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Planning a vegetable Garden
Regardless of where one lives, growing conditions
are bound to be different from the conditions described in most Gardening
books. To plan a successful Garden, ask some questions. Which vegetables
grow well in this area? What soil types are common? Are there unique
conditions in the Garden to consider, for example, high winds, compacted
soils, poor drainage and wet spots? Finally, what are the first and last
frost dates and the growing season?
Plant 100
square feet or less per person in a household, and grow the easiest Crops
the first year. Later, as skills develop, add more difficult Crops such as
small fruits and perennial vegetables, and add more area to the Garden's
size.
When selecting plants of a first Garden, keep in mind several
suggestions. Plant bush beans for early pods, or pole beans for a later
crop with more flavor. Early cabbage varieties produce small heads that
taste great cooked or in salads. Try purple or one of the new white
cauliflower varieties that don't require blanching.
In heavy soils, try half-long varieties of carrots. Grow the disease-
resistant long, slender cucumbers for salads. Plant both leaf lettuce and
head lettuce for a season-long crop. Plant onions from seed in mid-March
using long-day yellow or red varieties. For peas, try the early, dwarf
Alaska variety and the later, rambling, sweet type. Plant summer squash on
the edge of the Garden so it can spread on uncultivated ground, or grow
bushy winter squash that take less Garden space. Give plants plenty of
room to grow so they are not crowded. Grow corn in square blocks rather
than in rows and try hand pollinating so all of the ears develop well.
And, plant half a tomato crop in an early variety and the other half in
later maturing variety for continuous harvest.
For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s) or Master Gardener Garden Notes.
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