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2018 TENNESSEE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN CALENDAR

Tennessee Extension Home Fruit and Vegetable Workgroup Bob Ary, Extension Agent, Sumner County

Natalie Bumgarner, Residential and Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist Darby Payne Allday, Extension Agent, Giles County

Carol Reese, Western Region Extension Horticulture Specialist Melody Rose, Extension Agent, Greene County

Lee Sammons, Extension Agent, Hardeman County Virginia Sykes, Variety Testing and Agroecology Extension Specialist

Gregg Upchurch, Extension Agent, Cumberland County

This calendar has been developed to assist you in formulating an overall plan for your residential vegetable garden. Use it to schedule various

planting, harvesting and management practices. However, there are many other excellent resources that will be an asset to you in planning

and managing your garden. We hope this calendar is one step in your successful garden vegetable journey.

JANUARY

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Harvest any remaining fall cool-season crops. The most cold hardy are

likely to be spinach, kale, collards and Brussels sprouts. • Work on your garden layout and planting plans. These plans should be

based on a rotation among plant families (see December). It also should include any changes that are required due to pest and disease issues that were seen the prior year. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-A.pdf

• Test germination on remaining garden seed to ensure viability for the upcoming season.

• Gather materials for producing transplants (if you grow your own). These should include new or sanitized trays and containers as well as a sterile growing substrate. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-B.pdf

• Order seeds for your 2018 garden, especially those you plan to grow as transplants (additional info on right).

• In some parts of Tennessee, seeds will need to be started in January (cool-season crops for spring transplant).

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Deciding on crops and cultivars for the garden In the world of home gardening, there are many options in cultivars to grow. While it can be great to try a few new cultivars each year, consider these criteria to help narrow your selections: 1. Management requirements. Will the crop require frequent spraying, picking, pruning, etc. to remain healthy and productive? It is fine to have some intensive crops (heirloom tomatoes, for example), but if your whole garden requires lots of time, it may become overwhelming. 2. Space requirements. How much garden space is needed compared to expected production? Consider your gardening area and make sure to select crops and cultivars that fit your goals and provide adequate returns for your time and space investments. If you only have one raised bed, pumpkins may not be your best crop. 3. Preferences. What will you and your family be most excited about, and what fits the best with your diet and eating patterns? Adding some novel crops to your garden can be a great way to expand your knowledge of food crops. However, make sure that the majority of your garden is planted to crops you know you and/or your family will know and eat. Time spent in the garden will be most enjoyable when everyone is able to appreciate the harvest. 4. Reported performance. Has this cultivar trialed well in the area? Check out additional trial information in March and October for all the details on UT and All-America Selections Trials.

1 2 3 4 5 6Six weeks until earlydate to plant kale in

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

JANUARY 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

crops that performed

leftover seed

Review cultivars and

Test germination of

your garden. if using transplants.well last year in West TN. Seed soon

Prepare garden plan. Research any new These green-colored There are severalrecord sheets at thea rotation of crop

this year. to keep track of end of this calender.

Make sure to followcultivars to try squares remind you

There are also boxes related. on each month.

families.all things garden-

for remaining cool- many diseasesPrepare seed order Remember that

season seeds for by ordering diseasefrom last year. season and warm- can be prevented

Purchase or gather Be sure to purchase

transplants. free-seed.

transplants. clean containers.materials to prepare sterile substrate and

FEBRUARY

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Seed cool-season crops for transplanting in many parts of the state.

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and similar crops will need 6 to 8 weeks from seeding to transplanting (depending on vegetable). A late March or early April planting will require an early February seeding. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-B.pdf

• Order remainder of garden seeds for 2018 garden. Direct seeded crops can be part of this later order.

• Seed the earliest of warm-season transplants. Peppers often need 12 weeks to produce a nice transplant, so an early May transplant date will require an early February seeding.

• If conditions allow, you may prepare soil for early seeded cool-season crops. Make sure to allow plenty of time for cover crops to decompose as this process is slower under cooler conditions. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-G.pdf

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Transplant Tricks of the Trade

• Start with a pathogen-free soilless media. Germination mixes are designed to start your seedlings off disease free. They are also designed to drain well while holding enough water to support germination and growth.

• Follow suggested temperatures for germination. One of the most common issues that causes poor germination is lower than suggested temperatures. Warm-season crops — such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants — will germinate poorly and slowly when conditions are too cool.

• Light is critical. Most indoor locations don’t have enough light to grow stocky seedlings. Watch your seedlings for color and stem thickness (are they stretching?). An additional light can be a great investment.

• Don’t overwater. Growing media should be allowed to dry out slightly (but not completely) between watering. Air movement and light are important in managing the growing environment.

CONSIDERING KALE

• One of the most cold hardy garden vegetables. • Responds well to some season extension methods (see November) and

can often overwinter in the garden. It will often flower after overwinter, though, because most are biennials (see small flower buds in the spring photo below).

• Can be grown from seed or transplanted. • Many cultivars are available with a variety of leaf colors, shapes and

textures. • Can be harvested at a range of stages from baby to mature leaves. • Try the recent All-America Selections winner ‘Prizm’ shown below for a

compact and productive green ruffled kale that can be grown in ground or in a container. It can even be mixed with flowers for a great edible container option.

