Download - Starting a vegetable garden All you need to know to start your backyard vegetable garden!
Starting a vegetable Starting a vegetable gardengarden
All you need to know to start All you need to know to start your backyard vegetable your backyard vegetable
garden!garden!
Find your climate zoneFind your climate zone
www.gardeninginarizona.com
Duncan is Zone 3: at 3500 to 5000 feet elevation, corresponds to USDA zone 8b, Sunset National Garden zone 10
Questions to answer before you Questions to answer before you begin:begin:
Who will be doing the work?Who will be doing the work? What does your family like to eat?What does your family like to eat? How will you use the produce?How will you use the produce? How much space is available?How much space is available?
Designing your gardenDesigning your garden It is best to begin with a drawing that It is best to begin with a drawing that
shows arrangement and spacing of crops. shows arrangement and spacing of crops.
5 ft
5 ft
• place tall plants on North side
•Group plants by length of growing period
•Plant where there is at least 6 hours of sun
•Don’t plant vegetables of same family near each other more often than once every 3 years. This helps prevent disease.
Top crop green bush bean (50 days)
Crimson sweet watermelons (85 days)
Dixie summer squash (41 days)
Clemson spineless okra (56 days)
Sweet slice cucumber (62 days)
Vegetable groups according to Vegetable groups according to familyfamily
FamilyFamily VegetableVegetable
AmaryllidaceaeAmaryllidaceae garlic, leek, oniongarlic, leek, onion
ChenopodiaceaeChenopodiaceae beet, spinachbeet, spinach
CompositaeCompositae endive, lettuce, sunflowerendive, lettuce, sunflower
CruciferaeCruciferae broccoli, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, collards, kale cabbage, collards, kale kohlrabi, mustard, radish, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, rutabaga, turniprutabaga, turnip
CucurbitaceaeCucurbitaceae cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin, cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin, squash, watermelonsquash, watermelon
GramineaeGramineae corncorn
LeguminosaeLeguminosae bean, pea, peanutbean, pea, peanut
LiliaceaeLiliaceae asparagusasparagus
MalvaceaeMalvaceae okraokra
SolanaceaeSolanaceae eggplant, pepper, tomatoeggplant, pepper, tomato
UmbelliferaeUmbelliferae carrot, celery, parsley, parsnipcarrot, celery, parsley, parsnip
Preparing your soilPreparing your soil
Ideal soil is deep, well drained and Ideal soil is deep, well drained and has high organic matter contenthas high organic matter content
Soil testing can be helpful. In Soil testing can be helpful. In Arizona, it is common that soils lack Arizona, it is common that soils lack Nitrogen and Phosphates.Nitrogen and Phosphates.
Tillage equipment varies on the size Tillage equipment varies on the size of your gardenof your garden
Seed selectionSeed selection
Purchase from dependable companiesPurchase from dependable companies expensive but more varietyexpensive but more variety
Willhite, park seed, gurneysWillhite, park seed, gurneys Cheap and localCheap and local
Walmart, home-depot, safford buildersWalmart, home-depot, safford builders Saving your own seedSaving your own seed
Difficult for beginnersDifficult for beginners Be wary of cross-pollination!Be wary of cross-pollination! not all plants produce seed the same waynot all plants produce seed the same way Test for germination rateTest for germination rate
VegetableVegetable YearsYears VegetableVegetable YearsYears
AsparagusAsparagus 33 LeekLeek 11
BeanBean 33 LettuceLettuce 55
BeetBeet 44 MuskmelonMuskmelon 55
