Vegetable Gardening, HBR

8/7/2019 Vegetable Gardening, HBR

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by Heidi Rader

Agriculture and HorticultureAgent for University of AlaskaFairbanks and Tanana Chiefs

Conference


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Home-grown veggies are more deliciousand healthier for you than storebought, because they are fresher

Working in the garden makes for funand relaxing exercise, which is goodfor your body and mind

Organic veggies are free frompesticides, and some studies* showthey are more nutritious

By growing close to home, you savethe fuel that would otherwise be usedto ship veggies all the way fromCalifornia and beyond, reducing theamount of greenhouse gasses in the air

Having a garden can be cheaper thanbuying veggies at the store, if youknow what youre doing!

You can grow delicious and uniquevarieties that are hard to find, like

this Italian romanesco

Why Grow Your Own Vegetables?

*See the links in this lesson for more info


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But is it Really Economical?

Theres no doubtthat gardening

can get expensive,but you can keepyour costs down

by:

1. Making (and sticking to!) a budget2. Using local sources of nutrients, like compost,

fish waste and manure

3. Planning your garden carefully, so you have veggiesto eat every week of the summer and donthave to buy as much

4. Canning, freezing or drying garden produce to eat

during the winter*5. Learning about seed saving*Free publications on foodpreservation are available from UAFCES. See the links in this lesson.


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Think Before

You Plant! Decide which kinds of

plants you want to grow

All annuals, all perennialsor a mixture? Find a good garden site

Select a few basic tools Prepare your soil

Plan out planting times

for each differentspecies

Direct seeding: afterthe soil warms up

Transplants: startearly inside

Mmm,I wantveggies!Wait-

is thiseven a good spotfor a garden?


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A Poor Site

Competitionfor nutrients

Competition for light


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What Makes a Good Site?

Full sun More hours of light means

more photosynthesis

which means more growth!

A well-drained soil will: Warm up earlier in the spring Help plants develop big,

healthy root systems

Choose a site thatcan be fenced toprotect yourvegetables frommoose

Reasonably level is best, butavoid low land where cold airsettles in the spring and fall

Plant close to a water source!If you always have to haulheavy buckets longdistances, youre lesslikely to water well


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Raised Beds: A Solution for

Cold Soils and Poor Drainage

Step 1: Fill with:

A. Potting soil orB. a mix of:

1/3 top soil

1/3 sand or

coarse perlite

1/3 compost or

bark mulch

3. Water

drainsdown

4. Temperaturerises!

2. Thesehelp create

macropores


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Careful Planning = Good Results

Space: are you working with a5x5 foot square or 3 acres ofempty field?

Time: do you have hours of timeeach week, or barely a spare

moment? Budget: decide up front how

much you can afford to spend ona garden

Family preferences: plant thingsyour family loves to eat! If noone loves Brussels sprouts,skip them!

Produce use: will you mostly eatyour veggies fresh? Do you havea pressure canner, a food drier,or space to build a root cellar?

Amounts: check seed catalogs forestimated yields, and then adjustyour plantings to account forAlaskas colder temperatures

Son, its time we told you.There are some people in this

world who just dont like

Brussels sprouts.


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Planning Can Be Fun! The most important thing is to be creative! If you plan a garden

you love, you will be more likely to put in the work it takes tomake it great To get more produce from a small area, use succession planting* You can also try companion planting* to produce more

Rotate crops every season**-

In small gardens, crop rotationhelps manage soil fertility.Follow crops that are heavy N feeders (like corn tomatoes)

*See the links in Lesson 1 for moreinformation**See the links in this lesson for moreinformation

with light feeders like

greens and N-leaverslike peas and beans-

In larger gardens, itcan also help controlinsect pests and soil-

borne plant diseases.Wait at least threeyears before puttingthe same plant familyback in the same spot


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What if I Only Have a Small Space?

Need LOTSof space!

Need moderatespace

Good forsmall spaces

CornCucumber

MelonPotato

PumpkinTomato(unless

trellised)Winter Squash

Zucchini

Bush BeanBroccoli

Brussels sproutCauliflower

CabbageKalePepper

Bulb Onion

BasilBeet

CarrotChard

GreensGreen OnionLettuce

PeaSpinachRadishTurnip

Check out the optional files in Lesson 1 to learn aboutgrowing vegetables in Mini-Gardens,and use yield tables and spacingcharts (Chapter 7 in this lesson) to

see if your favorites fit in tiny spaces


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WhatsHappening Here?

