1. 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 pounds- 15 plants will produce 150 to 450 pounds of tomatoes and that’s way more than the average family can eat.

2. Choosing Vegetables
Vegetables can be grown basically anywhere in Texas but to make sure you select the right variety for your area check out
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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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