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Vegetable Gardening

Master Gardener Training2006

Why grow vegetables?

Taste better/fresher than store boughtGood exercise/mental therapy!Perceived to be more nutritiousFree from or controlled use of pesticidesFunVariety, hard-to-find cropsSave money?

Where to Locate Garden?

Full SunWell-Drained SoilAway from Trees & ShrubsAway from Trees & ShrubsClose to Source of WaterClose to HomeSuitable to Landscape Design

Landscaping with vegetables

Planning Garden Layout

Tall crops on north endGroup perennial cropsRotate crops where possibleRotate crops where possible– Change familiesGroup by growing seasonSuccession plantingUse vertical space

Tomatoes and Lettuce Interplanted

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Raised Beds Succession planting – cole crops

Using vertical growing space Season Extenders

Cold Frame/Hot BedCloches & Hot CapsFloating Row CoversFloating Row CoversPlastic Mulches

Cold Frame

1-3 month season extensionYear Round Use

S i– Spring• start seedlings• early crops (i.e.

lettuce)• hardening off

– Summer• nursery bed for fall

crops or perennials

Hardening Off

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Cold Frame/Hot Bed

Year Round Use (cont.)– Fall

• extend summer crops• grow cool crops longer

– Winter• force bulbs• store root vegetables• tree & shrub propagation

Cold Frame

Using a Cold Frame– Glass or Plexiglass– South Facing

LocationLocation– Good Drainage– Thermometer

• open above 65-70 degrees

Cloches & Hot Caps

Adds 3-4 weeksOne to a Few PlantsTypesTypes– Glass– Wall o’Water– Plastic Jugs– Cylinders over Tomato CagesRemove on Sunny Days

Floating Row Covers

Spun Polyester of Polypropylene (Remay)5-10° warmer; Frost protection to p28°Transmits light, air, waterOther Benefits– Slows water evaporation from soil– Prevents wind & rain damage– Insect Barrier

Floating Row Cover Plastic MulchesWarm Soil – Must touch soil– Moisten soil before applyingC l sColors– Black

• warms 5-10 degrees• decreases weeds

– Clear• warms 10-20 degrees• weed growth is a problem

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Plastic Mulches Multiple Modifications

Soil Preparation The soil seed bed should be loose and friable

Add organic matter Rake out large soil clods

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PlantingWhen to plant– Very hardy – as soon as ground can be

workedFrost tolerant 2 3 weeks before last – Frost-tolerant – 2-3 weeks before last average 32°F

– Tender – at average last frost date– Warm-loving – after danger of frostAverage last frost date 1st week of May in Kenosha/Racine

Avoid compacting prepared soil. Create a shallow trench for seed.

Sprinkle seeds in the prepared trench

Thin seedlings to proper spacing

Many vegetables benefit from an early start indoors with later transplanting in the garden

Stocky transplants ready to set out

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Transplants hardening off in a cold frame

Most transplants are set at the same depth they were growing in their container

Be sure to remove any peat pot that may stick up above the soil line and wick moisture away from the roots

Gently firm the soil around the root zone

A starter fertilizer solution high in phosphorus may be used

Water thoroughly to remove any air pockets

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Caring for the Garden

Cultivation to control weeds– Cultivate shallowly to avoid root damage– Avoid working the soil when wet– Hoeing, tilling or hand-pulling weeds– Few herbicides for home vegetable

gardens

Caring for the Garden -Mulches

To control weedsAffect soil temperature– Organic mulches cool soil in summerg– Plastic mulches warm soil in summer

• clear - raises 10-20 degrees• black - raises 5-10 degrees

Keep soil moisture more uniform

Use only thin layers of grass mulch. Make certain it contains no herbicides.

Caring for the Garden -Watering

Drip irrigation more efficient use of water than overhead sprinklers

Name three perennial vegetables we can grow in Wisconsin.

AsparagusRhubarbHorseradishHorseradish

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Asparagus Asparagus officinalis

Family LiliaceaeNative to the eastern MediterraneanMediterranean.Cultivated for over 2000 years.Hardy, cool season perennial.Dioecious or all-male.

Cultivar Selection

Select rust resistant varieties– Mary Washington

All male varieties All-male varieties – Jersey Giant (male)– Jersey Knight (male)– Purple Passion (male)

Asparagus Culture

Plant crowns 12-36” apart in a trench 8” deep.Gradually fill in as Gradually fill in as spears grow.Don’t harvest the 1st or 2nd years.Fertilize at the end of the harvest season.