BroccoliBroccoli 44 MustardMustard 44
Brussels Brussels sproutssprouts 44 OkraOkra 22
CabbageCabbage 44 OnionOnion 11
CarrotCarrot 33 ParsleyParsley 22
CauliflowerCauliflower 44 ParsnipParsnip 11
CeleryCelery 55 PeaPea 33
Chinese Chinese cabbagecabbage 44 PepperPepper 33
CollardCollard 44 PumpkinPumpkin 44
Corn, sweetCorn, sweet 11 RadishRadish 44
Cress, waterCress, water 55 RutabagaRutabaga 44
CucumberCucumber 55 SpinachSpinach 44
EggplantEggplant 55 SquashSquash 44
EndiveEndive 55 TomatoTomato 33
KaleKale 44 TurnipTurnip 55
KohlrabiKohlrabi 44 WatermelonWatermelon 55
Starting seeds indoorsStarting seeds indoors
Grow-light systems and grow matsGrow-light systems and grow mats Warms roots, encourages efficient growthWarms roots, encourages efficient growth
Germination stationsGermination stations Greenhouse effect, seedlings emerge quicklyGreenhouse effect, seedlings emerge quickly
Various containersVarious containers Egg cartons, yogurt tubs, milk cartons, cansEgg cartons, yogurt tubs, milk cartons, cans
Peat potsPeat pots Can sow directly, doesn’t disturb rootsCan sow directly, doesn’t disturb roots
Starting seeds outdoorsStarting seeds outdoors
Depends on soil typeDepends on soil type Sandy soil: plant seed deeperSandy soil: plant seed deeper Silty/clay soil: cover seed only 2 -3 times diameter of Silty/clay soil: cover seed only 2 -3 times diameter of
seedseed Depends on type of seedDepends on type of seed
Carrots, beans and peas are best at broadcast seedingCarrots, beans and peas are best at broadcast seeding Melons, squash, corn and cucumbers are best at hill Melons, squash, corn and cucumbers are best at hill
plantingplanting Depends on soil temperatureDepends on soil temperature
Cold soil will often rot the seeds if planted to earlyCold soil will often rot the seeds if planted to early Optimum soil temperature chart on next pageOptimum soil temperature chart on next page
VEGETABLEVEGETABLEMIN.MIN.
(°(°F)F)
RANGERANGE(°F)(°F)
OPTIMUMOPTIMUM(°F)(°F)
MAXMAX(°(°F)F)
DAYS TODAYS TOGERMINATIONGERMINATION
BEANBEANdd 60°60° 60° - 85°60° - 85° 80°80° 95°95° 7 - 147 - 14
CABBAGECABBAGEa, ba, b 40°40° 45° - 95°45° - 95° 85°85° 100°100° 7 - 107 - 10
CARROTCARROTbb 40°40° 45° - 85°45° - 85° 80°80° 95°95° 10 - 2110 - 21
CORNCORNdd 50°50° 60° - 95°60° - 95° 95°95° 105°105° 7 - 107 - 10
CUCUMBERCUCUMBERc, dc, d 60°60° 75° - 95°75° - 95° 95°95° 105°105° 7 - 107 - 10
EGGPLANTEGGPLANTcc 60°60° 40° - 80°40° - 80° 85°85° 95°95° 7 - 127 - 12
MUSKMELONMUSKMELONee 60°60° 75° - 95°75° - 95° 90°90° 100°100° 7 - 107 - 10
OKRAOKRAee 60°60° 70° - 95°70° - 95° 95°95° 105°105° 8 - 128 - 12
PEPPERPEPPERcc 60°60° 65° - 95°65° - 95° 85°85° 95°95° 14 - 2114 - 21
PUMPKINPUMPKINdd 60°60° 70° - 90°70° - 90° 95°95° 100°100° 7 - 107 - 10
RADISHRADISHbb 40°40° 45° - 90°45° - 90° 95°95° 95°95° 3 - 73 - 7
SQUASHSQUASHdd 60°60° 70° - 95°70° - 95° 95°95° 100°100° 9 - 129 - 12
TOMATOTOMATOcc 59°59° 60° - 85°60° - 85° 85°85° 95°95° 5 - 145 - 14
WATERMELONWATERMELONee 60°60° 70° - 95°70° - 95° 95°95° 105°105° 7 - 107 - 10
TransplantingTransplanting Prepare soil prior to plantingPrepare soil prior to planting Disrupt roots as little as possibleDisrupt roots as little as possible Make sure plants are “hardened off”Make sure plants are “hardened off” Protect plants Protect plants
newspaper, boxes, jugsnewspaper, boxes, jugs Use a starter solutionUse a starter solution
Manure tea, fish emulsion, purchased solutionManure tea, fish emulsion, purchased solution
Optimum transplanting temperatures and Optimum transplanting temperatures and datesdates
VegetableVegetable DayDay22
(°F)(°F)NightNight
(°F)(°F)TimeTime(weeks)(weeks)
