Growing Vegetables Growing Vegetables in New Mexicoin New Mexico

Stephanie WalkerStephanie Walker

Extension Vegetable Extension Vegetable SpecialistSpecialist

Benefits of a Vegetable Benefits of a Vegetable GardenGarden

Know where your Know where your food comes from, and food comes from, and what goes into itwhat goes into it

Produce as fresh as Produce as fresh as possible: more possible: more flavorful and nutritiousflavorful and nutritious

Grow the varieties of Grow the varieties of vegetables you wantvegetables you want

FarmersFarmers’’ Markets HistoryMarkets History

Ancient method used by farmers to sell Ancient method used by farmers to sell produce directly to customers.produce directly to customers.

Industrialization food production reduced Industrialization food production reduced popularity.popularity.

Current resurgence as consumers seek Current resurgence as consumers seek fresh, locally grown produce.fresh, locally grown produce.

AdvantagesAdvantages

Direct sales to customers / no Direct sales to customers / no middlemen.middlemen.

Opportunity for new growers.Opportunity for new growers.

Direct interaction with customers.Direct interaction with customers.

Customer Loyalty is the Customer Loyalty is the GoalGoal

Appropriate and consistent pricesAppropriate and consistent prices

Stand is appealing and comfortableStand is appealing and comfortable

Consistent attendance at marketConsistent attendance at market

Customer has pleasant experienceCustomer has pleasant experience

Your customers will spread the wordYour customers will spread the word

Consistently high qualityConsistently high quality

Appeal to all the SensesAppeal to all the Senses

SightSight

SmellSmell

TasteTaste

TouchTouch

SoundSound

Harvest at the Right TimeHarvest at the Right Time

Know your Know your vegetablesvegetables

--Premature harvest Premature harvest reduces amount of reduces amount of flavor compounds.flavor compounds.

--Late harvested may Late harvested may result in a fibrous, result in a fibrous, less tender, bland or less tender, bland or bitter crop.bitter crop.

Plan Before You PlantPlan Before You Plant

How much space do you have?How much space do you have?

How do you plan to irrigate?How do you plan to irrigate?

DripDrip

FloodFlood

SprinklerSprinkler

Do any of your plants require trellising? Do any of your plants require trellising?

Cucumbers, pole beans, tomatoes, etc.Cucumbers, pole beans, tomatoes, etc.

How much room per variety?How much room per variety?

Prepare SoilPrepare Soil

Best soil is deep Best soil is deep well drained, fertile well drained, fertile soil that contains soil that contains plenty of organic plenty of organic matter.matter.Soil texture: Clay, Soil texture: Clay, sandy and loamsandy and loamAlkaline vs. acidicAlkaline vs. acidicManures, compost, fertilizers.Manures, compost, fertilizers.

Plant Your GardenPlant Your GardenDirect seedingDirect seeding is the is the easiest way to plant easiest way to plant your garden. your garden.

TransplantsTransplants are used are used to obtain earlier to obtain earlier maturity, or if seed is maturity, or if seed is expensive.expensive.--Harden outside, 1Harden outside, 1--2 2 weeks, with partial weeks, with partial shade.shade.

Water ProperlyWater Properly

Water by:Water by:Hand, drip (most efficient), Hand, drip (most efficient), sprinkler, flood or furrow.sprinkler, flood or furrow.

After planting irrigate lightly After planting irrigate lightly every 2every 2--3 days until germination.3 days until germination.

Once plants are established do not over Once plants are established do not over or under wateror under water

Root Rots vs. Blossom End RotRoot Rots vs. Blossom End Rot

Row Covers Row Covers

Hoop supported vs. floating Hoop supported vs. floating

Perforated polyethylene vs. spun bonded Perforated polyethylene vs. spun bonded polyester or polypropylenepolyester or polypropylene

Provides a 2 to 4Provides a 2 to 4ooF temperature boostF temperature boost

May provide protection from insectsMay provide protection from insects

Know Your PlantsKnow Your Plants

Plant size, spacing, time to harvest.Plant size, spacing, time to harvest.

