Vegetable Crops for the Home Garden

Vegetable Crops for the Home Garden Vegetable production is increasingly popular for residents of TN. The value of home vegetable gardening includes economic and nutrition benefits resulting from the provision of fresh vegetables as well as enhancing personal health and well-being through gardening activities. However, to take advantage of these many benefits of home food production, it is critical to understand some important information about gardening practices from soils and site selection to maintenance of crops during the growing season. To meet these needs, this series of factsheets has been prepared by UT Extension to inform home producers and propel them to success in their home vegetable production areas. Vegetable Crop Descriptions One of the most important considerations when selecting crops for home vegetable gardening is an understanding of their preferred temperature ranges for survival and growth. Table 1 displays some of the preferred planting times for a variety of crops. Cool season crops are often planted for both spring and fall production and warm season crops may be produced in one or two crops per year depending on space availability and crop needs. There are many other important factors in producing abundant and high quality vegetable crops which include preferred soil types, planting, care, and harvesting. Other important aspects of seeding, transplanting, watering (irrigation), fertilization, as well as pest and disease management are discussed in the printed chapter. Cool Season Vegetables Beets- Beta vulgaris Description: Beets are generally easy to grow. Tops and roots can be eaten fresh and roots can be stored or canned. They can be seeded as a spring or as a fall crop. Production of Swiss chard is quite similar to beet greens. Preferences: Ideal soil is well-drained sandy loam with a ph of 6.0 to 6.8, but can tolerate clay soils if good structure and aeration. Beets can be produced on moderately fertile soils, but are sensitive to boron deficiency. Care: Beets are direct seeded, and thinning may be required to provide plant stands 2 to 3 inches apart. Thinnings can be eaten as beet greens. Successive planting will provide a more consistent harvest. Do not cultivate deeply to avoid root damage. Water should be delivered evenly. Common pests and diseases: Cercospora leaf spot, root rots, leafminer Harvesting: Highest quality is achieved when beets are harvested when roots are less than 1 and 1 ½ inches in diameter. Sugar levels are often higher when beets mature in cooler conditions. Stored in a moist, cool location with tops removed to ¼ inch, beets can be kept for several weeks or months after harvest. Broccoli- Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Description: Broccoli is a crop grown for its flower head and the plant is rich in vitamins and minerals. Broccoli crops can be grown in spring or fall, and often a fall crop quality is higher than spring in the mid-south. Generally more heat tolerant than cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Transplanting is the most common in home gardens with seeds sown 6 to 8 weeks before last frost. Preferences: Well-drained, and fertile medium to heavy soil is preferred. Optimal ph is 5.5 to 6.5 and daytime temperatures in the 60s⁰F are best. Care: Consistent water is important, and side dressing with complete fertilizer is recommended. Mulching can be a good tool to reduce weed growth and maintain soil moisture. All brassicas are sensitive to low boron. Common pests and diseases: Bacterial black rot, Damping off or wire stem fungus, club root, cutworms, cabbage loopers, root maggots, flea beetles, cabbage aphids, and imported cabbage worms 1