Sweet CornSweet Corn 70° - 75°70° - 75° 60° - 65°60° - 65° 3 - 43 - 4
CucumberCucumber 70° - 75°70° - 75° 60° - 65°60° - 65° 3 - 43 - 4
EggplantEggplant 70° - 80°70° - 80° 65° - 70°65° - 70° 6 - 86 - 8
LettuceLettuce 70° - 80°70° - 80° 50° - 55°50° - 55° 5 - 75 - 7
MuskmelonMuskmelon 70° - 75°70° - 75° 60° - 65°60° - 65° 3 - 43 - 4
OnionOnion 60° - 65°60° - 65° 55° - 60°55° - 60° 10 - 1210 - 12
PepperPepper 65° - 75°65° - 75° 60° - 65°60° - 65° 6 - 86 - 8
Summer SquashSummer Squash 70° - 75°70° - 75° 60° - 65°60° - 65° 3 - 43 - 4
TomatoTomato 70° - 75°70° - 75° 65° - 75°65° - 75° 5 - 75 - 7
WatermelonWatermelon 70° - 80°70° - 80° 65° - 70°65° - 70° 3 - 43 - 4
Transplant Production DataTransplant Production DataEasily SurviveEasily Survive
TransplantingTransplantingRequire Care inRequire Care in
the Operationthe Operation
Not Successfully Not Successfully TransplantedTransplantedby Usual Methodsby Usual Methods
BroccoliBroccoli BeetsBeets BeansBeans
CabbageCabbage Carrots (young)Carrots (young) CornCorn
CauliflowerCauliflower CeleryCelery CucumbersCucumbers
EggplantEggplant ChardChard PeasPeas
LettuceLettuce Melon (2 true Melon (2 true leaves)leaves) OkraOkra
Chinese cabbageChinese cabbage Squash (2 true Squash (2 true leaves)leaves)
Sweet potato slipsSweet potato slips
Onion (tends to Onion (tends to bolt)bolt)
TomatoesTomatoes
PepperPepper
IrrigationIrrigation
Soil moisture is imperativeSoil moisture is imperative mulching helps smother weeds, and hold soil for plantsmulching helps smother weeds, and hold soil for plants Shading allows soil to retain moistureShading allows soil to retain moisture
Depends on soil typeDepends on soil type Clayey soils hold water tightlyClayey soils hold water tightly Sandy soils need additional organic matter to retain Sandy soils need additional organic matter to retain
waterwater Various types of irrigationVarious types of irrigation
Water canWater can Soaker hoseSoaker hose floodflood Drip irrigationDrip irrigation sprinklersprinkler
Fertilizing your gardenFertilizing your garden
How fertile is the soil naturally?How fertile is the soil naturally? How much organic matter is present?How much organic matter is present? What kind of fertilizer is being What kind of fertilizer is being
applied?applied? What crops are being grown?What crops are being grown?
some crops are “heavy feeders” while some crops are “heavy feeders” while some are “light feeders”some are “light feeders”
Heavy FeedersHeavy Feeders Light FeedersLight Feeders
AsparagusAsparagus LettuceLettuce CarrotCarrot AlfalfaAlfalfa
BeetBeet OkraOkra GarlicGarlic BeansBeans
BroccoliBroccoli** ParsleyParsley LeekLeek CloverClover
Brussels Brussels sproutssprouts** PepperPepper Mustard Mustard
GreensGreens PeasPeas
CabbageCabbage** PotatoPotato OnionOnion PeanutPeanut
CantaloupeCantaloupe** PumpkinPumpkin** ParsnipParsnip SoybeaSoybeansns
CauliflowerCauliflower RadishRadish RutabagaRutabaga
CeleryCelery RhubarbRhubarb ShallotShallot
CollardCollard SpinachSpinach Sweet PotatoSweet Potato
Corn, SweetCorn, Sweet** Squash, Squash, SummerSummer** Swiss ChardSwiss Chard
EggplantEggplant** StrawberryStrawberry
EndiveEndive SunflowerSunflower
KalleKalle TomatoTomato**
KohlrabiKohlrabi WatermelonWatermelon**
Controlling weedsControlling weeds
CultivationCultivation Hand digging, hoes, roto-tillerHand digging, hoes, roto-tiller
MulchingMulching Organic mulch, black plastic, old carpet, Organic mulch, black plastic, old carpet,
Close spacingClose spacing Prevents weed seedlings from sunlightPrevents weed seedlings from sunlight
HerbicidesHerbicides Must be used carefully, follow all directions!Must be used carefully, follow all directions!
