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Vegetable Garden Guide www.iamcountryside.comVegetable Garden Guide 1 Index Fast-Growing Plants For Impatient Gardeners..............................................3 Get An Early Start With Carrots.....................................................................4 Six Steps To Starting And Saving Heirloom Tomatoes..................................6 Anyone For Okra?.........................................................................................8 Kohlrabi: I Grow An Oddball........................................................................12 Make Room In Your Garden With Climbers And Crawlers..........................13 Cauliflower In The Garden...........................................................................16 Have Eggplant Your Way.............................................................................18 Water Rings, Make Watering a Snap..........................................................20 You Can’t Beat a Beet.................................................................................21 Time For Summer Squash..........................................................................24 Potatoes Offer Healthy Sustainability..........................................................26 Gourds for Farmers and Homesteaders......................................................28 Plant Pumpkins Now For Fall Faces Later..................................................32 Steamed Pumpkin Bread............................................................................33 2 Vegetable Garden Guide because of that. Of course I figure out some place to use them, usually salads
Some varieties can be harvested in as early as 18 days, such as Saxa II, offered by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Types will produce a harvest in as early as two or three weeks. They are also very easy to grow, not giving much time for problems to show up! There are all sorts of options here: Kale, mustard, lettuce, arugula, spin- ach, cress, mizuna, tat soi, and pac choi all make great salad greens that pass the one-month to harvest test. You can create the best salads yourself, and wow is it rewarding
Kale. Surprise! From The Territo- rial Seed Company offers a variety, Wild Garden Kales, which offers a wonderful array of shapes and colors of Siberian kales. It has a days-to- maturity of 30 days—it passes the test
I love growing kale, and the earlier, the better. Super-food nutritious andFast-Growing Plants my favorite green for adding to stews and such dishes. Also great made into kale chips, made by marinating the kale leaves, stripped from the stalksFor Impatient Gardeners and torn into bite-sized pieces, in a concoction of your choice (something like salt, pepper, vinegar/lemon juice) then baking in the oven at the lowest possible temp until dry and crisp all the way through
Another crop that barely passes is By Armani Tavares a harvest from the sets in as early as a variety of bok choi named Shiro. It’sF two weeks, varying due to the time available from Johnny’s Selected Seeds
or those of us who suffer from of year and depth planted. I like mine Shiro is a “baby,” single serving bok a chronic condition known as planted deep, around four inches, as to choi. These Asian vegetables deserve impatience, here are some plants get longer white stalks (or red when I greater publicity due to their relativethat I can recommend growing. They’re plant red onion sets). If you have some ease of growing and adaptability. Iteasy, they’re fast, and they’re what make mechanism for creating furrows, that’s does best in cool weather but toleratesup a bountiful garden harvest in only great, but I dig a trench with a hoe or year-round production. They have aa month. heavy rake and place the sets as close mild, mustard greens-like flavor, though First place has to go to green onions as possible to each other down the much crisper
grown from sets. That’s right. They can length of it. Then push the dirt back Everything listed above will pro-go into the ground, and that’s most any over, water, and you’re done. duce satisfactorily in your averageground, at almost any time of the year, Second place is taken by radishes. garden without special care, yet canthey are the earliest thing I harvest I personally never liked radishes very provide extra special rewards withinin regards to both days to maturity, much, that is, for eating. But they’re a month’s time of sowing. You know,and how early they can be planted. great for growing and if you plant all when you’re caring for your gardenPlant them as soon as you can work the different colored ones, white, red, day in and day out, mopping-wet withthe soil in spring, all the way through purple, and pink, they’re just plain sweat under the scorching sun whilethe year until freeze up. You’ll have fun, and quite attractive. I grow them weeding some plants—plants that by now you’ve almost forgotten are for eating—20 days difference until harvestThey’re easy, they’re fast, and they’re what make can make a big difference in boosting you until the rest of things come intoup a bountiful garden harvest in only a month. production! Well, okay, I admit it, I’m just impatient
