The ArtThe Art

ofofVegetable Vegetable

GardeningGardening Vincent J. Mannino,Vincent J. Mannino,

County Extension Director – Fort BendCounty Extension Director – Fort Bend

Why Garden?Why Garden? Homegrown Homegrown

vegetables taste vegetables taste better.better.

You have control You have control over what pesticides over what pesticides are applied.are applied.

Good exercise.Good exercise. Fun!Fun!

How to be a How to be a Great GardenerGreat Gardener

Proper Soil Preparation and FertilizationProper Soil Preparation and Fertilization Select Recommended VarietiesSelect Recommended Varieties Plant at the Right Time Plant at the Right Time Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects Adequate Soil MoistureAdequate Soil Moisture Harvest at the Right Time Harvest at the Right Time Plan and PreparePlan and Prepare

Get a Quality Start! - SEEDSGet a Quality Start! - SEEDS

Seed sources to use:Seed sources to use: – – Reputable catalogsReputable catalogs – – Reputable local retailersReputable local retailers – – Saved from Saved from open-pollinatedopen-pollinated sources sources – – New varietiesNew varieties – – Heirloom varietiesHeirloom varieties

Getting a Quality Start! - SEEDSGetting a Quality Start! - SEEDS

Saving your own seed:Saving your own seed:

– – Hybrids will not be same as what you Hybrids will not be same as what you purchasedpurchased

– – Disease potential.Disease potential.

– – Pick when mature.Pick when mature.

– – Process properlyProcess properly

– – Store properlyStore properly

*** Keep accurate records each year!*** Keep accurate records each year!

Ideal Garden LocationIdeal Garden Location Receives 8 + hours of sunlight. Receives 8 + hours of sunlight. Soil has good internal and external Soil has good internal and external

drainage. drainage. Free of competition from other large Free of competition from other large

plants, buildings, etc. plants, buildings, etc. Near a source of water. Near a source of water. Visible! Visible!

Garden DesignGarden DesignTraditional Gardens (raised)

Box Garden (raised)

Postage Stamp

Gardens

Traditional Gardens (raised)

What is an Ideal Soil?What is an Ideal Soil?

pH 6.0 – 6.5 (Slightly Acid).pH 6.0 – 6.5 (Slightly Acid). 5 – 10% Organic Matter.5 – 10% Organic Matter. 40 – 45% Inorganic Matter (Sand, 40 – 45% Inorganic Matter (Sand,

Silt or Clay)Silt or Clay) 50% Pore Space ( Air and Water).50% Pore Space ( Air and Water). Texture - Sandy to Sandy Loam.Texture - Sandy to Sandy Loam.

Soil PreparationSoil Preparation

Have a soil test run.Have a soil test run. Incorporate plenty of Incorporate plenty of

organic matter.organic matter. Add large amounts of Add large amounts of

bank sand or sharp bank sand or sharp sand to improve sand to improve drainage.drainage.

Add nutrients if Add nutrients if necessary.necessary.

Cultural Practices Reduce Cultural Practices Reduce Pesticide Use (IPM)Pesticide Use (IPM)

Healthy SoilsHealthy Soils Resistant VarietiesResistant Varieties Planting TimePlanting Time Proper WateringProper Watering Soil FertilitySoil Fertility

SanitationSanitation Weed ControlWeed Control Diverse PlantingDiverse Planting Crop RotationCrop Rotation

Growing Up - Not OutGrowing Up - Not Out

Composting – Recycle Yard WasteComposting – Recycle Yard Waste

Compost MaterialsCompost Materials

Household Household organicsorganics

Leaves Leaves Pine NeedlesPine Needles HayHay Grass ClippingsGrass Clippings Paper Paper

Starting Your Own Plants from Starting Your Own Plants from SeedsSeeds Average last frost ~ Average last frost ~

March 5March 5 Select Proper Varieties. Select Proper Varieties. Sterile Potting Media. Sterile Potting Media. Sterile Containers. Sterile Containers. High Light Intensity for High Light Intensity for

14-16 hours. 14-16 hours. Regular Applications of Regular Applications of

Soluble Fertilizer Soluble Fertilizer

Container GardeningContainer Gardening

Excellent for small Excellent for small yards or patio homes.yards or patio homes.