Harvesting: Harvest just before flowers begin to open and show their yellow color. Once the central head is harvested, smaller lateral heads can mature to be harvested. Freeze soon after harvesting for best storage quality. Cabbage- Brassica oleracea var. capita Description: Cabbage is quite tolerant of cool temperatures and can be grown across many seasons in TN planted as spring late summer/fall crops. Use earlier maturing varieties for late summer planting. Transplanting is most common in home gardens and plants are seeded 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Generally not as nutrient dense as other leafy brassica crops. Preferences: Can be grown on a range of soil types, but often does best on well-drained sandy loam soils with good drainage. Around a 6.5 ph is optimal, but cabbage can tolerate from 6.0 to 7.5 ph. Prefers daytime temperatures in the 60s⁰F. Care: Cabbage, like broccoli requires consistent moisture and adequate nitrogen for best growth and flavor. Shallow cultivation or mulching is optimum due to shallow finely branched roots. Common pests and diseases: See Broccoli Harvesting: Firm heads are preferred and harvest is done when heads reach adequate size. Cabbage can be stored well in the refrigerator for several weeks. Carrots- Daucus carota var. sativus Description: Carrots are rich in many vitamins, especially vitamin A. It can be a challenging crop for home gardeners. Shorter rooting varieties are likely better for the home garden. Carrots can be seeding in spring or fall. Fall may be preferred to provide temperatures during growth that lead to better quality. Preferences: Deep, loose, well-drained, and easily worked fertile soils are preferred (5.5 to 7.0 ph). Soil should be free of stones and high in organic matter. Optimum root growth occurs between 60 and 70⁰F. Care: Direct seeded then thinned to 1 to 4 inch spacing before plants are 2 inches tall. Seeds are slow to germinate (1 to 3 weeks). Carrots can be seeded with a faster germinating crop like radishes to emerge and break the surface crust to ease carrot emergence. Moderate nutrient requirements for optimum root development and consistent soil moisture is essential. Common pests and diseases: carrot rust fly and carrot weevil, root rots Harvesting: Carrots are harvested when roots reach desirable size, and can be cleaned and stored in a refrigerator or moist cool cellar for a few months. Cauliflower-Brassica oleracea Description: Similar to broccoli in that it can be grown as a spring and fall crop, but is often of higher quality in the fall. Can be a more challenging crop than cabbage and broccoli as it prefers more consistent temperature for best quality. Preferences: See Broccoli Care: Cauliflower is sensitive to periods of stress (cold, heat dry soils), which can lower curd quality. Prefers 60 to 65⁰F growing temperatures Common pests and diseases: See broccoli Harvesting: Blanching is required to produce white, tender and mild heads. This means the leaves are tied over the head soon after it appears. Harvest is generally 7 to 14 days after blanching begins. Cool and refrigerate immediately after harvest and cauliflower can be stored for several weeks. Kale- Brassica oleracea or Brassica napus, Mustard- Brassica juncea, Collards- Brassica oleracea var. acephala Description: These leafy brassica crops can be direct seeded or transplanted. Kale is one of the most cold tolerant cool season crops and can be seeded as soon as the ground can be worked and harvested well into the late fall and early winter. Kale is also a nutrient dense crop with a wide range of leaf shape, size and color available in cultivars. Collards tend to be more heat tolerant. Preferences: Well-drained, soils that are rich in organic matter are preferred, but more sandy soils may warm up quicker and be more suitable for early spring seeding. A ph of 6.0 to 7.5 is optimum. 2

Care: Can be direct seeded or transplanted. Seeds can germinate as low as 40⁰F. Direct seeded crops may need thinned to 4 to 8 inches between plants in the rows (Collards may be thinned to a wider spacing). A side dressing of fertilizer may be needed to supply nitrogen during growth as these crops are considered to be heavy feeders. Consistent moisture will produce the best quality and flavor of leaves. Common pests and diseases: See Broccoli for diseases. These leafy crops are often less bothered by insect pests and diseases compared to other brassica crops. Harvesting: These leafy brassica crops can be harvested as a whole plant or leaves may be harvested individually. These leafy crops will store for a couple weeks in the refrigerator, but generally do not store as well as the other brassica crops. Lettuce- head and leaf Lactuca sativa Description: Lettuce, especially, the iceberg head types, have lower nutrient values than most other leafy greens. However, lettuce is one of the most common consumed leafy vegetables