Vegetable Garden Guide 3 Get An Early Start With Carrots By Nancy Pierson Farris Because feeder roots of carrots may with a high clay content, long carrot South Carolina plunge two feet below the surface, we varieties don’t develop well. One sug- begin by thoroughly working the soil. gestion: plant long carrots after earlyC arrots are one of the most versatile Before the year ends, we spread compost spring peas, because the peas’ strong vegetables I grow in my garden. We over the area, and dig it in. A few days root system opens the soil to a depth that plant them once a month through before we intend to plant, we rotary till allows long carrots to penetrate. On thespring, and again after Labor Day. Ex- the rows again to loosen and mix the other end of the spectrum, the very shortcept during summer’s intense heat, I soil. Though I prepare my garden with or ball types such as Atlas (Parks Seeds)harvest a continuous supply for salads organic materials such as rotted bed- or Parisian (VT Bean Seed) will grow inor for cooking. ding from the goat stalls, or well-aged shallow soil, or even in containers
Since carrots will germinate in 45°F litter from the henhouse, I could use a To add color to the carrot patch, Isoil, I get an early start on my garden by 10-20-10 fertilizer at a rate of two ounces could grow Atomic Red. Purple Dragonsowing a short row of them in January, per ten feet of row. A higher nitrogen might add some excitement to the gar-about 10 weeks before my last spring formula could result in much foliage den
frost. I can expect harvest to begin in and stunted, misshaped roots. Burpee offers a Kaleidoscope mix,March. Small, crisp carrots fresh from Pictures accompanying this article which includes red, purple, yellow, andthe garden are a welcome addition to a show the half-long variety, which I light green carrots. Carrot seeds are veryspring salad! usually grow. In heavy soil like mine, small, and the sprouts are delicate and 4 Vegetable Garden Guide hard to see. To mark the rows, I firstplant a few radish seeds in the shallowfurrow, then plant the carrot seeds andcover with barely a quarter inch of soil
I then spread coarse mulch thinly overthe row to hold moisture and preventcrusting of the surface. Within a week,I see the radishes! Pairs of small, roundleaves scattered along the row. At leastanother week will pass before thedelicate fringe of carrot foliage becomesvisible. Soon after the carrots appear,radishes start to form roots and I canremove some of them, carefully, to usein salads. Radishes mature in just threeweeks, leaving the space for the carrots
I try to hand weed and thin the car-rots from the time I can see the foliage
Since they are so delicate, weeds canquickly outgrow and smother them
Since seeds are so tiny, it is difficult tosow thinly enough to avoid discardingany by thinning. The first threadlikeroots are good for nothing, but I of-ten use the tops. They have a slightlypeppery flavor and anything green iswelcome in my early spring salad. Topscan also be snipped and tossed intosoup. As the carrots begin to develop,I use the whole plant in salad or add itto vegetable soup. At this point, I aimto create a half-inch spacing of the car-rots. As roots develop, I pull every otherone as I need them, thus increasing thespace for those that remain. When I pulla few carrots and find them mature, ifwe need that space for another we grab Carrots come in athe spading fork. Working a few inches rainbow of colors
