Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Let s Grow Great Vegetables!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Let s Grow Great Vegetables!"

Dale Blankenship
5 years ago
Views:

1 Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Let s Grow Great Vegetables! Part 1 Planning and Soil Preparation Paul Gibson, Jean Meink And Master Gardener Volunteers VCE Prince William gibsonp2@comcast.net Chinn Library, Feb 8, 2014 Web page: Facebook Master Gardeners of Prince William 1

2 Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Organic, environmentally sound Use nature as a guide to manage ecological and biological processes Feed the soil, not the plant; no synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides Acceptable nutrition, protection from pests, disease Reduce external input; get renewable resources locally Conserve non-renewable resources (soil, energy, minerals) Scientific systems approach: understand the parts, how they work, the connections and dependencies among them, and harmonize them. Depends on feedback mechanisms.

3 Understanding Nature Old myth nitrogen from an inorganic source is the same as nitrogen from an organic source; plants don t care. Science microbiology, bacteriology, study of fungi, study of ants, chemistry, agriculture came together to focus jointly on understanding the world of soil since 1990 Truth Inorganic nitrogen, pesticides, and herbicides (the mainstay of 20 th century industrial farming) destroy essential soil organisms. Nobody fertilized the old growth forest 3

4 Foundations Organic use nature as the guide: plants are part of a whole ecosystem; avoid synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides Sustainable environmentally sound, non-polluting, reduced reliance on external input, source resources from garden or locally, conserve non-renewables, acceptable nutrition, protection from pests and disease Biointensive organic agricultural system which achieves high yield from small space while improving soil; soil is deeply dug, heavily amended, thickly planted Sustainable practices deeply digging, making compost and amending soil, cover crops, crop rotation, companion planting, interplanting, seed saving and starting, beneficial insect gardening, etc.

5 Planning Situating the garden Preparation of the beds Crop and variety selection Arranging crops When to start it, plant it, harvest it What goes in next Using sustainable practices NOTE BOOK 5

6 Start a Garden Notebook Objectives Garden Map Crops Companion Planting and Rotation Seeds Planting and Harvest Times Harvest Records, Yield Weather Soil Test Ideas Questions Garden Pictures Insects, good and bad Extra sheets Etc Make it work for you 6

7 Situating the garden Objectives? How much land? Resources? Sun 6 hours, between 10am and 4pm Orientation direction (N-S, E-W) Slope run beds crosswise; south facing is a + Water is it nearby, too much, drainage? Garden size, bed size, pathways Width for access; equal size for rotation (50 /100 sq ft) Keyhole pathways Sketch it, name the beds Plan: proposed actual amendments Options: Raised & Bordered, Containers 7

8 Example -- Plot size 15 x 20 Permanent beds and permanent pathways. Reach into beds is 2 feet x8 Uses The center bed for herbs and flowers; or vegetables; or lawn chair, umbrella. The 4 larger beds can be rotated each Year using the Penn State crop rotation plan large beds are 4 wide. The center Bed is 3 x8. Paths are 2 wide, mulched w/ wood chips 4 outer beds are each 52 sq ft. Total plot 300 sq ft Total bed area 232 sq ft Total path area 68 sq ft Peas Beans Greens Cabbage Lettuce Corn Squash Cucumber Tomato Pepper Potato Others: carrot, onion, beets go anywhere 8

9 Crop and Variety Selection Grow what you like to eat;.. should,.. want kids to eat Select some from all the major crop groups (variety, diversity) Choose organically grown seed/plants; open pollinated ahead of hybrid, non-genetically modified (non-gmo) Consult VCE pubs, MD HGIC, local growers (SESE), Master Gardeners, horticulture help line ( ) Start simple and add each year A. Pick a couple varieties to learn Types - Beans: Bush, Pole Types - Tomatoes: Determinate, Indeterminate Timing - Garlic: nine month crop, Sept 15 June 15 Sustainability grains - cover, compost, mulch Annuals and Perennials B. Jump in with both feet: The Sustainable Vegetable Garden, Jeavons and Cox; VCE - PW New Gardener Quick Start Guide 9

