Tap Root-Carrots
Planting:
Sow seed ¼-½" deep. Seed takes
14-21 days to germinate. Planting a few radish seeds helps to loosen the soil
and mark the rows for these slow emerging seeds. Thin plants to at least
1" apart in rows spaced 18-24" apart. Sow as soon as ground can be
worked. Even moisture and soil temperature, 18-24°C (65-75°F) is essential for
good germination.
Growing:
Carrots are best grown in full sun
but will tolerate light shading. Choose deeply-worked, stone free soil with a
pH of 6.5. Chantenay types are suitable for shallow or heavy soils. Raised beds
or rows are recommended. Carrots are light to moderate feeders. Avoid using
fresh animal and green manures at the time of planting. Moisture is required
for good root formation.
Pests
& Diseases:
Root maggots and Rust Flies can be
deterred by using row covers. Leaf spot and
blight diseases (Cercospera and Altenaria) can be controlled using a sulphur
or copper fungicide. Aster Yellows is a disease spread by leaf hoppers. Control
these insects by spraying in the evening with insecticide
or a pyrethrum
product.
Companions:
Bean, Brussels sprouts, cabbage,
chive, leaf lettuce, leek, onion, pea, pepper, radish, tomato.
Sowing
Rate:
Approx. 23,000/25g will seed a
100-150' row, 1kg of seed/acre.
"Carrots - Veseys." 2007. 3 Jun. 2015 <https://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/carrots>
"Carrots - Veseys." 2007. 3 Jun. 2015 <https://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/carrots>
Leafy
green: Lettuce
Planting:
Direct seed in early spring, as seed will germinate between 40-80°F. Sowing thinly ¼" and 1" apart.Spacing:
Leaf types - 6" apart with 12" rows; Iceberg - 12" apart with 18" row spacing; Romaine - 8-10" apart with 12-16" rows Butterhead/Batavia - 10-12" apart with 12" row spacing. Start transplants indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date for transplants. Make succession plantings every 1-2 weeks to ensure a constant harvest.Growing:
Choose an area with full sun to partial shade and a soil pH of 6.2-6.8. Lettuce is a heavy feeder and prefers a rich, well cultivated soil with good drainage. Some success can be expected even in poor soils using the loose-leaf types. Add plenty of compost or well rotted manure prior to planting. Benefits from regular feedings with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Mulching is useful to keep soil cool and reduce weeds.Harvesting:
Harvest lettuce early in the morning. Looseleaf types can be picked as soon as leaves are large enough to eat. Harvest head types when they are firm and well wrapped. If your lettuce becomes bitter during warm weather, wash and place in the fridge for a couple of days before eating.Pests & Diseases:
Distract insects by using row covers and companion planting. Rotenone and Trounce (pyrethrum) will control aphids, plant bugs and leaf hoppers. Slugs cherish lettuce; use slug bait to control slugs.Companions:
Most vegetables, carrot, garlic, onion and radish make the best companions"Romaine Lettuce - Veseys." 2007. 3 Jun. 2015 <https://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/lettuce/romainecos>
Vines- Cucumber
Planting:
Sow indoors 3-4 weeks prior to last frost or direct seed after all risk of frost. For indoor planting use 2 inch square jiffy strip pots and plant 1-2 seeds per square; thin to ensure one plant per pot. Plant seeds ½-1" deep, transplant or space plants 6" apart in rows 4-6' apart. Plants are tender, so soil should be warm, 18-24°C (65-75°F) for germination to begin. If growing on a trellis, space plants 18" apart.Growing:
Cucumbers require full sun and soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8. As they are heavy feeders, an application of compost or well rotted manure worked into the planting area will help. Regular applications of a complete soluble fertilizer during the growing season is beneficial. Plants should not be allowed to wilt. Make sure they are well watered before transplanting. Spread a mulch around plants before they start to vine, to cut down on weeds and conserve moisture. The mulch will also help to keep the fruit clean.Harvest:
Pick slicing cucumbers when they reach 6-8" long; pickling types at 3-5". Keep mature cucumbers picked off the vines to encourage a longer yield. Harvest cucumbers for pickling early in the morning.Pests & Diseases:
Striped or spotted cucumber beetles can emerge from the soil in spring and nibble on the leaves and stems of emerging plants. The beetles spread a bacterial wilt which causes plants to wilt and die before bearing fruit.Companions:
