3/27/2015 1 In the Vegetable Garden By Sarah Browning & Kelly Feehan Extension Educators http://go.unl.edu/veggarden Increasing Interest “One of the biggest trends is increasing interest in vegetable gardening. Last year, vegetable plant sales were up 10 – 15 % and that trend is expected to continue” Dale Lindgren, Extension Specialist Save money on produce Food safety issues Interest in heirlooms Great hobby National Garden Bureau Where should the garden be located? Level or slightly sloping area with loose, well- drained soil, pH 6-6.5 8-10 hours full sun ideal Minimum 5 hours for fruiting plants Slightly less for leafy plants Good air circulation Black walnut toxicity Mature trees, average 50-60 (80) feet radius from trunk Alternative- raised beds Amending Soils Organic matter – yes Sand – no Lime – almost always no in Nebraska Gypsum – almost always no in Nebraska Changing pH – works for the short term; ongoing process Soil test for others Virginia Cooperative Extension Wisconsin Cooperative Extension
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3/27/2015
1
In the
Vegetable
Garden
By Sarah Browning & Kelly Feehan
Extension Educators
http://go.unl.edu/veggarden
Increasing Interest
“One of the biggest trends is increasing interest in
vegetable gardening. Last year, vegetable plant
sales were up 10 – 15 % and that trend is
expected to continue” Dale Lindgren, Extension Specialist
Save money on produce
Food safety issues
Interest in heirlooms
Great hobby
National Garden Bureau
Where should the garden be located?
Level or slightly sloping area with loose, well-drained soil, pH 6-6.5
8-10 hours full sun ideal Minimum 5 hours for fruiting
plants
Slightly less for leafy plants
Good air circulation
Black walnut toxicity Mature trees, average 50-60
(80) feet radius from trunk
Alternative- raised beds
Amending Soils
Organic matter – yes
Sand – no
Lime – almost always no
in Nebraska
Gypsum – almost always
no in Nebraska
Changing pH – works for
the short term; ongoing
process
Soil test for others
Vir
gin
ia C
oopera
tive
Exte
nsio
n
Wis
consin
Coopera
tive
Exte
nsio
n
3/27/2015
2
Incorporating Organic Matter
Fall better than spring
Composted leaves, grass, manure
Fresh manure
Composted manure
Loosen soil to depth of amendment first
6 to 8” for most vegetables
2:1 ratio for amount of organic matter to use
6” depth of amendment - spread 3” of compost & incorporate
Chisel plow or double dig if possible
Rototillers difficult to incorporate evenly
Tillage layer
Raised Beds
Amended soil used
Less compaction Compaction can reduce yields
up to 50%
Earlier planting
Drip/soaker irrigation
Eases pest control
Increased yields / sq. ft. Traditional = .6 lb’s / sq. ft.
Raised = 1.24 lb’s. / sq. ft.
Doubles as cold frame
Building a
Raised Bed
Typically raised only 6-8” and
3-4 x 8 feet in size
Use pressure treated wood,
cedar, redwood, cement
blocks
Loosen underlying existing
soil 6–8” deep
Spread 2” of amended soil
over the area
Mix into upper 3” of existing
soil
Fill entire bed with amended
soil mix
Treated Wood & Raised Beds
As of 1-01-04 CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate)
treated wood is no longer sold for residential use, i.e.
decks, landscape timbers, raised beds…..
ACZA (ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate) and ACQ
(alkaline copper quaternary) have replaced CCA and can
be used for raised bed construction (Kansas State)
Well documented research show CCA, ACZA & ACQ
may be safely used to construct vegetable beds
Old railroad ties not oozing creosote are okay to use