Part 3 of series, Growing Vegetables. This article covers: planting peas, peppers, squash, pumpkin, and sweet potato. Gardening tips and gardening ideas throughout...
Growing vegetables in spring continues with:
How to Plant Peas
Full of vitamins A, B and C, peas are a cool season crop. They need full sun. Some peas are climbers. Snow peas and snap peas have edible pods. Sow seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart. Harvest in 55-80 days. Gardening Idea: The easy way to plant seeds is simply stick an index finger down into the dirt to make a hole, drop the pea in and cover with an inch of dirt (or use a pencil).
Gardening Tip: Speed germination by soaking peas or seeds in water overnight.
Gardening Tip: Plant climbing vegetables alongside an existing fence. If you need a trellis or support, put it up before you plant to avoid disturbing seeds or roots.
Gardening Tip: In the Southern United States, black-eyed peas and crowders are referred to as peas; however, in the North, they are called shell beans.
Plant Peppers
Peppers are easy to plant and grow. Since they are warm-season plants and need a long growing season (70-85 days after transplanting), choose healthy transplants. Seeds should be started 6-8 weeks prior to last frost. Plant peppers 12 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Gardening Tip: If you soil-tested, amend your soil as indicated prior to planting. If not, Clemson University recommends a pre-plant application of 5-10-10 at the rate of 3 pounds per 100 square feet. See Preparing a Garden Plot for more info.
Gardening Tip: Cloudy skies and cool temperatures are ideal for transplanting; or wait until the sun starts going down.
Plant Pumpkin
Another easy vegetable to grow, pumpkin seeds should be planted in hills about three feet wide. Dig a trench around each hill to retain water. Make 5 holes about 6 inches apart in a circle on top the hill; drop a seed into each hole. Cover with an inch of dirt. They need 6 hours sunlight daily and require a 110-140 day growing season.
Plant Sweet Potato
A warm weather vegetable with a long growing season, sweet potato is grown from slips. Transplant slips 12 to 18 inches apart, in rows that are 3 feet apart to allow enough room for spreading vines. A rich source of Vitamin A, sweet potato is a staple food in subtropical and tropical countries.
Gardening Tip: Put down black plastic mulch to speed sweet potato growth; it captures warmth from the sun for the soil.
Plant Squash
Zucchini, Yellow Crookneck, Yellow Straightneck, Scallop and Butterblossom are some of the varieties. Plant anytime from spring to midsummer. I prefer to plant squash in hills and I prefer transplants. But you can sow 4-5 seeds in hills spaced 4 feet apart. Cover with an inch of dirt. When the plants get 3 inches tall, thin to 2-3 per hill.
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©By Sally Morton, April 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