Conclusion? Crops should have been reversed!

Bean plants

are being out-competed for sunlight andnutrients by the tallerspecies

planted on the right

and the left sides

Lesson: desirable crop species can act as competitors to otherdesired plants when placed in the wrong spot in a garden


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Good Garden Tools Make Your Work Easier: Shovel/spade for moving earth

Hoe for removing weeds (specialized hoes areavailable from Johnnys Seeds and others.See the links in this lesson)

Rake

Trowel for digging transplant holes

Other Broadfork to loosen soil

Bulb planter with a stick on the end Rototillers help prepare a fine seed bed,

where seeds have good contact with soilparticles and moisture, but they alsodamage soil structure, increasingcompaction over time

Johnnys

Johnnys

Johnnys

WWOOF


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To Till,

or Not

to Till...The early bird

doesnt always getthe worm: if you tillwhen its still too cold andwet, you will fail to improve

the seed bed while increasing soilcompactionWorking soil in the fall can help control

weeds, but will make winter erosion

worse unless you mulch wellSome cover crops must be tilled in the spring


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Soil Improvement: Remember to Add Organic Matter!

Im proves w ater holdingability, aeration and

nutrition o f site

Produ cts such as

Ver m icultie can be ofvalue in problem soilsas w ell.


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Seed Bed Preparation

Small-seeded plants needto be planted shallow,because small seeds

contain less energy tohelp the new plant reachthe surface. CheckChapter 7 for plantingdepth and spacing ofspecific crops.

Fine, loose soil has bettercontact with the seed,giving it more moisture andbetter access to nutrients.Optimum planting depth forvegetables is 3 times thewidthof the seed.

C t di d


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Result of competition from adjoining radish plant

Correct seeding

ensures good

growth, while over-seeding canresult in smaller, misshapen

vegetables. Some, like turnips,may not even produce a roundroot if planted too close, while

carrots tend to wrap aroundeach other when crowded.

Lackawanna County


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Only after the

ground warms up!In general, works wellfor vegetables in whichthe edible part is

either underground(root crops like carrotsand radishes) or a seed(grains and peas).

Exceptions includeonions, which havefragile roots but canbe transplanted very

carefully, and corn,which requires theextra time growinginside to mature inAlaska (its usually

direct-seeded in theLower 48)

Planted between

2 and 12 weeks beforethe ground warms up;transplanted when theyare 6-8

tall and have

2-4 true leaves (not

counting the cotyledons)Works well forvegetables in which theedible part is the leaf,

flower or fruit, becausethey benefit from extragrowing time and recoverwell from root damage

Exceptions include fast-growing baby

lettuces

and greens, planted tobe cut and regeneratetwo or three times.These do well whendirect seeded.

Lackawanna County

Do I

Direct Seed or

Transplant?

Kitchen Gardens


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If I Transplant, Will It Thrive?

YES! Yes, With Care Probably NOTBroccoli Eggplant CarrotCabbage Celery Bean

Cauliflower Squash Greens like MustardKale Cucumber TurnipPepper Onion PeaTomato PotatoCorn Beet

These crops should always be

transplanted in Alaska, due to

cold temperatures and short

seasons

Small and

misshapen

roots are

likely iftransplanted

(reduced

quality)


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Transplants

Can be planted 7 to 10 days earlier than direct seedestablishment.

Pinch out doubles of cabbage and broccoli, because theywill compete with each other and fail to form heads.

Its okay to leave doubles or triples of onions, becausethey will push each other apart as they grow.


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Transplant Selection:Pick stock plants that have w ell-form ed r oot system s and are fr ee

of insect and d iseases. Leave pro blems atthe n ursery!

Make certain roo ts that extend thro ughm edia are w hite w ith abundant fuzzy tips

(root hairs), and don t buy plants that ar eroot-bound because they may not recover

Virginia CES


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Transplant Shock and Starter Solutions

Base starter solution:-

2 table spoons high P

fertilizer

- 1 gallon water- Mix thoroughly andcontinue to do soduring use

- Apply one cup pertransplant

Expect the growth of your transplants to be delayed by aweek even under very good conditions, and water wellduring this establishment period. They may look like

theyre not doing much, but they are busy expanding theirroot systems into the new soil. Starter solutions help

transplants recover from shock and get back to growing!

