HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES

Almost all vegetables need full sun -- from morning through the end of the day. Soil must be well-drained. Add organic material to the soil and dig in. Mulch garden area. Water at soil level, at least 1"" of water per week. Keep leaves dry, or water in morning if using sprinklers.

KINDS OF VEGETABLES:

Different kinds of vegetables are categorized by the way they grow or by their similarities in a class. The classes are: Cole Crops: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi; Leaf Crops: lettuce, endive, chicory, kale, mustard, spinach, swiss chard, turnip greens, pak choi, roquette; Vine Crops: cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, watermelon; Root Crops: beet, carrot, radish, parsnip, turnip, sweet potato, white potato; other vegetables (including bean, corn, pea; tomato, pepper, eggplant; onion, leek, herbs, celery, okra) don't readily fit a category.

SPRING:

Peas, Leaf Crops, Cole Crops, Onion, Leek, Celery, Beet, Carrot, Radish, Turnip

SUMMER:

Beans, Corn, Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Vine Crops, Tomatillo

FALL:

Leaf Crops, Cole Crops, Beet, Carrot, Radish, Turnip.

DO YOU HAVE SOME IDEAS FOR MY VERY FIRST VEGETABLE GARDEN?

You want the enjoyment of the garden -- those tasty, vitamin-packed vegetables -- but not quite sure what to do? Relax! Here are some ways for you to truly have an easy garden this year!

* Start small. Your garden can be just a patch in a sunny area.

* Keep it simple. Plant only a few kinds of seeds. Beans, cucumbers, squash, greens such as swiss chard, are some of the most reliable.

* Mulch your garden soil when plants are small. You’ll have hardly any weeds as your plants mature!

* Plants get ""tired"" too. Think in terms of seasons in your garden: a spring, a summer, and a fall season. Replant frequently during the growing season.

WHAT INSECTICIDES FOR VEGETABLES?

Depends on the insect. First identify the damage it’s doing and find the insect. Dust or spray according to pest. Follow label directions. Insecticidal soap spray is often effective. Or hand pick or wash off with stream of water. Keep weeds under control around garden (insects may live there). Keep plants growing healthy with plenty of water, and keep garden weeded or mulched.

IS IT SAFE TO DUST OR SPRAY VEGETABLES JUST BEFORE HARVEST?

In general, no. Hand-pick insects and wash off with stream of water.

HOW MUCH WILL MY VEGETABLES YIELD?

The amount of harvest that a vegetable plant will produce is practically impossible to report because production depends on so many factors. The best way to get the maximum production from your vegetable plants is to: plant for three seasons; select varieties with disease resistance or tolerance; select varieties which have done well in your area before; plant at recommended spacing; keep weeds under control; provide at least 1 inch of water per week.

IS SUMMER TOO LATE TO START A VEGETABLE GARDEN?

Summer is not too late to start your vegetable garden. Loosen the soil, then plant your vegetable seeds directly into the garden, following the instructions on the back of the packet. Here are some frequently-asked questions about vegetable gardening.

WHAT FERTILIZER SHOULD I USE FOR MY VEGETABLE PLANTS?

Add a balanced fertilizer (examples: 10-10-10, 5-10-5) to soil as you prepare it, then plant. Or scatter a little balanced fertilizer around the plants after you’ve planted them; water in. Or use composted manure or composted plant material. Do not get dry fertilizer on the plants -- it may ""burn"" them. ""Balanced"" doesn’t mean the numbers in the formula are all the same. A balanced fertilizer contains some of all three essential plant nutrients: Nitrogen (N *), Phosphorus (P *), and Potassium or potash (K *). Follow directions on container. (*) = The chemical symbol of the nutrient.

WHAT DOES 5-10-5 MEAN?

This is the formula (see the label on the fertilizer container). It contains 5% available nitrogen, 10% available phosphorus and 5% available potash for plant growth. The rest of the material (70%) is an inert carrier material.

WHEN SHOULD I FERTILIZE MY VEGETABLE PLANTS?