away from the row, Don loosens the dirtso I can easily pull the carrots. Plantingshort rows of carrots monthly, Januarythrough May, we have a steady supplyand usually store them in the refrigera-tor. The few times I have an over-abun-dance of carrots, I prefer to can them the rainy winter day when I want to make row an idea from an old country song:old-fashioned way. I wash, scrape, and soup or pot roast. Carrots are one of you gotta know when to plant ‘em; youslice them, then boil until they are soft most versatile vegetables I grow! They gotta know how to tend, you gotta knowenough to pack tightly into glass jars. are also one of the least predictable. That when to accept your losses and hope forI add water, and a quarter teaspoon of is one reason I plant a short row every better luck in the next round!salt to each pint, place lids and rings, month. Vagaries of weather: Too much So if your carrots (or whatever elseand process them for 30 minutes at 10 rain, or not enough; too much cold, or you planted) meet with adversity, pre-pounds of pressure. too much heat. All can affect the growth pare another furrow, and make another Years ago, when I used a water of carrots. One hungry rabbit can gobble planting. Next month, the weather maybath canner, I processed carrots for two up a whole row of carrots in one night. cooperate and the rabbit may stay away,hours. If I have only a few extra car- We all know that when we plant a and the seeds will produce a bumperrots, I may freeze them. I find they are seed, we gamble on the outcome. To bor- crop! It happens to me every year
better after I cook them till tender, thencool and pack into freezer containers
I sometimes freeze carrots with mixedvegetables. These are handy during a Vegetable Garden Guide 5 Six Steps To Starting AndSaving Heirloom Tomatoes STEP 1: GET YOUR SEEDS To start your own collection, be- gin simply by saving the seed from the choicest tomatoes you can find or grow. If you want to try some new ones you don’t have access to, take a look at some of the heirloom catalogs and browse online. You will need to get your seeds ordered in January
This not only helps with the winter blues, but allows you time to grow your plants from seeds
STEP 2: PLANT SEEDS You will need to start the seeds in Save your February or March. All you’ll need is seeds and you your seed, seedling tray pots, a grow too, can grow light and some old recycled cups. Get colorful those colorful and crazy seeds into your heirloom wetted seed tray pots, place a plastic tomatoes
cover over them and place on top of All photos by the fridge for warmth. (Be sure to label Melisa Mink them if planting several varieties.) The warmth of the refrigerator will help the trays stay warm and bring your little seedlings to life. You’ll have baby plants within a week, two at the most. This way of starting seed also works for peppers
STEP 3: GROW SEEDLINGS Next, move the trays of seedlings By Melisa Mink, Homestead Moma under a grow light. It needs to be close Mississippi to the seedlings—within 10 inches, or they’ll become spindly. You’ll need toI f the first tomato of the year is something you long after, this is for you. check and make sure they get water
Growing and saving your heirloom tomato seed is something that will Under the light, they can get dried out benefit your pocket book as well as your belly. And just think about the and die. You also should make sure theylooks you’ll get at the local farmers market when you show up with striped are not too wet or they will rot at the soilgreen or orange tomatoes! They really are fun to grow, and they are nutritious line. This is called dampening off, andtoo. Each year, we grow hundreds of our own plants by seed, save tons of it’s not good. You want them to staymoney, add to our diet and wow our friends and neighbors. damp, not wet, or too dry
66 Vegetable Garden Guide Heirloom tomatoes can handle temperatures as low as 40°F, but no frost whatsoever
STEP 4: TRANSPLANTING Next, transplant them into recycledStyrofoam cups after the second set ofleaves begin to grow. These are the “trueleaves.” If they begin to look leggy or To save your seeds, place thosegrow too long reaching for the light, just from the best-looking fruit in waterplant deeper into the pot or cup. The for a few days, rinse with water, andplant will grow roots along that stem. The allow the seeds to dry on a paperdeep planting is good, as there will be towel (or coffee filter). You’ll bemore roots to soak up nutrients. I recycle rewarded with delicious colorfuldisposable cups and use a nourishing tomatoes next summer!potting soil for this step. Buying potscan get expensive
STEP 5: GROW AND MAINTAIN You will then be watching and wa-tering for a few weeks. Once the stemslook a little more green than white, andwarm days permit, start setting outsidefor two hours at a time. This will “hardenoff” the plants to real outside weather
Also, keep an insecticidal soap spray onhand for gnats or aphids. Once you’vedone this on and off for a week or so,it’s time to find a warm, sunny place orgreenhouse to leave them in more often
