Fluvanna Master Gardener Training The Vegetable Garden

Start with your WANTS Fresh Food Saving money Quality of life Environmental advantages Variety

Then fill the Vegetables Needs Site Sun Soil Water Limit Competition - keep out weeds and roots Support Plan

SITE Level Limited Wind Access to water Don’t compete with trees or roots Rotation

SUN Minimum 6 hours a day Prefers 8 to 10 FULL SUN

SOIL Loamy Organic Soil, okay laugh … it can be made here in Central Virginia. Time & Compost ******** Soil testing ************* PH generally should be 6.2 to 6.8 (slightly acid)

Water 1 – 2 inches per week Mulch to conserve Soaker hoses

Weeds Be Proactive Control with mulch Control with cultivation Spacing of vegetable plants Cover crops Last resort - herbicides

Support Prevents contact with ground, increases airflow and aids harvesting Poles/stakes Cages Fences or trellises Strings

Planning Layout taller plants to the north Succession crops Rotation needs

or Start with And get

Seeds or Transplants Question: Which makes sense? Answer: Depends on vegetable and….

Seeds Larger Variety Costs (packages or save /trade options) Heirlooms Challenge Time in start up Meeting needs of seeds Challenge + -

Transplants Variety Costs Lack of Heirlooms Some plants not suitable for transplant (i.e. beans,beet, spinach) Ease No Time in start up Head start Hybrids - +

Planting in Garden Seeds Pretreat? (i.e. soaking) General rule – plant depth of 4-5 times size of seed Row or broadcast spread Transplants Harden-off Depth (except tomatoes) Timing

Frost dates

Other Options Square Foot Gardening Container gardening Raised beds Hanging planters

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