10 Fruit and Vegetable Life Cycles Annual tomato, bean, squash, corn, lettuce Biennial carrot, cabbage, parsley Perennial no annual replanting Vegetables: asparagus, rhubarb, perennial onions, cardoon, artichoke (maybe) Small fruit: blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, grape, strawberry, current, gooseberry Tree fruit (pear, apple, peach, pawpaw, etc) Most sustainable practices pertain to perennials (but not crop rotation) 10

11 Vegetable Families Legumes * Crucifers * broccoli, radish Cucurbits * cuke, squash Solanaceous * tomato, pepper Umbels carrot, parsnip, cilantro, dill Alliums onions, garlic, shallot Chenopods spinach, beet, chard Composites * lettuce, artichoke, endive, greens Grasses * corn, cover crop grains * Rotate every year, 4 year cycle 11

12 Legumes Nutritionedge.net Peas Cowpeas Snap beans Dry beans Soybeans Clovers Vetches Fava beans Winter peas Romano, Italian heirloom 12

13 Nutritionedge.net Crucifers/Brassicas Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Chinese cabbage Collards Kale Mustard Radish Rutabaga Turnip 13

15 Cucurbits Cucumber Squash Melon Gourd Pumpkin Texas A&M Sugar Baby Watermelon 15

17 Solanaceous (Nightshades) Tomato Pepper Eggplant Potato Tomatillo 17

19 Umbels Carrots Parsnips Parsley Celery Celeriac Cilantro Dill Fennel 19

20 Alliums Onions Garlic Chives Shallots Leeks 20

21 Chenopods Spinach Beets Chard Quinoa Lambs Quarters 21

22 Composites Lettuce Endive Jerusalem artichoke Sunflower Artichoke

23 Grasses Corn Cover grains Wheat Barley Oats Rye Corn, dent: Bloody Butcher, VA heirloom 23

26 Planting Calendar (partial) P = plant in garden: seeds or seedlings* Month March April May June Date Crop Turnips P H Potatoes P H Beets P H Cabbage* P H Carrots P H Lettuce, bibb P H Lettuce, leaf P H Broccoli* P H Brussels sprouts* P H Cauliflower* P H Beans, bush P P&H Beans, pole P Corn, sweet P P&H Cucumbers P P&H Eggplant* P 26

27 Starting Seeds Indoors Maximizes garden productivity, sustainability Start with seed packet recommendations (days to maturity, time to plant) Start in flats 4 to 6 weeks before planting out Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli Start in flats 6 to 8 to 10 weeks before and transplant into deeper flats (6 in) or pots midway Tomato, Eggplant, Pepper Many other plants can be started in flats to save space in the garden: corn, wheat, melon, herbs. Reference the New Seed Starters Handbook, Nancy Bubel 27

28 Seed Starting The Mission Should you choose to accept it... Manage plant environment from seed through planting out: temperature, light, airflow, moisture, nutrients, growing medium Germination warm, dark/indirect light, greenhouse cover, constant moisture wicked up, not poured on Seedling development cooler, direct light, fluorescent 4 inches above, 16 hrs on, 8 off, vary moisture, airflow Hardening off expose to garden climate over a couple weeks, an hour or two at first with no direct sun, increasing gradually. Less frequent, deeper watering. Planting out- calm overcast day, water the hole, plant, firm up soil, form saucer, protect as needed 28

29 Provide light to seedlings after germination Visible spectrum provides the energy Use natural light in greenhouse or fluorescent indoors 16 hours on, 8 hours off daily. Plants digest and grow at night Distance from light: 3 to 4 inches Ideal temperatures: day 70 to 75 F, night 55 to 65 F 29

Soil is Job #1 Soil is not just dirt, not just a place to plant vegetables A community A complex system of living and non-living things 1. Inorganic particles of sand, silt and clay 2.