You can build a makeshift one with anold glass door, or use a cold frame. Ifit’s too sunny though, they could cook
Just make sure it’s ventilated well andthe glass is not too close to the plants
They will also need to be kept frost-freeat night. When early spring temperaturesstill get pretty low, just bring them backinside. They can handle temperaturesas low as 40°F, but no frost whatsoever
You’ll know it’s chilly for them if thestem is a little purple
STEP 6: HARVEST Once summer is upon us, you’ll best-looking fruit’s seeds into a bowl or scoop off the mold and wash the seedshave your own hand-picked varieties cup of water. It will need to sit for three in a screen-style strainer with cold water
no one else has. From purple to orange, or four days and grow mold. Yep, those Then place on a labeled paper towel togreen or white, it can be a tomato show funky bacteria will do you good deeds. dry and voila! Now label a plastic freezerof color. And once you’ve picked them It’s breaking down the gel sack around bag and place in freezer, and share a fewand are enjoying the harvest, don’t for- the seed and allowing it to be in a usable with friends and family. You’re ready forget to save your seeds. Just place your condition. Once the three days are up, the next season! Vegetable Garden Guide 7 one of the most heat and drought tolerant Anyone For vegetable species in the world and will tolerate clay soils. Okra’s hall of fame is its magnificent yellow and purple hibiscus- Okra? like flowers. As a member of the mallow family, the showy bloom attracts natural pollinators. Its sometimes debatable taste and popular food source reigns supreme in southern gardens and has become a staple of many regional cuisines. So, if you are an okra enthusiast, you are among thousands of foodies whose diet consists of this 10-calorie productive crop plus receive the benefits of vitamins A, C and K. A good source of fiber, calcium and potassium, okra is also known for being high in antioxidants
In my home garden as well as the recently constructed community garden I partnered with at Eastern Wake Tech- nical Community College, we planted okra seeds in a small 4’ by 6’ raised bed garden. Although we got a late start, within a six-day period we were amazed at the speedy growth of this vegetable, which far surpassed other crops. We planted two seeds at a time, ¾” deep and spaced every 3” to 4” per spot, in full sun and organic soil, and then offered daily doses of water to establish a healthy root system. Okra does require acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 for the average stalk to grow between four and six-feet tall. In less than seven days, we thinned to one plant every 10–12 inches apart for airflow. We grew each stalk between three and five feet apart in linear rows. Because the seed pods become fibrous and woody, the fruits are harvested when immature and should be eaten before they grow too long
Surprisingly, we did not have to weed the bed, nor did we offer the crop a boost of fertilizer five to six weeks after By Anita B. Stone the top of my can’t-wait-to-eat list. “It’s planting. But I did not follow protocolI slimy,” I thought. Not wanting to hurt with one of the easiest plants to grow
remember moving from Ohio to North her feelings I told the neighbor how my Knowing the most common diseases Carolina with my family several years family enjoyed okra’s unique taste. Two afflicting the okra plant is verticillium ago, during which time I was looking days later she visited us with a plate of wilt, powdery mildew leaf spots andforward to that southern home cooking southern fried okra. “I could tell by your root-knot nematodes, I watched theeveryone talked about. My neighbor facial expression that you weren’t pleased plant on a daily basis, using no sidequalified the staple of southern cooking with okra stew,” she said. “Please try a dressings as fertilizer. I decided my okrawhen she asked if I had ever eaten okra. small bite of fried okra.” From that day was going to be organic, so there was noBeing an avid gardener, I was ashamed forward I have not only cooked fried okra pesticide, herbicide or fungicide used