Perennial vs. annual.Perennial vs. annual.

Hybrid vs. openHybrid vs. open--pollinated seed.pollinated seed.

Determinant vs. indeterminant.Determinant vs. indeterminant.

Broccoli (Broccoli (Brassica oleraceaBrassica oleracea var var italicaitalica))

Cole crop; cool season annualCole crop; cool season annual

Grown for itGrown for it’’s edible, immature flower s edible, immature flower headhead

Relatively tolerant to environmental Relatively tolerant to environmental stressstress

Plant Apr 15 Plant Apr 15 –– Jun 1Jun 1

Direct seed or Direct seed or transplanttransplant

Broccoli CultureBroccoli Culture

Temperatures below 40Temperatures below 40°°F may cause F may cause chilling injury.chilling injury.Harvest when heads are firm and florets Harvest when heads are firm and florets havenhaven’’t begun to open.t begun to open.Retain 2Retain 2--4 inches of stem when cutting.4 inches of stem when cutting.Cut sprouting broccoli Cut sprouting broccoli just below the floret to just below the floret to stimulate new shoots.stimulate new shoots.

Broccoli CultivarsBroccoli Cultivars

‘‘Bonanza HybridBonanza Hybrid’’

‘‘Green GoliathGreen Goliath’’

‘‘Green Comet HybridGreen Comet Hybrid’’

‘‘EmperiorEmperior’’

‘‘Green ValientGreen Valient’’

‘‘Premium CropPremium Crop’’

‘‘Hybrid PackmanHybrid Packman’’

Lettuce (Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)Lactuca sativa)

Family AsteraceaeFamily Asteraceae

Herbaceous annual.Herbaceous annual.

Cool season Cool season –– temps temps above 70above 70°° with long with long days cause lettuce days cause lettuce to bolt.to bolt.High temperatures and High temperatures and excess maturity cause bitterness.excess maturity cause bitterness.

Lettuce CultureLettuce Culture

Seeds germinate best Seeds germinate best at 65at 65--7070ooF; >79F; >79ooC inhibits.C inhibits.

Seeds need light to germinate; Seeds need light to germinate; seed shallow.seed shallow.

Begin planting Apr 1; plant in succession Begin planting Apr 1; plant in succession for prolonged harvest. for prolonged harvest.

Four types: Crisp head, leaf, butterhead, Four types: Crisp head, leaf, butterhead, and romaine (Cos).and romaine (Cos).

Lettuce CultivarsLettuce Cultivars

Crisphead Crisphead (var. capitata)(var. capitata)

Tight, heavy heads.Tight, heavy heads.Latest to mature.Latest to mature.‘‘IcebergIceberg’’‘‘Great LakesGreat Lakes’’

Lettuce CultivarsLettuce Cultivars

Butterhead (Bibb) (var. capitata)Butterhead (Bibb) (var. capitata)Small, loosely filled head with creamy Small, loosely filled head with creamy interior.interior.‘‘BibbBibb’’‘‘ButtercrunchButtercrunch’’

Lettuce CultivarsLettuce Cultivars

Looseleaf (var. crispa)Looseleaf (var. crispa)Easiest to grow; earliest to mature.Easiest to grow; earliest to mature.‘‘Black Seeded SimpsonBlack Seeded Simpson’’‘‘Salad BowlSalad Bowl’’‘‘RubyRuby’’‘‘PrizeheadPrizehead’’‘‘Oak LeafOak Leaf’’

Lettuce CultivarsLettuce Cultivars

Romaine (Cos) (var. longifolia)Romaine (Cos) (var. longifolia)Elongated headsElongated heads

Matures later than butterhead and leaf Matures later than butterhead and leaf varietiesvarieties

Harvest heads when smallHarvest heads when smallto avoid bitterness.to avoid bitterness.

‘‘RosalitaRosalita’’

‘‘Valmaine CosValmaine Cos’’

‘‘Paris Island CosParis Island Cos’’

TomatoesTomatoes

Most popular vegetable for home Most popular vegetable for home gardens.gardens.