1 Six weeks until 2 It's Groundhog 3early date to plant kale in East TN and

in West TN. Seed

4 5 6 7 8 9 10Investigate trials ofvegetables beforemaking purchases.

11 12 13 14 Eight weeks 15 Six weeks until 16 17early date to plant cabbage, broccoliand cauliflower in East TN. Seed

18 19 20 28 Eight weeks 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 Eight weeks

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

FEBRUARY 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

of basing yourDay. Beware

transplants now. on rodents.

cabbage/broccoli gardening decisions

Prepare seed order

direct seeded crops. for warm-season

Prepare garden soil from frost-free date Could direct seed

moist. Early seeding Seed warm-season and collards in Westin West TN if not too in much of West TN. peas, mustard, kale

raised beds. transplants now. prepared. can be easier in transplants now. TN if soil can be

closely to ensure in Middle TN if dry in much of Middle TN. young transplantsMonitor transplants Prepare garden soil from frost-free date Make sure that

Could direct seed

that they are not enough. Seed warm-season are not stretching.

peas, mustard, kale Prepare garden soil from frost-free date

watered. low light or high N. not over or under- transplants now. This would indicate

of Middle TN if soil transplants now.

in East TN if dry in much of East TN. enough. Seed warm-season

can be prepared.

and collards in much

MARCH

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Seed the remainder of warm season transplants. Tomato transplants

require 6 to 8 weeks, so a March 1 seeding provides transplants for a May 1 transplant date under good conditions. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-B.pdf

• Prepare garden soil if conditions allow. Remember that if you are tilling in a cover crop, 2-3 weeks may be needed to decompose the cover crop material. Mowing before tilling can be helpful. Also allow time for other organic materials to break down if not fully composted. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-G.pdf

• Seed or transplant cool season crops. Hardy cool-season crops are usually seeded or transplanted 4-6 weeks before the frost free date while less cold hardy cool-season crops are usually started 2 weeks before the frost free date. Install row covers or low tunnels over early season transplants to increase day and night temperatures and support season growth. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-F.pdf

• Don’t forget to harden off any transplants (slowly subject them to garden conditions) to reduce stress once placed in the ground.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Tennessee Home Garden Variety Trial Would you like to sign your home garden up to be a trial site to help home gardeners across Tennessee select the most appropriate cultivars? Join this new and exciting citizen science project and contribute to variety trials. It is as simple as 1, 2, 3. 1. Select your trial crops. Each year paired sets of cultivars are chosen for

trial and you can select which sets you would like to test.

2. Grow your garden. A trial kit includes enough seeds for a 1-foot row of each cultivar.

3. Tell us what you think. UT Extension researchers will ask for your evaluations, which will be combined with other comments from around the state.

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT LETTUCE Have you tried planting iceberg head lettuce like you see in the grocery store in your garden only to be disappointed by the results? Well, there is a reason the central valley of California grows most of our iceberg, which can require specific conditions. Why not look at some other lettuce types that can perform quite well in spring and fall in Tennessee gardens? • Many leaf lettuce cultivars are well-suited to the home garden. Try

‘Starfighter’, ‘Tropicana’, ‘Green Star’ or ‘New Red Fire’, and don’t be afraid to pick these cultivars and many others immature.

• Bibb or butterhead lettuce provides a softer leaf texture and can be grown in green or red. Try ‘Sylesta’, ‘Mirlo’ or ‘Skyphos’.

• Oakleaf can provide great textural and color. Try ‘Oscarde’ or ‘Panisse’. • Branch out and try some of the new cultivars developed for chefs called

Salanova, which provide beautiful heads and consistent leaf sizes when cut. (Salanova green bibb is pictured on the left.)

• Don’t plant lettuce too deeply or plant when temperatures are going to be high. Direct seed, lightly pat in to the soil and keep moist.

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10Plant or seed lettucein West TN.

11 Daylight Saving 12 13 14 15 16 17Time to transplantcabbage, cauliflowerand broccoli in West TN.

18 19 20 Vernal equinox 21 22 23 24

East TN.

25 26 Early date 27 28 29 30 31

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

MARCH 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Could direct seed

direct seed beets.

Plant Irish potatoespeas, mustard, kale in West TN. Also

results to add pre-

TN if soil can be and collards in East

Early to mid-March Be prepared for Use your soil test Keep track of the

prepared.

soil temperature. garden. calendar. They prefer a 50 F crops. applications to the

fertilizer applications

at the back of theplant asparagus. of cool-season plant fertilizer on the record sheetis the best time to succession seeding

in Middle TN.

seeding of cool-

cabbage, broccoli

low tunnels can bePlant or seed lettuce

Maintain succession

to transplant

Row covers or Could direct seed peas, mustard, kale

TN if soil can be early season crops. a great way to pushand collards in East

Watch for signs of Early date to For a 5/10 transplant Carrots can be

prepared.

season crops such season leafy crops. the seeding date the state in March. maturity in cool- plant potatoes in date, this would be planted in most of

harvesting too late. transplants. as radish to prevent for warm-season

should be all season leafy crops a cover crop needsPeas and potatoes Direct seeded cool- Remember that

to mature in late break down beforeseeded by late should still be able a few weeks to in East TN. March in West TN.

April or early May. planting.

