Prime Time Monthly | Page 13

PRIME TIME What’s In Your Garden? April 2017 13 (continued from previous page) provide enough growing area for an average family,” she said. “Though a well-maintained vegetable garden can be a lot of work, the outdoor exercise will mean better health for all involved.” Here is summary of NMSU’s eight-step plan for a successful vegetable garden, which can be seen in its entirety at http://aces.nmsu.edu/ pubs/_circulars/CR457/: 1. Know Your Climate The types of vegetables that can be grown in home gardens in New Mexico are generally determined by the length of the growing season. There are three major growing zones in New Mexico—north, central and south—based on the average number of frost-free days. Growing periods for individual gardens within a zone may vary as much as 20 days due to microenvironments—variations in elevation, site exposure, soil type and air drainage. Higher elevations generally have a shorter growing season. However, because cold air is heavier than warm air, it can drain into valley areas. Therefore, gardens in a valley in the spring tend to be colder than those on the upper slopes of the valley. Gardens with a southern exposure tend to warm up sooner in the spring than those with a northern exposure. 2. Plan Before You Plant When selecting the site for your garden, make sure the soil is deep and well drained. Hardpans (compacted layers of soil) and caliche (layers of calcium carbonate) near the soil surface can become major problems. Raised beds may need to be used if drainage problems cannot be solved. Most vegetables, whether grown in short or long growing season areas, prefer full sun. Vegetable gardens should be located away from trees that may shade the garden. Tree roots may also compete for water and nutrients. 3. Prepare the Soil The ideal soil should be deep, well-drained and fertile, and should contain plenty of organic matter and retain moisture well. Most soils in New Mexico are low in organic matter, and adding organic matter to your garden soil will help improve its structure. Adding organic matter to a sandy soil improves both its water-holding capacity and its cation exchange capacity, or the ability of the soil to retain nutrients for plant uptake. Adding organic matter to clay soils aerates these soils and improves their drainage. 4. Fertilize for Optimal Crop Production Most New Mexico soils contain sufficient potassium for good vegetable growth, although it’s wise to have an analysis of your soil to make sure. Nitrogen is important for vegetative growth, particularly in leafy salad crops and corn. A nitrogen deficiency will appear as an overall yellowing, or chlorosis, of the older leaves because any nitrogen moves first to younger leaves. Phosphorous is important for fruit and root growth. Phosphorous deficiency generally appears as a purple coloration of the leaves. 5. Plant Your Garden Plants can be established in the garden either by direct seeding or by transplanting. Planting seeds directly into the soil where they will grow is the easiest and most basic method of starting vegetables in a garden. It is also less costly in terms of both time and money. Transplants are often used in cooler areas where growing seasons are short so vegetables have more time to mature before the first frost. 6. Water Properly to Improve Yields Because of our dry climate, irrigation is essential in New 50+ Job Search Assistance Service for senior workers age 50 and over  Job Coaching  Networking  Job Search Resources All services are free. For more information email [email protected] or call 505 383-3906 Mexico’s gardens. Too little water can induce plant stress, reducing both quality and yield. However, overwatering can cause root rots or may cause plants to remain overly vegetative rather than producing fruit. A careful balance of providing the optimal irrigation to plants as they grow will prevent plant stress from either under- or overwatering and will contribute to healthy, high-yielding crops. 7. Control Pests and Weeds Pests (insects, birds, rodents, etc.), diseases and weeds interfere with the optimal growing conditions for a specific crop. Controlling weeds with herbicides is discouraged unless you have a very large garden. The key to controlling insects and diseases in the garden is proper identification. Publications on identification and control of these pests can be obtained from your local county extension agent or online at aces.nmsu.edu/ pubs. Where possible, plant resistant varieties and use good cultural techniques to control these pests. Harvest at the Correct Time Knowing when to harvest vegetables will help you get the best quality. Many gardeners allow produce to pass their prime, when vegetables are less tender and more fibrous. Refer to the table at http:// aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/ CR457/ to determine the best time to harvest vegetables. For more information and lists of resources, visit http:// bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu/or call 243-1386. The NMSU extension services are at http://extension.nmsu. edu/. Your parents want to stay in the place they call home. We can help. Whether you are looking for someone to help an aging parent a few hours a week or need more comprehensive assistance, Home Instead can help. Home Instead CAREGivers can provide a variety of services. Some include: Companionship Care Personal Care Meals & Nutrition Transportation House hold Duties Resp ite Care Hos pice Care Support Services • Alzheimer’s Care Call for a free, no-obligation appointment 505.884.0353 • • • • • • • HomeInstead.com/144 Each Home Instead Senior Care ® franchise office is independently owned and operated. © 2016 Home Instead, Inc.