and the leaf lettuces tend to be more nutrient dense. A challenge for lettuce growers is the tendency of lettuce to bolt (produce flowers and seeds) and/or become bitter. Care in variety selection can be helpful, but production in the summer heat may still be a challenge. Lettuce can be planted in both spring and fall seasons, or sequentially to produce consistent harvest. Can be direct seeded or transplanted. Preferences: Lettuce prefers well drained soils that are high in organic matter with a ph range of 6.0 to 7.0. Early crops can more easily be grown in more sandy soils that warm up more quickly. Growing conditions of 60-70⁰F are best. Care: Moisture should be adequate and is especially important during the finals weeks of growth in head lettuce. Nitrogen fertilizer side dressing can be useful. Shading may be needed in the highest light and warmest times of year. Common pests and diseases: Damping off, Sclerotinia drop, Botrytis rot, bottom rot, mosaic viruses, aphids, cutworms, slugs, leafhoppers Harvesting: Lettuce, especially the leaf types can be harvested at any stage of maturity. Storage of lettuce is a couple of weeks in the refrigerator with heads tending to store better than leaf lettuces. Onions- Allium cepa or Allium fistulosum Description: This cool season bulb can be harvested primarily for leaves (green or bunching onions or scallions), or for a range of bulb sizes and days to harvest. Onions can be seeded, but it may be simplest to use sets. Bulbing onions are daylength sensitive. In the mid-south, it is most common to grow short-day or intermediate day onions as summer days may not be long enough to produce bulbs in long day onions. Preferences: Onions grow best in fertile, well-drained, soil that does not crust with a ph of 6.0 to 6.8. Soil ph should be above 6.0 for best availability of micronutrients. Care: Sets are placed 1 to 2 inches apart and then thinned to approximately 4 inch spacing. Onions are shallow rooted, so weed control by cultivation or mulching is important. Even moisture is best. Common pests and diseases: Purple blotch (Alternaria), onion maggot, thrips Harvesting: Sweet varieties (short day cultivars) generally do not store as well as more pungent cultivars. Onions are ready for harvest when the tops collapse. When cured well, storage of several weeks or months is possible if kept in a well ventilated, dry area with consistent temperature (35 to 40⁰F). Peas- Pisum sativum Description: Garden peas come in several cultivars that can be grown for shelling or for edible pods (snap or sugar peas). Can be grown as a spring or fall-seeded crop and can withstand moderate freezes. Preferences: Prefer a well-drained soil with a ph of 6.0 to 7.0. Average fertility is acceptable and gravelly or sandy loams are often desirable for their drainage properties. Growing temperatures of 60 to 75⁰F are best and temperatures above 80⁰F reduce growth and productivity. 3

Care: Direct seeding is most common and it is best to seed as soon as the ground can be worked. Inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium (commercially available) may be beneficial as peas are a legume with the ability to fix nitrogen. Taller cultivars may require staking. Common pests and diseases: seed rots in cool, moist soils, powdery mildew, aphids Harvesting: Harvest with peas reach desirable size, and can be eaten fresh, frozen or canned. Spinach- Spinacia oleracea Description: This leaf crop is a cool season vegetable that can be spring or fall planted. Quality decreases and bolting (production of flowers and seeds) occurs when day length is too long and temperatures are warm. A wide range of leaf size and shape exists. Preferences: Spinach prefers well drained and fertile soil that is high in organic matter. A ph of 6.0 to 7.5 is preferred as spinach can be sensitive to acid soils. Should be planted early in spring as it is quite frost tolerant and young plants can withstand 20⁰F temperatures. Care: Direct seeded, but germination can be improved by soaking seeds prior to sowing. Thin to 2 to 6 inch spacing if needed. Often germination is a challenge and thinning is not necessary. Requires consistent moisture for optimum growth and quality. Do not over fertilize with nitrogen. Can be intercropped with quick cool season crops, such as radishes or