APRIL

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Finish site preparation if not completed. Use proper pre-plant fertilizer.

extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-C.pdf • Finish direct seeding and transplanting cool-season crops to prevent them

from maturing under hot summer conditions. A 35-day lettuce direct seeded April 1 will need until approximately May 5 to mature. Even early maturing broccoli and cabbage transplants usually take at least 45-50 days from transplanting.

• Harvest may begin on the earliest seeded leafy crops or root crops. • Begin purchasing transplants of warm-season crops. Select plants that

are stocky, show good green coloration, and have no signs of pests or diseases.

• It is common to seed some direct seeded warm-season crops a bit before the frost free date (beans, corn). Be cautious of soil temperatures, though, especially if you are seeding untreated seeds or supersweet corn.

• In much of Tennessee, transplants of warm-season crops are planted in April. But keeping plants from frost is not the only concern. Many warm-season crops prefer 65 F to 70 F soil temps for germination and root growth. So, use a small soil thermometer to ensure proper temps.

• Harden off your transplants before placing them in the garden. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-B.pdf

A PLETHORA OF PEPPERS

Tomatoes get most of the publicity, but in terms of space and time needs, it is hard to find a fruiting crop that has the diversity of the garden pepper. • For a traditional sweet bell pepper, try ‘Red Knight’, ‘King Arthur’ or

‘Alliance’, which are all red at full maturity, or try ‘Flavorburst’ or ‘Mecate’ for a vibrant yellow fruit at maturity.

• Sweet peppers are not just bells these days. Italian frying peppers, or Corno di Toros, are excellent sweet pepper options as well. ‘Carmen’ (matures to red), along with ‘Escamillo’ and ‘Cornito Giallo’, which mature to yellow, are all recent All-America Selection (AAS) winners.

• Hot pepper diversity is truly impressive. Try the compact jalapeno ‘Emerald Fire’ or the Fresno ‘Flaming Flare’ or the ‘Mad Hatter’ scotch bonnet pepper for recent AAS winners (see October for more AAS info).

• ‘Black Hawk’ and ‘Black Pearl’ peppers are beautiful ornamental options that have edible — but hot — small purple fruit and dark leaves (see photo).

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

How much do I really need to plant? Vegetable crop Estimated row length per

person for fresh eating Estimated row length per person for preservation

Snap beans 8 ft 8-15 ft Beets 5-10 ft 10-15 ft Cabbage 5 ft 5-8 ft Carrots 5-10 ft 10-15 ft Cucumbers 5-10 ft 10-15 ft Lettuce 10-20 ft NA Irish potatoes 25-50 ft 25-50 ft Peppers 2 ft 2-7 ft Pumpkins 5-10 ft 5-10 ft Summer squash 3-4 ft 4-5 ft Winter squash 5-10 ft 5-10 ft Sweet corn 6-12 ft 12-30 ft Tomatoes 8 ft 8-16 ft Watermelon 5-8 ft NA

nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mipmcot9407.pdf

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 Mid-April is 13 14Don't forget to alsoprepare irrigationif using plasticmulch.

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

APRIL 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

of dates to direct early beans and time to plant beets turnips or mustardNearing the end Direct seeding of It could be a good Consider seeding

begin in West TN. seed spinach. sweet corn could and peas in East TN. in West TN.

Make sure to Prepare mulched

If buying transplants,

near the end of dates Direct seeding of Keep track of thespring rains.

recommendations if using plastic in West & Middle TN. sweet corn could follow soil test beds ahead of time

begin in Middle TN. seed kale in

look for stocky, dark

to direct seed lettuce early beans and

fertilization. possible in East TN.for pre-plant mulch. Late April may be begin in Middle TN.

of dates to direct transplants can much pest control in West TN. early beans andNearing the end Many warm-season Determine how Okra can be seeded Direct seeding of

be placed in soil materials remain sweet corn could

April and into May When was that

disease. no sign of pest or West TN.green seedlings with

in West TN. from previous year.

last frost this year?be placed in soil when the soil temp plant turnips in Make sure to notetransplants can transplant at a time is the time toMany warm-season Make sure to

it!good root growth.

in Middle TN. is warm enough for East TN.

MAY

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Harvest cool-season crops and watch for pests in these crops. • Seed succession plantings of common warm-season direct seeded crops,

such as beans and sweet corn. Some of the sweet corn cultivars that prefer warmer soil conditions may be best saved until this month. Okra seeds prefer 70 F soil temps to germinate as well.

• Prepare beds that will be in plastic mulch prior to planting transplants. Black plastic can warm the soil and speed early growth of transplants. Make sure that irrigation is provided if impermeable mulch is used. Sometimes natural mulches, such as straw, are applied a few weeks after planting as they can reflect light and actually slow soil warming.

• Continue transplanting warm-season crops. Peppers and eggplants prefer even warmer soil conditions than tomatoes and are often planted later. Make sure that young transplants are watered in and given a starter fertilizer solution to support early growth.

• Set up your irrigation system as transplants are placed in the garden. Drip irrigation is best to maintain dry leaves and reduce disease risks.

• Set up stakes, trellises, cages and support systems for your plants. It is best to have these set up at or soon after planting.

