Vegetable Gardening Tips for the Southwest
Depending on the type of vegetable seeds
you have they all need different times of dormancy lengths.
Most annual seeds will of course germinate the following spring season.
What do seeds need in order for them to germinate? Air, moisture, good soil and the right temperature.
When the seeds assimalite or absorbs 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 seeds will now began to take 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, pepper
for healthy edible food.
Where and How to Plant Garden Vegetables
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 basically the same.
Choose a good location
. Preferably a west location as this side will have plenty of sun.
The Southwestern 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 these months.
Test your soil for Ph.
Most gardening stores will have inexpensive soil testers...use them, they work. Readings less than 7.0 indicate acidy soil, while higher readings indicate high alkaline.
The dry Southwest will usually have high akaline soil. A soil acidifer
will help correct akaline soils. Lime will help correct high acidic dirt.
Vegetables and Chili plants
love the long southwestern sunshine which is ideal for productive and abundant crop.
Again, be careful with the mid summer 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.
peppers and vegetables do NOT like cooler temperatures. Plant them when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees fahrenheit during the night. For those who like hot chili plants
let them dry out slightly throughout the season before watering again. This will produce a hotter chili pod.
Consider growing vegetables and chile 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
already planted as seedlings. These type of plants will do better for the novice gardener since they are already set to plant and grow!
Going organic is a good way to grow natural chemical free vegetables. Find out more here...Organic Products
Fertilizing and Watering Vegetables
Remember its YOUR garden decide if you want vegetable seeds or grown container plants?
Water is essential to your vegetable garden
. Use a good Drip System or water by hose on a daily basis especially in the desert southwest. About 1.5" of water per week should do.
A good 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 2 tablespoons per 50 sq ft. Organic vegetables are now the rage of many gardeners find out more here...Best Organic Products
What kind of soil do vegetables need?
Vegetables like acidic PH levels in the soil. A good combination of compost, potting mix and or topsoil works very well. You can always amend the soil with nutrients at a later date.
Weeds will suck up all the nutrients from the soil. So remember to pull out all weeds whenever possible.
Do NOT over water or have standing water over a long period of time. Over watering is just as bad as little or no water!
Blossom end rot is where the tomatoes will look brown or black usually at the bottom. 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"? I'll tell you right now: V=Verticillium F=Fusarium, and N=nematodes. These are fungii that causes plants to wilt.
Once you get this fungus you will not be able 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 in too much shade...fungii spores thrive in cool shady conditions.
- Keep 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.
- Consider containers for your vegetables - You can easily move them from sunny to partial shade positions.
- Leafhoppers will someetimes cary the tomato curly leaf virus - Spray an insecticide at the first sign of them.
These vegetable gardening tips by: Paul Guzman all rights reserved.