to admit that I had never heard of okra. on a weekly basis, but I have acquired I also broke the rule of thumb and did“What?” she hesitated. “Without okra we a taste for the stuff in soups, stews and not surround the plants with mulch be-would starve. We just love the stuff.” She casseroles, so long as I “doctored” it up. cause I assumed that an excess amountoffered to cook a pot of stewed okra and Okra is actually a very versatile fresh, of nitrogen would lead to increasedone week later I decided that my desire crisp vegetable that has gotten a mixed leaf growth and lower pod yields. So,for southern cooking was not exactly at reputation. And, yet, this fast grower is I simply permitted the seeds to germi- 8 Vegetable Garden Guide nate, thinned them out and released thefreedom to grow. And they did—ex- The pod on the lefttremely well and pest-free. Like a mys- is perfect for cook-terious hand reaching out each night, ing, while the onethe okra seemed to grow quickly. I made below is too long and woody
certain the pods were approximatelytwo-to-four inches long because thatlength made them easy and tasty whencooked, rather than wait until the podsreached a six-inch length where they be-came tough and fibrous. Several poundsof the crop became available everyother day, which we donated to nearbycharities. After all, that’s the meaning ofcommunity garden—to provide for thecommunity. I also made sure to removeany old pods during harvest to encour-age new growth
One of my favorite okra plants isthe heirloom “Clemson Spineless,” apopular source of food for warm climategardens and a reliably high yieldingplant which grows, but does not become Whoever would have thought our Ethiopia. Spreading across Westerntoo fibrous. Another heirloom, “Annie little pods would become famous?” she Africa, it became a staple cuisine for aOakley,” is a quick growing dwarf that chuckled. long time and even crossed the oceanmatures in 48 to 52 days and has spine- I have often been asked where okra to Asia where it then spread to Indialess pods, grows to about five-feet tall originated. The answer comes as a sur- and continues to be popular in Indianin more temperate summer climates prise. There is no defined geographical and Pakistani cuisine. Eventually itrather than in balmy southern gardens. origin of okra. Related to cotton and made its appearance in Brazil, the WestNext year I am going to try heirloom other mallow family plants, it is an Indies and reached North America in“Burgundy,” which grows colorful ancient vegetable that originated in the early 18th century. The crop grewcrimson pods, stalks and leaves, andappears less slimy than the other variet-ies. An interesting heirloom named forits large rounded pods that resemblesbovine horns is “Cow Horn,” whichdates back to the Civil War. The pods arespineless and tender once they grow tothree inches in length, and are great forstewing and soups
If you are not a fan of okra, chancesare you really haven’t tried it in a waythat excites your palate. Preparation ofokra can be simple. Once rolled in breadcrumbs and fried, the taste becomesmore like a fried zucchini or breadedsquash. Chefs and cooks stew okra withonion and tomatoes with small bits ofmeat and corn. Some roast the vegetablewith margarine. Serve it over rice, hotcornbread or grits, or even add it toratatouille and you have a family meal
“It’s something we grew up with,”says southern gardener Karson Turner
“If you cook it right, you can enjoy thetaste whether you bread it or add gar-lic. It’s one of those traditional foods.”Karson went on to say, “Nowadays,anything goes. Several country clubsare serving okra as an elite entrée. Wouldn’t these flowers look great in your garden? Vegetable Garden Guide 9 Because the seed pods become The pod seeds may be roasted, pickled or ground, and sometimes used as a fibrous and woody, the fruits are caffeine-free substitute for coffee. In 2009 a study revealed the potential of harvested when immature and should okra oil used as a biofuel
Planting okra can begin with seeds be eaten before they grow too long. indoors in peat pots three to four weeks before the last spring frost. You can also start okra directly in garden soil during the heat of July. The seeds or seedlingsas far north as Philadelphia and was and is especially popular as a stew. require fertile soil and full sun. As withwell established in Virginia. Toward Currently Mediterranean cuisine is beans, you can soak okra seeds over-the end of the 19th century okra became noted for a thick stew made from okra. night to help speed germination. Be surepopular in Japanese cuisine, served with Pods may be pickled or deep fried. to space the plants up to two feet apart
