WWW.CLEMSON.EDU/PSAMEDIA

DATE:   1/25/01
WRITER: Bob Polomski, Clemson Extension consumer 
        horticulturist, (864) 656-2604
EDITOR: Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Planning your first vegetable garden? Here's how.

     CLEMSON -- So you've decided to make your first attempt at 
growing vegetables this year, and now you're trying to decide 
where to put your garden. 
     Before you get swept up with thoughts of harvesting sprigs 
of homegrown oregano or vine-ripened tomatoes, spend some time 
planning your garden. Follow these steps to find the right location 
and make the right selection of herbs and vegetables:
     First, locate a fertile, well-drained spot that gets six to 
eight hours of sun. That is the amount of light fruit-producing
vegetables, such as peppers and tomatoes, need. Leafy vegetables, 
such as beets, cabbage, lettuce, and the like do all right in 
partial shade, and so do herbs like angelica, parsley, and sweet
cicely.
     It is important that the garden is not too far from your home. 
A garden that is out of sight is likely to be out of mind and may 
not be tended as often as it should. Gardens need frequent weeding,
watering and watching for pests.
     If you don't have too much room, consider planting vegetables 
and herbs in flower beds or among your ornamentals.
     Next, list your favorite vegetables and note their planting 
dates. Besides taste, consider cost, nutrition, and appearance.
     For example, it saves money to grow expensive, unique, and
flavorful vegetables; buy the others. High value vegetables 
include orange sweet peppers, gourmet lettuces, tomatoes, and 
some squash.
     Some vegetables pack more vitamins and minerals than others.
Nutrient-dense vegetables include sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach,
collard greens, red pepper, and kale.
     The flowers, leaves and fruits of some herbs and vegetables 
add beauty to the landscape. 
     Third, decide on the quantities you will need. Then it's a 
simple step to allocate the garden space you'll need to devote 
to each crop.
     Next, start planning your garden on paper. Graph paper where 
1/4 inch represents a foot works well.  A space that is 12 by 16 
feet is enough to grow a good selection of greens, some herbs, a 
supply of tomatoes, peppers, beans and cucumbers.
     Orient the rows east to west. Allow room to walk between rows 
to take care of the garden. Put the tallest and trellised plants 
on the north so they won't shade the shorter ones.
     Place perennials like asparagus and horseradish to the side, 
where they will not be disturbed. For a four-season garden, use 
a different planning sheet for each season.
     For more information on vegetable gardening, get a copy of 
Clemson Extension circular EC 570, "Home Vegetable Gardening." 
Copies are $2 each and are available at Clemson Extension offices 
and at http://cufan.clemson.edu/olos/.  For information on herbs, 
try "Herb Selection, Culture and Use," EC 694, another Clemson
Extension publication, at a cost of $3.00, at the same locations. 
An herb fact sheet, HGIC 1311, is available at the same outlets 
and through Clemson University's Home and Garden information center 
at http://hgic.clemson.edu.
     Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service locations 
and phone numbers are at: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/ .
     With your plan in hand, stake out your garden and prepare 
the soil. Check the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. Have the 
soil tested through your county's Clemson Extension office at 
least every third year. A pH of 5.5 to 7.0 is fine for most 
vegetables.
     Add organic matter. Compost, old manure, or decaying leaves 
and weeds release nutrients and improve soil structure. Remember 
that water and nutrients move less quickly out of the root zone 
in sandy soils amended with organic matter. In heavy soils, 
organic matter improves drainage.
     Don't forget to cultivate the soil. Turn the soil over to a 
depth of at least eight inches, mixing in nutrients and any lime 
or sulfur recommended by a soil test.
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     If you have gardening questions, write to PSA Media Relations,
A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
29634-0129. You might also want to check our website at
www.clemson.edu/psamedia.              
          
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