1. 10 Steps to Vegetable Garden Success
Travis Gonzales
Texas A&M Agrilife Agent
Austin County

2. Objectives Understand why people garden
Be able to identify and implement the 10 steps to vegetable garden success

3. Gardening Then and Now
Two generations ago most Texas lived in a rural setting
Large gardens were needed to provide food
Gardens were economical
Significant portion of family’s food

4. Gardening Then and Now ( Continued)
Todays home gardens are much smaller
Generally about 20ft by 20ft
Or a few raised beds
A Garden this size cost about $200 to establish

5. Modern Gardening
Gardening has become a hobby, with major benefits being not economical or of survival but instead health, nutrition, and recreation

6. Why Do People Garden? Provides a way to Relax and alleviate job stress
Produce the flavor and nutrition of fresh, home-grown vegetables
Can be enjoyed by all ages
Offers a hands-on way for children to learn where their food comes from
Teaches children the values of responsibilty and reward.
Give adults and children opportunities to become physically active
Offer the enjoyment of Literally “ eating the fruits of your labor”

7. Economics of the Home Garden
In the beginning it is hard to justify the expense of a garden
The value of the first tomato produced $5
In later years the cost is limited to seeds/transplants and pesticides/fertilizers
Cost is then less that store bought vegetables

8. 10 Steps to Successful Vegetable Gardens
Begin with a Plan
Choose the Site
Prepare the Site
Choose the Vegetables
Plant the Garden
Take Care of the Garden
Clean up the Garden
Plan Rotations
Keep Learning
Have Fun and Keep Gardening

9. Step One: Begin With a Plan
Begin a few months before planting
September for Spring
June for Fall
A plan can eliminate potential problems
Decisions to be made are when, where, how, and how much to plant.

10. Questions to Answer Before Planting
How much Space is available?
Where are east and west in the garden?
Does the area have enough light, or is it heavily shaded?
Is the garden shaded in the morning or the afternoon?
Does the site drain well?
Is there a source of water near by? Is the water plentiful?
How Fertile is the Soil? Is the texture appropriate?
Does the garden need a fence?

11. Questions to Answer Before Planting
Where will you store your tools and pesticides?
If you plan to compost, where will you do it at?
Will you install irrigation? Do you know how to can, freeze, or otherwise preserve exes produce?
Do you plan to five it away or market it for sale?
All of these are good questions to ask before you plant and if you are unsure contact you local county extension agent for help establishing your garden.

12. If Life Gives You Lemons….
I like the old saying “ if life gives you lemons make lemonade”
For this lesson I will use my saying “ if life gives you poor soil make a raised bed”

13. Working With What You Have!
If your soil has poor drainage, is shallow, or unfertile a raised bed is right for you!
Raised beds provide excellent drainage
Allow gardens to be grown in areas that are unsuitable.

14. Raised Beds Built out of
Cinder Blocks
Landscape timbers
Railroad Ties
Treated or untreated wood
If using treated lumber avoid lumber treated with Chromate Copper Arsenate (CCA) which Contains arsenic compounds.
Use wood treated in Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) or micronized copper (MCQ) which is safe for vegetable production

15. Raised Beds Minimum 6 inches deep Deeper is better
Increased material and soil cost

16. Soil Mixture A good soil mixture consist of: Another good mixture is:
1/3 Top Soil
1/3 Sand or Perlite
1/3 Compost
Another good mixture is:
½ Sand
½ Perlite
Many garden centers sell complete soil mixes

17. Sunlight Plant short plants on east side of garden
Plant tall plants on west side of the garden
This will keep tall plants from shading out the shorter plants
Morning sunlight is ideal for vegetable gardens
Photosynthesis are less conducive in areas that receive morning shade and afternoon sun
When morning sun dries dew, precipitation and irrigation from the leaves it reduces the risk of disease and infection

18. Sunlight
Gardeners have often been told vegetables grow best in full sun however in Texas that advice does not apply, 6-8 hours of sunlight or until about 2pm is long enough
Plants may actually benefit from partial or full shad after 2pm to reduce heat stress

19. Step 2: Choosing the Site
When selecting a site you must consider
1. Light- use landscape that receives light at least until
2pm
2. Soil Type- Sandy loam soils are best; if none is
available use the lightest soil type
3. Drainage- area should be drain well- most vegetables
do not like wet feet
4. Convenience- plant garden near house and water
source

20. Places to Avoid Avoid large shrubs and trees
Tree roots can extend 15 feet or more outside the dripline and rob your garden plants of water and nutrients
Avoid places with standing water after a rain