soy sauce or as tempura. The name okra Farmers in Nigeria have developed a If you select mulch, apply approxi-is recognized in the United States and multi-crop system which uses a variety mately six inches around the plant andis frequently known as “lady’s fingers” of vegetables, including okra. In the if you wish to side-dress, you can useoutside of Africa. With a lineage of names Caribbean, okra is eaten in a variety of aged manure or compost. About twofrom Western Africa to Nigeria, we get soups. In the Dominican Republic it is months after planting, the okra willthe word “gumbo” from the island of eaten along with rice and in Haiti, it is be ready for harvest. It is best to pickMacau and the English name “okra.” cooked with rice and maize. Because when it is between two to three inchesHighly recognized, gumbo has become the entire plant is edible, the leaves are long and harvest frequently. Tiny spinesthe most popular regional “signature” also eaten raw in salads or cooked in may irritate your skin, so unless youdish found throughout the Gulf Coast the same way as the greens of beets. have a spineless variety, make sure you wear gloves to protect your skin. Okra is easily stored. Simply place the uncut and uncooked pods into freezer bags and keep them in the freezer. You can also bread small slices and place them in freezer bags for the winter months. Or you can parch the seeds to make a fake version of coffee just as occurred duringOkra grows the Civil War. At the end of the harvest I in raised make certain to select a few young podsbeds in thecommunity and dry them during the winter months, garden. storing them in a cool, dry location
When spring arrives I open the pods and several viable seeds are ready to be planted. Once you plant okra in the garden, you will never have to spend one cent in new purchases, unless you decide to try another variety
Whether you live in the Gulf Coast region, North Carolina, Maryland, New York or Michigan, you can grow okra
It is fast becoming an eye-catching crop, not only for its ease in growth and productivity, but for its sustainability
Even during the summer months in cold states okra likes to be the “star” of the garden and may grow successfully given the right conditions. It chooses its companions carefully. It does not tolerate tomatoes, but will grow well near peppers, basil and eggplant. With increasing popularity this vegetable has proven to be a winner from farm to fork as a major food source and continues to offer ease for farmer, gardener, and homesteader
10 Vegetable Garden Guide Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask Veggie gardener’s answer Book Barbara Ellis provides expert answers for all of your toughest vegetable-growing questions. Designed to be used as an in-the-garden reference, this sturdy little volume is packed with helpful information on everything from planning a garden and sowing seeds to battling pests and harvesting organic crops. With clever tricks to cut down on weed growth, secrets for maxi- mizing production in confined growing spaces, and fail-safe watering guidelines, you’ll have the know- how and inspiration to grow your most abundant vegetable garden ever
431 pages 100% Organic Visit: iamcountryside.com/shop or call: 970-392- 4419Vegetable Garden Guide 11 Since stems are fragile, I handle seed- KOHLRABI lings by leaves or roots, and set plants at two-inch spacing. Then, I lay a soaker hose along the row and water for a few minutes to settle the soil around the roots. Thereafter, I water for a few min- I Grow An Oddball utes each day to keep soil moist
About a week later, Don prepares another 10 feet of row. Since our soil tends toward acidity, I check with my trusty pH meter. If it reads below 5, we add a bit of dolomitic lime or wood ash to the compost we place in the furrow
We cover that with a couple of inches of This year, due to unpredictable win- soil, then sow the kohlrabi seeds, and ter weather, I started a few kohlrabi, cover lightly. We keep the soil moist un- along with other coles, in a flat in my til seeds sprout, about a week to 10 days cool greenhouse. later. This year, I interplanted nastur- I use flats which my husband, Don, tiums with cole crops—this tasty, edible built. For the sides, he used 1 x 4s and flower may repel cabbage butterflies
the bottoms are counter-top material left Don sprays all cole crops weekly over from a kitchen remodel. Don used with bacillus thurengiensis to reduce a quarter-inch drill bit to make drainage cabbage butterfly populations
