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Fruits & Vegetables

Title Summary Date ID Author(s)
Asparagus PDF (235KB)

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: Sunny.

SOIL: Well-drained, deep sandy loam.

FERTILITY: Medium-rich.

pH: 6.0 to 6.7

TEMPERATURE: Cool (60 to 65°F).

MOISTURE: Average; a flush of spears often follows a soaking rain.

 May 1, 2009 426-401
Beans PDF (623KB)

Environmental Preferences

Light: sunny

Soil: well-drained

Fertility: medium rich

pH: 5.8 - 7.0

Temperature: warm (65 degrees - 80 degrees) except fava beans

Moisture: average

 May 1, 2009 426-402
Cole Crops or Brassicas PDF (304KB)


All of the following crops are members of the cabbage family. It is best not to plant cabbage family crops in the same spot year after year, since diseases and insect pests will build up. Rotate crops within your garden.

Broccoli

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: Sunny.

SOIL: Well-drained, high organic matter.

FERTILITY: Rich.

pH: 6.0 to 6.7

TEMPERATURE: Cool (60 to 65°F).

MOISTURE: Keep moist, not waterlogged.

 May 1, 2009 426-403
Cucumbers, Melons and Squash PDF (328KB)

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: Sunny.

SOIL: Well-drained; moderate-high organic matter.

FERTILITY: Rich.

pH: 5.5 to 7.0

TEMPERATURE: Hot (65 to 80°F).

MOISTURE: Keep moist, not waterlogged; mulch helps maintain moisture.

 May 1, 2009 426-406
Herbs PDF (295KB)

Herbs have been used for seasoning, medicine, fragrance, and sorcery for thousands of years. Tarragon, rosemary, and thyme are among the most ancient of seasonings, yet there are few culinary achievements that can top good poultry roasted with these three herbs.

 May 1, 2009 426-420
Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens PDF (689KB)

Maintain a slightly acid soil (around pH 6.5). If in doubt, have a soil analysis done through your local Extension office, by a private lab, or with a commercial soil test kit. Lime can be used to increase soil pH and sulfur can lower it.

Maintain adequate levels of soil fertility through additions of potassium and phosphorus releasing materials, such as commercial fertilizers or animal manures. Soil testing should be done every three years to determine levels of these important nutrients.

Build a biologically active, healthy soil through regular addition of organic matter, such as yard waste, compost, and manure.

For planting areas not being cropped, grow annual cover crops, such as clover or rye grass, to provide additional organic matter.

Till the soil in the fall to expose pests living near the surface to natural enemies and weather, and to destroy insects overwintering in crop residues.

 May 1, 2009 426-708
Leafy Green Vegetables PDF (318KB)

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: Sunny, tolerates shade; prefers shade in summer

SOIL: Well-drained, loose loam

FERTILITY: Rich

TEMPERATURE: Cool (60 to 70°F)

MOISTURE: Moist, but not waterlogged; frequent, light waterings

 May 1, 2009 426-408
Nitrogen Management for White Potato Production PDF (551KB)

One of the challenges of white potato production, as with any crop, is the efficient management of nitrogen
(N) fertilizer. Excessive N fertilizer applied at or before tuberization can extend the vegetative growth period and delay tuber development, resulting in a lower tuber yield. However, too much N applied later in the season can delay maturity of the tubers, reducing
yield and adversely affecting tuber quality and skin set. Conversely, under-application of N at any point in the season can result in lower tuber yields and reduced profits. Environmental considerations must also be taken into account in N fertilizer management. Nitrogen
is a mobile nutrient in the soil and any excess N has the potential to move off-site via leaching or surface runoff. This is particularly true on the coarse-textured, low-organic matter soils common to the Eastern Shore, the premier potato-producing region in Virginia. These factors make the appropriate N rate and N application timing critical for successful white potato production.

