Earth-Kind Vegetables and Herbs Tim Hartmann Program Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Goals of Earth-Kind 1. Conservation of water AND quality 2. Reduction of chemical and fertilizer use 3. Energy conservation 4. Reduction of solid waste
Seven principles of Earth-Kind: 1) Planning and design 2) Soil analysis and preparation 3) Practical turf areas 4) Appropriate plant selection 5) Efficient irrigation and rainwater harvesting 6) Effective use of mulches 7) Appropriate maintenance
Why Grow Vegetables Grow your own food High quality, fresh produce Concern over chemical use Save money Recreational value
General Guidelines for Vegetable Planting Select Recommended Varieties. Plant at the Right Time. Proper Soil Preparation and Fertilization. Photo credit: Juan Anciso Control Weeds, Diseases and Insects. Adequate Soil Moisture. Harvest at the Right Time. Photo credit: Juan Anciso
Site Selection Full sun (8+ hours direct sunlight) Well-drained soil (internal and external) ph 6.5 to 8.3 Clay loam to sandy loam Photo credit: Juan Anciso Dependable water source Protections from herbivores Free of competition (weeds and trees) Photo credit: Juan Anciso
Meanwhile Ideal soil in Norththeast type??? Texas.
Soil Preparation Disking, spading hard / compacted soil Incorporation of > 3 of finished compost Fully-composted materials (especially for manure) Drainage through creation of structure Water / nutrient retention Slow-release source of nutrients Soil microbial populations Raised planting beds in heavy soils Addition of nutrients, ONLY if necessary!!! Maintain 1 to 2 inch layer of mulch http://www.cranfordinc.com/
Not all composts are created equally.. http://mea.com.au/soil-plants-climate/soil-moisturemonitoring/learning-centre/what-is-soil-structure http://www.cranfordinc.com/
Soil Testing First step in preparing for planting Identifies problems / deficiencies Basis for accurate fertility management http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/
Sampling Procedure Matters! http://bionutrient.org/soil-test http://www.sbreb.org/broc hures/soilsampling/figure6.j pg http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/publications/e-534.pdf
Based on soil tests Smaller applications Organic fertilizers Fertilizing Vegetables Less concentrated Slower-release time Typically several nutrients Synthetic Fertilizers http://www.fertilome.com/product.aspx?pid=d fa64b62-dbfd-4e90-bd42-8f31e20625e5 More concentrated (burning) Granular (quick- and slow-release) Liquid / water-soluble http://www.fertilome.com/product.asp x?pid=211613d9-475d-4ab3-b8ac- 645863e69fcd
Irrigation Tee Tape Drip Tubing Furrow Method Soaker Hose
Common Vegetable Pests
Know the Good Guys
Integrated Pest Management Provide plants with the best care and culture possible. Use only the most adapted varieties. If chemical (organic or man-made) control is necessary start with the most environmentally friendly products first. Apply chemicals, (organic or man-made) properly, safely and according to the label.
Turnips and Mustard Easy cool season vegetables Direct seed in rows Thin to 3 to 4 inches apart Rapid growers (45 days or less) Greens can be re-cut until bolting
Radish / Daikon Radish - Cherry Belle, Easter Egg Blend II, French Breakfast, White Icicle Daikon April Cross
Beets and Swiss Chard Easy cool-season crop Direct-seeded early fall, late winter Beets: direct seed in rows Swiss Chard: direct seed or transplant Caterpillars and Harlequin bugs
Carrots Carrot Well-drained soil Nematodes in sand Direct-seed, thin Bolting
Onions Plant seeds in October thru late November, transplants in December through February. Varieties are short day sweet onions Red Burgundy, Granex, Grano 1015Y Bunching / Green Evergreen Long White Bunching Red Baron White Bermuda
Lettuce Fast, easy cool-season crop Tolerates some shade Direct seed or transplant (4 to 6 ) Bibb and romaine types easier Harvest in 30 to 45 days Loopers, cut worms, and stem rots
Asparagus Full sun Well-drained soil Plant crowns in fall / winter Space one foot apart Allow 1 to 2 years before harvest
Okra Tropical warm-season plant Plant in April when soil warms Direct seed in furrow or transplant Space 12 to 18 inches apart Clemson Spineless, Cajun Delight, Oscar Nematodes, fire ants, deer
Sweet Potatoes Full sun Deep, well-drained soil Plant slips in spring / early summer Drought tolerant Few disease / pest problems (deer)
Tomatoes Full sun, well-drained soil Good air movement Indeterminate cherry or grape cvs. More heat-tolerant Continue to produce all summer Staking or caging Hornworms, nematodes, blossom-end rot
Why Herbs? Fresh source for culinary use Adapted to low-water and fertility Most are evergreen Perennial Many landscape uses: Groundcovers Shrubs Topiaries Perennial borders
Five Locations 1. Austin, TX 2. Cleburne, TX 3. Conroe, TX 4. Georgetown, TX 5. San Antonio, TX
Bergartten Purple Sage Dwarf Sage Sage Salvia officinalis
Oregano Origanum vulgare Hilltop Hopley s Purple Hot & Spicy
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Arp Blue Lady Creeping / prostrate Gorizia Spice Island
Umbeliferous Herbs Carrot Parsley Cilantro Fennel Dill
Vegetable Seed Sources
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/
Thank You!