spinach. Common pests and diseases: leaf miners, aphids, downy mildew Harvesting: Spinach can be harvested across a range of time frames (30-70 days) depending on the size of leaf and season. Radish- Raphanus sativus Description: Radishes are a relatively easy root crop to produce and they yield a harvest in only three to six weeks. They can be succession planted in the spring and also are appropriate for fall crops. Preferences: Radishes require well-drained and loose soil that is high in organic matter and is not stony with a ph of 5.8 to 6.8. They can grow in clay soils if these conditions are present. Prefer cool (50-65⁰F) conditions for growth. Care: Radishes are generally direct seeded and thinned to 1 inch between plants for summer harvests and up to 3 inches between plants for fall harvested cultivars. Water should be consistent as erratic watering will reduce quality. Shallow cultivation is important to prevent root damage. Can be intercropped with slower maturing summer crops, such as cabbage, tomatoes, or squash. Common pests and diseases: Cabbage root maggot and clubroot. Harvesting: Radishes are harvested as soon as sufficient size is present. Hot weather increases pungency and lowers quality and later plantings may also bolt (produce flowers) before a root is produced. Turnip- Brassica rapa var. rapa Description: Turnips can be grown for the leaves (called greens, see Kale, Collards, etc) or the root. Spring and fall plantings are possible with fall planting quite common. Preferences: Well-drained, fertile soils with a ph of 6.0 to 7.5 is best. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Will produce in less fertile soil, but quality may be reduced. Can germinate in relatively cool (40-50⁰F) soil temperatures. Care: Direct seeded and then thinned to 4 to 6 inches. Requires consistent moisture. Floating row covers can be used to protect from early pests. Common pests and diseases: Flea beetles, root maggots, cutworms, black rot Harvesting: Harvested when root size is sufficient. A light frost can sometimes improve the flavor of turnips. 4

Warm Season Vegetables Beans, Bush and Pole- Phaseolus vulgaris Description: Beans grown for the pod (snap beans) and eaten fresh, canned or frozen are the most common in gardens, and are grown either as a bush crop or a pole crop requiring support. There are also bush and pole bean cultivars suitable for drying. Beans are typically direct seeded and are sensitive to frost. Most varieties of snap bush beans will be ready to harvest 50 to 60 days, while pole beans generally require a few days longer to mature. Edible soybeans (Glycine max, also known as edamame) are grown in a similar fashion to bush beans, but usually require a longer time before ready for harvest (80-100 days). Preferences: Beans can be grown well across a range of soil types that are well-drained. The optimum ph for beans in 6.0 to 6.8.They can grow reasonably well in heavier (more clay) soils and average fertility. Care should be taken that soil crusts do not form. This is more common in clay soils with smaller particle size and tends to happen after heavy rains. Germination is poor if soil temperatures are below 60⁰F. Care: Shallow cultivation is best to prevent root damage and nutrient needs are moderate. Beans require about 1 inch of water per week, best delivered in two events if irrigated. Common pests and diseases: Anthracnose, bacterial blights, damping-off fungi, Rust, mosaic viruses, white mold, aphids, bean leaf beetles, Mexican bean beetles Harvesting: Beans can be planted every two weeks from the frost free date until early August to assure consistent harvest or planted as distinct spring and fall crops. Later crops can be challenging due to pest and disease pressure. Cucumber- Cucumis sativus Description: A warm season vine crop that is sensitive to frost. Cucumbers are not nutritionally dense, providing mainly moderate vitamin C content. Cucumbers can be direct seeded or transplanted. Curcurbits have sensitive root systems, so care must be taken if transplanting. Biodegradable pots, such as peat, can work well for transplants. Two plantings are common, one for summer and the second for fall harvest. Bush varieties can be good for smaller garden areas or container production. Cultivars are available for slicing as well as pickling (smaller fruit) cucumbers. Preferences: Cucumbers prefer fertile, well-drained soil. Sandy, silty or clay loam soils are best with the incorporation of organic matter. Cucumbers can tolerate some acidity, but 6.0 to 6.8 ph is generally best. Cucumbers are quire sensitive to chilling and young plants in cool soils can easily be damaged. Plastic mulches can help to warm up soil and row covers can protect young plants from wind and provide some temperature increase. Care: Cucumbers are known as relatively heavy feeders, so adequate nitrogen for growth as well as potassium for fruiting is needed. Consistent moisture produces the most consistent and best fruit quality as dry conditions can lead to bitter fruit. Cucumber vines can be allowed to sprawl, but fruit quality and ease of management is often better if they are trellised or grown on cages. Common pests and diseases: Bacterial wilt, leaf spot, gummy stem blight, powdery mildew, downy mildew, cucumber mosiac virus, aphids, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, squash bug Harvesting: Fruits are harvested at desired eating quality. Smaller fruit tend to be more tender. Overripe fruit will turn yellow on the vine. The harvest period is typically 6 to 8 weeks on a single plant. Total fruit harvested can be 12 to 50 fruit depending on the size at harvest. Eggplant- Solanum melongena Description: Eggplants are in the same family as tomatoes, but are even more sensitive to freezing and chilling temperatures. They prefer night temperatures about 65⁰F and day temperatures above 75⁰F. Eggplants are generally transplanted and require eight to ten weeks from seed to transplant, which is often done two to three weeks after the last expected frost. Row covers can be used to increase temperatures and protect plants from insects early in the season. Cultivars range in size and shape as well as colors from white to dark purple. 5

Preferences: Sandy loam soils that are fertile and high in organic matter with a ph of 5.5 to 6.5 are generally considered optimum. Can tolerate a range of soil types if well maintained. Care: Management is similar to that of tomatoes and peppers. Common pests and diseases: aphids, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, Verticillium wilt Harvesting: Fruits are edible when they are about a third grown. Harvest while the skins remains shiny and keep in mind that smaller fruit may be more tender. Mature fruit may hinder the production of new fruit, so keep older fruit picked. Fruit is also chilling sensitive after harvest and should not be stored below 50⁰F. Muskmelons (Cantaloupe) and Watermelons- Cucumis melo and Citrullus lanatus Description: Muskmelons are a warm season fruit crop in the same family as cucumber. They typically require 80 to 100 days from seeding to harvest. Seeds can be direct sown or transplanted in a similar fashion to cucumbers to provide an earlier harvest. Mulches and row covers can be good tools to protect plants and speed early growth. Preferences: Muskmelons prefer a well-drained sandy or silty loam soil. Sandy or lighter soils warm up more quickly and can be a benefit to these chilling sensitive crops. Soil ph for muskmelon should be above 6.0 and between 6.0 and 6.8 is preferred. Watermelons are not generally as sensitive to low soil ph. Organic matter has been shown to enhance production in all soil types. Care: Like cucumbers, muskmelons and watermelons prefer relatively high nutrient levels and a side dressing of fertilizer can be an asset. Consistent soil moisture is important for optimum fruit production. Overwatering during fruit maturation has been shown to lower sugars and reduce eating quality. Bees carry pollen from male to female flowers, so use caution in spraying insecticides when the plants are flowering to maintain bee populations. Common pests and diseases: See cucumber Harvesting: The best eating quality of muskmelons is when they are harvested at full slip. This means that the fruit will easily pull away from the vine. In watermelons, fruits that turn a creamy yellow on the ground side are ready for harvest. Okra- Abelmoschus esculentus Description: Okra is rather tropical crop that can be grown in warm temperate regions. It is a member of the same family as cotton. Generally known as a drought and heat tolerant crop that have