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The vegetable garden
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Germination
temp. |
Days to
germination |
Days to
maturity |
Min .growing
temp.
|
Optimum
temp. |
Spacing |
Light
required |
Ph |
| Beans
|
18-26C |
6-14 |
60-90 |
10C |
15-29C |
7-15 cm |
High |
6.0-7.5 |
| Many varieties are available; bush
or pole beans. Some varieties are more tolerant
of cool temperatures, others require hot temps.
Generally speaking, most beans are hot climate plants.
They will not germinate in cold soil and do not
like to be transplanted. |
Beets
|
10-30C |
7-15 |
60-80 |
4.5C |
10-24C |
7 cm |
Moderate |
6.0-7.5 |
| Beets will tolerate spring and fall
frost. Sow thinly and need to be thinned out after
germination. Temperatures above 26 C make the beets
tough. |
Brussels
sprouts
 |
7-12C |
3-10 |
95-115 |
1.5C |
7-21C |
30-45cm |
Moderate |
6.0-7.5 |
| Hardy plant that tolerate to -6.5C
and will not grow well in hot temperatures. Start
in summer for late fall harvest. 4-6 weeks to transplant
size. |
Cabbage
|
7-24C |
5-10 |
80-120 |
1.5C |
10-18C |
30 cm |
Moderate |
6.0-7.5 |
Cool weather plants that tolerate
light frost.Many varieties and different sizes.
5-7 weeks to grow to transplant size.
Many vegetables in the cabbage family have similar
requirements (kale, broccoli, etc.) |
Carrots
|
7-29C |
10-21 |
50-70 |
4.5C |
7-24C |
2.5-3.5cm |
Moderate |
6.0-7.0 |
Easy to grow,but do not grow well
in temperatures above 31C. Require deep beds min.15
cm for baby carrots or 30cm for the regular size.
Sow directly; |
Cauliflower
|
7-29C |
5-10 |
65-120 |
1.5C |
10-18C |
45 cm |
High |
6.0-7.5 |
Cauliflower is a cool weather plant.
It is necessary to pull outer leaves over the
forming flower head to avoid sun access. Will
not form head in high temperatures.
5-6 weeks to grow to transplant size. |
Celery
|
18-24C |
10-20 |
150-200 |
10C |
15-21C |
15-20cm |
High |
6.0-7.0 |
Celery needs cool temperatures.
10 -12 weeks to transplant size. |
Chinese
Cabbage
|
4.5-10C |
7-10 |
65-100 |
4.5C |
7-24C |
20-25cm |
Low |
6.0-7.5 |
Chinese Cabbage is a cool weather
plant. In hot temperatures it will flower and become
inedible. When thinning, make use of the small plants
in salads.
4-6 weeks to grow to transplant size. |
Corn
|
15-32C |
7 |
70-120 |
4.5C |
15-26C |
30cm |
medium |
6.0-7.0 |
Many varieties are available; corn
needs a very rich nutrient rich soil.
Very tall plants, dwarf varieties are already 4
feet tall.
Plant in clusters rather than in single rows. |
Cucumber
|
18-31C |
6-12 |
70-90 |
15C |
18-26C |
25-90cm |
medium |
5.5-7.0 |
Cucumbers come in compact bushes or
sprawling vines.
Climbing vines take maximum advantage of a small
space.
Cucumbers need plenty of moisture when growing,
pick fruit when at desirable size to maintain continual
yield. |
Eggplant
|
23-32C |
7-14 |
100-120 |
10C |
18-30C |
25-40cm |
High |
5.5-6.5 |
Eggplant (aubergine) likes hot temperatures
and sunshine.
Cool temperatures hinder growth and fruit set
6-9 weeks to grow to transplant size. |
Lettuce
|
1.5-24C |
3-8 |
45-60 |
7C |
10-24C |
15-30cm |
Low |
6.0-7.0 |
There are many varieties to chose
from. For continiuose supply of leaf lettuce, plant
closer than indicated and harvest the leaves by
thinning out.
High temperatures will cause the lettuce to bolt
(flower) after which will die.
3-5 weeks to transplant. |
Melons
 |
15-32C |
4-12 |
65-100 |
15C |
18-30C |
40-80cm |
High |
6.0-7.5 |
Different varieties from cantaloupe
to watermelons. Vining plants that need a lot of
room. The fruits are heavy and individual support
must be given as they mature.
All varieties require high temperatures. |
Onions
 |
10-32C |
4-5 |
60-75 |
12C |
15-19C |
2-4cm |
High |
5.5-7.0 |
Bulb onions generally like warmer
temperatures. If started from seed, they need about
5 months to maturity. Sets are available, these
are the small bulbs,which need only a growing time
of about 100 days.
Green onions start well from seed and are cool temperature
plants. |
Peas
 |
4-24C |
6-15 |
100-120 |
4C |
10-21C |
7-10cm |
Moderate |
6.0-7.5 |
Vines which need support, or bush
varieties. New snap peas are worth trying, you cant
compare them with what is offered in the freezer
from the grocery store.
Use a low nitrogen fertilizer as plant fix nitrogen
from the air.
They do not grow well in high temperatures.
Snow Peas will mature in 65-75 days and must be
harvested before the pots swell. |
Pepper
 |
24-27C |
9-12 |
110-140 |
12C |
21-26C |
45-60cm |
High |
5.5-7.0 |
Not the easiest plat to grow.
Will not set fruit at temperatures below 15C or
above 25C, or at low humidity
6-8 weeks to grow to transplant size. |
Radich
 |
4-26C |
6 |
20-40 |
1.7C |
4-24C |
4cm |
Low |
6.0-7.0 |
Radich is one of the easest plants
to grow.
Will bolt into flower at high temperatures.
Can be planted between other crops as fast growth
will ensure maturity before other plants overcrowd
them. |
Spinach
 |
10-24C |
9-12 |
45-75 |
1C |
10-21C |
25-30cm |
Low |
6.0-7.5 |
Spinach will tolerate alight frost.
Leaves can be harvested continously will they grow.
Sow direct. |
Squach
|
18-35C |
3-12 |
60-120 |
10C |
13-24C |
120-150cm |
High |
6.0-7.5 |
Large vines needing lots of space
Winter squash are good keepers. |
Swiss
Chard
 |
10-30C |
6-10 |
60 |
1C |
15-21C |
20cm |
Low |
6.0-7.5 |
Easy to grow in any vegetable garden
and full of the vitamins we need.
Tolerates frost for late harvest. |
Tomato
 |
15-30C |
7-12 |
75-120 |
13C |
15-24C |
30-120cm |
High |
5.5-7.5 |
One of the most important vegetable
fruits. Varieties available in many sizes, shapes
and colours.
Plants grow as vines or compact bushes.
Tomatoes are tender perennial plants and frost will
kill them. Because they grow so easy from seed,
they are usually treated as annuals, but if given
a dormant period and not subject to frost they will
grow for a number of years.
Warm weather and good light are essentials because
most varieties will not set fruit in cool weather. |
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