy healthier plants which are healthier for you to consume

Pest Problems We Can Live With(What, us?)

Harvest

Saving Seeds

Record keeping

• What was planted?

• Where it was planted?

• Did you like it?

• What would you change?

• What to do in the fall to prepare for next season?

If you have children, involve them in the process. “…they will

find it far more interesting both to

work and to eat the results.”

(P. 7 Family Kitchen Garden)

Specific Vegetables

Corn Tomatoes

Second Plantings

Lettuce Spinach

Asparagus

There’s always next year to try again.

Plant the Seed!