 Sep 28, 2009 438-012
Onions, Garlic, and Shallots PDF (445KB)

ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES

LIGHT: sunny (green onions tolerate partial shade)

SOIL: well-drained loam

pH: 5.5 to 7.0

TEMPERATURE: cool (45 to 60°F) during develop ment; medium hot (60 to 75°F) during bulbing and curing

MOISTURE: moist, but not waterlogged

 May 1, 2009 426-411
Pest Management Guide: Home Grounds and Animals, 2009 May 1, 2009 456-018
Pest Management Guide: Horticultural and Forest Crops, 2009 May 1, 2009 456-017
Potatoes, Peppers and Eggplant PDF (377KB)

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: Sunny.

SOIL: Well-drained with moderate organic matter.

FERTILITY: Medium-rich.

pH: 4.8 to 6.5

TEMPERATURE: Cool (55 TO 65°F).

MOISTURE: Uniform moisture, especially while tubers are developing.

 May 1, 2009 426-413
Root Crops PDF (492KB)

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: sunny

SOIL: well-drained, deep loam, free of rocks

pH: 5.5 to 6.5

TEMPERATURE: cool (60 to 65°F)

MOISTURE: moist, but not water logged

 May 1, 2009 426-422
Small Fruit in the Home Garden PDF (1MB)

The small fruits offer advantages over fruit trees for home culture. They require a minimum of space for the amount of fruit produced and bear one or two years after planting. Also, pest control typically is easier than with most tree fruits.

Success with a small fruit planting will depend on the attention given to all phases of production: variety selection, soil management, fertilization, pruning, and pest control. Plant only what you can care for properly. It is better to have a well-attended, small planting than a neglected, large one.

 May 1, 2009 426-840
Sprouting Seeds For Food PDF (217KB)
Seeds themselves are a very nutritious form of food because they contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and oils that a beginning plant needs to grow. Many of these constituents are increased greatly when the seeds are sprouted.

If their presence in restaurant salad bars and in grocery stores is any indication, the popularity of sprouts is increasing. It's very easy to grow your own sprouts at home with a minimum of supplies.

 May 1, 2009 426-419
Sweet Corn PDF (360KB)

Environmental Preferences

Light: sunny

Soil: deep, well-drained loam

Temperature: warm (60 to 75 degrees F)

Moisture: average

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Culture

Planting: seed after danger of frost is past; extra-sweet varieties should be planted when soil temperatures reach 65F.

Spacing: 9 to 12 inches x 24 to 36 inches; minimum of three rows side by side (preferably four rows) to ensure good pollination.

Hardiness: Tender annual

Fertilizer Needs: heavy feeder; sidedress when plants are 12 to 18 inches high with 3 tablespoons 10-10-10 per 10 feet of row.

 May 1, 2009 426-405
Tomatoes PDF (368KB)

Environmental Preferences

LIGHT: Sunny.

SOIL: Well-drained, loam.

FERTILITY: Medium-rich.

TEMPERATURE: Warm (70° to 80°F).

MOISTURE: Moist, but not waterlogged.

 May 1, 2009 426-418
Tools to More Efficiently Manage In-Season Corn Nitrogen Needs PDF (108KB) Sep 2, 2009 2909-1410
Tree Fruit in the Home Garden PDF (926KB)

It is desirable to locate the fruit planting as close to your home as possible. Where space is limited, fruit trees may be set in almost any location suitable for ornamental plants. Consider the mature size of the tree when designing the planting.

Dwarf fruit trees lend themselves admirably to ornamental plantings as well as orchards. They come into bearing earlier than standard-sized trees, occupy less space, and can be more easily pruned and sprayed with equipment normally available to the average gardener. Most nurseries now carry dwarf and semidwarf apple trees of all varieties. Dwarf pear, peach, and cherry trees of a few varieties are offered by some nurseries, but are not recommended because trees may not survive more than five years due to disease and incompatibility problems.

 May 1, 2009 426-841
Vegetables Recommended for Virginia PDF (263KB)

Table of vegetable recommendations for Virginia.

 May 1, 2009 426-480