Requires more care:Requires more care: Water.Water. Fertilizer.Fertilizer.

Use large containers Use large containers with a loose potting with a loose potting media to reduce media to reduce compactioncompaction..

Harvest at the Proper TimeHarvest at the Proper Time

Quality can vary Quality can vary greatly depending greatly depending on time harvested.on time harvested.

Take the time to Take the time to learn when the learn when the various vegetables various vegetables should be should be harvested.harvested.

Vegetable Family MembersVegetable Family Members

Nightshade – Tomato, potato, eggplant, pepperNightshade – Tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper Legumes – Peas, beans (same family as clover)Legumes – Peas, beans (same family as clover) Grass – CornGrass – Corn Cucurbit – Squash, pumpkin, watermelon, Cucurbit – Squash, pumpkin, watermelon,

cantaloupe, cucumber, gourdscantaloupe, cucumber, gourds Mallow – OkraMallow – Okra Morning Glory – Sweet PotatoesMorning Glory – Sweet Potatoes

Vegetable Family MembersVegetable Family Members

Composite – Lettuce, chicory, endive, escarole, Composite – Lettuce, chicory, endive, escarole, salsify, salsify, dandelion, Jerusalem artichokedandelion, Jerusalem artichoke

Parsley – Carrots, parsley, celery, parsnipParsley – Carrots, parsley, celery, parsnip Amaryllis – Onions, garlic, leek, chive, Amaryllis – Onions, garlic, leek, chive, Goosefoot – Spinach, beets & chard.Goosefoot – Spinach, beets & chard. Lily - AsparagusLily - Asparagus Mustards – Cabbage, collards, Brussel sprouts, Mustards – Cabbage, collards, Brussel sprouts,

kale, radish, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, turnipkale, radish, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, turnip

Nightshade FamilyNightshade Family TomatoTomato PepperPepper EggplantEggplant PotatoPotato

* Transplants* Transplants

Recipe for SuccessfulRecipe for Successful Production Production

**Tomatoes can be temperature sensitive for fruit setTomatoes can be temperature sensitive for fruit set

Tomatoes - Plant large, vigorous Tomatoes - Plant large, vigorous plants. Incorporate plants. Incorporate ¼-½ cup of ¼-½ cup of complete, slow release fertilizer at complete, slow release fertilizer at planting.planting.

Tomatoes - May plant as early asTomatoes - May plant as early asJanuary 15January 15thth in 1-gallon containers in 1-gallon containers and grow in full sun until after the and grow in full sun until after the last killing frost.last killing frost.

Apply a weekly foliar spray of a Apply a weekly foliar spray of a water soluble fertilizer. water soluble fertilizer.

Work in 2-3 Tbs. of high nitrogen Work in 2-3 Tbs. of high nitrogen fertilizer when 1fertilizer when 1st st cluster of fruit cluster of fruit sets.sets.

Fertilize every two weeks with Fertilize every two weeks with 21-0-0 at 1 Tablespoon per plant. 21-0-0 at 1 Tablespoon per plant.

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Nightshade Family of the Nightshade Family

Legume FamilyLegume Family Green (Snap) BeansGreen (Snap) Beans Lima BeansLima Beans Southern PeaSouthern Pea English PeaEnglish Pea Edible-podded PeaEdible-podded Pea SoybeanSoybean Runner BeanRunner Bean* Direct Plant Seeds* Direct Plant Seeds

Green (Snap) BeanGreen (Snap) Bean

Plant March-April Plant March-April and September and September

Moderately Fertile Moderately Fertile Soil.Soil.

Harvest When Harvest When Pods are Young Pods are Young and Tender.and Tender.

Lima (Butter) BeansLima (Butter) Beans

Plant March - Early Plant March - Early April and September. April and September.

Moderately Fertile Moderately Fertile Soil.Soil.

Harvest When Pods Harvest When Pods are Mature and Seeds are Mature and Seeds Fully Developed.Fully Developed.