Bush bean, cabbage family, corn, dill, eggplant, lettuce, radish, pea, tomato."Cucumbers - Veseys." 2007. 3 Jun. 2015 <https://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/cucumber>
Tall Plant-
Tomato
Planting:
Tomatoes are tender plants and are very susceptible to frost damage. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow 2-3 seeds in 1x1" cells and thin to 1 plant after germination. Cover seed with ¼" soil and provide a constant soil temperature of 21-26°C (70-80°F). Once plants are up, a growing light is necessary or seedlings will become tall and spindly. After plants develop 1-2 sets of true leaves, transplant into 3x3" or 4x4" pots. Use a water soluble fetilizer every two weeks starting at half strength and increasing to full strength over 6 weeks. Seedlings benefit from waterings with Epsom salts, use 1 Tbsp of Epsom salts per gallon. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed. When transplanting , space 24-36" apart with rows at least 36-48" apart.Growing:
Full sun location, preferably with good air circulation. Soil pH of 6.0-6.5. Heavy feeders, prefer a warm, well drained soil of good fertility and cultivation. Add plenty of compost and well rotted manure prior to planting. Feed regularly during the growing season with a compost tea or well balanced fertilizer. Avoid excessive nitrogen, particularly before fruit set. Provide even moisture during fruit set and development. Excessive watering can increase fruit size but decrease flavour. Use Epsom salts to improve growth, mix 2 Tbsp/gallon of water and feed to plants every other watering.Harvest:
Pick fruit when fruit is firm and turning red. Overripe tomatoes rot quickly.Pests & Diseases:
Protect from cutworms by using protective collars around the plant stem or place cornmeal around plant base. Blossom end rot (a brownish-black, sunken dead area that forms on the bottom of the fruit) is a condition caused by a calcium deficiency due to uneven watering. Blight, another disease common to tomatoes is caused by warm, humid conditions particularly if plants have not been given some support to keep foliage off the ground. Use copper or sulphur sprays to help prevent blight. Good air circulation along with proper rotation will help to prevent onset of this harmful disease.For an in depth look at how to manage tomato Blight, please read Tomato Blight - Everything you Need to Know
Companions:
Asparagus, basil, bush bean, cabbage family, carrot, celery, chive, cucumber, lettuce, onion, pepper."Tomatoes - Veseys." 2007. 3 Jun. 2015 <https://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/tomato>
Onion
Planting:
Plant seed as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Onion seed germinates in a wide range of soil temperature, 18-29°C (65-85°F). Sow and cover seed with ½" of soil and keep moist. Onion seeds started indoors 6-8 weeks ahead of transplanting will be earlier, larger and have a better shape than sets and direct seeded onions. Plant 3-4 seeds in a 1 inch cell. Thin to 2 seedlings per cell. Seedlings can be trimmed 3-4" in height to promote stockier transplants. Thin or transplant to 3-4" apart in rows 18-24" apart. To plant onion sets, simply press sets into the soil about 2" apart. Later thin to about 4-6" apart to allow bulbs to mature. Bunching onions can be left at 1-1½" apart. Space shallots 1" apart in rows 4" apart.Growing:
Onions benefit from full sun, a soil pH of 6.0-7.5 and a well drained soil with plenty of compost or well rotted manure added. Feed with a complete balanced fertilizer during the growing season, particularly when the bulbs start to form.Harvest:
Bunching onions are used when young and green. To harvest storage onions: when onion tops begin to fall over, turn brown and wither, it is time to harvest. Tipping bulbs over to break some of the roots will speed drying. Pull and place onions in dry, warm airy location out of direct sun for up to 3 weeks to cure. After curing process is complete, store in cool, dry location. The drier the onions, the better they store.Pests & Diseases:
Storage rot may be the result of diseases encountered during the growing season. Make sure onions are thoroughly cured before storing.Companions:
Beet, cabbage family, carrot, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsnip, pepper, spinach, strawberry, tomato, turnip."Onions - Veseys." 2007. 3 Jun. 2015 <https://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/onionsseed>
