Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Mike McQueen

Regional Extension Agent

Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests

December 30, 2008

Planning for the Home Garden

Over the past few months Alabama Cooperative Extension System offices across the state have received many calls from people interested in planting a vegetable garden next spring. Reasons for homeowners wanting to grow their own vegetables range from wanting to know where the produce they eat comes from to looking for ways to reduce the family food budget.

Regardless of the reason for growing your own vegetables, a successful garden only comes with proper planning and constant attention. Important elements include careful site selection, planting at the right time, using the right amount of fertilizer, using varieties adapted to your region, controlling pests, and harvesting at the right time.

Site Selection

It is important to choose a site with at least six to eight hours of full sun. Vegetables will not grow well in competition with trees or in shade. A garden site should have well-drained soil and be free of chemicals and debris.

Soil Management

Garden soils can be improved by adding organic matter – compost, leaf mold, and well-rotted sawdust in late fall.

Lime and Fertilizer

The best way to determine the nutritional needs of your soil is by soil testing at least every three years. Information for soil tests can be obtained from your county Extension office. A soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 works best for most vegetables. For lime to be most effective, it should be mixed into the soil a month or two before planting.

Long season crops such as tomatoes, cabbage, pepper, okra and potatoes need more fertilizer than short season crops. It is important to observe crops to determine if additional side-dressing of fertilizers are needed.

Seed and Plants

Seed are inexpensive. Seed shouldn’t be planted too thickly. When planting small seed such as turnips and carrots, they should only be covered ¼ to ½ inch deep. Larger seed such as beans and cucumbers should be planted about 1 inch deep.

Only stocky, healthy, fresh plants should be used. These plants should be planted at the same level they were growing in their original pots. Transplants should always be watered to settle the soil around the roots.

Cultivation

Frequent and shallow cultivation is an important part of weed control. Chemical weed killers are not usually recommended for home gardens.

Irrigation

Water is essential for producing quality vegetables. During long dry periods, gardens should not be sprinkled daily but should be soaked thoroughly once a week. Light, frequent irrigation only helps during seed germination. Overhead watering late in the afternoon can lead to increased chances of certain diseases. This type irrigation should be done early in the day so plants will dry before night. Drip irrigation is the most efficient type of irrigation.

Disease Control

The best practices for reducing diseases are crop rotation, using disease-free seed, resistant varieties, early planting, plowing under old crop debris, and seed treatment. Chemical fungicides may be used to control some common leaf diseases of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and cantaloupes.

Insect Control

Insect control is an important part of the home vegetable garden. Plants should be frequently inspected to identify potential pest problems. If control is necessary, use the safest and most effective pest management methods (biological, chemical, cultural, and mechanical).

If chemical pesticides are needed, select the least harmful materials and only spot treat the affected parts of the plants. USE ALL CHEMICALS FOR INSECTS, WEEDS, OR NEMATODES ACCORDING TO LABEL DIRECTIONS.

Harvesting

The main reason for having a garden is to produce fresh, high-quality vegetables. Vegetables should be harvested often in order to get vegetables at the proper stages of maturity. If beans, cucumbers, or okra are left to full maturity, the plant will stop producing. For best results, harvest vegetables early in the morning. Freeze or can the surplus so you can enjoy your garden all year. Contact me at 251-937-7176 or visit us on the web at www.aces.edu  for additional information about vegetable gardening.

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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