Southern PeasSouthern Peas

Plant April thru Plant April thru August.August.

Prefers warm soil.Prefers warm soil. Requires Requires

moderately fertile moderately fertile soils.soils.

Harvest when pods Harvest when pods are mature and are mature and start to yellow.start to yellow.

Edible-podded PeasEdible-podded Peas Plant Late Plant Late

September thru September thru January.January.

Moderately Moderately Fertile Soil.Fertile Soil.

Most Varieties Most Varieties Need Support.Need Support.

Light Production Light Production But High Quality.But High Quality.

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Legume Familyof the Legume Family

Grass Family – Sweet CornGrass Family – Sweet Corn

Plant March – April. Plant March – April. Direct plant seedDirect plant seed

Fertilize at Planting, Fertilize at Planting, 1 Foot Tall & Tassel 1 Foot Tall & Tassel Visible in the Whorl Visible in the Whorl with with ½-½-1 Cup 21-0-0 1 Cup 21-0-0 per 10 Ft. of Row.per 10 Ft. of Row.

90%+ Harvested the 90%+ Harvested the same day.same day.

Types of Sweet CornsTypes of Sweet Corns

Sweet Corn (su)-Sweet Corn (su)- Traditional sweet corn Traditional sweet corn with sweet flavor & creamy consistency. with sweet flavor & creamy consistency. Sugar degrades rapidly to starch . Sugar degrades rapidly to starch .

Sugary Enhanced (se)Sugary Enhanced (se) – Tender kernels, – Tender kernels, much sweeter flavor and creamy much sweeter flavor and creamy consistency. Maintains sweet flavor consistency. Maintains sweet flavor much longer than traditional sweet corn. much longer than traditional sweet corn.

Types of Sweet CornsTypes of Sweet Corns

Super Sweets (sh2)-Super Sweets (sh2)- Very crisp kernels, Very crisp kernels, even after freezing, and a much higher sugar even after freezing, and a much higher sugar content. Sugar is very stable within the content. Sugar is very stable within the kernel but lacks the creamy consistency. kernel but lacks the creamy consistency.

Triple Sweets (su x se x sh2)-Triple Sweets (su x se x sh2)- Combination Combination of high sugar and creamy consistency, of high sugar and creamy consistency, carrying a combination of traits from both carrying a combination of traits from both sugar enhanced and super sweet varieties. sugar enhanced and super sweet varieties.

Plant Corn in Multiple RowsPlant Corn in Multiple Rows

Plant Corn in BlocksPlant Corn in Blocks

Corn Insects and DiseaseCorn Insects and Disease

Cucurbit (Gourd) FamilyCucurbit (Gourd) Family CucumberCucumber SquashSquash CantaloupeCantaloupe HoneydewHoneydew WatermelonWatermelon PumpkinPumpkin GourdGourd *Temperature *Temperature

sensitive for fruit setsensitive for fruit set

* Usually direct seed* Usually direct seed

Male and Female FlowersMale and Female Flowers

CucumbersCucumbers

Plant late March – Plant late March – April and September.April and September.

Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility. Easily trellised.Easily trellised. Harvest for pickles Harvest for pickles

when fruit reaches when fruit reaches desired size and desired size and slicers when near slicers when near maturity.maturity.

SquashSquash Plant late March – Plant late March –

April and September.April and September. Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility. HarvestHarvest

Winter Squash when Winter Squash when mature, rind hard.mature, rind hard.

Summer Squash Summer Squash when tender and when tender and immature. immature.

MelonsMelons

Plant late April thru Plant late April thru July.July.

Moderate Fertility.Moderate Fertility. Easily trellised.Easily trellised. Harvest at full slip Harvest at full slip

or tendril at base of or tendril at base of fruit turns brown. fruit turns brown.

Pantyhose MelonsPantyhose Melons

Squash Vineborer

Common Diseases and InsectsCommon Diseases and Insectsof the Cucurbit Familyof the Cucurbit Family

Squash Bugs & Eggs

Powdery Mildew

Squash Bugs

Mallow FamilyMallow Family

OkraOkra Plant April thru Plant April thru

July when soils July when soils are warm.are warm.

