GARDENS
RESEARCH
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Location of the garden including sun, shade,
water and air.
RAISED BEDS
Raised beds are typically made of wood and are
at least twelve inches in height.
 They are convenient for watering and harvesting.
 The gardener can create a good quality soil mix.
 Raised beds allow the gardener to grow more
crops in a given area.
 Raised beds have less soil compaction than
flatbed plantings.
 Raised beds can be set up on any surface such as
concrete or porches.
 Raised beds can be built to make it accessible to
elderly or handicapped individuals.
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FLAT BED
The most traditional way to plant vegetables is in
rows.
 Usually a two foot gap is left between each row
for easy watering and harvesting.
 One disadvantage of flatbed planting is it
consumes a lot of space.
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CONTAINER
Container gardens are easy to make, manage and
add beauty to any area.
 Examples of containers
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Whiskey barrels
Washtubs
Plastic or clay pots
Wooden crates
Baskets
Make sure your containers have holes in the
bottom for water drainage.
 Container garden takes up a small amount of
space.
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ROOF TOP
Roof top gardens make good use of unused or
wasted space.
 They are expensive to establish.
 Check local ordinances before you begin for rules
and regulations.
 Enlist the assistance of an architect or landscape
contractor.
 Use as little weight as possible.
 Incorporate windbreaks into the garden design.
 Consider ease of watering and harvesting plants
from your roof top garden.
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VERTICAL GARDEN
Vertical gardening saves valuable garden space.
 Vertical structures have a tendency to cast
shadow. Watch the sun’s movement for several
days before planting.
 Examples of vertical gardening structures.
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Trellis
Arbors
String poles
Teepees
Cages
SOIL CONSIDERATIONS
Soil needs determined by what plants you select.
 Soil amendments are determined by what plants
you select.
 Soilless mixes are determined by what plants you
select.
 Soil (natural) is determined by what plants you
select.
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PLANNING YOUR GARDEN
Season
 Fall
 Winter
 Spring
 Summer
Type of plants
 Annual
 Perennial
 Vegetable
 Flower
ESTABLISHING YOUR GARDEN
SEEDS
Fall vegetable seeds such as lettuce, kale,
mustard, broccoli, cabbage, collards, radish and
onions are examples of cool season crops.
 Winter vegetable seeds (mid-February through
early March) such as carrots, onions, peas,
potatoes, turnip, lettuce and radish are examples
of cool season crops.
 Spring vegetable seeds such as beans, corn,
pumpkin (harvest in the fall) and cucumber will
are examples of warm season crops.
 Summer vegetable seeds to plant are brussel
sprouts, okra, beans, cucumbers, kale and radish
are examples of summer crops.
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PLANTS
Fall vegetable plants such as broccoli, cabbage,
lettuce and onions (sets) are examples of cool
season crops.
 Winter vegetable plants such as lettuce and
spinach are examples of cool season crops.
 Spring vegetable plants such as tomatoes,
peppers, squash and cucumbers are examples of
warm season crops.
 Summer vegetable plants such as okra,
cauliflower, cucumbers and kale are examples of
summer crops.
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MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN
Stake plants as needed in the garden.
 Control pests
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Keeping your garden clean of debris and dead plants.
 Check for pest problems and practice non chemical
methods to control pests.
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Harvest plants as they mature.
 Do not let plants over ripen or decay on the plant
as this will lead to pest issues.
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