• Don’t let weeds get started in the garden; take control early with mulches and proactive management. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-D.pdf

SUMMER SQUASH SELECTIONS

If producing vegetables for the whole neighborhood is your goal, then summer squash is the crop for you! And succession planting through the summer can keep you in production for months. • Zucchini can be a quick crop to harvest (around 45 days) but require

almost daily attention to pick at the peak of quality. For traditional green fruit, try ‘Tigress’ or ‘Spineless Perfection’. Also consider the ‘Easy Pick Green’ and ‘Easy Pick Gold’ zucchini for simple harvests without tools. These cultivars are also parthenocarpic, which means they produce fruit without pollination and can be kept under a row cover or netting to exclude insect pests.

• Other summer squash options include a solid yellow crookneck variety called ‘Multipik’ and the interesting bicolor ‘Zephyr’. Patty pan summer squash options include the scalloped ‘Peter Pan’ and bicolor scalloped ‘Sunburst’, which yield in 50-60 days from seeding.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Planting vs. Transplanting

Transplanting can be a great tool, but it may not be needed for all crops. Consider these concepts when planting your garden. Benefits of transplanting: • Can shorten time to production. • May reduce seed cost. • Thinning isn’t required. Challenges of transplanting: • May add additional stress to some crops with sensitive roots

(squash, pumpkins). • Delay in planting can lead to stretched or stressed transplants. • Extra care is needed to lower stress in the days after transplanting. • Added cost of time and materials (if growing your own) or

purchasing plants.

1 2 3 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

MAY 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

cucumbers in West transplants can wait until soil warmsDirect seed Many warm-season Some gardeners

in East TN. mulches, such as

4Do your cool-season leafy crops need any fertilizer side-dressing?

and Middle TN. be placed in soil to install natural

seeding of corn and cool-season crops heat-loving plants about soil tempsDirect seed cucurbits Continue succession Record your favorite In many parts of TN, Remember, it is

straw.

Seedless watermelons andin East TN. supersweet corn

to be transplanted. if soil is too cool.of the calendar. eggplant could wait will germinate poorly

beans. this year at the end such as peppers and not just air temps.

When you docool-season crops date for seeding could also be done insecticides and on a regular basis see diseases or Be ready to harvest This is the early Succession planting Have some common Be scouting

insects, make sure quality. cucumbers. caught off-guard by to record them at theat the peak of their okra in East TN. for zucchini or fungicides on hand. to prevent getting

end of the calender.

Sweet potatoes are Continue succession

pests or diseases.

crops to be planted. beans. often one of the last seeding of corn and

JUNE

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Be on the lookout for maturity in early corn and bean seedings. • Manage soil after cool-season crops are removed. This site may be a

location for a summer cover crop (such as buckwheat) to prevent weed growth and add organic matter. If a warm-season crop is planted immediately after cool-season crops are removed, make sure to follow a crop rotation (see December).

• Some of the latest warm-season crops to be planted are often watermelons and pumpkins as well as sweet potatoes.

• You can still be succession planting some corn and beans. • Make sure your irrigation system is functioning well.

extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-D.pdf • Manage weeds in the garden. • Solarization could be started in an area not planted to summer crops. • Begin scouting for any issues with pests or disease at least weekly.

extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB595.pdf • If conditions support disease infection or if you see early signs of disease, it

may be time to begin a protective spray program. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W316.pdf

TOMATO TYPES AND TERMINOLOGY

• Determinate tomatoes will “top themselves” by forming a flower at the growing point. So, they are typically shorter and can be easier to manage in the garden. Fruit are set over a shorter period of time.

• Indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce both new leaves and new flowers from their primary growing point. Unless damaged by insects, disease or stress, indeterminate tomatoes will produce until killed by low temperatures in the fall. They will require taller stakes and more intensive management.

• When choosing between types, consider your intended use. Determinate plants may be best for more concentrated yield for canning while indeterminate plants may produce over a longer period of time for fresh eating. Also consider the time available to invest in plant support, training, disease and pest control, and picking throughout the season. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-H.pdf

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Suckers and Support There are many practices and opinions about tomato pruning, and different methods may be best suited to certain crops or growing practices. To simplify the discussion, let’s focus on a couple items that impact pruning. 1. Are these indeterminate or determinate tomato plants?

Determinate plants will produce much of their fruit on lateral branches, which is what “suckers” are. So, heavy sucker pruning will reduce yield. It is common for only the lowest suckers to be removed, if any. Make sure to leave at least one or two suckers intact below the first flower cluster.

2. How are the plants being supported?

If plants are being grown in cages or are being trained using the stake and weave system, usually a very minimal amount of pruning is carried out. If plants are indeterminate and being trained to a single upright twine or wire support system, then pruning of lateral branches can be critical in managing the plants.

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16Don't forget to Keep track of whenattend Fruits of the you apply fertilizerBackyard Field Day and how much youin Columbia, TN. apply.

17 18 19 20 21 June Solstice 22 16

24 25 26 27 28 29 30A summer covercrop of buckwheatcan work well behind

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

JUNE 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Harvest summercrops flowering yet? squash when theAre the fruiting

skin is still glossy. on the page at theMark it down

Succession planting Make sure to remove Many warm-season Support your Keep scouting Keep an eye out

end of the calendar.

nearly done in if temps get too & many cucurbits can plants with stake disease. Check leaf crops to harvest. of beans should be covers over crops, crops, such as corn, growing tomato for pests and for cool-season

Enjoy the longest

need pollinated. planted. interior leaves. West TN. hot or if crops still be succession and twine or cages. undersides and

frequent rains or lots

protective fungicide can mature in only setting fruit.

track of anything

close to harvest in some okra seeded. dressing for many

in early to mid-fall.