Garden Voices


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A Gardeners Work is Never Done!

After planting:

Water

Fertilize again atmid-season

Remove weeds

beforethey makeseed

Harvest the fruits

of your labor! Extend your season

using row covers

and hoop houses


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Estimated Water Requirements Per Season

Crop Inches

Cabbage 14

17

Cantaloupe 16 20Carrot 12

16

Sweet corn 20

24

Onion 22

25

Pepper 25

30

Potato 20 25Spinach 10

15

Tomato 22 26+

Total water needed fromrainfall andirrigation. If itsraining a lot, irrigateless, but if thesummer is dry,irrigate more!

The Rule of Thumb is:

1 inch per week


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Drip (or Trickle) Irrigation: What and Why?

What: Plastic hoses with small holes that let water drip outWhy:1. Allows you to put your watering on a timer, so you can

leave for the weekend and not worry about your garden

2. Drops are slow and gentle, rather than rough and flyinglike a sprinkler, which preserves soil structure

Disadvantage:

Having water nearby all the time can keep your vegetablesfrom developing a big, strong root system

Solution?

Set your timer to water for several hours just once every

two or three daysSee the optional files in this lesson for more information!


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Fertilization Needs:Heavy Feeders (fertilizeat least twice):

Medium Feeders Light Feeders Soil Builders

Broccoli Asparagus Carrot Snap beanCabbage Beet Onion Pea

Corn Cauliflower Pepper Clover

Cucumber Lettuce Potato

Squash Radish Swiss chard

Tomato Spinach Turnip

One way to arrange a crop rotation is so that light feedersand soil builders follow heavy feeders, which saves you from

applying a full dose of fertilizer to every plot every year.


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Fertilization After Planting: Side Dressing

Side dressingis agood way to applygranularfertilizers after

you have alreadyplanted. Simplyuse a large spoon

to sprinkle itonto the soil nearthe stem

(imagine theroots reaching

out undergroundseveral inchesfrom the base ofthe plant), and

water in!


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Fertigation with

Drip Systems

Base So lution:

2 cups of com pletefertilizer in onegallon of w ater

Ventur i siphon

Dissolved fertilizer is carried

by the water directly to theplants

roots, so it is less likely

to feed the weeds. Only workswell with chemical fertilizers,because organic ones can blockthe holes in the hose.


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Much Ado About Mulch

Protects the roots ofperennials from the winter cold

Increases moisture retention

Reduces weeds!

Nutrient addition (organicmulches add mostly carbon)

Nutrient retention (bothplastic and organic mulchesprevent erosion)

Reduces soil compaction Reduces dirt on produce

Heavy mulching is an important

component of commercialstrawberry production

Georgia CES

North Carolina CES


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Organic Mulches:

Compost-

Stable and weed-suppressing

Sawdust and shavings

- High C, low N

Shredded leaves

Straw and Hay

-

Watch for weeds!

Lawn clippings-

Good N source but can form asuffocating mat, so mix withother materials

Newspaper and cardboard

-

Dont use glossy because itcontains kaolin clay, and willnot break down as well

Cornell


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Plastic Mulches

Can be laid by hand or bytractor

Burying the edges in the

soil holds it in place Only works for transplants!

Must be thrown away at

the end of the season Many different colors and kinds:

Clear plastic warms the soil butaids weeds

IRT (infrared transmitting)plastic warms the soil anddiscourages weed growth

SRM (selective reflective mulch)can help plants get more light


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Drip Irrigation +Plastic Mulch + Transplants +

Organic Matter = an Excellent Ve etable Gardenin S stem!

E l d h d


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Season Extension: Tools and Methods to IncreaseTemperatures and Prolong the Cropping Season

in Alaska

Perforated plastic

High tunnels

Plastic mulch

Frost cloth

Combinations


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Hoop Houses and High Tunnels

Hoop house made out of whitespruce poles. (5 ft. x 10 ft. x8 ft. about $50 to construct)

Hoop houses made out of PVCpipe (10 ft. x 40 ft. about$300 to construct)*

Large high tunnels made out of

Galvanized steel tubing. (25 ft.x 50 ft. x 12 ft. high & about$3,000 to construct)

*Source: University of Kentucky


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Benefits of High Tunnels and Hoop Houses:

Season extension you canplant earlier in the spring andharvest longer into the fall

Higher yield and higher qualityproduce, especially for cropsthat have trouble in Alaska,like tomatoes, peppers and

even cantaloupe! Protection from wind, rain,

hail, and frost

With the right management,they can decrease your weed,pest and disease problems

Usually these structures areheated only by the sun. Thetemperature rises in the day andfalls at night, but its alwayswarmer inside than outside!