Harvesting AsparagusHarvest season is about 8 weeks.Spears should be 8-10” long with ti htl l s d ti stightly closed tips.½-⅜” diameter.Snap or cut at the soil line.Stop harvest when spears smaller than a pencil.

Remove fern in fall to reduce asparagus beetle and disease. Rhubarb Rheum rhabarbarum

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Cultivar Selection

Red petioles– Canada Red

Cherry Red– Cherry Red– Valentine

Green petioles– Victoria

Rhubarb CulturePlant or divide in early spring (transplants only)Apply fertilizer in

i d id d spring and side dress in early JulyHarvest– 1st year none– 2nd year for 2 weeks– >2 years for 8-10 weeks

Remove flowers and seed stalks

Horseradish Armoracia rusticanna

Very hardyGrown from crown divisions or root cuttingscuttingsBest in deep, loose, fertile soil with adequate moistureCommercially grown as annual

SolanaceaeNightshade Family

TomatoesPeppersEggplantsEggplantsPotatoes

Tomatoes Lycopersicon esculentum

Native to the Andes of South AmericaIntroduced to Europe in 1500sBelieved to be Believed to be poisonous until 1700s– Tomatine in green

tissueLycopene & beta carotene give tomatoes their colorTender, warm season annual

2nd most popular vegetable behind potatoesSalsa is the most popular condiment, surpassing ketchup.Red, pink, yellow, Red, pink, yellow, orange, white, purple

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Determinate vs. IndeterminateDeterminate– 3 to 4 ft tall– Plant ends in flower bud

Indeterminate– 7 to 15 ft tall– Plant “never ends”,

remains vegetative– Forms flowers in leaf

axils1 plant can produce 10-50 lb fruit/season

Cultivar SelectionCherry & Pear

(L. cerasiforme-cherry & pyriforme-pear)

– Smaller (½” dia.), sweeter tomatoes

– Produce about 100 fruit/plant

Beefsteak– Larger tomatoes for fresh

slicing– Higher ratio of cell wall to

pulp & short, soft core– Better Boyfruit/plant

– Super Sweet 100– Yellow Pear – Sweet Million

Roma– Paste or processing

tomatoes– Roma VF– Viva Italia– Debarao

– Big Beef– Burpee Big Boy– Early Girl

Heirloom– Older, open pollinated

varieties– Brandywine– Black Krim– Gardener’s Delight

Tomato CultureSelf fertile, wind-pollinated flowers.Starts seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frostPlant transplants 18-24 inches apart in rows 3-4 feet apart and deeper than potNight temperature critical: 60 - 70ºFTemps < 50 will cause blossom abortion, poor fruit set & cat-facing

Staking or Trellising

Harvesting TomatoesRipe, well-formed, blemish freeHeirloom & beefsteak tomatoes will be irregular in shapeN f i t Never refrigerate tomatoes – won’t fully develop flavor after harvestRipen unripe fruit in a paper bag out of direct sunlightFreeze, dehydrate, or can to preserve the summer flavor

Tomato ProblemsFungal Leaf Diseases

Early blight

Septoria

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Tomato Problems - WiltsVerticillium or Fusarium

Tomato Problems -Tobacco Hornworm

Parasitic Braconid wasp on hornworm

Tomato Problems -Blossom End Rot

Peppers Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens - Tabasco

Originated in Central AmericaCame to United States in 1700sBlack & white pepper Black & white pepper used as seasoning is Piper nigrum.Tender, herbaceous perennials grown as annuals.Lance-shaped leaves & perfect, white flowers.

Cultivar Selection-HotScoville units

Anaheim = 500-2,500(mild, chile rellenos)

Ancho/Poblano = 1,000-1,500(mild, roasted, stuffed, mole)

Cayenne = 30,000-50,000(medium hot, Cajun & Indian

food)food)Habaňero = 150,000-300,000 (hottest of all, salsas & hot

sauces)Jalapeno = 2,500-5,000(medium hot, salsas & salads)

Pequin = 50,000-100,000Serrano = 10,000-20,000 (fiercely hot, roasted for salsa)

Thai = 30,000-100,000 (fiercely hot, Asian stir fry)

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Cultivar Selection - SweetSweet– Bell

• Blushing Beauty• Gypsy• Lilac Bell• Valencia

– BananaBanana• Banana Supreme• Bananarama

– Cherry• Cherry Pick

– Cubanelle• Key Largo

– Hungarian – Pimiento

• Antohi Romanian• Round of Hungary• Red Ruffled Pimiento

– Tabasco

Pepper CultureStart seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frostHarden off Harden off transplantsPlant 18-24 inches apartMoist soil -mulch isbeneficial.

Pepper CultureWarm season– Grow best 70-80°F

day & 65-70°F night.– Blossom abortion,

poor fruit set, h t d f it l k shortened fruit, lack

of color.Capsanthin – chemical that causes peppers to ripen– <56°F inhibit

capsanthin production.

Harvesting PeppersHarvest immature or mature.Chili or cayenne peppers can be dried.A id h ti Avoid harvesting peppers with sunken brown spots.Store fresh peppers in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator.

Pepper ProblemsBlossom End Rot

Eggplant Solanum melogena

A.K.A. AubergineTender, warm-season perennial grown as an annualgrown as an annualNative to India & China – ancient Asian vegetableAmerica: Introduced early as ornamental

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Cultivar Selection

Fruit may be oval, oblong, or round.Color ranges from purple-black, to green, pink white red or pink, white, red or yellow.– Asian

• Ichiban• Orient Express

– American (oval)• Black Beauty• Purple Rain

Eggplant Culture

Indeterminate, erect bushFlowers borne singly or in clusters in leaf axilsaxilsStart seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frostVery susceptible to chilling– 75-85°F day & 65-75°F

nightBest if planted on black plastic mulch

Harvesting Eggplant

Harvest eggplant approximately 25-40 days after pollination.Fruit should be glossy and deeply colored and feel heavy for its size.Mature fruit will have a dull skin and flesh will be bitter.No such thing as male and female fruit!– Fruit with oval dimples on the blossom end will have fewer seeds

and are less meaty but this is not related to gender.Clip fruit from the plant to avoid damage

Other Solanaceous Vegetables

Potato – Solanum tuberosumGround Cherry, Husk Tomato, Tomatillo –Physalis ixocarpahysa s carpaGooseberry – Physalis peruvianaHuckleberry – Solanum nigrum var. guineenseTree Tomato – egg-size fruit with tomato-like flavor.

CucurbitaceaeCucurbit Family

CucumbersMelonsSquashSquashPumpkinsGourds

Male or Female?Cucurbit flowers may be perfect (have male and female parts) or imperfect (have only one or the other).Male flowers produced early in the season (daylength >14 hrs )the season (daylength >14 hrs.)Female flowers begin to show up along with the males around the summer solstice And male flowers predominate in August until frostGenetics, day length, and temperature determine what gender of flowers are produced

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Cucumber Cucumis sativus

Native to IndiaWarm season, herbaceous annualDeterminate or indeterminate

Gynoecious – all female. Need ≥ 1 male plant to pollinate.Parthenocarpic – self-fertile & doesn’t require pollination

Leaves and stems spinyLeaves triangular with rounded lobes with middle lobe longerSelf-pollinatedCucurbitacin causes people to have difficulty digesting cucumbers

require pollination.– Requires isolation from

other fruit to avoid pollination to provide seedless fruit.

Cultivar Selection

Slicing (long and tapered with smooth, glossy green skin and few spines)

– Pickling (blunt, angular, warty, light green, spiny)p )

– Dasher II– Marketmore– Orient Express– Sweet Success– Tasty Green– Salad Bush– Spacemaster

spiny)• Homemade

Pickles• Pickalot

– Gherkin (small, oval, prickly)

Cucumber CulturePlant seeds 1-1½ inches deep and 8-12 inches apart. Require soil qtemperatures of 60°F.Don’t transplant well.Trellis on strong wire mesh to save space.

Harvesting CucumbersHarvest slicing types when 6-8 inches long (usually 12 days after pollination)Yellow (ripe) fruit left ( p )on the plant prevents further fruit from developing & will have large seeds.Wipe clean with a damp cloth and store uncut in the refrigerator.

Striped or spotted cucumber beetle-bacterial wilt

Melon Cucumis melo

Watermelon Citrullus lanatus

Native to AfricaIntroduced to America in

Watermelon leaves are heart-shaped with 3-7 lobes.Monoecious (male and female plants) & can self or cross pollinate

1400sWarm season, herbaceous annualDeterminate or indeterminate.Melon leaves are oval to kidney-shaped with 5-7 lobes.Only cross-pollinate with members of same species.

p

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Cultivar Selection

Muskmelon –Reticulatus group– Magnifisweet– Athena

Watermelon– Yellow Doll– Crimson Sweet– Bush Sugar Baby– Moon & Stars

– Super Sun– Sweet & EarlyHoneydew –Inodorus group– Super Dew– Early Crisp– Venus

Melon CultureRequire 90-125 days to produce a cropSeed at ½ to 1 inch depth, 5 ft centers.Don’t transplant wellChilling sensitiveChilling sensitiveRequire warm, sunny weather to produce sweet fruitMoist, well-drained soilBest grown on plastic mulchBees essential for good fruit setOnly allow 1-2 fruits to develop per plant

Harvesting MelonsHarvest at full-slip, 30-35 days after pollinationCool immediately to prevent deteriorationHarvest watermelon when Harvest watermelon when “ground patch” on watermelon is white to creamy yellowWipe watermelon clean with a damp cloth and store in a cool location.

Summer Squash Cucurbita pepo

Native - AmericasWarm season, frost tender, herbaceous annualDeterminate or indeterminateLeaves 3-lobed or entireMonoeciousThin-skinned, eaten when immatureEdible blossoms

Cultivar SelectionZucchini– Aristocrat– Spineless Beauty– Roly Poly

Crookneck– Horn of Plenty– Pic-n-Pic– Early Golden

C k kStraightneck– Butterstick– Gold Bar– Sunray– Saffron

CrookneckScallop or Patty Pan– Scallopini– Butter Scallop– Peter Pan

Winter SquashCucurbita maxima, pepo, moschata

Native to Americas Warm season, herbaceous annualDeterminate or indeterminateLeaves are 3-lobed or entireMonoeciousCross pollinate with other cultivars of s s i ssame species.Hard rinds make for good storage

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Cultivar SelectionAcorn (C. pepo) Green or gold & deeply ribbed.– Cream of the Crop– Ebony Sweet Acorn– Table Ace– Table Queen

Delicata (C. pepo)– Cornell’s Bush Delicata

Hubbard (C. maxima)Medium, blue-gray with bumpy

skin.– Blue Hubbard– Table Queen

Buttercup (C. maxima)Medium-dark green splotched

with grey.– Autumn Cup

Butternut (C. moschata)Orange flesh, tan skin, bulbous

base.– Autumn Glow– Early Butternut– Waltham

Blue HubbardKabocha (C. maxima)– Ambercup– Sweet Mama

Spaghetti (C. maxima)Oval with golden yellow skin.– Pasta Hybrid– Vegetable Spaghetti

Turk’s Turban (C. maxima)Green, turban-shaped, striped

with red, white, & orange.

Squash Culture

Seed early and plant 1 inch deep 4 feet apartMoist soilWarm season 65-75°FMulchMulch– Reflective mulch may

repel insects.Bees essentialBush-type or vining plantsShallow roots –irrigate.

Harvesting SquashSummer Squash– 7-8 weeks after seeding

when fruit are 2-3 inches in diameter and 7 inches long.

– Handle gently - bruises easilyeasily

– Refrigerate up to 1 weekWinter squash– 3-4 months after planting– before a hard frost– Ready when outer skin

resists fingernail pressure– Cure by exposing to 80°F

temps for 7-10 days.– Store at 40-45°F up to 2-

3 months

Cucurbit Taxonomy

Cucurbita pepoAcornDelicataJack-o-lantern

Cucurbita maximaBananaButtercupHubbard

Pie pumpkinsPatty pan squashSmall gourdsSummer squashZucchini

KabochaLarge gourdsTurk’s turbanHuge pumpkins

Cucurbita moschataButterNUT

Pumpkins Cucurbita pepo (Jack-O-Lantern & pie), maxima (giants)

Native to Americas Warm season, frost-tender, herbaceous annualDeterminate or indeterminateLeaves 3-lobed and may be deeply indentedMonoeciousCross pollinate with other cultivars of the same speciesMammoth pumpkins related to Hubbard squash and pinkish-orange color.

Cultivar SelectionBased on – Shape– Size– Color– Flesh quality (pie)

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Pumpkin CultivarsMiniature– Baby Bear– Baby Boo– Jack-Be-Little– Munchkin– Spooktacular

Small– Mystic Plus

Medium– Autumn Gold– Casper– Gold Standard– Ghostrider– Lumina– Magic Lantern– Rouge Vif d’Etampesy

– New England Pie– Schooltime– Touch of Autumn

g p– Small Sugar– Spirit– Trick or Treat

Large– Atlantic Giant– Connecticut Field– Howden– Prizewinner

Pumpkin Culture

Plant after May 20 in southern WIPlant after May 20 in southern WI– up to 2 weeks later in the north

Plant 1-1 ½inches deep 3-5 feet apart in the row with rows 4-6 feet apartMoist soilWarm season 65-75°FMulchBees essentialShallow roots – irrigateHand pollinate giant pumpkins so they set fruit earlyOnly allow 2 fruit per plant to develop

Harvesting PumpkinsHarvest 3-4 months after plantingOuter skin should resist fingernail pressureL 3” h dlLeave a 3” handleCure by exposing to 80°F temps for 7-10 daysStore at 40-45°F for up to 2-3 monthsStore better if not exposed to hard frost

Squash vine borer

Squash bugs Powdery Mildew

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Brassiceae (Cruciferae) Family “Cole Crops”

BroccoliCabbageCauliflowerBrussels SproutsKohlrabi

Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata, tuba, & sabauda

Native to Europe & Asia.pHardy, cool season herbaceous biennialHeads may be pointed, conical, oblong, round, or flattenedLeaves– smooth or savoy– green, red, or purple.

Alaskan-grown kraut cabbage heads may be 60lbs each!Isothiocyanates give cole crops their distinct flavor

Cultivar Selection

Cultivars based on color and typeSavoy Express (savoy)Red Danish (red)Red Danish (red)Jersey Wakefield (early green)Sanibel (late green)Select cultivars resistant to cabbage yellows

Cabbage Culture

Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frostSlowly harden off Slowly harden off transplants before setting outside permanently.For fall crop– Sow seed directly

10-12 weeks before killing frost

Harvesting Cabbage

Harvest when heads are firm and before they splitCut with sharp knife pjust above the root crownDon’t wash prior to storageStore in refrigerator with or without plastic bag

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica

Native to Europe & Asia.Hardy, cool season, herbaceous annualHead comprised of functional flower budsSprouting & heading varieties

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Cultivar SelectionCalabrese or Italian Green– Packman– Green Comet

l

Romanesco forms spiral-shaped heads– Minaret

– Purple Sprouting

Broccoli Culture

Relatively tolerant to environmental stressTemps below 40°F cause chilling injuryStart seeds indoors 6-8 Start seeds indoors 6 8 weeks before last frost For fall crop sow seed directly 10-12 weeks before killing frostFlorets browning caused by boron deficiencyButton heads caused by temps below 40°F or nitrogen deficiency

Harvesting Broccoli

Harvest when heads are firm and florets haven’t begun to openRetain 2-4 inches of stem when cuttinggCut sprouting broccoli just below the floret to stimulate new shootsCool immediately after harvestDon’t wash prior to refrigeration

CauliflowerBrassica oleracea var. botrytis

Native to Europe & AsiaHardy, cool season herbaceous biennialherbaceous biennialCurds of winter and late-season types consist of functional flower budsPurple cauliflower is a type of broccoli

Cultivar SelectionSnowball types most common– Snow Queen– Early Glacier

Specialty– Violet Queen

– Snowball– Snow Crown

Cauliflower CultureStart seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frostNeeds long, cool growing seasonFall crop sow seed di tl 10 12 k

Prolonged temperatures below 50°F will induce boltingHot summer temps cause poor curd qualityBl h d b t i directly 10-12 weeks

before killing frostBlanch curd by tying leaves together when heads are 2-3”Heads develop 3-14 days after tying depending temp so check every other day

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Cauliflower Problems

Brown curds– boron deficiency or unavailability in high pH

soils.Ricing

l t ds b– velvety curds become– Cause high nitrogen and temperatures that

result in rapid head formation.Blindness (no curd is formed)– poor fertility, insect damage, disease,

heredity, or cold.Small, “button” heads– stress

Harvesting Cauliflower

Curds compact and surrounded by leavesRetain enough wrapper leaves to hold heads intactWrap in a damp cloth and refrigerate immediately

Brussels SproutsB. oleracae var. gemmifera

Native to Europe & AsiaHardy, cool season herbaceous biennialBelieved to be derived from savoy

bbcabbageSprouts form in the leaf axils beginning at the bottom of the plant.

Cultivar Selection

F1 Hybrids have good uniformity, vigor and disease disease resistance.– Captain Marvel– Oliver– Jade Cross

Brussels Sprouts CultureStart seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frostNeeds a long, cool growing season: 90-growing season 90100 daysFall crop sow seed directly for 10-12 weeks before killing frostBitter sprouts caused by heat or drought

Harvesting Brussels SproutsBest flavor after frostSprouts harvested before frost are before frost are loose and bitterTop 3 weeks before harvestDon’t have to remove lower leaves

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Other Cole CropsKale– B. oleracae var. acephalaKohlrabi– B. oleracea var. gongyloidesChi C bbChinese Cabbage– B. oleracea var. pekinensisBok Choy– B. rapa var. chinensis

Caterpillars attack all cole crops –imported cabbage worm, cabbage looper, diamondback moth

Fabaceae (Legume) Family

Beans Peas

BeansPhaseolus vulgaris (green) & P. linensis (lima)

Native to Central AmericaRecords of use as food date back to 5000 B.CSelf-pollinatedWarm season, herbaceous annual

Cultivar SelectionBush– Erect plant– short season– Blue Lake 274

B h R

Pole– Twining type– matures later but

longer harvestKentucky Blue– Bush Romano

– Sequoia (purple)– Goldmine (wax)Lima– Climbing or bush

forms– Heat tolerant

– Kentucky Blue– Kentucky Wonder

Wax– Trionfo

Bean CulturePlant after the last frost in warm soil, 50ºFSoak seed for an hour before planting to help germinationMay need inoculum in new gardensgardensPlant seed 1 to 2 inches deepWell-drained soilsFall crop - replant mid-summerLittle or no nitrogen fertilizer requiredPole beans require staking or trellising

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Harvesting Beans

Harvest 14-18 days after full bloomShould be sweet, tender and uniform tender and un form sizeStore in refrigerator under high humidity

Peas Pisum sativum

Native to middle Asia.Field peas native to AfricaBecame popular as a

t bl i th 1700svegetable in the 1700sCool season, herbaceous annualClassified by growth habit, pod appearance, seed color, and starch/sugar content

Cultivar SelectionSnap or Edible Pod – eaten when immature– Sugar Snap– Sugar Daddy

Field Peas

Garden Peas– Early Frosty– Maestro– Wando– Garden Sweet

SpringF as– Black-eyed – Clay – grow well in clay soils– Crowder – “crowd” the peas

in the pod– Iron – rusty red– Pink-eyed – pink central ring– White Acre– Zipper – unzip themselves

from pod

– Spring

– Snow Peas – eaten when half mature

– Mammoth Melting Sugar– Oregon Sugar Pod II– Snowbird

Pea CulturePlant after April 15th in southern WIPrepare planting site in fall for quick spring startPrefer sandy, well-drained ysoilsSoak seeds for 1 hour prior to planting to speed germinationSpace 1-2 inches apart in rowSupport with trellis or twine

Harvesting PeasHarvest 3 weeks after full bloomGarden peas– Pod should be

l h t plump enough to shell easily

Don’t allow to get over ripeStore at 35-40°F under high humidity

Liliaceae Family

GarlicOnionsLeeks

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Garlic Allium sativum

Native to Middle Asia.Cultivated 5,000 years Introduced to America in the 1700sHerbaceous, cool-season, perennialComprised of multiple clovesOnly hardneck varieties produce flowers

Cultivar SelectionHardneck –– Rocambole

• German Red• Killarney Red• Russian Red• Spanish Roja

– Purple Stripe

Softneck –– Artichoke

• California White• Inchelium Red• Polish White

– Silverskin• Silver Rose

• Bogatyr• Brown Rose• Brown Tempest• Chesnok Red• Giant Siberian• Persian Star

– Porcelain• Music• German Extra Hardy• Georgial Crystal• Georgian Fire• Northern White• Polish Hardneck

• Silver White

Elephant garlic is not a garlicbut a form of leek! Allium ampeloprasum

Garlic CulturePlant cloves in early fall – 6 weeks before ground freezesLarger cloves

d l b lbproduce larger bulbsWell-drained soilMulch with straw after ground freezesRemove flower stalk of hardneck garlic when it forms a circle

Harvesting GarlicHarvest– 2/3 of the tops turn

brown– 9 months after

plantingp gCure 30 days in warm, dry placeHardneck garlic lasts for 3-6 monthsSoftneck garlic lasts for 6-9 months

Onions Allium cepa

Native to Southern AsiaIntroduced to America in the 1400sH b bi i l Herbaceous biennial grown as an annualBulb is comprised of fleshy basal leavesContains glucose, fructose, & sucrose –no starch

Cultivar SelectionGreen onions (A. cepa)– immature true onions– harvest before bulbs form

Scallions or bunching onions (A. cepa) – never form a bulb.

Multiplier onionsp– form 4-5 bulbs enclosed in a

single leaf sheathShallots (A. cepa) – develop a small cluster of bulbs – more subtle in flavor.

Pearl onions (A. ampeloprasum)– form only one storage leaf– Like leeks– form small bulbs like garlic

Cipollini onions– small, sweet, early onions.

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Onion CulturePlant seeds, sets, or transplants.– Sets may flower if

summer is cool.Transplant once frost p fis out of the ground –about 4 weeks before the last spring frostDo not allow the soil to dry outWeeds can be a problem in onions and garlic

Harvesting OnionsHarvest green onions when the tops are > 6” and ½-1” in diameter.Harvest bulb onions Harvest bulb on ons when 50-75% of the tops fall overCure bulb onions at 85-90°F for 10 daysStore at 35-40°F for 3-4 months

Leeks Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum

Native to MediterraneanHerbaceous, cool-season biennial grown as an annualNon bulbing unless Non-bulbing unless daylength exceeds 19 hoursMilder flavor than onions2nd year they will form underground bulbs like Elephant garlic

Cultivar Selection

Bred for size and shape of the stalk, hardiness, disease resistance, and early maturity

American Fla– American Flag– Giant Musselburg– King Richard– Otina

Leek CulturePlant seed indoors around Feb. 15Transplant in mid-April or 4 weeks before the last frost datelast frost datePlant in holes 5-6 inches deep and fill in holes to blanchLong season: require 120-150 days to harvest.

Harvesting LeeksHarvest when 1 ¼ -3 inches thickMay mulch heavily for winter harvestfor w nter harvestTrim roots, green leaves and wash before storing in refrigerator up to 2 months

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Lettuce Lactuca sativa

Family AsteraceaeNative to Mediterranean BasinBasinHerbaceous annualCool season, long day plant

Cultivar SelectionCrisphead-iceberg(var. capitata)– Large, heavy, brittle– Latest to mature– Loma– Sierra

Butterhead (Bibb) (var. capitata)– Small, loosely filled head

with creamy interior.– Boston is day neutral– Bibb is short-day– Batavia is intermediate

between crisphead & bibb– Buttercrunch– Esmeralda

Cultivar SelectionLooseleaf (var. crispa)– Easiest to grow & 1st to

mature– Salad Bowl– Green Ice– Prizehead– Simpson EliteSimpson Elite– Royal Oakleaf

Romaine (Cos) (var. longifolia)– Torpedo-shaped heads– Matures later than

butterhead and leaf varieties– Freckles– Parris Island Cos– Rosalita– Rouge d’ Hiver– Winter Density

Lettuce CultureSeed at ¼ inch depth or use transplantsCool season – temps above 70° and long days cause boltingy gMoist, well-drained soilShallow rooted and drought susceptibleBitterness comes from high temperatures & mature plants.Harvest in ~50 days

Harvesting Lettuce

Harvest individual leaves or bunches of leaves by cutting them with a sharp knife or shearsHarvest heads by cutting

ith h k if b l th with sharp knife below the lowest leaf and remove any damaged leavesHarvest Romaine when smaller to avoid bitternessPlace in a perforated plastic bag and refrigerate immediatelyWash just prior to use

Spinach Spinacia oleracea

Family Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot family)Native to IranSpina means “spiny” in Latin to describe prickly seedHardy, cool-season annualHigh in vitamins A & C, calcium, iron, & potassium

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Cultivar SelectionBased on leaf texture– Savoy

• Avon• Bloomsdale Long-

Standing• Melody• Tyee

– Smooth• Olympia• Space

Spinach Culture

Temps of 55-65°FSpring and fall cropCan sow seeds late in fall for fall & spring cropcropDirect seed in rows or broadcast.– ¾ apart in rows 2-4

inches wide– Plant ½-¾ inches deep– Slow to emerge – up

to 3 weeks– Clip to thin to 1 inch

apart

Harvesting Spinach35-50 days after planting5-7 leaves per plantRemove outer leaves firstContinued harvest until seed stalk formsCont nued harvest unt l seed stalk formsStore at 32°F

Swiss Chard Beta vulgaris var. cicla

Grow in any soil or temperatureHarvest– When leaves just When leaves just

expand– Break off stalk at

base of plantCultivars– Bright Lights– Lucullus– Ruby Red

Root Crops

CarrotsBeetsRadishesRadishes

Carrots Daucus carota var. sativus

Family ApiaceaeOriginated in Afghanistan & possibly northern Iran & PakistanI t d d i A i i Introduced in America in the 1700sBiennial, grown as an annualWhite, purple, yellow, orange, and red varieties

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Carrot Pigments Cultivar SelectionImperator– More slender and

slightly longer than Danvers type

– Deep orange cortex with lighter coreEaten fresh

Nantes– Short, cylindrical with

no taper, blunt, rounded tip

– Bright orange– Eaten fresh

Danvers– Medium to long with

broad shoulders and sharp taper

– Orange tinged with green

– Processed into baby food

– Bright orange– Primary home garden

carrotChantenay– Medium to short with a

slight taper and blunt end

– Grown for storage or processing

– Medium to light orange

Carrot Culture

Sow ¼ inch deep in loose soil free of debris & rocksThin to 1-3 inches

tapartWell-drained soilReplant mid-summer for extra sweet fall carrotsWill produce flower stalk if temps 50°F for 6-8 weeks

Harvesting CarrotsBefore become woodyCarrots with large shoulders are often woodyWash before storing i l ti b i in plastic bag in refrigeratorSugar content increases during cold storageEthylene causes bitterness – don’t store with apples, melons, or bananas

Radishes Raphanus sativus

Family BrassicaceaeNative to ChinaLeaves deeply pinnate arising from a basal rosette. Edible.Can be round, oval, cylindrical, or icicle-shapedBolt under long day conditionsInsect pollinated

Cultivar SelectionBred for taste, bolt resistance, disease resistance & appearance.Cultivars based on season grown:– Spring-type

• Cherry Belley• Early Scarlet Globe• French Breakfast

– Summer• German Giant Parat

– Winter (var. longipinnatus)• China Rose• German Beer• Round Black Spanish

Daikons• April Cross• Spring Song

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Radish Culture

Plant before last frost in springSow every 10-14 days to extend harvestPl t 1 i h p t i Plant 1 inch apart in the row with rows 1 foot apart for spring radishes and 2 inches apart in the row for winter radishes Interplant spring radishes with other, later maturing crops

Harvesting Radishes

Spring radishes are harvested 20-25 days after seeding when <¾ inch diameter.Winter radishes are harvested 50-60 days after planting.

Beets Beta vulgaris

Family Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot family).Grown for roots and edible greens.Native western Europe & north Africa. Selected from ancient European species.Originally livestock feedBi i l lBiennial grown as an annualContain betacyanin and betaxanthinHigh in carbohydrates

Cultivar SelectionBased on color, shape & use:– Red, yellow, purple, white,

striped.– Top-shaped, globe-shaped,

flattened, elongated.Sli i b hi t– Slicing, bunching, storage.

Big RedChioggia (striped)CylindriaDetroit Dark RedGoldenLutz - greensRuby Queen (bunching type)

Beet CultureTemps of 55-70°F - rapid growth and good flavorSpace seed 2-4 inches apart in double rows with rows 15-30 inches apartSow every 2-3 weeks apart to extend the season

Harvesting Beets

Harvest when round, tender, & 2” diameter. Old, large roots can be large roots can be fibrous.50-60 days after plantingStore for 6 months in the refrigerator

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Other Root CropsTurnip – Brassica rapasubsp. rapiferaRutabaga – Brassica napus var. napobrassicaParsnip – Pastinaca sativaCelariac – Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

Sweet Corn Zea mays

Family Poaceae (grass)Native Central AmericamWarm season annualWind pollinatedMoneciousProduce only 1-2 ears per stalk

Cultivar Selection

Cultivars based on sweetness and kernel color.

Bicolor– Ambrosia– Fantasy– Honey ‘N Pearl– Trinity

Must isolate supersweets from cross pollination by other corn

TrinityWhite– How Sweet It Is– Silver King

Yellow– Early Sunglow– Golden Bantam– Sugar Buns

Sweet Corn Culture

Plant when soil temp above 65° FPlant in blocks for better pollinationbetter pollinationNitrogen fertilize– At planting– Plants 8” tall– Plants 18’ tall

Harvesting Sweet Corn

Kernels soft, plump with milky juiceCook before sugar changes to starchchanges to starch