holes at five-inch intervals in the bottom I have grown the White Vienna, of each flat. which produces three-inch bulbs in I begin by spreading two inches of about six weeks. This year, I started with good potting soil in each flat, then I add Express Forcer (Parks Seeds), which an inch of sterile soil or vermiculite. matures in just over five weeks, and Thus, I sow seeds in a sterile medium, tolerates frost well. I started kohlrabi in and if unsettled weather forces me to flats during the winter storms of Febru- leave seedlings in the flat for an extra ary and began harvesting small bulbs in week or two, the potting soil underneath late March. For a continued harvest, I provides nutrients and support for the planted Purple Vienna and Kongo Hy- developing root systems. brid, (both from Shumway Seeds). The About eight weeks before the last former has purple skin and the KongoKohlrabi: neither turnip nor cabbage—an spring frost, I sow seeds—thinly so seed- will make bulbs up to six inches across
oddball vegetable. lings won’t get crowded as they grow— Both varieties require 60 days to full ma- and cover lightly with sterile medium. I turity. Sown in March, these produced lay a piece of glass over the top or wrap through May and June
the flat in plastic, to conserve moisture. By July, cole crops are becoming tough When seeds sprout (about a week to and bitter, and the cabbage butterflies are 10 days), I remove the cover and set the making plans for a summer festival in my By Nancy Pierson Farris flat under a shop light in the greenhouse. I garden. It is time to harvest kohlrabi and South Carolina use one white and one regular tube (white clear the row for okra or black-eyed peas
K is cooler, but costlier). I adjust the chains Kohlrabi has a flavor like a mild tur- ohlrabi: the oddball among holding the light fixture so that plants are nip with just a hint of apple. Small bulbs vegetables I grow in spring. The four to six inches below the tubes. need no peeling and can be sliced to word means turnip-cabbage. I water often enough to keep soil add a nice crunch to spring salads. I addLike a turnip, kohlrabi produces an ed- moist but not soggy. As seedlings grow slices or wedges of larger bulbs to saladsible bulb. Unlike a turnip, kohlrabi bulbs and weather warms, I may water twice a or vegetable trays. I also shred the largergrow above ground. Like cabbage, kohl- day. Once a week, I add soluble fertilizer bulbs into coleslaw or carrot-apple salad
rabi leaves attract cabbage butterflies; to the watering can. I use fish emulsion I make a stir-fry using sliced kohlrabiunlike cabbage, kohlrabi leaves grow, (the odor makes my cat crazy, but the fer- added to a skillet in which I have gentlynot from a root, but from a bulb. tilizer promotes healthy foliar growth). cooked onions in a bit of olive oil
Like other cole crops, kohlrabi grows About three weeks after I sow the Kohlrabi is neither turnip nor cab-best in cool weather; early spring or in flat, Don prepares the garden row, us- bage—it looks like an oddball and has athe fall. In a normal year, I can grow ing a rotary tiller. One evening, or on unique flavor. I enjoy growing it, not onlykohlrabi in the garden about a month a cloudy day, we move the flat to the for the taste it adds to spring salads, butbefore Easter. (Usually our last cold snap garden row. I lift a clump of seedlings for the conversation piece it can becomeoccurs Easter week.) from the flat and gently separate them. when neighbors see it in my garden! 12 Vegetable Garden Guide
Too. Each year, we grow hundreds of our own plants by seed, save tons of money, add to our diet and wow our friends and neighbors. STEP 1: GET YOUR SEEDS To start your own collection, …
Skip to Introduction. Vegetable gardening consists of selecting a site, planning the garden, preparing the soil, choosing the seeds and plants, planting a crop, and nurturing the plants until they are ready for harvest. The end result is fresh produce to eat, share, or sell. Anyone who is willing to invest some time every day or two to nurture ...
A vegetable garden can be in the ground or in a planting bed, but it doesn’t have to be. Many vegetables can be grown in containers. For example, enough lettuce for a salad can be grown in a 12-inch pot on the back deck.
When planting, group tall crops (corn, okra, and sunflowers) and trellised vines (peas and beans) together on the north side of the garden so they won’t shade shorter plants. Do not foster the buildup of insect and disease pests by growing the same types of plants in the same spot year after year.
Biennial crops such as artichokes grow the first year, and flower, fruit and die the second year. Perennial crops such as asparagus and rhubarb live for many years once established. To find recommended varieties for your garden based on citizen science reports, visit Cornell University’s Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners. When to plant?