Benefits include:


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Management of High Tunnels and Hoop Houses

Manual ventilationwhen it gets hot out,open the flaps or theentire side, so your

vegetables wont fry You might want to

install a temporary

heat sourcein thecase of an extremecold event

Drip irrigation will

deliver the rightamount of water toyour vegetables, andmake less work for you

Fertigation is useful


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Hoop Culture/Floating

Row Covers

(an extra 3 5 0 F of protection!)

W ire hoops

GroWeb

Remay

floating rowcover

Plastic mulch & Row Covers for Vegetable Production inAlaska by Jerry Purser, Ag. Agent: 100B-00647


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Asparagus is a frond-like perennialthan can live up to 25 years, if it iswell cared for

Plant two-year-old plants and be

patient: the first harvest is in thespring of the 4th year after planting

Fertilize with triple superphosphate

Choose a protected place, andmulch to protect the roots fromcold- overwintering is the

challenge! Harvest by gently hand-snapping

spears that are 7 to 9 incheslong and have tight tips. Dontuse a knife, because you mightdamage the crown

A Yummy Challenge: Asparagus!


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Harvest in time! Quality drops as some vegetables

start to go to seed; for instance, lettuce turnsbitter, and radishes and turnips get tough and woody.

Now for the best part...

i if b i if ! C i


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Store it if you must, but eat it if you can! Canning or rootcellaring may not get you quite as many nutrients as eating

veggies fresh, and some, like these beautiful peppers, aremuch less appetizing when they are preserved.


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Peas, beans, raspberries and

strawberries should be picked atleast every third day

Univ. of Minnesota CES


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Too Late To Pick!

Can you name this commoncondition of lettuce? It:

Precedes flowering,

Involves excessive stemelongation,

Results in poor heading,

Produces bitter,unmarketable lettuce,and...

Can be caused by longhours of daylight, hightemperatures and otherkinds of stress!

Hint: If youre stumped, review thePowerPoint from Lesson 1 to find out

Purdue Univ.


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These lettuces, however, are just right!


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Scott Robb poses in front of

his world record 105.9-poundkale

at the 2007 Palmer State

FairThis

cabbage

is growing so fast its splitting,

a common problem for giant vegetable growersAnchorage Daily News

Anchorage Daily News

Brassicas(or cole crops) likecabbage, kale, cauliflower

and broccoli love our cool summersand long hours of daylight. Infact, Alaska is famous for it!


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Broccoli and kohlrabi are two more Brassicasthat do well in Alaska

Its easy to over-plant zucchini


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It s easy to over plant zucchiniand squash. If you get toomuch, pick them smaller, try

blanching and freezing, or makezucchini bread.

A small zucchini can also becalled by its French name:

courgette. If you forget topick them they becomemarrows, vegetable monstersmany feet long! Theyre still

edible- try cutting the marrowlengthwise, scooping out androasting the seedsjust like you would

for a Halloweenpumpkin, andbaking the restwith a yummy

stuffing. What adelicious gardenaccident!

Alaska Bountea

What if you reallyhave too much? UAF Cooperative Extension offers many workshopsd f bli ti i f i d i t i d ki f h t bl


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and free publications on canning, freezing, drying, storing and cooking fresh vegetables,berries and meats. See the links in this lesson for contact information

Canningsalmonand

making jamin Fort

Yukon with

UAF CESand TCC

Agriculture,

July 2008

UAF CES


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RESOURCES:

Frank J. Dainello, PhD. Extension Horticulturist, CommercialVegetable Crops, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences Texas

A&M University Larry Caplan, Vanderburgh County

Sustainable Gardening, The Oregon-Washington Master

Gardener Handbook Alaska Gardening Guide: Volume 1 Alaska Vegetables for

Northern Climates by Ann D. Roberts

Alaska Cooperative Extension Service Knotts Handbook for Vegetable Growers

Pictures by Heidi Rader, or as cited.

Documents

Vegetable Gardening, HBR