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Saturday, February 19, 2000

Get ready to plant vegetables

Start sowing now for the best yields

 

Gardening fever is in the air. Our mild winter has everyone eager to get in the garden. One of the main activities in the spring is planting vegetables.
   Unlike our northern gardening counterparts, we are blessed with two growing seasons - spring and fall. We try to get plants in the ground as quickly as possible after the last expected frost. The key to success is getting production before the summer heat sets in May and June. As summer approaches, some heat sensitive plants such as tomatoes and beans will stop blooming and/or setting blossoms at temperatures above 85 degrees. Also, most leafy crops are photoperiodic (day-length sensitive) and will start "bolting," sending up flower stalks as days get longer in May and June.
   Here are a few hints to help you succeed with your vegetable gardening endeavors.
   Pick the right location
   The best area will receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight. That is particularly important for plants that flower and set fruit - tomatoes, squash, peppers, beans, okra, sweet corn, etc. If that sunny spot is unavailable, don't fret. Most of the leafy crops and root crops are shade tolerant. Try lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips, onions, or parsley in an area that receives high light, but less than 6 full hours of sun. It is important to note that these crops are "shade tolerant," not "shade loving."
   Prepare the soil
   Compost, manures and fine mulch will make clay soils more pliable, increasing drainage and air availability to the roots. Organic matter will also help sandy soils to hold water and nutrients needed for plant development. Generally speaking, you can't add too much compost to your garden in our area, so don't be stingy.
   Select wisely
   Grow vegetables that your family enjoys, but be careful not to overplant. Give plants adequate spacing for development. Also, beware of planting too many of one thing. Tomatoes, squash and cucumbers will produce a lot of fruit from one or two plants. If you plant too many, you will likely become the neighborhood vegetable stand, giving away tomatoes to everyone you know.
   When selecting transplants, particularly tomatoes, look for disease-resistant varieties. The letters VFNT stand for resistance to Verticillium, Fusarium, nematodes and tobacco mosaic virus. These diseases can quickly decimate a garden, but can be avoided by simply selecting the right variety. Also select seed varieties that produce well in hot temperatures and heavy clay soils. All-American Award Winners are also excellent varieties that have been successfully tested at sites throughout the United States.
   Use healthy transplants
   Always plant healthy transplants. Select plants with strong, straight stems and healthy green leaves. Avoid those with brown spots or holes chewed in them. Next, plant your transplants at the same soil level as they are in the pots. The only exception is tomatoes, which can be planted deeper.
   Our warm soil temperature makes direct seeding the most practical choice for most crops. A general rule is to plant seeds to a depth 2-3 times their diameter or width (not the length).
   Watch the spacing
   Also be careful to thin plants out to the proper spacing after germination. Plants need space for proper root development and adequate light. Root crops such as radishes, turnips and carrots that are too crowded will produce small pencil-like vegetables. Other plants that are too close together will have weak, elongated stems that are more susceptible to break due to wind or heavy fruit set. To prevent damaging the roots of surrounding plants, use scissors when thinning.
   The most common vegetable planted is the tomato. Be sure you give them not only sun, but plenty of space. Tomatoes need at least three to four feet between plants for good development. Overcrowding will cause shading which may delay fruit ripening. It also decreases humidity that in turn causes such disease problems as early blight.
   Think water
   Plan your garden with water conservation in mind. Try using soaker hoses or drip tape to apply water directly to the root system, keeping leaves dry and minimizing diseases. Mulch between rows with a layer of newspaper and then grass clippings to reduce the weeds, reduce soil temperatures and conserve water. This method is very effective with soaker hoses.
   For more information on vegetable gardening or specific crops, contact your local nursery professional, or county extension agent. Sam Cotner's "The Vegetable Book" is another good reference for Texas vegetable gardening. The Texas Agricultural Extension Service also has an "Easy Gardening" series of publications giving practical details on garden preparation and specific crop requirements.
  
  

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