Moderate fertility.Moderate fertility. Harvest when Harvest when

pods are small and pods are small and tender.tender.

Okra HarvestOkra Harvest

Okra DiseaseOkra Disease

Nematodes

Solarize

Elbon Cereal Rye

Morning-glory FamilyMorning-glory Family

Sweet PotatoSweet Potato Plant after soils Plant after soils

have warmed, have warmed, May thru July.May thru July.

Moderate fertility.Moderate fertility. Harvest when Harvest when

roots are fully roots are fully cured.cured.

Plants or “slips”Plants or “slips”

Composite (Sunflower) Family Composite (Sunflower) Family

Cardoon Cardoon Globe Artichoke Globe Artichoke RadicchioRadicchio LettuceLettuce EndiveEndive

* Direct* Direct

SeedSeed

LettuceLettuce

Plant when soil Plant when soil cools in fall & cools in fall & winter.winter.

Seed needs Seed needs light to light to germinate.germinate.

Refrigerate Refrigerate before use.before use.

Parsley (Umbel) FamilyParsley (Umbel) Family CarrotCarrot ParsleyParsley FennelFennel DillDill CeleryCelery ParsnipParsnip *Direct*Direct SeedSeed

CarrotsCarrots Plant seed from Plant seed from

early October early October thru December.thru December.

Seed need light to Seed need light to germinate.germinate.

Give regular light Give regular light applications of applications of nitrogen fertilizer.nitrogen fertilizer.

Amaryllis (Onion) FamilyAmaryllis (Onion) Family OnionsOnions LeeksLeeks GarlicGarlic Shallots Shallots ChivesChives

OnionsOnions Plant seeds in early Plant seeds in early

November, plants in November, plants in January.January.

Low sulfur soil for Low sulfur soil for sweet onions.sweet onions.

Fertilize with small Fertilize with small amounts of nitrogen, amounts of nitrogen, frequently. frequently.

LeeksLeeks Plant clusters of 5-8 Plant clusters of 5-8

seed every 6 inches.seed every 6 inches. Start to thin when Start to thin when

pencil size.pencil size. Apply frequent, Apply frequent,

small amounts of small amounts of nitrogen fertilizer.nitrogen fertilizer.

Blanch to improve Blanch to improve quality.quality.

GarlicGarlic Plant cloves about 4 Plant cloves about 4

– 6 inches apart.– 6 inches apart.

Small frequent Small frequent applications of applications of nitrogen.nitrogen.

Harvest tops and Harvest tops and roots as neededroots as needed..

Goosefoot FamilyGoosefoot Family

BeetsBeets Swiss ChardSwiss Chard SpinachSpinach* Direct plant seed* Direct plant seed

Lily FamilyLily Family AsparagusAsparagus

Plant in well drained, Plant in well drained, organic soil. Deeporganic soil. Deep

Use high nitrogen Use high nitrogen fertilizers. fertilizers.

Harvest for a short period in Harvest for a short period in the spring and fall.the spring and fall.

Size of spears indicates Size of spears indicates plant vigor.plant vigor.

Takes 2-3 years to establishTakes 2-3 years to establish

Know the Good GuysKnow the Good Guys

Know the Good GuysKnow the Good Guys

Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management

Provide plants with the best care and culture Provide plants with the best care and culture possible.possible.

Use only the most adapted varieties.Use only the most adapted varieties. If chemical (organic or man-made) control is If chemical (organic or man-made) control is

necessary start with the most environmentally necessary start with the most environmentally friendly products first. friendly products first.

Apply chemicals, (organic or man-made) Apply chemicals, (organic or man-made) properly, safely and according to the label.properly, safely and according to the label.

Recommended PesticidesRecommended Pesticides

InsecticidesInsecticides insecticidal soapsinsecticidal soaps malathionmalathion carbarylcarbaryl permethrinpermethrin

FungicidesFungicides pesticidal oils- petroleum basedpesticidal oils- petroleum based copper basecopper base sulfur basesulfur base captancaptan daconildaconil

ALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONSALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS

The EndThe End

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/