Add a balanced fertilizer to soil as you prepare it, then plant. Or scatter a little balanced fertilizer around the plants after you’ve planted them; water in. Do not get dry fertilizer on the plants -- it may ""burn"" them. Repeat one more time, before July 1 (in most areas).

DRYING VEGETABLES (air-dry or use dehydrator):

Beans, Cowpeas, Chopped Herbs, Hot Peppers, Popcorn, Sliced Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Winter Squash

FREEZING VEGETABLES (Please check with your county home economist for safe preserving procedures.):

Cut in pieces, blanch in boiling water several minutes, plunge into icewater. Package and freeze immediately. Green Peppers, Snap Beans,Ppeas, Squash, Cut-Kernel Corn, Chunks of Eggplant, Chopped Onion

STORE IN COOL PLACE:

Beet, Cabbage, Carrot, Brussels Sprouts, Daikon Radish, Root Parsley, Kohlrabi, Onion, Parsnip, Peanut, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Winter Squash, Turnip.

BEANS:

Need warm weather, Full Sun and well-drained soil. Add composted manure or balanced fertilizer to soil before planting. When the soil has warmed in spring and all frost is past, plant 2 seeds every 4 in. in rows 2 t. apart (for bush types) or 2 seeds every 8 in. in rows 3 ft. apart (for pole types). Thin to one plant every 4 - 8 inches. Provide support for pole types. Plant bush beans at 2-3 week intervals throughout the season for longer harvest. Cultivate and weed regularly but don't work around the plants when they are wet. Pick daily; pods are best when small and tender. For shell beans and cowpeas, usually one planting will be enough. Leave pods on plants until dry before harvesting.

BEET

Best in cool weather and rich, well-drained soil. Add composted manure or balanced fertilizer to soil before planting. Full Sun. Plant outside as soon as soil can be loosened in spring, and again in mid to late summer. Plant at 2-3 week intervals for longer harvest. Seeds 1 in. deep, rows 18 in. apart. Cultivate and weed regularly. Thin plants to 6 in. apart for best-sized beets. When 6 in. high, fertilize again (as above). Harvest when 2-3 in. across. Beet tops are tasty and nutritious. Leaf miners may infest but will not affect crop. To eat leaves, tear off any areas with leaf miner tunnels.

BROCCOLI

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last hard spring frost. Seeds 1/2 in. deep, rows 3 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 2 ft. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Fertilize again when plants form heads. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest before green buds open. May form smaller side shoots if you leave the plant after harvesting central head.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last hard spring frost. Seeds 1/4 in. deep, rows 3 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 2 ft. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Fertilize again when plants start to form heads. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest sprouts from bottom. Remove lower leaves from stalk as you harvest.

CABBAGE

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start early varieties indoors 6-8 weeks before last hard spring frost. Seeds 1/2 in. deep, rows 3 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 2 ft. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Fertilize again when plants start to form heads. Plant mid to late varieties in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest when heads are large and firm.

CANTALOUPE

Needs warm weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors after soil has warmed in spring and all frost is over. Plant seeds 1/2 in. deep, in groups of 6 seeds about 4 ft. apart. Make rows 4 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 3 plants per group. Mulch or cultivate to keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. To harvest: look for ripening melons; they will have an aroma and when ripe, will slip away from the stem by gentle pressure.

CARROT

Best in cool weather and rich, well-drained soil. Add composted manure or balanced fertilizer to soil before planting. Full Sun. Plant outside as soon as soil can be loosened in spring. Plant every 2 weeks until July for longer harvest. Sow seeds thickly. Mix with radish seeds to help carrot seedlings break through soil. Seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in. deep, rows 15 in. apart. Cultivate and weed regularly. Mulch to keep even soil moisture. Thin plants to 2 in. apart to allow growth. When 6 in. high, fertilize again (as above). Harvest at expected maturity days. Root maggots common in North. Leafhoppers may spread yellows. Don’t plant where carrots were grown last year

CAULIFLOWER

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last hard spring frost. Seeds 1/2 in. deep, rows 3 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 2 ft. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Fertilize again when plants form heads. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. To Harvest: when heads are 2-3 in. across, tie outer leaves together above head. Cut heads 2-3 weeks later.

