In the Vegetable Garden – April, 2018

Grow pole beans, cucumbers and vining squash on an A-frame, fence or trellis. By Patty and Bruce Leander

by Patty Leander

Historically our rainiest periods are late spring (April/May) and early fall (September/October), which coincides nicely with our spring and fall plantings, but weather is variable and every season is different. Do you remember 2007, when we received 10 inches of rain in July? I do …I had never seen so many worms munching away at my summer crops! We received 48” of rain thatyear, and in 2008 we only received 14 inches (the average annual rainfall for Travis County is 30-35 inches). The spring outlook from the Climate Prediction Center indicates a higher probability for warmer and drier than normal temperatures in Central Texas. Currently 71% of Texas is in some level of drought; from D1 (moderate drought) in Travis County to D3 (extreme drought) in the panhandle. If you like weather and graphs check out this 20-minute weather outlook presented by the National Weather Service in San Antonio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb8l5vJzXFU. And here is the drought monitor map for Texas http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?TX.

Early blight on tomatoes generally starts on the lower leaves and spreads upward on the plant. By Patty and Bruce Leander

As we move toward summer, how we water our vegetable gardens becomes increasingly important, in both providing a sufficient amount for healthy growth and in conserving this precious resource. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation efficiently deliver water below the soil to promote deep rooting. These irrigation methods also decrease evaporation and keep water off the foliage which helps prevent disease. Timers make the job easy and consistent.

Watering at critical stages of growth helps encourage proper development, flowering and fruiting. As a general rule, the most important times to provide water to edible plants are immediately after transplanting, during the first few weeks of development, and during flowering and fruit production.

Here is the vegetable gardener’s checklist for April:

• Plant cantaloupe, cucumbers, okra, pole beans, winter squash and watermelon. All can be seeded directly in the garden and vining types can be grown on a trellis, fence or tomato cage.
• Eggplant, peppers and tomatillos also prefer warm soil temperatures and should go into the garden (or containers or landscape beds) as a transplant.
• Make room for Southern peas. Along with okra and Malabar spinach, they produce dependably all summer long. Most grow on bushy plants or semi-spreading vines. Black-eye, purple hull and cream peas are regional favorites.
• Be sure to plant enough vegetables for canning and freezing.
• Cultivate around plants occasionally to control weeds and grass, to break crusty soil and to provide aeration.
• Maintain mulch around plants, along paths and between rows to help retain moisture and discourage germination of weed seeds.
• Hill up the soil or mulch around potatoes so that the developing tubers are not exposed to sunlight. Do the same with corn to help stabilize it and keep it from blowing over.
  

  Plant Southern peas now and reap the delicious rewards in about 2 months. By Patty and Bruce Leander

• Feed vegetable plants with liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks to encourage strong growth.
• Plant basil, borage, catnip, comfrey, lemon balm, mint, perilla, sorrel and other herbs this month. Use them to enhance recipes and to infuse water and other beverages.
• Watch for signs of early blight on tomatoes. This fungal disease first shows up as yellowing leaves with black spots that start at the base of the plant. If one plant has symptoms the spores have likely infected adjacent plants even if they don’t show symptoms. To slow the spread of this disease, remove and discard infected leaves, water carefully from below to minimize splashing, mulch around plants and begin spraying with a fungicide that is labeled to treat early blight (Serenade is an organic treatment).
• Blossom end rot in tomatoes is most likely to develop if plants are stressed due to wide fluctuations in soil moisture. Younger plants with underdeveloped root systems are especially susceptible, often affecting the first fruits. As roots spread and plants develop their vascular plumbing works more efficiently to move water and nutrients and subsequent fruit is fine. Mulch well and try to maintain a consistent level of soil moisture
• Check irrigation hoses regularly for leaks and replace batteries as needed in timers.
• Enjoy the wildflowers and thank Lady Bird for her wonderful vision of beautifying our roadways with native wildflowers.

Hoe or pull weeds before they produce seed. By Patty and Bruce Leander

Ollas provide a passive way to water a small garden. By Patty and Bruce Leander

Chilled water infused with herbs and fruit is a refreshing way to hydrate as the weather warms up. By Patty and Bruce Leander