Topic 15: Garden Planting and Planning

Distance Between Raised Beds

18"-24", more comfy and fit wheelbarrow between

Transplant Age of Cucumbers, Melons, Pumpkins

3 weeks but better as seed

Transplant Age of Lettuce

3-4 weeks but sometimes better as seed

Transplant Age of Spinach

3-4 weeks but sometimes better as seed

Transplant Age of Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Chard

4 weeks

Transplant Age of Onions

4-6 weeks but better as a set of seeds

Transplant Age of Eggplant, Peppers, Tomato

8 weeks

Half-Hardy Cold Crops

Beet, carrot, cauliflower, potato, lettuce

Hardy Cold Crops

Broccoli, cabbage, collard, kale, Swiss chard, onion, pea, radish, turnip, spinach

Late Growing Crops (>12 weeks)

Brussels, eggplant, potato, onions (seed), winter squash, collards, watermelon, garlic, melon, pumpkin, peppers, beets, sweet potato, carrots

Very Tender Cold Crops

Cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, okra, peppers, summer squash, sweet potatoes, watermelon

Harvest Basket

Carry produce

Considerations When Planning Garden

Choose a sunny location; close access to water; easy access to house; manageable garden size (a well tended 10'x10' produces more than a weedy 25'x50'); know what grows well in your area; seed? transplant? both?; plant what you eat

Trowel

Dig hole for transplant

Long Handle Spade

Digging holes, dividing plants, severing roots, working the soil

Long Handle, Rounded Shovel

Digging holes, mixing and moving soil, transplanting

Distance Between Rows

For walking access: 18", otherwise hard to walk around without damaging plants

Wheelbarrow

Haul soil, plants, tools, and produce

Raised Bed Gardening

Increases growing area (reduced space left in pathways); clearly defined planting area; minimizes soil compaction; saves resources (compost/fertilizer/water applied only to bed); reduces work (no heavy cultivation or construction after initial building); accessible (easy to reach center of 3-4 ft wide bed); plants grow better in loosened, fast draining soils; greater planting flexibility; easy to trellis; easy to add season extenders; beds warm up and dry out faster in the spring

Middle Growing Crops (8-10 weeks)

Lettuce, beets, endive, peas, bush beans, squash, cucumber, onion (sets), sweet corn, scallions, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, okra

Fast Growing Crops

Lettuce, radishes, greens, beets, bush beans (medium)

Long Handle Hoe

Make shallow rows for planting seed, breaking up soil, weeding

Spring Planting And Prepping

Map garden beds to the square foot; take soil samples if you need them; in early Feb, plan out plantings to determine how many plants you need; add compost to garden bed; order seed; start transplants; install trellises

When Is Last Frost?

March 25 (10%) April 10 (50%) April 25 (90%) Percent of no more frost

Trellises

Maximizes use of vert space; reduce plant disease by providing greater air movement within the crop; keeps fruit and vegetables off the ground; easier harvest

Low or Spreading Crops

Melons, lettuce, bush beans

Transplant Age of Beet, Radishes, Carrots, Turnips

None, better as a seed

Transplant Age of Peas

None, better as seed

When Is First Frost?

October 14 (10%) October 28 (50%) November 10 (90%) Percent frost by then

Plant Placement

Place tall plants on North side of garden (won't cast a shadow); in small gardens use intensive mixed crops

Succession Planting

Planting the same ground 2-3 times during the year or planting the same crop several times in 2-3 week intervals to provide a continuous harvest; requires more organization; use crops that are quick to mature; use season extenders; remember to not plant same family of crops in succession in the same spot

Long Handled Loppers

Prune fruit trees and woody ornamental

Pruners

Prune woody growth, harvest crops, and deadhead flowering plants

Flathead Rake

Remove stones and levels the soil

Trellis Considerations

Set up trellis at or before planting; match the strength of trellis with crop; make sure that the openings are large enough for wasy harvest

Tender Cold Crops

Snap bean, Lima bean, corn, winter squash, southern pea, tomato

Early Growing Crops (<8 weeks)

Spinach, radishes, salad greens, lettuce (leaf), turnips

Three Main Gardening Seasons

Spring (March-June) Summer (May-Sept) Fall (Aug-Dec)

Types of Trellieses

Teepee; a-frame; stake/pole; frame/fence; cage; lean-to; branches; companion plant (corn stalk)

Interplanting

The growing of two or more crops in the same place at the same time; plants can be arranged to contrast texture and color; fast growing and slow growing crops can be planted at the same time; tall with short/spreading crops; only works if not too crowded

Tall Crops

Tomatoes (trellised), sweet corn, okra, pole beans (trellised), other trellised crops (peas, cucumbers, melons, etc)

Slow Growing Crops

Tomatoes, green peppers, sweet corn, winter squash, pole beans

Crops With Highest Economic Value

Tomatoes; green onion; leaf lettuce; turnips; summer squash; podded peas; onion; green beans; beets; carrots; cucumbers; peppers; broccoli; head lettuce; Swiss chard

Garden (Compost) Fork

Transfer and aerate compost

Commonly Trellised Crops

Vining cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and melons; pole beans and peas; raspberries; grapes; tomatoes; sometimes peppers and eggplants

Watering Can With Long Nozzle

Water seedlings, pots

Weeding Forks

Work top few inches of soil, remove weeds by roots