Spring cabbage—a near misnomer because spring cabbage is commonly planted in autumn—will suffer from a few of the pests and bolting that can plague cabbage planted in spring. Set out cabbage seedlings in fall while the soil and air temperatures are still warm to start plants growing for harvest next spring. Spring cabbage started in
The lady beetle is a beneficial insect that will eat some pest insects. There are natural, organic ways to deal with pest and disease problems in the garden. Many of these ways have proved effective over hundreds and even thousands of years. Today these techniques are often called integrated pest management (IPM) or organic pest
Average frost dates–the last frost in spring and the first frost in autumn–can be used to set seed starting dates for the crops you plan to grow. They can also be used to set harvest dates and to plan the extension of the growing season–both early and late. Most crops grow best during the frost-free
Plants require nutrients to grow and for good health. Most plant nutrients are common chemical elements. Elemental plant nutrients are generally used in one of three ways: They become part of plant cells and are basic to the structure of plants.They are metabolic, required for biochemical functions within the plant such as photosynthesis or reproduction.They
The lives of soil microorganisms and earthworms are essential to the health of vegetable garden soil. Microorganisms and worms are important to the decay cycle—nature’s way of recycling dead and dying organic material. Through the decay cycle, plants and animals of all sizes die, decompose, and return to the soil becoming essential nutrients needed to
Harvest endive and escarole when the leaves are large enough to eat. Endive and escarole mature 50 to 70 days after sowing but they can be harvested sooner. Endive is also called curly endive and frisee—it has frilly or ruffled leaves. Escarole is also called broad-leaved endive—it has smooth, broad leaves. Endive has a sharp
Harvest garlic in the summer when tops have begun to yellow and partially dry. Garlic will be ready for harvest 90 to 100 days after spring planting and about 8 months after autumn planting. When to Harvest Garlic Harvest garlic bulbs when two-thirds of the plant’s leaves turn yellow and start to fall over 90
Kohlrabi is ready for harvest 40 to 80 or more days after sowing depending on the variety. Know the variety and days to maturity of the variety you are growing. The tastiest kohlrabi is eaten young and tender. Kohlrabi that grows too large will become woody, tough, and bitter tasting. Kohlrabi looks like an above-ground
Harvest all types of lettuce at almost any time during growth. Lettuce will be ready to harvest about 45 to 60 days after planting, longer if planted in autumn or winter. When to Harvest Lettuce Lettuce grows best and tastes sweetest when harvested in cool weather. When the weather gets too warm–daytime temperatures greater than
Harvest okra when pods are 1 to 4 inches long. Pods are ready for harvest about 60 days after sowing. Okra, sometimes called gumbo, is a summer and fall crop. Okra flowers bloom for just one day and pods are ready for picking two or three days later. Harvest Okra Harvest okra when the pods are
