Backyard Garden: Vegetable Garden E
To demonstrate how novice home gardeners can easily apply basic principles of growing and caring for vegetables. This garden uses crop rotation, double cropping, seasonal and companion planting, and trellising to maximize production and use of available space. We are testing a variety of natural and commercial fertilizer and pest control methods.
Points of Interest:
- Double cropping of spring and summer crops to increase use and production of available space:
- Garlic planted in October. Both seed and store-bought garlic were sowed.
- Superstar White onion sets planted heavily in mid-March
- Three varieties of tomatoes: Chef’s Choice Bi-Color, Mountain Rouge and Early Resilience Roma, all started in the greenhouse and all (All American Selection) AAS varieties, planted between the onions while they mature. When tomatoes are established and growing rapidly, the onions will be harvested.
- Green onions planted on the perimeter of the two north/south beds, leaving space for other vegetables.
- Spring crops of Red Sails and Paris Island Cos lettuce transplants, and Nantes and Little Finger carrots planted in available perimeter space.
- Testing impact of natural vs commercial fertilizer and pest control:
- Asparagus and onion sets fertilized in late March with chicken manure.
- Half of other crops fertilized with chicken manure, and the other half with commercial fertilizer.
- Variety of pest control methods tested: Commercial Spinosad or permethrin dust used as needed. Basil planted near pole beans, and nasturtium near tomatoes to naturally fend off pests. The nasturtium works double duty as a pollinator plant.
- Trellising:
- AAS Green Light Cucumbers planted on north, arched cattle wire between two beds to maximize available space in the garden.
- Kentucky Wonder Pole beans planted on south, arched cattle wire to maximize available space in the garden.
- Tomatoes on cattle wire tied to stakes for ease of access during harvest.
Tips for New Vegetable Gardeners:
- Go for it! Use your resources - JoCo Extension, K-State, KC Community Garden web-sites, and other Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Everyone is willing to give advice, practical tips and support.
“There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.” Janet Kilburn Phillips
Garden Address
35230 W 135th St
Olathe, KS 66061
Master Gardeners are available to answer questions and provide tours while they work the gardens Wednesday mornings, March to October. To schedule a visit on another day (M-F), please contact us at bygjocoemg@gmail.com
Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.
Phone: (913) 715-7050
Email: garden.help@jocogov.org