fewer pest problems than many garden vegetables. Preferences: Okra is best grown on sandy or sandy loam soils with a ph of between 5.8 and 6.5. Care: Shallow cultivation is best to prevent root damage. Nutrient needs are moderate. Common pests and diseases: Fusarium and Verticillium wilts, boll weevils Harvesting: Pods are generally harvested when they are about 3 inches long. Pods should be harvested regularly to prevent slowed set and maturation of young pods on the plant. They are rapidly perishable. Peppers- Capsicum annum Description: Peppers are in the same family as tomato and eggplant and are grown as sweet bell, sweet banana fruit and a range shapes and sizes of hot peppers. Capsaicin is the compound that provides the flavor in hot peppers. Sweet peppers are generally harvested immature and therefore green. If allowed to completely ripen, red, yellow, orange, ivory, chocolate fruit can be obtained. This ripe fruit will generally have a sweeter taste. Peppers do contain more vitamin A and C than the other crops in the same family. Peppers are typically transplanted eight to ten weeks after seeding to shorten time to harvest. They are slightly more sensitive to low temperatures than tomatoes, and require warm soils. Preferences: Sandy loam soils are often preferred for production. Moderate fertility, but well drained is best. Care: Crop management is similar to tomatoes. Consistent moisture along with fertilizer side dressing are common for optimum production. Cool nights, very warm days, or high nitrogen levels can reduce fruit set. Consistent moisture and nutrition can help prevent physiological issues such as blossom end rot. Common diseases: Bacterial spot, soft rot of fruit 6

Harvesting: Peppers can be harvested immature or mature to attain color. Keep in mind that the risk of pest and disease damage is higher if mature colored peppers are sought. Cut the fruit from the plant to prevent damage. Potatoes, Irish- Solanum tuberosum Description: Potatoes are in the same family as tomatoes and peppers. They are classified as a cool season crop but are frost sensitive. The best timing is to seed them so they emerge around the frost free date. Potatoes are commonly propagated using cut pieces of seed potatoes that are certified disease free. Each seed piece should have two to three eyes (tuber buds) and be about 2 ounces. A range of sizes and types of potatoes are available in white, yellow, red and blue flesh color and white, yellow, and red skin color. Spring and fall plantings are carried out in TN, but the spring planting may be the higher yielding crop. Preferences: Soils of loam or sandy loam texture are often preferred, but potatoes are grown in a range of soils. Generally a ph of 6.0 to 6.5 is optimum, but lower ph down to 5.0 to 5.2 may be used to control scab disease if present. Recently turned over sod can lead to increased issues with wireworms and white grubs. Care: Optimum production occurs under irrigation as inconsistent moisture will lead to abnormal tuber growth. Potatoes are generally hilled (additional soil is brought on top the row) to encourage additional tuber growth and protect the tubers from sun scald. Weed growth should be controlled. Common diseases: Early and late blight, Bacterial scab, viral diseases, wireworms, Colorado potato beetle, white grubs Harvesting: Tubers can be dug at any size and before the skins are mature. These are often called red potatoes and red skinned varieties are common for early potatoes. Later maturing potatoes are generally left in the ground until the vines have been dead for a couple weeks to allow the skins to toughen. With proper care and storage, potatoes can be stored for up to 6 months. A temperature of around 40⁰F and 80-90% humidity with no light is preferred. Potatoes, Sweet- Ipomoea batatas Description: Sweet potatoes are a warm season perennial grown as an annual due to their sensitivity to frost. Slips are the general method of propagation. They are shoots produced from a root that rapidly develop their own young root system. They are generally transplanted into a hilled row after the danger of frost has past. Sweet potatoes require a four to five month growing season that is free from freezing weather. Preferences: Sweet potatoes are generally produced in lighter or sandy soils that are