Planning Vegetable Gardens. Adapted by Stephen Garton from educational materials provided by:

Transcription

1 Planning Vegetable Gardens Adapted by Stephen Garton from educational materials provided by:

2 A vegetable garden is the highest maintenance type of Almost all annuals garden there is! Focus on productivity We want to eat fresh produce early and often

3 What Do We Mean By Fall Gardening? Planting crops for harvesting before frost Planting crops that can overwinter for spring harvesting Planting cover crops to add nitrogen and minimize weeds in spring Protected gardening in a cold frame, greenhouse or under row covers

4 Why Plant in the Fall? Fewer harmful insects Fewer weeds Extended use of garden space Fresh crops for a longer time

5 Select Crops All are cold hardy & some are quick maturing Cole crops: broccoli, cabbage, collards, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts Greens: leaf lettuce, spinach, arugula, Asian greens, mustard, herbs Root crops: Rutabagas, beets, carrots, turnips, parsnips

6 Half-hardy Survive light frost Beets Cauliflower Chard Chinese Cabbage Endive Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard Peas Rutabagas

7 Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Collards Kale Radishes Spinach Turnips Hardy Survive heavy frost

8 Overwintering Crops Broccoli Raab Chicories Garlic Kale Leeks Multiplier Onions Spinach Leeks

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10 Fall Days & Temperatures Cool nights slow plant growth. Vegetables take longer to mature. Days grow shorter, less sunlight energy for plants slower growth. These environmental conditions add sugar to cole crops. Lettuce and spinach will not bolt.

11 What we need is a plan A garden plan includes: Knowing your goals! Locating and designing garden beds Deciding what you want to grow Creating a timeline Laying out plantings in beds

12 How to Start a Plan Know area available for cultivation Raised beds or rows in soil? Which crops should be grown? When to plant? How much to plant? How long before I can harvest?

13 Outline Planning to meet your goals Goals of community/schoolyard gardens versus home production Relationship building Timing Planting calendar Succession and Relay planting Spatial layout Plant layout (structural needs, height considerations, spacing (rows versus wide beds) Companions/interplanting Space x Time Rotation A word about organic gardening

14 Planning to meet your goals Yield/Production Intensive cultivation: timing, space efficiency Education Crop choice, timing Positive experience Attractive space, starting small, keeping it manageable and a fun activity for family

15 Seed Starting Date Short-Day Factor First frost date for this area Days to maturity, germination, transplant Add 14 days for Short Day Factor Formula: Days to maturity + Days to germinate + Days to transplant + SDF=Days to plant before frost

16 First Frost Date at Golf Club of Georgia, Alpharetta, GA. From Sept-1 to Dec-31 First Frost Date Frost Temperature ( F) 2010 Nov Oct Oct Nov Oct Nov Nov Nov Nov

17 First Frost Data from Lake Lanier, Gainesville, Hall County, GA From Sept-1 to Dec-31 First Frost Date Frost Temperature ( F) 2010 Nov Dec Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Oct Oct Nov Nov Oct Nov Nov Nov

18 Sample Calculation For Sowing Spinach Seeds Days to germination: 7 to 10 Days to maturity: 35 Short Day Factor (SDF): to59 I can sow seeds between 56 and 59 days before the first frost about Oct. 30 for Cumming Counting back from Oct. 30 the dates to sow are before Sept. 2nd.

19 Direct seed: Beets Broccoli raab Chinese cabbage Cilantro Collards Endive Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mustard greens Spinach Turnips Seeds to Sow

20 Sowing Seeds Water soil before sowing and frequently during the day to help keep soil cool..

21 Direct Sow Plant seeds slightly deeper. Depth may be 1 ½ to 2 times deeper than spring. Can cover seeds in furrow with potting soil or vermiculite. Keep soil cool and moist. Cover seeded area with burlap, newspapers, or boards. Can shade soil, or use light mulch.