If there have been

Make sure to keep

Early beans may be Still time to get Be ready for side-

gardening evening

of moisture, a many areas. Some crops that are

Time your pumpkin A 100-day pumpkin Succession planting

might be helpful.

are less exciting. October 10.

50-55 days.

Watch out for

of the year! planting to mature seeded on June 30

August pumpkins to mature around A record sheet isfound at the back.

East TN. would be estimated nearly done in

of beans should be early blight on youryou spray.tomatoes.

crops may need cultivar seeded on

transplanted through for mature sweetJune, but later corn. A 70-day

Peppers can be Keep on picking!

a spring cool-

Keep an eye out

season crop. attention to water. 4/20 could be ready!

JULY TASKS FOR THE MONTH

• Succession planting (zucchini, later season tomatoes). • Pick tomatoes, beans, corn and other warm-season crops. • Manage irrigation as needed, but try to reduce leaf wetness and

overhead watering. • Manage fertility through proper side dressing and in-season

fertilizer applications. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-C.pdf

• Manage weeds. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-D.pdf

• Scout frequently for insect or disease issues. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W316.pdf

• Select cool-season crops and cultivars for fall and make seed order. • Some cool-season crops (Brussels sprouts, cauliflower) will likely need to

be seeded in July if you are starting your own transplants. • Pumpkins should be seeded according to maturity time. A 100-day

pumpkin seeded on July 1 would be estimated to mature October 11.

DISEASE CONTROL PRACTICES IN THE HOME GARDEN Prevention is the foundation for disease control in the home garden. • Select cultivars with resistance to common leaf and root diseases. • Use disease free seed (many bacterial diseases can be seed borne). • Practice proper crop rotation. • Maintain plant health through soil, water and fertility management. Protective actions can reduce infection risk. • Seed treatments increase germination and seedling health. • Chemical sprays prevent or reduce foliar infections. • Biological sprays reduce or prevent foliar infections. Correct identification of any issues is required before taking action. Combine sanitation with proper curative control options. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W316.pdf

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Keep scouting — don’t get too busywith harvests.

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21Don't let the weedsget ahead of you. Annual weeds thatgo to seed only

22 23 24 25 26 27 28Do you have enough

29 30 31

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

JULY 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Record thosethose pumpkins

for mature sweet

harvests on theDon't forget to get

Keep an eye out

record sheets at theback of the calendar.

seeded.

Make sure that you Many cool-season A 6-week-old You better not

for fall cool-season seeded in July. an August 22 Celebration in have enough seed crops will need to be transplant for miss Summer

corn.

seeded today. crops. planting would be Jackson, TN!

planting of summer

sanitation. If it is and make sure

seed for a late

Practice good Watch the irrigation Keep on picking!

remove it and place are not getting damaged/diseased, that growing plants

In many parts of Don't let disease

create future issues. far from other crops. too dry.

TN, late July will get ahead of you.

cucurbits? plants are healthy. start fall transplants. harvest time left ifsquash or otherbe the time to There is still much

AUGUST

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Proper Picking

Beans, snap While pods snap easily (as opposed to being tough and flexible) and seeds are still green.

Beets Often roots 1 ½ to 3 inches in size have the highest quality.

Broccoli When flower buds are still dark or bright green (no yellow) and are tight (have not begun to open).

Cabbage When heads become firm and heavy and it is harder to compress leaves.

Carrots When roots are of appropriate size, firm and brittle. Tops are often about 1 inch in diameter.

Corn, sweet Kernels should be filled out nearly to the end of the ear and milky if crushed. Silks dried down.

Cucumber When seeds are small, flesh is still firm, and color is green rather than yellow.

Eggplant When fruit is still shiny and the color has not dulled. Edible from 1/3 grown until full grown.

Muskmelon When melons can be lifted and the vine pulls away from the fruit with little resistance (slips).

Okra When pods are 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches long and tender.

Pepper When full size and still firm. Peppers are immature when green and will color and contain more sugars when ripe.

Potato, sweet

After reaching desired size, but before moist and cool fall soil conditions reduce quality and storage life.

Radish When firm and brightly colored but less than 1 ½ inches in diameter. Attaining large sizes often creates a pithy or less firm root.

Squash, summer

When skin is still tender and glossy and the large end (zucchini) is 1 to 2 ½ inches in diameter.

Squash, winter When rind has hardened and is not easily scratched with a fingernail.

Tomato When fully or uniformly colored (pink to orange) but still somewhat firm.

Turnip root Generally after they reach 2 inches in diameter, but while still tender.

Watermelon When tendrils next to fruit die back and the rind on the underside of the fruit turns from white to a creamy yellow.

TASKS FOR THE MONTH

• Keep picking warm-season crops. Proper picking times are critical to enjoy the highest quality in home vegetable crops. Also, timely picking can support the highest level of production for many garden vegetables. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-I.pdf

• Practice proper canning, freezing or drying to preserve garden produce for later use.

• Don’t let the weeds get ahead of you. • Late plantings of summer squash can be done this month. • Keep an eye on soil moisture levels, irrigation and any need for side

dressing for fruiting crops. • Prepare soils for fall cool-season crops and maintain proper crop rotations. • Transplant fall cool-season crops (longer days to harvest crops).