30 Soil is Job #1 Soil is not just dirt, not just a place to plant vegetables A community A complex system of living and non-living things 1. Inorganic particles of sand, silt and clay 2. Macro and trace minerals 3. Microorganisms: bacteria algae, fungi, and protozoa 4. Insects 5. Plant roots 6. Soil organic matter Job 1: Feed the soil to feed the plant by increasing soil organic matter, increasing biological activity and providing nutrients. 30

31 Typical Unimproved Soil Covered with mix of grass and weeds Heavily compacted naturally, from home-building, or foot traffic. Heavy clay with shale. Majority of dirt is inorganic soil solids: clay, sand, silt, Minerals there but not available. Soil organic matter is less that 1 percent, only in top couple inches; Top soil is very thin No sign of earthworms or organic life Limited pore space for air / water, Water runs off, not in 97% soil solids / 2% pore space for air and water / 1% organic matter 31

32 Ideal Composition of Garden Soil 50 % Fluids - Pore Space 20 to 30 % air 20 to 30 % water 50 % Soil Solids 45 % inorganic minerals Sand, clay, silt; good mix is loam Macro minerals: N,P,K Micro minerals: Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, Cl, Mo 5 % soil organic matter: the remains of plants and animals Air Mineral Organic matter Water 32

33 Who lives in/near good garden soil? And what do they do? Bacteria Archaea Fungi Algae and slime molds Protozoa Nematodes Arthropods Earthworms Gastropods Birds, Reptiles, Mammals The earth s 2 nd primary decomposers. Root exodates are a favorite. They take in, decompose, lock up and release nutrients, e.g., nitrogen Other members of the web get their energy and nutrients by consuming bacteria In healthy soil, good bacteria innoculate soil and keep pathogenic bacteria in check 33

34 Who lives in/near good garden soil? And what do they do? Bacteria Archaea Fungi Algae and slime molds Protozoa Nematodes Arthropods Earthworms Gastropods Birds, Reptiles, Mammals Fungi are the #1 decomposers. They grow into chains like tubes which can transport nutrients They digest more complex foods than bacteria and form symbiotic relationships with plants Mycorrhizae find and deliver nutrients (P) and water for plants in return for plant exudates 34

35 Who lives in/near good garden soil? And what do they do? Bacteria Archaea Fungi Algae and slime molds Protozoa Nematodes Arthropods Earthworms Gastropods Birds, Reptiles, Mammals They shred debris for other organisms Increase porosity, water holding capacity, fertility and organic matter of soils. Break up hard soils, create root paths, bind soil particles, cycle nutrients and microbes to new locations 35

36 Soil Food Web 36 NRCS - The Soil Biology Primer By Dr. Elaine R. Ingham

37 How the Soil-Food Web Works Food webs are fueled by the primary producers: the plants, lichens, moss, photosynthetic bacteria, and algae that use the sun s energy to fix carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Most other soil organisms get energy and carbon by consuming the organic compounds found in plants, other organisms, and waste by-products. As organisms decompose complex materials, or consume other organisms, nutrients are converted from one form to another, and are made available to plants and to other soil organisms. All plants grass, trees, shrubs, agricultural crops depend on the food web for their nutrition. {We depend on plants} 37 NRCS - The Soil Biology Primer By Dr. Elaine R. Ingham

38 Ways to inhibit the soil-food web Soil compaction crushes fungal tubes and fungi die, destroying the benefits to plants. It also reduces capability of soil to hold water and air. Pesticides, fungicides, inorganic fertilizer, rototilling, double digging, and air pollution destroy fungal hyphae. Rototilling destroys worm burrows and worm populations by cutting them up into pieces that don t ever regenerate whole worms. Chemical fertilizers salt worms and chase them out of garden soils. 38

39 Good Soil Quality Indicators Nutrients: Accepts, holds, releases and mineralizes nutrients and other chemical constituents Water: Accepts, holds, releases water to plants, streams, groundwater Promotes good root growth and maintains good habitat for soil organisms Resists degradation Maintains good soil structure: aeration and tilth Allows rapid water infiltration Moderate ph ( ) Low salinity; low in toxic elements Balanced fertility 39

40 Soil Fertility - Goal 1 Improve & maintain physical and biological properties of soil Maintain soil organic matter level through compost and cover crops Properly time tilling and cultivation Irrigation keep soil moisture between 50 and 100% through plant cover, monitoring, mulching, and watering as needed Use crop rotation, soil amending, and fertilization techniques to improve soil quality 40

