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Gardening Slowed By Wet Soils
By John Toner, Sabine County AgriLIFE Extension Agent
This winter has
been colder and a lot wetter than in past years and the cold weather should help
in controlling some over-wintering insects. The excess rainfall has resulted in
very wet soil conditions and as a result, gardeners have been slowed in getting
their soils prepared for planting. Although cold weather is not over and it
looks like we still have prospects of a very wet spring in store, it’s really
never too late to plant your garden. The wet conditions we now have in
conjunction with cold soil temperatures are a signal to gardeners to not get in
to much of a hurry to begin planting. Most warm season vegetables seeds will
not germinate until the soil temperature warms.
Now is the time gardeners should be getting tools sharpened, tillers tuned and
ready and apply organic material to the garden site. We really need some warm
sun shiny days to help dry the soils up where they can be worked.
The following information concerns some favorite warm season vegetables most
gardeners will plant this spring and some of the production practices gardeners
can use to inure a good crop.
One favorite of all gardeners is tomatoes; they are an excellent source of
vitamin A and vitamin C. Very popular in salads, sandwiches and just eaten
fresh off the plant. Some good varieties are include (small fruit) Presto,
Saladette, Red Cherry and Small Fry. Larger fruit varieties include Big Set,
Bonus, Carnival, Homestead, Spring Giant, and Terrific.
Tomatoes grow well just about anywhere in Texas if certain conditions can be
found which includes a well drained soil and as always a soil test from the
garden area will aid a producer in supplying the needed plant nutrients for
optimum production. Site preparation is essential in any plan for a garden or
really any other kind of plant.
Soil should be tilled at least 8 to 10 inches and the addition of organic
material is very important. An excellent way to use those leaves and grass
clippings. Keep in mind that setting out tomato plants should be done when the
there is no chance of a late frost. If buying plants get good, healthy plants 6
to 8 inches tall and I strongly recommend a raised bed or row for the planting
area. Plant them about three feet apart in the row and it is best to plant late
in the evening or on cloudy days to keep them from drying out or wilting. A
good rule of thumb is to plant them a little deeper than they are in the
containers.
Fertilization needs without a soil test can be met by mixing 2 to 3 pounds of a
balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 per one hundred square feet of
garden area and mix thoroughly into the top 3 to 4 inches of the soil. Staking
of tomato plants should be done shortly after planting to avoid root damage to
the plant. Fertilize should be applied every 3 to 4 weeks at a rate of two
level tablespoons per plant at least 6 inches away from the stalk.
Happy Gardening.
Next week topics
will include cucumbers and okra.
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