FALL SEEDLINGS • It is especially important to closely monitor water and fertility in fall

seedlings as they are being transplanted during what is typically some of Tennessee’s driest weather.

• Scouting is also critical as young plants are placed in gardens alongside older and potentially infested or diseased plants.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 How do we 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 How can you 17 Nashville first 18 weeks after

19 20 21 22 23 How can you 24 Nashville first 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

AUGUST 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

and manage weeds.

ready to harvest

fall crops in EastKeep on scouting

Winter squash is

Transplants for many

season zucchini that

frost. 70 days backfall transplants,

in early to mid-Aug.

when rind hardens.

TN are planted

Practice good Record any disease estimate fall Knoxville's first 50 days + 10 for fall

disease spread. controlled by any is an 08/09 seeding.applied sprays. matures in 50 days.

Does it scratch with

slower growing + garden to prevent well disease is Example: Warm- 14 days to harvestsanitation in the issues and how planting dates? avg. frost is 10/22

have the seed for to plant fall crops? 60 days + 10 for from 11/11 is 9/2.If you are buying Make sure you determine when avg. frost is 10/28.

Or 7/22 to growactively growing cool-season crops. transplant that will We can plan to a 6-week-oldlook for young, direct seeded Ex: A broccoli slower fall growth.

transplant yourself.

Get those "best Direct seeded determine when avg. frost is 10/28. weeks after frost,

plants. mature in 60 days. harvest a couple

though. Count ready for the crops will require Example: A slower fall growth. back 45 days fromof show" crops fall cool-season to plant fall crops? 35 days + 10 for

11/11. Aim for about for best germination. mature in 35 days. harvest for a couple a 9/27 seeding.

county fair! attention and water lettuce that will We can plan to

crops for fall and Gardeners' FestivalPlan your cover It’s the Fall

enough seed. miss a great daymake sure you order in Crossville — don't

on the Plateau. your fingernail?

SEPTEMBER

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Keep picking warm-season crops. Canning, freezing and drying are all

options for preservation. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-I.pdf

• Don’t let those late season weeds get ahead of you and go to seed. • Keep an eye on soil moisture levels and manage pests as some of the

warm-season fruiting crop harvests come to a close. • Later planted beans, tomatoes, summer squash and other warm-season

crops may require frequent attention in scouting and pest management to ensure good yields.

• Make sure that fall cool-season crops are properly watered and fertilized. Germination and early growth of leafy crops and brassicas requires even moisture and appropriate nitrogen levels.

• Transplant and direct seed fall cool-season crops. Keep in mind that days to harvest estimate often need to be lengthened in the cooler and lower light days of fall.

• Many cover crops are best seeded in September to get good stands.

BASIC BROCCOLI AND BEYOND Trying to select a cool-season crop you can transplant that works well in a traditional garden or raised bed? Broccoli is a great place to begin. It is generally one of the more adaptable Brassica (the family that includes cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) crops for the home garden. • There are a range of broccoli cultivars for spring to fall production. Try

‘Packman’ and ‘Windsor’ for early crops, ‘Premium Crop’ for later spring and ‘Arcadia’, ‘Marathon’ or ‘Diplomat’ for fall growing.

• Broccoli isn’t just large green heads anymore. Try stem broccoli cultivars, such as recent AAS winner (see October) ‘Artwork’, that produce 15-20 smaller stems when the main growing point in removed.

• Broccoli prefers steady moisture and nutrition and grows best under moderate (65-75 F) temperatures. Heat tolerant descriptions may hold true for some cultivars, but this doesn’t mean they can be a summer crop.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Considering Cover Crops Cover crops are planted when the soil would otherwise be bare between crops or growing seasons. Planting cover crops can be beneficial to soil, water and plant relationships as well as pest, pathogen and weed management. • Legumes (peas, beans, clover, vetch, alfalfa) have root nodules that

contain N-fixing bacteria. This nitrogen will be available for later crops after the legume is killed and incorporated into the soil.

• Many cover crops are grasses (cereal rye, barley, wheat and oats) that would be grain crops if grown to maturity. They are grown because they are economical, easily established and can produce large amounts of plant material in a relatively short period of time. These crops stabilize the soil, prevent erosion and help break some plant disease or pest cycles in addition to increasing organic matter.

• Buckwheat, rape and radishes are examples of cover crops that are neither a grass nor a legume. These crops can increase organic matter, improve soil structure, and some have biofumigation properties (decomposing tissue releases compounds to suppress pests or disease in the soil) when incorporated. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-G.pdf

A fall cover crop of rye soon after germination (cereal rye is best).

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16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 Autumnal equinox 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

SEPTEMBER 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

It's Labor Day! Early fall is often Keep track of how Do some research Most cabbage,

those warm- the year in TN. watering is needed. make sure they are cauliflower should beKeep on picking the driest time of much and how often on cover crops to broccoli and

crop water needs. week is an estimate. and crop rotation. Sept. in West TN. season crops. Be prepared to meet Without rain 1-2 in./ best for your system transplanted by mid-

Containers canand many fall crops is sufficient water of those pesky crops for fall without also be a greatBrassicas, lettuce Make sure there Have you seen any Want a few leafy

way to produce a may need a fertilizer crops. hornworms? garden? Build a bit of fresh produceare fast-growing and for fall cool-season tomato/tobacco managing a whole

for late fall.