well-drained. Low organic matter can be an asset in preventing scurf disease. Soil ph should be between 5.2 and 6.7. Heavy soils can restrict root growth and production. Little growth occurs below 59⁰F and optimum temperatures for growth are 70⁰F soil and 85⁰F air temperature. Care: Sweet potatoes are somewhat drought tolerant, but optimum and even growth will be present with consistent moisture. Do not over fertilize with nitrogen because vine growth can be excessive and at the expense of root growth. Common pests and diseases: Scurf, flea beetles Harvesting: Roots can be harvested whenever they reach an appropriate size, but will continue to grow until frost kills the vines. Harvest carefully to keep roots free of injury. Curing, where roots are kept at 80 to 85⁰F for 10 days after harvest can prolong storage life. Root should be stored long-term at 55 to 60⁰F with a relative humidity of 85 to 90%. Pumpkins and Squash, summer and winter- Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima Description: Squash are found in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. All are warm season vine crops. Summer squash (Zucchini, yellow straight and crookneck squash) often have a more compact growth habit while winter squash and pumpkins typically have large sprawling vines. Seeding and transplant production are similar to cucumber and muskmelon. Preferences: Prefer a well-drained and fertile soil with a ph of 5.8 to 6.8. A range of soil but with good drainage. Care: Summer squash are faster growing and may require slightly higher nutrient levels than winter squash and pumpkins. Plastic mulch and row covers can be good tools to enhance early growth while reducing early pest pressures. Must be removed for flowering and pollination. 7

Common pests and diseases: See cucumber Harvesting: A key difference between summer and winter squash/pumpkins is the maturity at harvest. Summer squash are harvested while the skin is tender and the best quality is when seeds are small. Winter squash are allowed to mature to a hard skin and contain mature seeds. Sweet corn- Zea mays Description: Sweet corn is likely second only to tomato in favor among garden vegetables. There are a range of sweet corn types and days to maturity. Su types are older cultivars that have moderate sugar levels that quickly turn to starch after harvest. Sugary enhanced (se and se+) are cultivars with sweeter, more tender kernels that convert the sugar to starch slower after harvest. Shrunken (sh2) cultivars are often the sweetest and the slowest to convert sugar to starch after harvest. The Su cultivars tend to germinate better and are easier to grow, but the se and sh2 may taste sweeter. Also keep in mind that Su types can pollinate the se and sh2 types, so separate them in space or by 10 days to 2 weeks in planting time. Sweet corn is generally direct seeded, but can be transplanted with care. Preferences: A wide range of soil types can be used to grow corn. Early corn may benefit from warmer soil temperatures in lighter soils, while loams with better water holding capacity may be better for full season crops. Optimum ph is between 6.0 and 6.8. Corn grows poorly under 50⁰F with optimum ranges between 85 and 85⁰F. Care: Corn responds well to nitrogen fertilization and side dressing to apply additional nitrogen during growth is generally beneficial. As a grass, corn is relatively drought tolerant, but will produce better under adequate and consistent moisture. The most important time points for adequate moisture are when pollination is occurring (by wind) and when ears are filling. Common diseases: Seed rots, bacterial wilt, smut, viral diseases, corn rootworm, armyworm Harvesting: Harvest periods for sweet corn are brief for optimum flavor. Kernels should be plump with small kernels on the ½ inch long tip of the ear. Often harvest is carried out when the silk first begins to brown. Harvest in the early morning when temperatures are low is best. Tomatoes- Lycopersicon esculentum Description: Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetable and contain a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors across cultivars. Compact cultivars are also available for small spaces. The most common types are indeterminate, which continue to produce leaves and fruit throughout the season and