Family SolanaceaeFamily Solanaceae

Direct seed or transplant May 1 Direct seed or transplant May 1 –– May 15May 15

Common disorders in NM: Curly top Common disorders in NM: Curly top virus; blossom end rotvirus; blossom end rot

Tomato CultureTomato CultureSelf fertile, windSelf fertile, wind--pollinated flowers.pollinated flowers.Temps < 50 will Temps < 50 will cause blossom cause blossom abortion, poor abortion, poor fruit set & catfruit set & cat--facing.facing.Excessive Excessive irrigation after irrigation after maturity may maturity may cause splitting.cause splitting.

Tomato CultivarsTomato Cultivars

Plum and Small Types (L. cerasiformePlum and Small Types (L. cerasiforme--cherry & pyriformecherry & pyriforme--pear)pear)

Smaller (Smaller (½”½” dia.), sweeter tomatoesdia.), sweeter tomatoesProduce about 100 fruit/plantProduce about 100 fruit/plant‘‘Sweet 100Sweet 100’’‘‘Yellow PearYellow Pear’’‘‘Tiny TimTiny Tim’’‘‘Red CherryRed Cherry’’

Tomato CultivarsTomato Cultivars

BeefsteakBeefsteakLarger tomatoes, excellent for fresh Larger tomatoes, excellent for fresh uses.uses.‘‘BeefmasterBeefmaster’’‘‘CelebrityCelebrity’’‘‘Better BoyBetter Boy’’‘‘Early GirlEarly Girl’’

Tomato CultivarsTomato Cultivars

PastePasteHigh ratio of solids. Excellent for High ratio of solids. Excellent for sauces, processing. sauces, processing. ‘‘RomaRoma’’‘‘Viva ItaliaViva Italia’’‘‘Amish PasteAmish Paste’’

Tomato CultivarsTomato Cultivars

HeirloomsHeirloomsOlder, open pollinated varietiesOlder, open pollinated varietiesBrandywineBrandywineBlack KrimBlack KrimHungarian HeartHungarian Heart

Chile PeppersChile Peppers Capsicum Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens, C. chinenseannuum, C. frutescens, C. chinense

Family SolanaceaeFamily SolanaceaeIndeterminantIndeterminant or or determinant.determinant.Planting Dates: May Planting Dates: May 15 15 –– Jun 15.Jun 15.Direct seed or Direct seed or transplant.transplant.Bell peppers Bell peppers genetically nongenetically non--pungent.pungent.

Chile Chile HeatHeat

Habanero : 300,000 SHU

Serrano : 65,000 SHU

Tabasco : 150,000 SHU

Thai : 95,000 SHU

New Mexican : 10,000 SHU

Bell Pepper : 0 SHU

Cayenne : 50,000 SHU

SHU = Scoville Heat Unit

Bell Pepper CultivarsBell Pepper Cultivars

‘‘Bell BoyBell Boy’’

‘‘Gypsy HybridGypsy Hybrid’’

‘‘California WonderCalifornia Wonder’’

Chile CultivarsChile Cultivars

New MexicanNew Mexican--typetype‘‘NuMex R NakyNuMex R Naky’’ (mild)(mild)‘‘New Mexico 6New Mexico 6--4 (mild)4 (mild)‘‘NuMex Big JimNuMex Big Jim’’ (medium)(medium)‘‘SandiaSandia’’ (hot)(hot)‘‘Espanola ImprovedEspanola Improved’’(hot)(hot)‘‘BarkerBarker’’ (very hot) (very hot)

CucurbitsCucurbits

Squash, pumpkins, gourdsSquash, pumpkins, gourds

CucumbersCucumbers

MelonsMelons

DonDon’’t transplant well. Direct seeding is t transplant well. Direct seeding is preferred.preferred.