Many cover crops Keep on eye out Remove warm- If the plants were

side-dressing. If so, record it! small raised bed.

healthy, it couldEast TN with a on your cool-season they finish producing be a great timemay produce best in for pests/disease season crops as

to begin a compostload of fall cleanup. pile.

September seeding. crops. to lighten the

to the end of low tunnel can temps under cover October are theIt is getting close A row cover or Watch for high September and

crops in Middle and weeks to the fall September days. across TN. seeding for fall leafy add a couple of on very warm times to plant garlic

East TN. season.

OCTOBER

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Continue picking any remaining warm-season crops.

extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-I.pdf • Don’t let those late season weeds get ahead of you and go to seed. • Keep an eye on soil moisture levels and manage pests as some of the

warm-season fruiting crop harvests come to a close. • Later planted beans, tomatoes, summer squash and other warm-season

crops may require frequent attention in scouting and pest management to ensure good yields.

• Ensure that fall cool-season crops are properly watered and fertilized. As temperatures cool, less water will be needed.

• Direct seed fall cool-season crops with shorter days to harvest. • October is still a great time to seed cover crops.

extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-G.pdf • Take soil tests and make adjustments to pH as recommended.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Soil Tests and Reports

When? Samples may be taken in the spring or fall, but it is more common to take fall samples so that amendments can be made before the next growing season. How? Collect 10 to 15 subsamples at different locations in the garden site to get a representative sample. A sampling grid or zigzag pattern across the area can be used to ensure equal soil from each portion of the growing area are sampled. Take samples of the top 6 inches of soil. What next? Find soil test boxes for mailing at your local Extension office. The UT Soil, Plant and Pest Center (ag.tennessee.edu/spp) has all the needed testing and mailing information. Before placing samples in the box, mix moist subsamples and allow them to air dry. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-A.pdf extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-C.pdf extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/PB1096.pdf

WHAT ARE ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS?

• AAS is an independent, nonprofit organization that has been carrying out trials for gardeners since 1933.

• Judges are experienced horticulturists from academia and industry who conduct blind trials at sites across the country and submit evaluations to determine national and regional winners.

• Cultivars are judged on earliness, disease or pest resistance, color and flavor, novelty, and yield and are compared against common standard cultivars.

• All cultivars tested are appropriate for use in home gardens and are new and not yet released to the market.

• AAS wining cultivars have performed well in trials and the award is good sign that they could perform well in your home garden.

2017 All-America Selections Winner ‘Chef’s Choice Yellow’

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7 8 9 Remember, 10 11 12 13

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21 22 23 Have you 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

OCTOBER 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

up warm-season on the cultivars thatMake sure to clean Keep good notes

disease spread. well in your gardencrops to prevent did well or not as

Getting close to plants can survive Be on the lookout Also be on the

this year.

to direct seed fall have enough time to late seeded warm- frosts in parts ofthe end of time low temps but not for fruit from lookout for first

in some areas. crops in West TN. produce much yield season crops. East TN.

What were yourcan still produce seed the whole time to take soil samples about late-season crops favorite peppers andMany cover crops You don't have to October is a great Take 10-15 sub- Make sure that

tomatoes this year?if planted in once. Cool-season not excessive) water Make sure to writewell in East TN garden in cover at samples. 6 inches deep. have adequate (but

the varieties down.

Sometimes the had a frost yet? Bring your tools in Extend the life

mid-October. sections can be last. and nutrients.

crops is better in the record Clean them well. proper sharpeningtaste of brassica Write it down from the garden. of your tools with

to a bit of frost. of the calendar. after being exposed sheet in the back and oiling.

close to first and make additionsWe are getting Review soil reports

areas in West TN. pH for next year.frosts in many if needed to adjust

NOVEMBER

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Finish the picking of remaining warm-season crops. Even if frost is

approaching, unripe tomatoes can be harvested to preserve the last of the crop. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-H.pdf

• Make sure to remove crop debris from the garden that was diseased to reduce inoculum.

• Fall is a great time to set up a compost pile with the (disease-free) debris from your garden along with leaf and lawn clippings.

• Ensure that fall cool-season crops are properly watered and fertilized. As temperatures cool, less water will be needed.

• There are some cover crops that can still be seeded in November, so don’t assume that a late fall crop prevents you from seeding a cover crop in your garden to protect it for the winter. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W235-G.pdf

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Season Extension

Season extension practices provide some control over the environment around our crops (roots and/or shoots) to enhance productivity or keep plants alive until conditions are more appropriate for growth. They can allow earlier spring starts and later fall harvests if used appropriately. • Site selection. Selecting sites to take advantage of natural microclimates

can mean planting close to buildings that retain daytime heat, where plants have the benefit of a windbreak to protect from cold and drying winds, or a slight slope that enables cold air to drain away.

• Raised beds. Raised beds can warm up quicker and drain faster in the spring to support early season gardening. Soil temperatures can impact germination as well as root growth and water and nutrient uptake. It is also easy to add row covers and low tunnels to raised beds. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-E.pdf

• Transplants. Transplanting older plants into the garden rather than direct seeding enables plants to be grown when outdoor conditions would prevent or slow growth.

• Mulches. Mulches (dark ones) can increase soil temperatures by absorbing solar radiation. They can also maintain more moderate moisture.