CHICORY

Best in cool weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors as early as soil can be loosened in spring. Seeds 1/4 in. deep, in rows 18 in. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 6 in. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. Make several plantings 2 weeks apart in early spring, again in late summer for fall. Excellent fall crop. Harvest whole heads. Goes to Seed (also called Bolting): if planted too late in spring, will send up a flower stalk rather than form heads

COLLARDS

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last hard spring frost. Seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in. deep, rows 3 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 2 ft. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest leaves at any size.

CUCUMBER

Needs warm weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors after soil has warmed in spring and all frost is over. Plant seeds 1/2 in. deep, in groups of 5 seeds about 4 ft. apart. Make rows 6 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 3 plants per group. Mulch or cultivate to keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. Replant every 3 weeks to provide a longer harvest. Keep fruits picked daily. Best on the small side at 4 - 6 "" long.

EGGPLANT

Needs warm weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors about 8 - 10 weeks before last spring frost. Wait until well after last spring frost to transplant outdoors. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Plant outdoors, setting plants about 18 in. apart in rows 3 ft. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. To harvest, cut small fruits from plant with a sharp knife. Best at about 6 - 8 in. long.

EVDIVE

Best in cool weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors as early as soil can be loosened in spring. Seeds 1/4 in. deep, in rows 18 in. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 12 in. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. Make several plantings 2 weeks apart in early spring, again in late summer for fall. Excellent fall crop. Harvest whole heads. Goes to Seed (also called Bolting): if planted too late in spring, will send up a flower stalk rather than form heads

KALE

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Sow seeds as early as soil can be loosened in spring, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before. Seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in. deep, rows 12 in. apart. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 1 ft. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest leaves at 6-8 in. long. Pick frequently. Frost improves flavor.

KOHLRABI

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be loosened in spring, or indoors 6-8 weeks before. Seeds 1/4 in. deep, rows 18 in. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Set plants at (or thin plants to) 6 in. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest when 2 to 2 1/2 in. across.

LETTUCE

Best in cool weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors as early as soil can be loosened in spring. Seeds 1/4 in. deep, see pkt for row spacing. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants as suggested on pkt. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. Make several plantings 2 weeks apart in early spring, again in late summer for fall. Harvest whole heads or outer leaves. Goes to Seed (also called Bolting): if planted too late in spring, lettuce will send up a flower stalk rather than form heads. Cos/Romaine lettuce slightly more heat tolerant.

MUSTARD

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be loosened in spring. Seeds 1/4 to 1/2 in. deep, rows 12 in. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Thin plants to 9 in. apart. Or sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors after last hard spring frost. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Plant again in summer for fall. Do not grow in the same place, or where Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower grew year before. Harvest leaves frequently at any size

OKRA

Needs warm weather, Full Sun. Wait until well after last spring frost to plant seeds outdoors. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Sow seed 3/4 in. deep, planting 2 seeds every 18 inches in rows 3 ft. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. To harvest, cut pods from plant with a sharp knife. Keep picking daily. Best when small and tender.

ONION

Best in cool weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before last spring frost. When seedlings are about 4 in. tall, cut back to 2"". Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Plant outdoors, setting plants about 3 in. apart in rows 18 in. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Onions are ready to harvest when their tops begin to fall over. Pull up, let dry in sun several days, then store in a cool, dry place.

PARSNIP

Best in cool weather and rich, well-drained soil. Add composted manure or balanced fertilizer to soil before planting. Full Sun. Plant outside as soon as soil can be loosened in spring. Excellent for summer planting/fall crop. Sow seeds thickly. Mix with radish seeds to help seedlings break through soil. Seeds 1/2 in. deep, rows 24 in. apart. Cultivate and weed regularly. Mulch to keep even soil moisture. Thin plants to 4 in. apart to allow growth. When 6 in. high, fertilize again (as above). Harvest at expected maturity days. Frost improves flavor. Root maggots common in North.

PEAS

Must have cool weather, Full Sun. First crop to plant in spring. Sow seeds outdoors as early as soil can be loosened in spring. Seeds 1 1/2 in. deep, 2 in. apart, in rows 2 ft. apart. DO NOT THIN. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. TALL TYPES: Can plant a double row 6 in. apart, then place support (trellis). Dwarf Types don’t need support. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. Make several plantings 2 weeks apart in early spring, again in late summer for fall. To Harvest: cut pods off with scissors or knife. Pods are ready when you can see the seeds inside just beginning to round out. For snow peas, pick before you can see seeds developing inside pod.

PEPPER

Needs warm weather, Full Sun. Start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before last spring frost. Wait until well after last spring frost to transplant outdoors. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before setting plants outside. Plant outdoors, setting plants about 18 in. apart in rows 3 ft. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. Keep soil evenly moist. To harvest, cut fruits from plant with a sharp knife. Keep picking daily. Peppers can be left on the plant to ripen to mature color (yellow or red) if you wish.

PUMPKIN

Needs warm weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors after soil has warmed in spring and all frost is over. Plant seeds 1 in. deep, in groups of 5 seeds 5 ft. apart for bush types and 8 ft. apart for normal vining types. Make rows seeds 5 ft. apart for bush types and 8 ft. apart for normal vining types. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 2 plants per group. Mulch or cultivate to keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. Pumpkins have a long maturity period. Pick before fall frost can damage the fruits.

RADISH

Best in cool weather and well-drained soil. Full Sun. Plant outside as soon as soil can be loosened in spring. Plant every 10 days for longer harvest. Sow seeds thickly. Seeds 1/2 in. deep, rows 12 in. apart. Cultivate and weed regularly. Mulch to keep even soil moisture. Thin plants to 1 in. apart to allow growth. Harvest promptly. Young radishes are the tenderest. If there are No Roots, Only Leaves: probably soil is too rich with fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing (especially with nitrogen) for root crops. Root maggots common in North. When weather is hot or growth is slow, roots have a hotter flavor and woody texture

SPINACH

Best in cool weather, Full Sun, well-drained soil. Sow seeds outdoors as early as soil can be loosened in spring. Seeds 1/2 in. deep, in rows 12 in. apart. Add high-nitrogen fertilizer (10-5-5) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 6 in. apart. Cultivate and keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. Make several plantings 2 weeks apart in early spring, again in late summer for fall. Harvest whole plants or leaves. Avoid wetting leaves, use correct plant spacing so air can circulate, plant varieties which tolerate mildew. Goes to Seed (also called Bolting): if planted too late in spring, will send up a flower stalk rather than form heads.

TURNIP

Best in cool weather and rich, well-drained soil. Add composted manure or balanced fertilizer to soil before planting. Full Sun. Plant outside as soon as soil can be loosened in spring. Plant again in 2-3 weeks. In midsummer, plant every 2 weeks for fall harvest (excellent fall crop). Seeds 1/2 in. deep, rows 18 in. apart. Cultivate and weed regularly. Mulch to keep even soil moisture. Thin plants to 4 in. apart to allow growth. When 6 in. high, fertilize again (as above). Harvest at expected maturity days. Root maggots, Flea beetles can be a problem.

WATERMELON

Needs warm weather, Full Sun, moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors after soil has warmed in spring and all frost is over. Plant seeds 1/2 in. deep, in groups of 5 seeds about 5 ft. apart. Make rows 6 ft. apart. Add fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure to soil before planting. Thin plants to 3 plants per group. Mulch or cultivate to keep weeds under control. VERY IMPORTANT: Keep soil evenly moist. To harvest: the thump test is not always reliable. Use the days to maturity as a guide. When ground spot turns from white to yellow and tendrils near the fruit dry up, the melon is ready.