22 Georgia Calendar ations/files/html/c963/c963vegechart.pdf

23 Sources of Seeds and Information

24 Read Descriptions

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26 Read the Seed Packet

27 Good Information on Back

28 Good Information

29 Yet more information

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33 From: USDA Yearbook of Agriculture 1977

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35 Planting Schedule Last plantings of fast growing warm season vegetables-snap beans. Order garlic. Start cabbage family seedlings indoors. Sow lettuce, cilantro, rutabagas, radishes. Soak or pre-germinate parsley seeds for sowing.

36 Planting Schedule weeks before hard frost: Set out transplants Direct sow beets, carrots, collards & more lettuce, radishes,

37 Planting Schedule 8 to 10 weeks before hard frost: Sow Asian greens, arugula, turnips, spinach, mustard More lettuce, radishes, beets, collards

38 Planting Schedule 6 to 8 weeks before hard frost: Sow spinach. Plant garlic, shallots, multiplying onions. Sow half-hardy vegetables under protective cover.

39 Transplants Start transplants or purchase for: Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Collards

40 Putting out Transplants Seedlings need gradual exposure to direct sunlight. Will benefit from light shading for the first few days. Keep them soaked.

41 1. Timing Planting calendar! Direct seed versus transplants Transplants: Plants with a long time to maturity (cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers) Optional for earlier harvest (melons, squash, lettuce) Direct seed: Root crops Tall skinny crops: beans, peas, corn, okra Plants with a short season (lettuce, spinach, arugula)

42 1. Timing Planting calendar! Direct seed versus transplants Identify short season versus long season Quick!: radishes, lettuce, peas Shortish: other leafy green things, carrots, turnips, cucumbers, beans Long: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet potato Consider planting short season plants in 2 weeks successions for continuous harvest

43 2. Spatial Layout: Plant characteristics Learn about your chosen crops Growth form: trellis tomatoes, pole beans, peas cucumbers? Small melons? Height: tall stuff in the north of the garden Family: group em! (more on this later)

44 2. Spatial Layout: Designate areas for different crops Place long season summer crops first Place shorter/ cool season crops next plant twice! Place shorter/summer season crops next Where can I tuck in quick crops?

45 I.Radishes II.Toms and Peppers I.Kale and Lettuce II.Kale and Lettuce I.Turnips II.Pumpkins 2. Spatial Layout Place long season summer crops first (tall I.Peas II.Beans I.Beets and Spinach II.Carrots and Chard I.Lettuce II.Sweet Potatoes stuff in the north of the garden) Place shortish/ cool season crops next plant twice! Place shortish/summer season crops next Where can I tuck in quick/cool season crops?

46 2. Spatial Layout: Placement of individual plants Row planting: Refer to seed packets for seed depth, spacing between rows, and between plants Raised beds (also referred to as wide beds) Ditch the space between rows! no need for footpaths

47 2. Spatial Layout: Typical Row Garden 6 24 plants 12

48 2. Spatial Layout: Equidistant planting in wide bed 6 56 plants! 133% more food plus soil shading 6 56 Plants in a 4 ft. by 8 ft. bed 133% more food

49 2. Spatial Layout: Placement of individual plants Raised beds Transplants: plant equidistantly Direct seed: scatter seeds or make closely spaced furrows

50 Sweet Corn in Raised Bed

51 4. Space x Time=Rotation Crops in the same family: Need the same growing conditions Are planted at the same time Need the same soil nutrients Are bothered by the same pests Growing families repeated in the same space: Depletes soil of specific nutrients Allows pests and diseases to become persistent

52 4. Space x Time=Rotation Rotation avoids soil nutrient depletion and helps keep overwintered pest populations in check Group plants by families! Three rules: Light feeders follow heavy feeders Deep-rooted follow shallow rooted 3 years between planting the same family in the same bed

53 Major Families of Vegetables

54 4. Space x Time=Rotation Tomatoes Squash Shorter nightshades Beets Corn Pole beans Brassicas Carrots If space is limited Two separate rotations (one for tall, one for short) to keep from moving tall plants to the south side of the garden Rotate in time rather than space

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56 Plant Growth Plants need: Sunlight Air Space Water Inorganic mineral nutrients

57 Ingredients For First Year Success Good, deep soil; add organic matter Give your plants the nutrients, water, and sunlight they need Prevent weeds from growing Give it a little time each day Realize that a perfect harvest is a dream ENJOY!

