Vegetable gardening tips

Starting with Seeds

Vegetable gardening tips. Depending on the type of vegetable seeds you have they all need various dormancy lengths. Most perennial seeds will, of course, germinate in the following spring seasons.

What do seeds need for them to germinate? They need air, moisture, good soil, and the right temperatures. When the seeds assimilate or absorb water and food surrounding the inside of the seed, they will convert this from starch to sugar. This is when the embryo (seed shell) will start to grow.

Eventually, it will burst out of its hard shell. You will now have a vegetable seedling. Your seed plantings will now begin to take in food and water from you or your watering system.

This is also the time when you will need to do your best to increase the chances of growing these seeds into a vegetable, fruit, or pepper for healthy edible food. Where and how to plant your garden vegetables

Vegetable gardening tips

Here are some tips on preparing your ground for a vegetable garden. It does not matter if you start with seeds or small plants, the process is the same. Choose a suitable location.

Preferably a west location as this side will have plenty of sunshine.  However, the Southwest sun can be brutal during the mid-summer months. It can burn the skin of most vegetables.

You might want to provide your plants with some type of shade cloth during June, July, August, and sometimes September.  The best solution is to plant them in the morning sun and afternoon shade.

Test your soil for Ph. Most gardening stores will have inexpensive soil testers…use them, they work. Be sure to test numerous areas where you plan to place your vegetable garden.

How to change pH readings.

Readings less than 7.0 indicate acidic soil, while higher readings indicate high alkalinity. The dry Southwest will normally have highly alkaline soil.  Adding peat moss will help make your soil acidic in alkaline soils. Adding garden lime or dolomite lime to your soil will make it more alkaline.

Vegetables and Chili plants

They love the long southwestern sunshine which is ideal for a productive and abundant crop. Again, be careful with the midsummer sun in the Southwest.

Rototill the land or at least dig up the soil with a shovel to loosen the dirt/soil. Be sure to test your soil before continuing.

Clear the spot or location of any large rocks, grass, or weeds that may be in the area. Chili peppers and vegetables do NOT like cooler temperatures. Plant them when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the night.

Hot chili plants

For those who like hotter chili plants, let them dry out slightly throughout the season before watering again. This will produce a hotter chili pod.

Consider growing vegetables and Chili seeds that are suitable for your area. Call your local Nursery for information on what will grow well in your area.

Many nurseries have vegetables and Chili that are already planted as seedlings. These types of plants will do better for the novice gardener since they are already set to plant and grow! Going organic is an effective way to grow natural chemical-free vegetables.

Fertilizing and Watering Vegetable Plants

Remember it’s YOUR garden to decide if you want vegetable seeds or grown container plants. No matter what you choose, water and fertilizing are essential to your vegetable garden.  Use a good Drip System or water by hose or watering can, especially in the desert southwest.   Water for about 20 minutes every other day will work.  During extreme drought, you should water daily!

What Fertilizers to use

A good organic fertilizer will have the following nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) are the three nutrients of concern to most gardeners. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are also needed. A good fertilizer will have a 5-10-5 mixture.

Apply about two tablespoons per fifty sq ft. Organic vegetables are now the rage of many gardeners. Find more information here… Best Organic Products.  What kind of soil do vegetables need?

A good combination of compost, potting mix, and or topsoil works very well. You can always amend the soil with nutrients later.  Vegetables like acidic PH levels in the soil.  If you test your soil a reading of about 6.5 is good for tomatoes, peppers, and squash.  The most key factor is your plants need good soil and drainage.

Fox Farms Happy Frog Potting Soil

An excellent choice for planting outdoor vegetables

Happy Frog Natural and Organic Fertilizers are good for all Vegetables.
Kelp meal, fish emulsion, and worm castings are excellent for organic fertilizer.

What about weeds?

Weeds will suck up all the nutrients from the soil. So, remember to pull out all weeds whenever possible. Weeds grow in about any place, in cement and asphalt cracks, around ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees. And during the spring and Monsoon seasons, they sprout about everywhere.  Read more at – How to get rid of weeds.

Do NOT overwater or have standing water over an extended period. Overwatering is just as bad as little or no water!

Vegetable Diseases and Insects

Blossom end rot on Tomatoes

This is caused by a lack of calcium in your soil. Most nurseries will have calcium products for your tomatoes.

Try to buy tomatoes and chili that are resistant to “VFN”. What is “VFN”?: V=Verticillium F=Fusarium, and N=nematodes. These are fungi that cause plants to wilt. Once you get this fungus you will it is almost impossible to remove it. Here are some preventive measures to take.

Do not plant them too close together. Give them space to grow. Do not plant them in too much shade… Fungal spores thrive in cool shady conditions during the warmer months.

Keep vegetable plants away from other ornamental plants such as roses, large trees, or evergreens. Do Not Over-water…too much water or standing water will produce root rot.  It is almost impossible to over-water if you have good drainage.

Aphids and Leaf Miners on Tomato plants

Aphids and leaf miners love the foliage of all vegetable plants.  They suck out the juice from the stem and foliage.  Do not use any type of systemic insecticide as the plant will take this chemical in thus making it inedible.

Observe your plants daily and at the first sign of insects spray with a good vegetable insect spray.  Ask for this product at your local nursery.  Neel oil is a suitable alternative to chemical sprays.  Insecticidal soap is another good organic spray.

Consider using containers for your vegetables – You can easily move them from sunny to partial shade positions. Leafhoppers will sometimes carry the tomato curly leaf virus – Spray an insecticide at the first sign of them.  Learn more here about container gardening. 

Vegetable gardening tips by Paul Guzman all rights reserved.

Find out more here… Organic Products.