41 Soil Fertility Goal 2 Improve and maintain chemical properties Periodically conduct soil testing Supply nutrients through organic matter and mineral amendments Provide balanced nutrient supply Time nutrient release with crop requirements (quality, temp, moisture) Avoid erosion and leaching - don t leave the garden bare; use mulch, cover crops Irrigate carefully as needed to maintain above 50 and less than 100 % capacity 41

42 VCE Soil Testing Feedback loop - test and correct Plant code 210: vegetable garden Soil Tests 1. Routine ($10) (the most important) ph degree of acidity/alkalinity (need lime?) P phosphorus K potassium/potash Micronutrients: Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, B 2. Organic Matter ($4) - % in soil, info only, no recommendation for corrective action 3. Soluble salts ($2) are fertilizer salts too high? What important nutrient is not tested in this process? 42

43 Soil Fertility Goal 3 Minimize Disease and Pest Susceptibility Maintain soil nutrient level and ph Build and maintain soil organic matter Maintain soil moisture; avoid compaction and erosion Rotate crops effectively to break pest and cycles Plant polycultures promote diversity Use appropriate preventative and active biocontrol practices 43

44 Soil Maturation Process First year typical suburban lawn converted by double dig. Life in soil increases, holds more water, drains better, fertility increases, tilth and aggregation begin. Stage 2 soil organism populations, worms, roots, organic matter all increase, glues bind soil particles, more pathways for air, water Stage 3 improved soil structure reduces need for tillage, and improves productivity 44

45 Growing Great Garden Soil 2: Recommended Practices Fertility Periodically test and amend the soil Build and maintain garden soil organic matter through compost and cover crops. Rotate crops; companion plant; right plant, right place Irrigate as needed to maintain moisture Keep the garden covered: succession planting, mulches, cover crops Till and aerate properly and avoid compaction Give back to nature more than you take and She will provide for you abundantly! Alan Chadwick 45

46 How to Get Great Garden Soil Tillage Terminology Tillage Pros and Cons Preparing a Garden Bed 46

47 Terminology Refresh Cultivation: All the tools and techniques used to develop and maintain soil fertility and crop production (tillage, cover crops, crop rotation, companion planting, irrigation, etc.) Tillage: - The actual usage of tools in the the soil to prepare seedbeds and root beds Tilth: When soil structure is changed by tillage and cultivation to suit plant growth and seed germination Good tilth has large pore spaces for air and water 47

48 Pros and Cons of Tillage Pros Opens up compacted soil to change 50% of volume to Pore space room for air and water Aeration causes release of Nitrogen Helps incorporate Organic Matter Breaks up pans Breaks up soil into aggregates Removes rocks, rubble Cons Earthworm casualties Bacteria and Fungi setback Increased soil erosion Increased susceptibility to diseases and pests Destroys soil aggregates Reduces ability to hold nutrients and water Weeds 48

49 Preparing a Garden Bed French Intensive Method or Double Digging Convert from Conventional or Field Garden e.g. 30 x 40, to Organic Sheet Mulching or Lasagna Gardening

50 French Intensive Method of Soil Cultivation Alternative 1 Deep cultivation with hand tools: double digging Concentration of organic matter and minerals into permanent growing beds High application rates of mature compost 200 lbs/100 sq ft, Development lbs/100 sq ft, Maintenance 5 gallon bucket = 20# compost Permanent pathways between growing beds 50

51 Garden Tillage Implements Bow Rake Spade Leaf Rake Fork Manure/ Pulling Fork U-Bar (optional) 51

52 Double Digging Sequence Unimproved Soil Spread compost at 1 lb per sq ft Fracture soil with fork to 1 ft depth Remove first 1 ft trench of soil, using spade and digging board, set aside (wheel barrow or tarp) Spread 1 lb/sq ft additional compost in trench Fracture and lift soil to 12 inches deeper (fork) Move top 12 inches of 2 nd trench to first Repeat until complete Contents of wheel barrow go in last trench, if needed Break up clods and shape bed with bow rake 52

53 1. Remove top 12 inches of soil from first trench (Spade) 2. Then break up the next 12 inches in that trench (fork) 53