Strawberries
Planting:
Best started indoors in early March. These seeds are very tiny and should be sown on the surface of the soil. Sprinkle seed very thinly over the surface of the soil and cover flats or trays with a clear plastic wrap, bag or dome to hold moisture and humidity within the soil. Provide bottom heat to maintain a soil temperature of 15-21°C (60-70°F), which will maintain a temperature at seed level of 15-18°C. Seeded trays should be kept from any direct bright light until seeds germinate. Trays can then be moved to a sunny location. If the temperature fluctuates widely, then germination will be very poor. Germination will take 3-4 weeks. After 4-6 weeks, transplant tiny seedlings into 2x2" pots until they are ready to be placed permanently outdoors. Light feedings with a well balanced fertilizer can begin at this time.Growing:
Thrive in full sun to partial shade with a soil pH of 5.5-7.0. Moderate feeders. Alpine strawberries are perennials and special care should be given to area in which they will be permanently planted. Prepare a rich well drained soil by adding plenty of compost and well rotted manure to the area. Use bonemeal and compost teas or other balanced fertilizers during the growing season.Harvesting:
Pick once the fruit has fully ripened to a crimson red. (These strawberries will be much smaller than commercial types).Pests & Diseases:
Red Spider Mite is easily recognizable by the first signs of fine speckling on the upper surface of the leaves, which eventually lose colour and become hardened. In severe attacks, webbing can be seen on the underside of the leaves. Mites love dry air and dust, so wash off foliage with a jet of water in dusty seasons. An excellent all-natural bio-degradable insecticide is Safer's Natural Insecticide. Mulch over winter for protection.Companions: Melon.
Squash
Planting:
Plant after all danger of frost has past or when the soil has warmed to 21-27°C (70-80°F) as seed will not germinate in cool soil. Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks ahead of last frost date. Sow 1 seed into a jiffy pot and transplant out after all risk of frost has passed. For early plantings, use floating row covers to raise soil temperature, increase early growth and protect tender plants from wind injury. Sow summer squash 1" deep, 6" apart, thinning to 12" apart in rows 36-48" apart. Sow winter or vining squash similarly, using a spacing of 24-36" between plants with 48-60" row spacing.Growing:
Full sun and a soil pH of 5.5-6.5. Moderate feeders; mix plenty of organic matter into soil as squash prefers a rich loamy soil of good fertility and moisture retention. Even and sufficient soil moisture is essential. Benefits from mild feedings with a fertilizer high in phosphorous to initiate fruit formation.Harvest:
Harvest summer squash when they are 4-8" long and when their skin is still shiny. Winter squash can be cut later in the summer or early fall before frost, or when the skin is hard enough so that you can not cut it with your finger nail. Simply cut from the vine leaving 4-6" of stem attached to the fruit. Store in a cool, dry area.Pests & Diseases:
Striped and spotted cucumber beetles can be controlled with Rotenone or Trounce. Powdery mildew can be prevented by using a sulphur or copper fungicide during humid, damp weather. Poor fruit setting in cold weather can influence fruit set and rainy periods often hamper pollinating insects.Companions:
Celery, corn, onion, radish"Celebration Squash - Veseys." 2012. 3 Jun. 2015 <http://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/vegetables/veseystoppicks/celebration>
Locating The Garden
Should be convenient to the house and should be accessible to water supply on loamy well drained soil, in a sunny area and invisible from the house if possible. Loamy means a granular soil with a balance of sand, silt and clay particles. Must consider what happens to the spot when there is heavy rain or when it is very dry. To determined whether trees or branches will cause problems with accessibly shading the garden.
Preparing The Soil
Garden soil should be lose and well drained. The ideal soil type should be granular like coffee grounds so that water will soak in rapidly. The garden must prepare the soil to achive the best results.
Preparing To Plant
Turn the soil with a shovel, spade, plow or rototiller. It is important to break up all clods. A clod is a lumps or mass of soil.
