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Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable in home gardens Custom Search Eggplant
Eggplants, like tomatoes, are extremely dependent to the conditions under which they are grown. A warm weather plant, it requires a growing season from 100 to 140 days with high average day and night temperatures. The soil must be well warmed up before eggplants can be safely set outdoors. Aubergine is the French name for egg plant.
In the South, the plants are grown in spring and summer; and in the North, only in summer. The more northerly areas, where short growing season and low summer temperatures prevail, are generally not as desirable for eggplant cultivation. Sow eggplant seeds in a hot bed or greenhouse or in a warm area outdoors about eight weeks before the plants are to be transplanted. Very fertile garden soil is best for eggplant. Growing eggplants in raised beds or containers helps to start them in cooler climates. They must be transplanted like tomatoes. Good plants have stems that are not hard or woody; ones with a woody stem rarely develop satisfactorily. Space plants 2 feet apart within the row, with a space between rows of 3 feet. Start harvesting when the fruits are 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and continue until they reach 4 to 6 inches. The fruit should be shiny and firm to the touch, and as with peppers, cut the fruit from the stem, don’t pull it off, you may damage the plant.
Peppers
Peppers are quite a bit more exacting than tomatoes in their requirements, but can still be grown over a wide range throughout the United States. Being tropical plants, peppers can not be planted in the North until the soil is well warmed up and all danger of frost is over. In the South, planting dates vary with location; fall planting is practiced in some locations. Start the plants six to eight weeks before transplanting. The seed and plants require a somewhat higher temperature than those of the tomato, otherwise they are handled exactly the same way. Place a stake or a tomato cage to provide support for the plants. Mulching throughly will keep the soil moist and the weeds at bay.Peppers can be picked once the fruit has reached the desired size. Green bell peppers can be harvested before they reach full maturity and are still green, but if left on the vine, they will ripen to a full red color and be much sweeter. Do not pull or tear the fruit from the stem. Use a sharp knife or scissors because pepper plants are very easily damaged. In the fall, if you have some unripe fruit; cut the plant and bring inside to ripen.
TomatoesTomatoes are probably the most popular crop for home vegetable gardeners and more information been written as to how to grow them for your own garden then any other variety of vegetable.
Tomatoes will grow under a tremendous variety of conditions and require only a relatively small space for large production. They are of tropical American origin, thusly these plants does not thrive in very cool weather. It will, however grow in the winter in home gardens in the extreme South. Over most of the upper South and the North, they are suited to spring, summer, and autumn culture. In the more northern areas, the growing season is likely too short for heavy yields. It is often desirable to increase early growth and the total length of the growing season by starting tomatoes indoors and transplanting them. By adopting a few precautions, the home gardener can grow these plants practically everywhere, given fertile soil with sufficient moisture. A good application of compost to prepare the soil should be sufficient in most situations.
Since tomatoes are very sensitive to cold, never transplant them until all danger of frost is over. The use of plant protectors during cool weather will provide extra growing time. Pruning and growing these plants on stakes or cages provides for cleaner, easier to find fruit and cultivation is also easier.
There are many varieties and styles of tomatoes. You can choose among standards, early producers, hybrids, heirloom, cool summer varieties, plum tomatoes, and small fruit hybrids, such as grape and cherry. Also, when choosing your favorites, remember that a variety that grows well in your part of the country, may not grow well in another part of the country.
These vegetables will grow in just about anything, however soil amendment is advisable. Adding manure and fertilizers and maintaining a PH level of 6 to 7, will make your chances of a good crop that much better. Mulching is also important to good culture. Mulch helps to keep weeds from growing and also keeps the moisture retained in the soil, as well as providing natural composting. The key to good growth is in uniform watering. Too much water causes those misshapen ugly fruits with cracks on the end; too little water causes blossom end rot. Plant your seedlings deep and in warm soil, approximately 2 to 3 feet apart from each other. If the plants are spindly, plant them up the stem to the first true leaves. When the stem contacts the soil, roots are initiated. Give them a good drink after transplanting them. Some people swear that placing about a tablespoon of Epsom salts in the soil where you put the seedling, will ensure a healthy crop.
To view a chart which outline optimum planting temperatures and the number of days for your seeds to germinate, click here.
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