• Floating row covers. These are nonwoven plastic films or agricultural fabrics that can be applied directly over crops. They increase air and also soil temperatures by trapping sunlight. Because of their light weight and permeability, they do not need structural support. Tomatoes and peppers have tender growing points that may need protection from abrasion by floating covers.

• Low tunnels. Low tunnels cover crop rows. These tunnels are supported by 2- to 3-foot-tall wire or plastic hoops with agricultural fabrics or lightweight clear polyethylene plastic stretched tight around the hoops to create the appearance of a miniature greenhouse. Vents help prevent overheating. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W346-F.pdf

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4 Daylight Saving 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 Even if it is a 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

NOVEMBER 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

the crops and in the record sheetsKeep notes on Write those notes

performed well for calendar. cultivars that in the back of this

Time Ends Carrots can be Keep harvesting Clean up any

you this year.

a little while, but be crops. from the garden. stored in ground for your cool-season stakes or debris

the ground freezes.sure to pull before

a cover crop like to a first frostmid-Nov. seeding, It may even be close

asset to your garden. rye can still be an in Memphis by now!

What were some of What were some Knowing your

year? issues you faced? challenges is greatyour pest issues this of the disease gardening

crops for next year. info to help select

DECEMBER

TASKS FOR THE MONTH • Harvest any remaining fall cool-season crops. Lettuce, chard and beets can

be less cold hardy than kale and spinach in some areas. • Take stock of the completed gardening season and make sure you have

good records of problems encountered and control practices that worked well. Use the information from the completed season and rotation guidelines to plan for next year.

• Sort and count any remaining seeds to determine what may need to be ordered.

• While it may seem early, December can be a great time to order seeds for your 2019 garden, especially those you plan to grow as transplants (see January-March).

• Clean any remaining stakes, plants or debris from the garden (excluding any plants that you intend to overwinter). Try to rotate this overwintering area of the garden to make sure that every section receives a cover crop as often as possible.

• Clean, repair (if needed) and store your garden tools for next year.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR TOOLS

• Investing in high-quality tools and caring for them properly will enable you to have years of use.

• Gather all your tools and clean them well. Remove soil and clean with warm soapy water or even a 10 percent bleach solution to sterilize. Cleaning will lengthen the life of the tool and prevent disease from soil or debris from being spread to next year’s crop.

• For metal, use a wire brush to remove any rust. Coarse sandpaper would work as well. Sand wooden handles if not coated with polyurethane.

• Sharpen your tools carefully with a file or grinder and wear eye protection! • Tools (wooden and metal parts) can be oiled for protection by using a

boiled linseed oil. • Winterize motorized equipment by draining fuel, changing oil, and

inspecting plugs and filters for possible replacement.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Crop Rotation For the home gardener, rotation involves moving crops to different locations in the garden to prevent the build-up of pathogens in the soil. This type of rotation is most effective against pathogens that survive in soil or on crop remains for a short period of time. It is common for pathogens to infect related crops, so rotation is based on not planting the same families in the same area. extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W316.pdf

Crop family Common home garden crops Apiaceae Carrot, celery, parsnip Chenopodiaceae Beet, spinach, chard Cucurbitaceae Cucumber, squash, pumpkin, watermelon Poaceae Corn Malvaceae Okra Brassicaceae Broccoli, mustard, Brussels sprouts, kale, collards,

kohlrabi, turnip, cabbage, cauliflower, radish Solanaceae Tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant Alliaceae Chives, garlic, leek, onion Fabaceae Beans, peas, edamame Asteraceae Lettuce, sunflower, endive

'Candy Cane'

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9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 Dec. Solstice 22Start to think about the garden plan

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 Notes on crops: Notes on weather:

DECEMBER 2018Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

There can be great Sort and count You could even

of cool-season to prevent over- (take percentage ofDecember harvests remaining seeds test germination

of Tennessee. next year. confirm viability.crops in many parts ordering for 10-25 seeds) to

be afraid to place next year.your tools for Clean and storeIt is almost seed

Map out crop It is a great time Gardening hours

catalog time. Don't

some early orders.

for next year. year in light of and other equipment. from here!rotations for next to service tillers start increasing

pests encountered. change oil.any diseases or Sharpen blades and

Garden Vegetable Crop Records

Crop Cultivars grown Date seeded transplants

Seeded or transplanted in the garden

First flower

First harvest

Insect issues Disease issues Last harvest

Garden Climate and Management Overview (Use this page as a summary of notes recorded in the separate month calendars.)

General Climate Last frost First frost Extreme weather events Other notes

General Climate Spring temperature trends

Summer temperature trends

Fall temperature trends Winter temperature trends

Rainfall Spring rainfall total Summer rainfall totals Fall rainfall totals Other notes

Irrigation Spring irrigation summary

Summer irrigation summary

Fall irrigation summary Other notes

Soil managment Spring tillage Summer cover crops Fall cover crops Other notes

Fertilization Pre-plant fertilization Side-dressing Fertigation (fertilizer dissolved in irrigation)

Other notes

Pest and Disease Management Records (Use this page to keep records throughout the gardening season.)

Crop and issue Date of action Material and method used Rate and volume used Notes on efficacy

Crop Date # picked Weight Date # picked Weight Date # picked Weight Date # picked Weight

Make sure to denote units for weight (pounds, kilograms, etc.).

17-0192 W 436

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