58 Soil- Most Important Component Can t emphasis enough to homeowners that soil is the key! A healthy, organic, well drained soil should produce good plants. 58

59 Testing the Soil Well-drained (drainage test) Friable - deep, crumbly; allows for maximum root growth. (squeeze test) Test your soil; is preferred ph range!!! Good soil test can actually save you money! Urban/suburban soils are often low quality soils ph must be corrected for healthy plants

60 Soil Gets No Respect It gets compacted when driven on, walked on and over watered It s left uncovered; there is never bare soil in nature Soil supports all plant life which in turn supports all animals and of course, humans Soil is a living layer covering most of the planet that is not water; contains millions of microbes that keep soil healthy and productive

61 Who Has Ideal Soil Not most gardeners! Fortunately almost any soil can be made suitable for a vegetable garden At least on a backyard scale Ideal soil has by volume, half solid matter, half pore space, with half those pores filled with water. Mixed organic matter plays an important role. It glues together small minerals and acts like a sponge to hold water.

62 Improving the Soil with Organic Matter!! Regular additions of organic matter will improve soil structure and create a reservoir of slow-release nutrients Sources: manure, compost, shredded leaves, grass clippings, organic mulches, plant roots, cover crops, buried kitchen scraps, barn leavings etc. Maple leaves are the fastest to break down, Oak leaves are slowest Large amounts of organic matter may be needed for several years

63 To Till or Not to Till or Rototillitis Benefits of a rototiller: great for turning under cover crops, residues, manure makes soil loose and weed-free for planting can disrupt pest populations in the soil Potential problems: damaged soil structure soil compaction if machine is over-used disruption of soil food web freshly tilled soil is prone to erosion burns up organic matter faster brings weed seeds to the surface extra work Permanent cover, no compaction, no tillage = conditions that plants have grown in for eons!!

64 Sheet/Lasagna Compost Your Way to a Fast Vegetable Garden!

65 Layer It All In If starting a new garden don t remove grass clippings Lay cardboard or newspaper down first 2 to 4 inches of leaves, straw (brown matter) 2 to 4 inches of grass clippings (green matter) Pile it high up (16 inches or more) Mix in peat moss, kitchen scraps, compost, manure, etc. Cover it in black plastic, poke it, and let it cook all winter!!!

66 Raised Beds some advantages Warm up quickly in the spring Drain well; less compaction and erosion Increases rooting depth Can produce greater yields per square foot Use fewer amendments

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68 Row Cover Protection Throw a bed sheet over row cover for a few days to provide shade. Row covers deter insects and larger critters. Row covers can extend season.

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73 Are these raised beds?

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77 What Else Do You Need Sun light plants will do there best with 6 to 8 hours Water ideally at base of plant (soaker hoses or drip lines) Keep a look out for insects and diseases

78 Oops!! Garden Mistakes Letting weeds go to seed Over-fertilizing Saving seeds from hybrid plants Planting too closely together Buying plants already in bloom, fruiting or root bound All work and no relaxation makes gardening a chore!

79 Organic gardening Twin cornerstones: build soil health (feeding the soil food web and recycling nutrients) increase biological diversity above and below groundplants, insects, microbial life Organic doesn t mean simply substituting purchased organic pesticides and fertilizers for synthetic products

80 Sustainable gardening Sustains itself through reliance on inherent resources; mimics natural eco-system. Needs a minimum of purchased inputs and relies on locally-available materials. Does not pollute; strengthens the community ecosystem. Requires knowledge, planning, and timing.

81 Sustainable soil building Large amounts of organic matter may be needed for several years. Thereafter, 1 inch of compost will help maintain high yields. Sources of organic matter: Composted farmyard manure Compost Shredded leaves and grass clippings Organic mulches Plant roots Cover crops Diverse sources=diverse nutrients Consider how to generate fertility from local sources

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