54 Move soil from top of 2 nd trench to top of first trench. Repeat. After double digging the whole bed, shape it (rake) 54

55 Double Dig Video 55

56 Double Digging Produces a Dark, Naturally Raised Bed 56

57 Convert Conventional Field Garden, STEP 1: Change the Footprint Alternative 2 Convert FROM field or open planting TO defined permanent beds and permanent pathways. Stake out new plan view Bed width 3 to 5 based on arm length of gardeners; need to reach half way into bed from either side Make paths wide enough for intended use: 3-4 allows more room for wheelbarrows and rogue plants Walk only on paths, never in beds

58 Example -- Plot size 15 x 20 Permanent beds and permanent pathways. Reach into beds is 2 feet x8 Uses The center bed for herbs and flowers; or vegetables; or lawn chair, umbrella. The 4 larger beds can be rotated each Year using the Penn State crop rotation plan large beds are 4 wide. The center Bed is 3 x8. Paths are 2 wide, mulched w/ wood chips 4 outer beds are each 52 sq ft. Total plot 300 sq ft Total bed area 232 sq ft Total path area 68 sq ft Peas Beans Greens Cabbage Lettuce Corn Squash Cucumber Tomato Pepper Potato 58 Others: carrot, onion, beets go anywhere

59 Convert Conventional Field Garden, STEP 2: Change the Cultivation Tillage FROM - No more rototiller: destroys soil structure and worm habitat, forms shallow hard pan TO - Dig deeply with hand tools: remove rubble, amend heavily with compost to build biologically rich community of organisms and good tilth Cultivation FROM - No more synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides (poisons) for food gardens TO - Add compost, organic matter, wellcomposted manure and grow cover crops to promote natural health, nutrition, and environment

60 Sheet Mulching / Lasagna Gardening Alternative 3 Mark new bed/path outlines and cut turf as low as possible. Spread 2 inch layer of compost or manure on beds and moisten well. Cover with overlapping cardboard, moisten well Spread 2 inch layer of compost and cover with 18 inches of organic material (leaves, straw, grass clippings, manure, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds) Finish with 2-3 inches straw or compost (veg beds) or 4 inches wood chips (ornamental beds). Mulch paths. Let develop several months or over winter

61 Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Recommended Practices - Tillage Use French intensive tillage methods Initially deeply dig with hand tools (24 inches) Subsequent - Minimal Tillage Top 4-6 inches to prepare root and seed beds Surface cultivation post planting; loosen, hill, remove weeds Post harvesting - Leave roots and plant debris if disease free Concentrate large amounts of organic matter, minerals into permanent beds Properly time tillage according to moisture (50-75%), texture, climate, season, cropping system, and tilth Maintain permanent beds and pathways to avoid compaction 61

62 Select Your Site

63 Mark Your Beds and Dig

64 Just Keep Digging

65 and digging.

66 Digging Interrupted for Bluebirds

69 Questions? Horticulture Help Line Credits Virginia Cooperative Extension Research References, pubs.ext.vt.edu Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening, Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, UC Santa Cruz Teaming with Microbes, The Organic Gardener s Guide to the Soil Food Web, Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Hughes, Timber Press, 2010 The Sustainable Vegetable Garden, John Jeavons and Carol Cox, Ten Speed Press, Also How to Grow More Vegetables, Jeavons Cover Crops and Compost Crops in Your Garden (DVD), Cindy Conner, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Vegetable Gardening (.ppt) Jeff Schneider Soil Biology for Your Landscape (.ppt) Duane Mohr 69

70 Organic Gardening Gardening without synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides A method, using nature as a guide, to grow plants without synthetics. Plants are part of a whole system within nature that starts with the soil and includes water, air, wildlife, insects, people. Working in harmony with nature, conserving resources, improving health. Stewardship, close connection to nature Chemistry vs. Certified vs. Backyard 70

Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Let s Grow Great Vegetables!

Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Let s Grow Great Vegetables! Part 1 Planning and Soil Preparation Paul Gibson, Thomas Bolles, Jean Meink And Master Gardener Volunteers VCE Prince William 703 792-7747 gibsonp2@comcast.net