Cucurbit Cucurbit PollinationPollination

Cucurbit flowers may be Cucurbit flowers may be perfect perfect (have male and (have male and female parts) or female parts) or imperfectimperfect(have only one or the (have only one or the other).other).Male flowers produced Male flowers produced early; female flowers later. early; female flowers later. Genetics, day length, and Genetics, day length, and temperature determine temperature determine what gender of flowers what gender of flowers are producedare produced

Melon Melon Cucumis melo & Citrullus Cucumis melo & Citrullus lanatuslanatus

Family CucurbitaceaeFamily CucurbitaceaeWarm season, Warm season, herbaceous annual.herbaceous annual.May be determinate May be determinate or indeterminate.or indeterminate.Melons can only crossMelons can only cross--pollinate pollinate with members of the same with members of the same species.species.Plants are monoecious & can be Plants are monoecious & can be self or cross pollinated.self or cross pollinated.

Melon CultureMelon CulturePlanting Dates: May 1 Planting Dates: May 1 ––May 15May 15Warm temps & sunny Warm temps & sunny weather produces sweet weather produces sweet fruit.fruit.Bees essential for good Bees essential for good fruit set.fruit set.Only allow 1Only allow 1--2 fruits to 2 fruits to develop per plant.develop per plant.

Melon Melon CultivarsCultivars

Melons (other)Melons (other)‘‘Casaba, Casaba, Golden BeautyGolden Beauty’’

‘‘Crenshaw, Crenshaw, Early HybridEarly Hybrid’’

‘‘Honey Dew, Honey Dew, VenusVenus’’

WatermelonWatermelon‘‘Black Black DiamondDiamond’’

‘‘Crimson Crimson SweetSweet’’

‘‘Bush Sugar Bush Sugar BabyBaby’’

‘‘Moon & StarsMoon & Stars’’

Corn (Corn (Zea maysZea mays))

Annual; member of grass familyAnnual; member of grass family

White corn lacks betaWhite corn lacks beta--carotenecarotene

Plant sequentially every two weeks to Plant sequentially every two weeks to prolong harvest (May 1 prolong harvest (May 1 –– Jul 15)Jul 15)

Corn CultureCorn Culture

Soil temperature 50 Soil temperature 50 –– 5555ooF for optimum F for optimum germinationgerminationOptimum growth between 75 Optimum growth between 75 –– 8686ooFFPlant 1Plant 1”” deep in clay; 1.5deep in clay; 1.5”” in loam, and 2in loam, and 2””deep in sanddeep in sandWind pollinated; poor pollination causes Wind pollinated; poor pollination causes skips on cob.skips on cob.Harvest when silks are brown and dry, Harvest when silks are brown and dry, and kernels are in milk stageand kernels are in milk stage

Blue CornBlue Corn

Blue color from Blue color from anthocyaninanthocyanin pigmentspigmentsCoarser, sweeter and Coarser, sweeter and nuttier taste than other nuttier taste than other flourflour--corn typescorn typesMostly openMostly open--pollinated varietiespollinated varietiesPrePre--plant Phosphorus (80 lbs/ac)plant Phosphorus (80 lbs/ac)For organic production, apply manure (20 For organic production, apply manure (20 tons/ac) in the falltons/ac) in the fall

Sweet Corn CultivarsSweet Corn Cultivars

‘‘MeritMerit’’

‘‘Early SunglowEarly Sunglow’’

‘‘Hybrid Double DeliciousHybrid Double Delicious’’

‘‘Early XtraEarly Xtra--SweetSweet’’

‘‘How Sweet It IsHow Sweet It Is’’

New Mexico FarmersNew Mexico Farmers’’ Marketing AssociationMarketing Association

Contact information: info@farmersmarketsnm.org Or call toll-free: 1-888-983-4400.

Important Sources of Important Sources of InformationInformation

Growing zones, recommended crop Growing zones, recommended crop varieties, and planting and harvesting varieties, and planting and harvesting information for home vegetable information for home vegetable gardens in New Mexico: gardens in New Mexico: hhttp://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/cttp://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/circ457B.pdfirc457B.pdf

Or, for a complete list:Or, for a complete list:http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/