GARDENING TIPS

Growing your own vegetables and herbs can be very rewarding!  Here are a few  tips to help you get started.

Where to plant:
Plant your garden where it will get plenty of sunlight.  The ideal location is an area that gets sun all day long.  If this is not available, make sure your location at least gets the warm afternoon sun.  The more sun your garden receives, the better your produce will be.

Soil conditions:
Vegetables and herbs will grow best in well-drained soil with ample organic matter in it.  Frequently composts and manures are added to garden soil to help the garden grow to its full potential.

Watering:
Plant your garden in a place that has easy access to water.  Most of your summer producing vegetables and herbs will need water in our warm dry summers.  The best method of applying water is through a soaker hose.  This not only helps conserve water, but helps prevent wet foliage that can lead to disease issues.

Fertilizing:
Vegetable gardens typically need ample fertilizer.  Generally plants should be fertilized at the time of planting, and again 4-6 weeks prior to the harvest of the crop, depending on the crop.  Good organic fertilizers to use in the garden are Garden-tone, Tomato-tone and Lime.  A good synthetic fertilizer would be Perfection 16-16-16.  Consult the label on the fertilizer for application rates depending on the crop being fertilized.

Vegetable

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Artichoke

Basil (plant)

Beans

Broccoli Arcadia (spring)

Broccoli Arcadia (fall)

Brussel Sprouts (spring)

Brussel Sprouts (fall)

Cabbage (spring)

Cabbage (fall)

Cantaloupe

Cauliflower (spring)

Cauliflower (fall)

Celery

Chives

Cilantro

Corn

Cucumber

Cucumber

Eggplant

Fennel

Garlic

Kale

Lettuce (spring)

Lettuce (summer)

Marjoram

Mint

Nasturtium

Onion as sets (sm. bulbs)

Onion in bunches

Onion in trays

Oregano

Parsley

Peas

Pepper

Peppers - hot

Pumpkin

Rumex

Rsoemary

Sage

Shallots

Spinach

Squash

Stevia

Strawberries

Swiss Chard (spring)

Swiss Chard (summer)

Thyme

Tomatillo

Tomato

Watermellon

• Tomatoes – Plant in an area of the garden where water can be limited.  Water and fertilize tomatoes sparingly until the 4th of July and then only water when absolutely necessary. (The exception is if you are growing your tomato in a container.)  This will stress the tomato plant, which actually helps it set fruit and adds more intense flavor.

• Never plant your tomatoes in the same place two years in a row.  Rotation of your crops will help prevent the development of diseases that affect certain plants. 
  
  
  
• For smaller spaces - try vining vegetables on a trellis.  This works great for cucumbers.
  * Corn should be knee high by the 4th of July.
  
  
  
• Don’t forget to bait for slugs when planting young vegetables, especially leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach.
  
  
  
• Always plant corn and other tall growing vegetables on the east side of your garden so it doesn’t shade the rest of your garden.
  
  
  
• Plant your perennial garden plants in one area, as they will come back year after year.
  
  
  
• Try at least one thing new every year!