Natural methodsNatural methods Cinnamon oil, thyme, dish detergentCinnamon oil, thyme, dish detergent
Types of cropsTypes of crops
Cool-season Cool-season vegetables include beet, broccoli, vegetables include beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, onion, pea, potato, radish, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, onion, pea, potato, radish, spinach and turnip. Because they are hardy or frost spinach and turnip. Because they are hardy or frost tolerant and germinate in cold soil they can be tolerant and germinate in cold soil they can be planted in winter or early spring depending on planted in winter or early spring depending on location. For best quality these crops need to mature location. For best quality these crops need to mature during cooler periods rather than in the heat of the during cooler periods rather than in the heat of the summer. summer.
Warm-season Warm-season vegetables include beans, cucumber, vegetables include beans, cucumber, eggplant, melons, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet eggplant, melons, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato and tomato. These do not tolerate corn, sweet potato and tomato. These do not tolerate frost but need warm temperatures to set and properly frost but need warm temperatures to set and properly mature fruit. However, temperatures too high reduce mature fruit. However, temperatures too high reduce quality; ex.- sunburn fruit, poor colored tomatoes and quality; ex.- sunburn fruit, poor colored tomatoes and poor ear fill in sweet corn. poor ear fill in sweet corn.
Vegetable YieldsVegetable YieldsVegetablesVegetables AverageAverage
Crop Crop ExpectedExpectedPer 100 Per 100
FeetFeet
FreshFresh StorageStorageCanning Canning
ororFreezingFreezing
Beans, Snap BushBeans, Snap Bush 120 lb.120 lb. 15 - 16 plants15 - 16 plants 15 - 20 feet15 - 20 feet
Beans, Snap PoleBeans, Snap Pole 150 lb.150 lb. 5 - 6 feet5 - 6 feet 8 - 10 feet8 - 10 feet
CarrotsCarrots 100 lb.100 lb. 5 - 10 feet5 - 10 feet 10 - 15 feet10 - 15 feet
Corn, SweetCorn, Sweet 10 dozen10 dozen 10 - 15 feet10 - 15 feet 30 - 50 feet30 - 50 feet
CucumbersCucumbers 120 lb.120 lb. 1 - 2 hills1 - 2 hills 3 - 5 hills3 - 5 hills
OkraOkra 100 lb.100 lb. 4 - 6 feet4 - 6 feet 6 - 10 feet6 - 10 feet
Onions (plants/sets)Onions (plants/sets) 100 lb.100 lb. 3 - 5 feet3 - 5 feet 30 - 50 feet30 - 50 feet
PeppersPeppers 60 lb.60 lb. 3 - 5 plants3 - 5 plants 3 - 5 plants3 - 5 plants
PumpkinsPumpkins 100 lb.100 lb. 1 - 2 hills1 - 2 hills 1 - 2 hills1 - 2 hills
RadishesRadishes 100 bunches100 bunches 3 - 5 feet3 - 5 feet ------------------------
Squash, SummerSquash, Summer 150 lb.150 lb. 2 - 3 hills2 - 3 hills 2 - 3 hills2 - 3 hills
TomatoesTomatoes 100 lb.100 lb. 3 - 5 plants3 - 5 plants 5 - 10 plants5 - 10 plants
WatermelonWatermelon 40 fruits40 fruits 2-4 hills2-4 hills ------------------------
Planting VegetablesPlanting VegetablesVegetablesVegetables Plants or Seed Plants or Seed
per 100 per 100 feetfeet
Spacing (Inches)Spacing (Inches) Number Days Number Days Ready for Ready for
UseUse
RowsRows PlantsPlants
Beans, snap Beans, snap bushbush
1/2 lb.1/2 lb. 24-3624-36 3-43-4 45-6045-60
Beans, snap Beans, snap polepole
1/2 lb.1/2 lb. 36-4836-48 4-64-6 60-7060-70
CarrotsCarrots 1/2 oz.1/2 oz. 15-2415-24 22 70-8070-80
Corn, sweetCorn, sweet 3-4 oz.3-4 oz. 12-1812-18 70-9070-90 70-9070-90
