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UHCTAHR On-Farm Food Safety: Questions Growers Frequently Ask FST-37 June 2009

Applying a layer of mulch to the newly planted veg-etable garden will help to retain moisture and regulate temperature extremes, and it will continue to condition the soil, resulting in a healthier garden. A 3-inch layer of mulch is used for most conditions in Hawaii. A consistent watering schedule is imperative for a healthy garden. A drip line that easily attaches to your water outlet and which can be placed at the base of the plants is the best choice when watering vegetable gar-dens. Water that stands on the surface of plant leaves as a result of using overhead sprinklers or hand watering makes plants more susceptible to disease and fungus growth. Water should be applied as early in the morning as possible. Organic fertilizers are available in the form of chicken or steer manure and bonemeal. Synthetic fertilizers are also available. Follow the directions on the package for application instructions. For specific fertilizer require-ments, see the UH publications on Home Garden Veg-etables at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/freepubs.

For gardening in containersPurchase potting soil from your local garden center to grow vegetables in containers. Potting soil is usually a mixture of peat moss and perlite. Slow-release fertil-izers are best for containers and are available at garden centers. Or, cured chicken manure can be used, by adding 3 teaspoons per 8-inch container.

How to Start a Vegetable Garden

CTAHR Popular Press(Home Garden)

PP-16, July 2009

Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in coopera-tion with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Andrew G. Hashimoto, Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Mnoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822.An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawaii without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, dis-ability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran. CTAHR publications can be found on the Web site .

Amending the soilProviding good soil structure is essential to growing a successful vegetable garden. At the University of Hawaii Urban Garden Center in Pearl City, weve amended a newly planted vegetable garden with good compost (not mulch), cured chicken manure, and bonemeal. All of these products can be purchased from your local garden center. A general rule for compost is to incorporate 4 inches to a depth of 68 inches into the soil. A general rule for chicken manure is to incorporate one heaping garden shovel of manure per vegetable plant. Amend-ments should be incorporated at least one week prior to planting. The pH of your garden soil will determine the plants ability to take up nutrients (i.e., the fertilizer added to the garden). Soil pH for vegetables should be 6.07.0. If the pH is too high or too low, nutrients will not be available to the plants, no matter how much fertilizer you add. Test your soil pH before you plant!

Choosing vegetablesYour local garden center carries vegetable plants and vegetable seeds to purchase. The University of Hawaii recommends choosing vegetables that are disease resis-tant. Visit this website to see a list of seeds available from the CTAHR Seed Lab: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed.

Preventing insects and diseasesHealthy plants are able to sustain damage from pests and diseases better than a plant experiencing water or nutrient stress.

Jayme GrzebikOahu Urban Horticulturist and Master Gardener Coordinator

UH-CTAHR Urban Garden Center at Pearl City

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/freepubshttp://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed