Grow Your Own, Nevada! Summer 2012: Eating on the Cheap
1. Grow Your Own, Nevada!
Vegetable Gardening
on the Cheap
Wendy Hanson Mazet
hansonw@unce.unr.edu
2. People have been gardening and farming in
these valleys for years
• Whether you have 4
square feet, 40 square feet,
or 40 acres, you can
harvest fresh vegetables
for your family without
overspending!
3. Why do people grow their own vegetables?
Vegetable gardening is a way to have more direct control over
what your family eats, as well as way to supplement our family
food budget.
• Whether your focus is:
• Flavor, freshness, pesticide-free
• Save money; learn new skills
• Health benefits
• Exercise, nutrition
• Connection to nature and family
traditions
• Introduce youth to gardening
5. Planning is the key to success!
Ask yourself…
What do I like to eat?
6. What do I want to grow?
• Tomato - productive and popular
• Pepper - slow-growing but worth the wait
• Eggplant – tasty, nutritious and a beautiful plant
• Cucumber - make them climb to save space
• Summer squash (zucchini – yellow crookneck) - feed
the neighborhood!
• Bush bean - plant them twice for rolling harvest
• Lettuce - Spinach- grow best March-June and Sept.-
Nov.
• Leafy greens - mustard, kale, collards, and Swiss chard
• Onion – best planted by starts in the spring or bulbs
in the fall
7. Where do I want to grow?
How much space do I need?
• In-ground
• Containers
• Edible landscape
• Combination of all three??
8. Space?
• Should fit where the conditions are best
• Should not be too big or so much work it gets overwhelming
• Should have enough space to grow the crops you will use the
most!
• Start small and expand
1.5 X 16 10 X 10
9. Front Yard Conversion - The Beauchamp’s
Beds
8–4x4
4 – 2 x 10
4–3x4
2–3x8
1 – 1 x 30
Total square
footage = about
102 feet on the
ground
Rodale Institute website – Drummondville, Quebec
11. Rosalind Creasy – CA Edible Landscaping
• Rosalind Creasy’s 100- • April to September, this
Square-Foot Garden little organic garden
• 2 tomato plants (‘Better Boy’ and ‘Early
Girl)
yielded:
• 6 bell peppers (2 ‘California Wonder’, 2
‘Golden Bell’, 1 ‘Orange Bell’, and 1 ‘Big
• Tomatoes 77.5 lbs
Red Beauty’) • Ripe bell peppers 15.5 lbs
• 4 zucchini (2 green ‘Raven’ and 2 ‘Golden
Dawn’) – started from seeds • Lettuce 14.3 lbs
• 4 sweet basils
• 18 lettuce plants (6 ‘Crisp Mint’ romaine, 6 • Basil 2.5 lbs
‘Winter Density’ romaine, and 6 ‘Sylvestra’
butterhead) – interplanted among the • Zucchini 126 lbs
tomatoes and peppers
http://www.motherearthnews.com/print-article.aspx?id=2147485788
12. How much do I have to spend?
Size and cost
• Only buy what you really need; be resourceful, use recycled
materials
• A 4 ft. X 8 ft. raised bed garden
• with 48 sq. ft. of growing space can produce $175-300 of
fresh produce
• cost about $85 to build (without tools or delivery).
• (3 - 2x10x8 Douglas fir, 1 4x4x8 Douglas fir and soil .7 yards
of triple mix and 6 cubic feet compost)
• A 20 gallon nursery pot – Free – planting soil plus compost
around $15
19. Moderately
Shallow Rooted
Soil depths and roots (6 - 24 inch)
Deep Rooted (8
- 36 inch)
Bean, Bush Artichoke
Bean, Pole Asparagus
Beet Bean, Lima
Carrot Parsnip
Chard Pumpkin
Cucumber Squash, Winter
Eggplant Tomato
Muskmelon Watermelon
Mustard
Pea
Pepper
Rutabaga
Squash,
Summer
Turnip
20. Improving the soil with organic matter
• Yearly additions of organic matter will improve soil
structure and create a reservoir of slow-release
nutrients.
• Sources: aged manure, compost, shredded leaves, grass
clippings, organic mulches, cover crops, buried kitchen
scraps,
• Each year you should add 1 to 2 in. of compost to
increase and maintain crop high yields
• Healthy Soils = Healthy Plants
21. Feed and water
• Use garden fertilizers according to label directions.
• Naturally based and synthetic fertilizers that are over-applied
can burn plant leaves and roots, reduce fruiting, invite insect
pests, and pollute waterways.
• Keep the root zone of your garden moist.
• Preferable to water in early morning
• Most vegetables need 1” to 1 1/2” water/week
depending on soil type and mulching practices
22. Mulch to save water and $
• Maintain uniform moisture
conditions
• Decreased water loss
from the soil
• Reduces erosion from
overhead watering
• Reduces soil splash
• Maintains soil temperatures
• With organics it provides
natural fertilizes / organics
23. Know your crops. Have a plan…
• Plants that grow from tubers, crowns, or cloves
• Potatoes, asparagus, garlic, Jerusalem
Artichoke
• Plants that grow from big seeds
• Peas, beans, corn, squash, melons, cucumbers,
pumpkin
• Root crops:
• Beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes, turnips
24. Schedule (when to do what!)
• January/February: get seed catalogs, plan your garden
• March/early April: prepare soil – cultivate, mix in organic matter, start
seedlings indoors (You can also do this in Oct. when you put the garden
to bed!)
• Mid March/April: plant cool-weather crops outdoors
• May: plant warm-weather crops outdoors (tomatoes and peppers), with
protection, mulch
• Late May/June: plant warm-weather crops outdoors, transplants and
seed
• June/July/August: nurture, water, fertilize, harvest!
• Mid – late August: plant cool-weather crops for fall harvest, preserve
your vegetables for winter enjoyment
• Fall: clean up existing beds, mulch for the winter add compost
25. Physical Requirements:
Temperature
• Cool season crops
• Develop best <50 F
• Tolerate frost.
• Quality deteriorates under
warm conditions.
• Peas, spinach, cole crops
• Warm season crops
• Develop best at temps
>50 F.
• Killed by frost.
• Beans, tomatoes, peppers,
eggplant, sweet corn,
cucurbits.
26. Cool-Season Vegetables for Early Spring
Planting
VERY HARDY FROST TOLERANT
Plant 4-6 weeks before average Plant 2-3 weeks before average
last frost. last frost.
Seed Transplants Seed Transplants
•Kale •Asparagus •Beet •Cauliflower
•Kohlrabi •Broccoli •Carrot •Chinese
•Lettuce, leaf •Brussel •Chard cabbage
•Parsley sprouts •Mustard
•Pea •Cabbage •Parsnip
•Rutabaga •Onion •Radish
•Spinach •Parsley
•Turnip •Potato, Irish
•Rhubarb
27. Warm-Season Vegetables for Late Spring
Planting
TENDER WARM LOVING
Plant on average last spring frost date. Soil temperature should be at least 60 ° F
Soil temperature should be at least 55 ° F. and overnight lows consistently over 50 ° F.
Seed Transplants Seed Transplants
•Bean, snap •Tomato •Cucumber •Eggplant
•Cilantro •Melons •Muskmelon •Pepper
(Coriander) •Okra
•Corn, sweet •Pumpkin
•New Zealand •Squash, winter
spinach •Watermelon
•Squash, summer
•Zucchini
28. Seeds vs. Transplants?
• Seeds
• Pros: cost-effective, more variety
• 1 pack of seeds for $1 to $5 may last 2-5 years (depending
on the number of seeds and storage.)
• Cons: more work, take longer to produce, need space indoors
or protection out doors
• Transplants
• Pros: less work, ready to plant when you are
• Cons: more expensive, origin may be unknown, limited
selection of varieties - $1 to $7 per plant
• Some mail-order companies will mail transplants
29. Some vegetables need a head start.
Buy transplants or start your own 8 weeks
ahead of planting time
• Spring planted, long
season crops:
• Peppers,
• Eggplants,
• Tomatoes,
• Melons
30. Using transplants
• ‘Harden off’ before
planting outdoors
• Transplants fill the space
quickly; no need to thin.
• When to use transplants:
tomato, pepper, eggplant,
cabbage, broccoli, woody
herbs.
31. Cool Season Direct Seeding
• Peas
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Cool season crops
• Develop best <50 F
• Tolerate frost.
• Quality deteriorates under
warm conditions.
32. Leaf Crops – Spinach - Lettuce
Characteristics
Cool Season crop.
Start seed outdoors, indoors or
buy plants.
Productive beginning in April/May
Harvest
(poundage varies on variety)
Tips
Successive plantings are made a couple of weeks
apart for a continuous supply
Plant under shade trees
33. Carrots
Characteristics
Cool Season crop.
Start seed outdoors
Harvest
(poundage varies on variety area of planting)
Tips
Successive plantings are made a couple
of weeks apart for a continuous
supply
Companion plant – blend in with
other vegetables like tomatoes
34. Peas
Characteristics
Cool Season crop.
Start seed outdoors
Harvest
(poundage varies on variety area of
planting)
Tips
•Plant by mid March
•Edible pods or shelling peas
•Can be grown in containers –
must be at least 12” deep
35. Bulb Onions
Characteristics
Cool Season crop.
Start seed indoors, or use starts,
sets or buy plants.
Harvest
Late summer
(poundage varies on variety)
Tips
Use Intermediate-day or Short-day varieties
Plant shallow – 1” deep and provide 2 to 4”
between plants
The sweeter the onion the shorter the shelf
life
36. More on Onions
Short-Day Onions Intermediate-Day Onions
•Start bulbing process when •Start bulbing process when
daylength reaches 10-12 hours daylength reaches 12-14 hours
•Mature in 75 – 110 days •Mature in 110 days when
when planted in northern planted at the proper time
states in late spring •Exceptionally sweet
•The earlier you plant them, •Red Candy Apple
the larger they get •Candy
•Texas Sweet •Super Star
•Yellow Granex
•White Granex
37. Potatoes
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
Start seed indoors or buy plants
Harvest in fall –great for storage
Harvest – 2 -5 lbs per plant
Tips
Use seed potatoes
Leave at least 2 good eyes per chunk
Don’t forget to hill/mound
Protect foliage from hard spring frosts
Stop watering when leave turn from
yellow to brown
38. Herbs
Characteristics
Perennial and Annual crops
Start seed indoors or buy plants
Harvest in throughout the season
Harvest – varies per plant
Tips
For herbs like Cilantro, plant in cooler
areas of the garden – prevent bolting
Add into the landscapes to save vegetable
garden space
Choose types that suit your families needs
Use all edible parts of the plant
39. Warm Season Crops
• Most popular
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Corn
• Herbs
• Warm season crops
• Develop best at temps
>50 F.
• Killed by frost.
40. Tomatoes
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
Start seed indoors or buy plants
Harvest – 10 – 50 pounds per plant
Cherry/Grape
Medium (6 to 10 oz.)
Large (10oz or more)
Tips
•Colder climates chose Dtr.
varieties
•Do not over fertilize
•Keep consistently moist. Wide
swings in moisture cause cracking
of the fruit.
41. Tomatoes Cont.
• Choose indeterminate
tomatoes. They keep growing
and producing fruit until a killing
frost. (Determinate varieties save
space but ripen all at once.)
• Choose short season heirlooms
to save money on seeds in the
future
42. Eggplant
Perfect in Edible Landscapes –
One of the most beautiful
Characteristics
Warm Season crop.
Start seed indoors or buy plants.
Fruit development beginning in July
Harvest
5 -10 lbs pplant (poundage varies on variety)
Tips
Pick fruits after develop some
color but don’t wait until lose
their glossy shine.
Keep records – for size, color &
shape
43. Beans
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
Start seed outdoors
Harvest in mid summer
Harvest – 3 – 10lbs per plant
Tips
Plants can stretch over 15’ wide
depending on variety
Succession Plant and harvest
regularly to increase yields
Look for pole and bush
Bean flowers are edible
44. Cucumbers
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
Start seed indoors or buy plants
Harvest – 2 – 15lbs per plant
Tips
Go vertical
Plants can stretch over 6’ wide
depending on variety
Consistent soil moisture
45. Summer Squash
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
Start seed outdoors
Harvest throughout the summer
Harvest – 5lbs – well over per plant
Tips
Some can go vertical others stretch
over 10’ wide
Consistent soil moisture
Choose varieties with that suit
your families needs
Keep an eye out for
for squash bugs
46. Winter Squash
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
Start seed indoors or buy plants
Harvest in fall –great for storage
Harvest – 2 – 30lbs per plant
Tips
Go vertical
Plants can stretch over 10’ wide
depending on variety
Consistent soil moisture
Choose varieties with that suit
your families needs
47. Corn
Characteristics
Warm Season crop
50/50 Start seed indoors or out
doors
Harvest –
Tips
• Succession plant
• Heavy feeders – rotate crops
• Consistent soil moisture
• Plant in blocks
• Try companion planting
48. Remember may your garden be Big or Small
– you get to reap the rewards!
49. Getting the Most Food from a Small Area
• Plant what you like to eat
• Have a budget
• Plant cool-season
vegetables early and late
• Go Vertical - Peas, melons,
squash, cucumbers and pole
beans.
• Get creative - experiment
• Visit with friends who
vegetable garden – share seeds
and tips
3 × 3 × 3 = 27. There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.
EggplantEggplant, Black BeautyEggplant are arguably the most beautiful of the vegetable plants. Ever wonder how the eggplant got its name? Because the fruit of the first varieties looked like eggs. White varieties such as 'Cresent Moon' are still available, as are purple, orange and, one of our favorites, the pale green 'Louisiana Long Green'. We once included this whole gambit in a children's garden to illustrate plant hybridization.One of our favorite ways of enjoying eggplant is to prepare slices about 3/4 inch thick (easy with the long slender varieties — just slice in half length-wise), brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper (Mrs. Grass is good too) and grill. Even folks who didn't think they liked eggplant have enjoyed this dish. Eggplants are part of the nightshade family along with peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. Companions Likes to be near: BasilCilantroCorianderCosmosChives Dill GarlicGazaniasMarigoldsNasturtiumOnionsParsleyPeppersSpinachDoes not like: Fennel