determinate, which have terminate the main growing point. Tomatoes are warm season crops that should be seeded or transplanted only after the threat of frost is past. Most garden tomatoes are transplanted when the plants are six to eight weeks old. Preferences: Tomatoes prefer a well-drained fertile soil that has large amounts of organic matter. Clay and loam soils tend to be the most productive, but many tomatoes are grown on sandy soils because they drain more quickly and warm up faster in the spring. Tomatoes can tolerate ph down to 5.5, but optimum is 6.0 to 6.8. Fruit set and ripening is optimum between 60 and 80⁰F. Care: Raised beds, plastic mulches and drip irrigation can all enhance your home production. Tomatoes can be allowed to vine on mulched soil, but space efficiency and fruit quality are enhanced if they are staked or twined. Plants can be individually staked or a trellis can be constructed to support a row of tomatoes. Alternately, cages can be installed for tomatoes. A side dressing of fertilizer should be applied after fruit has set. Even moisture throughout the growing season will enhance production and reduce physiological problems such as blossom end rot and cracking. Waterlogging in the soil may also contribute to blossom end rot issues. Common diseases: Alternaria early blight, late blight, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, bacterial spot and speck, bacterial wilt, aphids, Colorado potato beetles, tomato hornworms Harvesting: Home garden tomatoes can be harvested at full red (or yellow) ripe color to optimize the opportunity for solids (sugar) and flavor in the fruit. Storage temperatures for fruit are optimally 55⁰F and fruit should not be refrigerated to retain best flavor. 8

Table 1. An overview of production times and the potential yield of garden vegetables Vegetable Spring planting time Days to first harvest range Length of harvest season Yield range per 100-ft row Fall planting time Days to harvest range Beans, snap bush 4/10 to 6/20 50 to 65 2 weeks or more 80 to 120 lbs. 7/15 to 8/15 60-70 Beans, snap pole 4/10 to 6/20 60 to 65 5 to 6 weeks 100 to 150 lbs. Beans, lima bush May to June 65 to 75 3 weeks 20 to 30 lbs. shelled Beans, lima pole May to June 80 to 90 4 weeks 25 to 50 lbs. Beets 3/1-3/10 55 to 60 4 weeks 75 to 150 lbs. 70-75 Broccoli 3/1-4/1 60 to 70 4 weeks 50 to 100 lbs. 7/15 to 8/15 60-80 Cabbage 2/20-4/1 60 to 75 3 weeks 125 to 200 lbs. 7/5 to 8/15 60-70 Cauliflower 3/1-4/1 55 to 65 2 weeks 50 to 100 lbs. 7/15 to 8/15 70-80 Cantaloupe May 80 to 90 3 weeks 100+ melons Carrots 3/1-4/1 75 to 85 4 to 6 weeks 50 to 100 lbs. Collards March 65 to 75 4 to 30 weeks 100 to 150 lbs. 7/1 to 9/1 80-90 Corn 4/1 to 6/1 80 to 95 7 to 15 days 90 to 120 ears Cucumber May or June 50 to 65 3 to 6 weeks 115 to 250 lbs. 7/1 to 8/1 50-70 Eggplant May 65 to 80 2 months or 75 to 150 lbs. more Kale February 55 to 65 4 to 20 weeks 100 to 150 lbs. 7/1 to 9/1 60-80 Lettuce, bibb February to 50 to 80 2 to 3 weeks 50 to 100 lbs. 50-70 head March Lettuce, leaf February to 40 to 50 4 to 6 weeks 50 to 75 lbs. 7/1 to 9/15 30-60 April Mustard February 35 to 45 3 to 6 weeks 75 to 100 lbs. 7/1 to 9/1 50-60 Okra 5/5 to 5/20 50 to 60 7 to 9 weeks 50 to 100 lbs. Onions Peas, English and snap February to March Feb. 1 to Mar. 20 30 to 60 (bunch) 100 to 120 (storage) 3 weeks (bunch) 2 weeks (storage) 30 to 50 lbs. (bunch) 50 to 100 lbs. (storage) 65 to 75 2 to 3 weeks 20 to 30 lbs. (English) 30 to 50 lbs. (snap) Pepper, sweet May or June 55 to 80 2 to 3 months 50 to 75 lbs. Pepper, hot May or June 60 to 70 2 to 3 months 10 to 25 lbs. Potatoes, Irish March 90 to 110 4 months stored 100 to 120 lbs. 7/1 to 7/31 90-100 Potatoes, sweet May 110 to 120 5 months stored 75 to 125 lbs. Pumpkin May 100 to 120 4 months stored 40 to 50 pumpkins Radish 2/15 to 4/15 25 to 30 3 weeks 50 bunches 50-60 Spinach February 40 to 50 4 to 30 weeks 50 to 150 lbs. 9/10 to 9/20 Squash, winter May or June 90 to 110 4 months stored 50 to 200 lbs. Squash, summer May or June 40 to 50 6 weeks 100 to 150 lbs. 7/15 to 8/15 60-70 Swiss chard March 50 to 60 4 to 30 weeks 50 to 150 lbs. Tomatoes 4/10 to 6/10 70 to 80 8 weeks or more 200 to 300 lbs. 7/1 to 8/1 70-100 Turnip roots March 40 to 65 6 months 100 to 150 lbs. 8/1 to 9/30 50-60 Watermelon May 80 to 90 3 weeks 20 to 25 melons 9