Here is information specific to each vegetable. I researched many books and websites, and used my own experience to obtain this information. I hope it helps you.
Specific Vegetable Advice
Beans
Here are my tips for growing beans. The tips are the same for pole beans, bush beans, shell beans, or dry beans. Site, soil type: Beans need only average soil fertility. They will succeed in almost any soil, clay to sandy. Beans need full sun. Planting requirements: Plant when the soil is at least …
Beets
Here are my tips for growing great beets: Site, soil type: Beets tolerate low fertility. Plant in loose soil so bulb and taproot can grow freely. Beets can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Planting requirements Plant ¼ inch deep. Beets germinate at 45 degrees, but 55-70 degrees are best for quick germination …
Broccoli
Here are my tips for growing great broccoli: Site, soil type: Broccoli needs very fertile soil. It likes moisture and coolness. Plant after a legume for extra nitrogen. Consider planting in light shade to avoid maturing in the high heat of summer, but it will slow down growth. Planting requirements: Start indoors six weeks before …
Cabbage
Here are my tips for growing great cabbage: Site, soil type: Cabbage needs very fertile soil. It likes moisture and coolness. Plant after a legume for extra nitrogen. It does well in partial shade when the weather is hotter. Planting requirements: Start indoors 6 weeks before planting outside. Plant outside after temperatures won’t …
Carrots
Here are my tips for growing great carrots: Site, soil type: It is very important is that the soil be loose for about a foot down. Use a bed that has had significant amounts of compost applied. An alternative is to build a raised bed with your best loose soil. Small and misshapen carrots will …
Cauliflower
Here are my tips for growing great cauliflower: Site, soil type: Cauliflower needs very fertile soil. Plant in excellent soil to give this fussy child its best chance of success. It likes moisture and coolness. Plant after a legume for extra nitrogen. Planting requirements: Start indoors 4-5 weeks before planting outside. Older plants will …
Corn
Here are my tips for growing great corn: Site, soil type: Corn needs moderately fertile soil. Plant corn in full sun. Planting requirements: Plant when the soil is at least 60 degrees. To get a headstart, corn can be started indoors and transplanted. Corn does not tolerate frost. Sow seeds every 4 inches and about an inch …
Cucumber
Here are my tips for growing great cucumbers: Site, soil type: Cucumbers need moderately fertile soil. Plant cucumbers in full sun. Use well-drained soil. Planting requirements: Plant when the soil is at least 65 degrees. Cucumbers like warm summer weather. To get a head start, plant indoors 4 weeks ahead and then transplant. Cucumbers do not …
Kale
A great variety of kale to grow is White Russian. It is by far the best tasting kale, excellent taste, sweet, tender, hardy, tolerates wet soils. Flat, silvery-green leaves with white veins. Also known as Cavolo Palmizio. Relatively trouble free to grow. Very good flavor and resistance many insect pests. Kale is the most nutritious vegetable and …
Lettuce
Here are my tips for growing great lettuce: Site, soil type: The soil should be of medium fertility. Plant in fine soil that has had organic matter applied. Shade will prolong the time before lettuce bolts (flowers) and turns bitter. Planting requirements: Plant when soil is as low as 40 degrees. Lettuce is frost tolerant, …
Melons
Here are my tips for growing great melons: Site, soil type: Melons need high fertility. Grow melons in full sun and in well-drained soil. Planting requirements: Plant melons when the soil is at least 65 degrees. Melons like warm summer weather. Melons should be the last thing that gets planted in your garden. To …
Onions
Here are my tips for growing great onions: Site, soil type: Plant onions in soil that has medium fertility; not real rich, but not void of nutrients either. Plant in soil that is light and well drained. Onions like plenty of sunshine. Planting requirements: Start bulb onion seeds indoors in January for planting outdoors when …
Peas
Here are my tips for growing great peas: Site, soil type: Peas need only average soil fertility. They will succeed in almost any soil that is well-drained. Plant peas in full sun. Planting requirements: Plant early in spring when soil can be worked. Peas grow best at 60-75 degrees. Don’t transplant. Plant seeds 2 inches …
Peppers
Here are my tips for growing great peppers: Site, soil type: Peppers need moderate (for small peppers) to high (large peppers) soil fertility. They need full sun Use well-drained soil with abundant phosphorus and calcium. Planting requirements: Plant when the soil is at least 65 degrees. Peppers like warm summer weather. To get a …
Potato
Here are my tips for growing great potatoes: Site, soil type: Potatoes like soil that has medium fertility; not extremely high, nor void of nutrients. Use light soil to give tubers freedom to grow. Grow in full sun. Planting requirements: Potatoes can be planted at 40 degree air temperature or three weeks before last frost. …
Radish
Here are my tips for growing great radishes: Site, soil type: Radishes like moderately fertile soil. Grow in loose well-drained soil. Grow in full sun. Planting requirements: Radishes can be planted at 40 degree air temperature or three weeks before last frost. They grow best at 50-65 degrees. Plant seeds ½ inch deep in rows eight inches …
Spinach
Here are some tips for growing spinach: Site, soil type: Spinach likes medium fertility in its soil. It prefers cool weather. It benefits from partial shade in summer. Planting requirements: Spinach can be planted early, as soon as the ground can be worked. Sow seeds ½ inch deep, a few inches apart, eventually thinning to …
Squash
Here are some tips for growing both summer squash and winter squash: Site, soil type: Both summer and winter squash need soil with moderate fertility. Squash needs full sun. Use well-drained soil. Planting requirements: Plant when the soil is at least 65 degrees. Squash likes warm summer weather. To get a headstart, plant indoors …
Swiss Chard
Here are some tips for growing Swiss chard: Site, soil type: Swiss chard tolerates low fertility soil. It prefers cool weather. It benefits from partial shade in summer. Planting requirements: Swiss chard can be planted early, as soon as the ground can be worked. Chard is frost tolerant. Sow seeds ½ inch deep. 6 …
Tomatoes
Here are some tips for growing tomatoes: Site, soil type: Tomatoes need moderate fertility in the soil. They need well-drained soil. Tomatoes need full sun. Planting requirements: Start tomatoes indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost. Plant outside when the soil is at least 60 degrees. Tomatoes do not tolerate frost. Put at least …
Turnip
Here are some tips for growing turnips: Site, soil type: Turnips like loose and quite fertile soil. Turnips prefer cool weather. They benefit from partial shade in summer. Planting requirements: Turnips can be planted early, as soon as the ground can be worked. Turnips are frost tolerant. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and eventually …
Insect Invasion?
Squash bugs? Cucumber beetles? Squash vine borers? Root maggots? Flea beetles? Cabbage worms? This product will help: Summerweight Garden Fabric 6' x 20'
It also will help keep the rabbits and deer from munching your goodies.
It also will help keep the rabbits and deer from munching your goodies.Row cover for cold protection
Floating row cover is a lightweight blanket for your plants. It’s an easy way to extend your growing season. With row cover, your seeds will germinate faster and the plants will get off to a better start. The highest quality of row cover I’ve found is called Agribon. Agribon is made in several different weights. Agribon 19 offers several degrees of frost protection. I have had 12-15 degrees of protection with this product. Agribon 19 also allows 85% of light transmission. This product is for sale at Amazon.