Step 3: Choosing Vegetables A general rule is to: Grow vegetable that are adapted for your area Grow vegetables you like to eat How much should I grow? In the “10 Steps to Vegetable Garden Success” Publication it has a table with how many plants are needed per person Example a tomato plant yields 10-30 pounds- 15 plants will produce 150 to 450 pounds of tomatoes and that’s way more than the average family can eat.

Choosing Vegetables Vegetables can be grown basically anywhere in Texas but to make sure you select the right variety for your area check out http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/veg_variety/ The varieties recommended are best suited for your local growing conditions such as soil type, water quality, and season length. Also look to see what crops you can plant in the spring and the fall so that you can have fresh vegetables year round.

Step Four: Preparing the Site Good Soil = Success 5 Major Steps in preparing a gardens soil are: Soil testing Bed amendment Pre-Plant Irrigation Fertilization Seedbed Preperation

Soil Testing Determines what the soil needs to grow plants Indicates how activities are affecting soil health over time Test soil every year for first 3 years Testing Your Soil: How to collect and Send Samples Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office

Soil Test Limitations Results are site specific! Cant use neighbors test Soil test this year will not indicate nutrients for next year Soil analysis measures some elements better than others Type of lab equipment used will affect the test County Extension Agent can assist in reading results

Bed Amendments Amendments- materials added to the soil to improve its physical properties, such as aeration, drainage, structure, and water infiltration Improves the environment for the plants roots To improve plant productivity, soil aeration, and soil drainage Add Organic Matter!!! Organic Matter (compost) should be added every year Soils less than 2% Organic Matter Heat breaks it down within a year

Preplant Irrigation Water before Planting Soil lack moisture in summer months May take several soakings Help emerging seedlings develop quickly

Fertilization Plants need Primary, Secondary, and micro-nutrients Primary Nutrients are needed in the largest amounts followed by Secondary then micronutrients Even after adding compost or manure may still need it

Fertilizer How do you make sure the plant is getting what it needs? Have soil tested periodically Apply primary and secondary nutrients to the soil Apply micronutrients to the leaves Foliar feedings to correct deficiencies

To Much is Not Good Many gardeners apply to much fertilizer “If a little is good, a lot is better” FALSE Strive to produce the best and most veggies with as little fertilizer as possible Excess fertilizer can harm the plants and pollute land and water from runoff

Primary Nutrients Nitrogen-(N) Most important and needed more than any other Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K)

Nitrogen (N) Used to manufacture Food Decficency- plant are light green and yellow and produce less Lighter soils and media lose nitrogen faster than heavy soils

Phosphorus (P) Phosphorus is used for cell division, root growth, and development of reproductive structures (Fruits) Deficiency- dull green leaves and purpling of the petioles and veins under the leaf Most over used Element To much Phosphorus causes deficiency in iron and zinc

Potassium (K) “Potash” Most Texas soils have plenty Can leach out in sandy soils Helps plants grow Improves shelf life of produce Essential for water uptake, water retention, and formation of starch and protein Deficiency- older leaves interveinal chlorosis and marginal necrotic spots or scorching

Buying Fertilizers First Number Represents Nitrogen Second Number Represents Phosphorus Third Number Represents Potassium N-P-K 13-13-13

Fertilizer Application Methods Drip irrigation- Drip irrigation systems apply fertilizer where and when needed. Fertilizer is injected into the irrigation system Banding- if phosphorus is needed place it 2 inches down and two inches away from plant on one side. Reduce phosphorus use by 30% Broadcasting application- sling out fertilizer by hand or broadcast spreader on to of the ground. Best application for adding agricultural lime to soils to raise pH in the soil

Fertilizer Application Method ( Cont.) Foliar Spray- spraying liquid fertilizer on the leaves of plants. Ineffective in applying N-P-K Leave can only absorb 5 to 10% compared to roots Can be used to fit micronutrient deficiencies

Seedbed Preparation Seedbed must be well prepped do to small seed size Pulverize the soil Poor seedbeds= Weak stands Slow drainage More weeds

Solarization Uses suns heat to kill pest Reduces diseases, insects, and weeds in fall gardens How to solarize the soil? July or August saturate the soil Place clear plastic sheet over ground Anchor it down to prevent air circulation Wait four weeks for ground to reach sterilization temps. Remove plastic and let soil cool for one week Incorporate compost or other organic material

Step 5: Planting You can plant seeds or transplants Transplants are more efficient ( 7-10 days faster) Spring garden season ends July 1 Disadvantage to transplants is limited varieties

Seeds Plant the right amount of seeds To many leads to competition for water and nutrients To few can reduce yields It is better to thin than not plant enough Check package for planting direction No directions/ plant 3 times the length of the seeds