CucumbersCucumbers 1/2 oz.1/2 oz. 48-7248-72 24-4824-48 50-7050-70
EggplantEggplant 1/8 oz.1/8 oz. 24-3624-36 18-2418-24 80-9080-90
OkraOkra 2 oz.2 oz. 36-2436-24 12-2412-24 55-6555-65
PeppersPeppers 1/8 oz.1/8 oz. 24-3624-36 18-2418-24 60-9060-90
PumpkinsPumpkins 1/2 oz.1/2 oz. 60-9660-96 36-4836-48 75-10075-100
RadishesRadishes 1 oz.1 oz. 14-2414-24 11 25-4025-40
Squash, Squash, summersummer
1 oz.1 oz. 36-6036-60 18-3618-36 50-6050-60
TomatoesTomatoes 50 pl. or 1/8 oz.50 pl. or 1/8 oz. 24-4824-48 18-3618-36 70-9070-90
WatermelonWatermelon 1 oz.1 oz. 72-9672-96 36-7236-72 80-12080-120
Planting DatesPlanting DatesVegetableVegetable Region 3Region 3
2000 - 3000 2000 - 3000 feet Elevationfeet Elevation
Bean, bushBean, bush Mar. 1 - Apr. 1Mar. 1 - Apr. 1July 15 - Aug. 15July 15 - Aug. 15
Bean, poleBean, pole July 15 - Aug. 10July 15 - Aug. 10
CantaloupeCantaloupe Mar. 15 - June 1Mar. 15 - June 1
CarrotCarrot Aug. 25 - Mar. 15Aug. 25 - Mar. 15
Corn, sweetCorn, sweet Mar. 15 - Apr. 1Mar. 15 - Apr. 1July 15 - Aug. 15July 15 - Aug. 15
CucumberCucumber Mar. 20 - May 15Mar. 20 - May 15Aug. 1 - Sept. 1Aug. 1 - Sept. 1
EggplantEggplant Apr. 1 - May 15Apr. 1 - May 15
MuskmelonMuskmelon Apr. 1 - July 15Apr. 1 - July 15
MustardMustard Sept. 1 - Feb. 1Sept. 1 - Feb. 1
OkraOkra Apr. 1 - June 15Apr. 1 - June 15
Pepper (seed)Pepper (seed) Feb. 15 - Mar. 15Feb. 15 - Mar. 15
PumpkinPumpkin Apr. 1 - July 15Apr. 1 - July 15
RadishRadish Aug. 5 - May 1Aug. 5 - May 1
Squash, summerSquash, summer Mar. 15 - July 15Mar. 15 - July 15
Tomato (seed)Tomato (seed) Jan. 10 - Feb. 15Jan. 10 - Feb. 15
WatermelonWatermelon Mar. 15 - June 1Mar. 15 - June 1
Container GardeningContainer Gardening
LocationLocation Window sill, patio, balcony, doorstepWindow sill, patio, balcony, doorstep
CropsCrops Carrots, radishes, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, peppersCarrots, radishes, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, peppers
ContainersContainers Good drainage, allows growth, clay, plastic, metalGood drainage, allows growth, clay, plastic, metal
Growing mediaGrowing media Package potting soil is bestPackage potting soil is best
WateringWatering Must be done regularlyMust be done regularly
FertilizingFertilizing 14-14-14, occasional manure tea, occasional fish 14-14-14, occasional manure tea, occasional fish
emulsionemulsion
activityactivity
What type of garden are you going to grow?What type of garden are you going to grow? What 3 crops are you going to grow?What 3 crops are you going to grow? Draw your “plan”Draw your “plan” Use the internet to navigate through the following Use the internet to navigate through the following
sites:sites: www.willhiteseed.comwww.willhiteseed.com www.parkseed.comwww.parkseed.com www.gurneys.comwww.gurneys.com
Find prices, varieties of seed that grow best in your Find prices, varieties of seed that grow best in your zone, find our zone, days to harvest and any diseases zone, find our zone, days to harvest and any diseases the plants are resistant too. Compare the 3 sites and the plants are resistant too. Compare the 3 sites and choose your favorite. Be sure to explain why (site is choose your favorite. Be sure to explain why (site is easy to navigate, cheap prices, lots of information, easy to navigate, cheap prices, lots of information, ect.)ect.)
ReferencesReferences
Arizona master gardener Arizona master gardener www.gardeninginarizona.comwww.gardeninginarizona.com