The Tribune

By Dr Selima Hauber

There’s something special about September that feels like new beginnings. The excitement of summer travel is still somewhat fresh, and the novelty of new purchases brought back has not worn off yet. Kids are eager to don new shoes and uniforms and pack schoolbags with books for an exciting new school year. Once the hustle and bustle of the first days of school have settled, it’s time to exhale and prepare for the last stretch leading up to the holidays and year end.

For backyard farmers though, there is more excitement to come in this period. This is the time of year to pour through seed catalogs and plan for the upcoming vegetable production season. As a commercial farmer, I find this time of year as exciting as a student returning with the trendiest, new backpack, as I choose what vegetables I want the pleasure of growing and eating over the next eight to ten months.

If you’re new to backyard farming and don’t know where to start, here are some tips to get your garden growing and off to a flourishing start.

Location Location Location

Choosing the best location for your garden is a very important first step. Make sure the location meets as many of the following characteristics as possible: 1) It receives at least six hours of direct sunlight 2) It is close to a spigot or a water source that you can connect a hose to for ease of regular watering. 3) It is relatively close to the front door or kitchen so that you pass the garden daily or at least see the garden daily. By ensuring the chosen location meets at least two of these requirements, you’ve increased your chances of successful production.

Choose a growing system

You may choose to grow in containers or in raised beds. Container gardens are great if you don’t have a lot of space. Choose plant pots that are five-gallon size or larger, or up-cycle five-gallon buckets or large storage totes. Fill the container with a mixture of two parts potting mix, one-part native soil and a half-part of compost or composted manure. The potting mix will lighten the blend, making the containers a little easier to move around if needed.

If you go with raised beds, you can choose from concrete blocks, wood or even old tyres to contain the soil. Back fill the beds with a mixture of two-parts native topsoil and one-part compost or composted manure to a minimum depth of ten to 12 inches. Make sure the beds are not wider than your arm’s length so that you can access the centre of the bed easily. Leave enough space in between two beds for you to walk through.

Choosing what to grow

Choose vegetables that you enjoy eating to ensure that nothing goes to waste. If purchasing seeds, always opt for varieties that list heat and drought tolerance as characteristics. Resistance to pests and diseases are also very important qualities to look for. Tomatoes are a very popular vegetable amongst home gardeners, but they often succumb to a number of diseases that frustrate even the most experienced grower. Make sure your tomato varieties are resistant to several viral, bacterial and fungal diseases. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, bacterial blight and fungal leaf spot are common diseases that can wipe out your crop.

Purchasing seedlings is a great way to get a jump start on the season, as starting with seedlings saves you four to six weeks! If you choose to start your own seedlings, plant them now while you are preparing your final beds or containers. Crops that are best started in seedling trays and transplanted are tomatoes, peppers, kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant and head lettuce.

Crops that are best grown by direct seeding into the soil are carrots, beets, lettuce blends, radishes, arugula, leafy greens mixes, beans, squashes, and pumpkins. Simply make a shallow furrow in the soil, only as deep as the seed is big, and cover it lightly with soil. Water gently, and daily until they germinate.

Watering the garden

Be careful not to overwater your plants by checking daily and only watering when the top inch of the soil is dry. It is best to water earlier in the day so the plants don’t experience drought stress during the hottest time of the day. It also allows time for the leaves to dry in the sun before dark. Wet leaves into the night provide the perfect environment for diseases to proliferate. If possible, apply the water to the soil directly, and not the plants’ canopy. Mulching your beds goes a long way in keeping the soil moist for longer periods of time and preventing weeds.

Weeding

Be sure to weed often so that your precious plants aren’t outcompeted. Weed by hand making sure to remove the entire plant by the roots. Don’t be tempted to used chemical herbicides as they have a negative impact on the overall health of the soil.

Pest and disease control

Pests and diseases will pose the greatest threat to your production after harsh climatic events. Check your plants often for discoloration, yellowing in distinct patterns and unusual growing habits. Check beneath the leaves for insects and remove by hand or by using the gentle force of water from a spray bottle or hose. To decrease the chances of contracting pests and diseases, plant a variety of vegetables and include herbs and flowers. The herbs and flowers will attract natural beneficial insects that prey on the pests. They may also naturally emit compounds that repel insect pests. Make sure that you keep insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, Bt, pyrethrin-based sprays and a neem-based spray in your arsenal. These natural compounds and organisms are excellent for controlling pest populations and are safe for beneficial insects and human consumption. These products are commonly found in garden supply stores. If you have a large garden, it’s a good idea to buy a small sprayer to efficiently apply these products.

With these tips under your belt, you will be well on your way to a successful vegetable production season. You can look forward to a beautiful garden that provides health-giving vegetables, and the benefits of time spent in nature with gentle exercise. Another plus is that the bounty of your garden will no doubt require you to share. Happy gardening!

• Dr Selima Hauber, PhD, is the agricultural education and outreach officer at OEF and CTI. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a non-profit organisation located in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. For more information, visit www.oneeleuthera.org or email info@oneeleuthera. org. The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the first and only postsecondary, non-profit education and training institution and social enterprise on Eleuthera. CTI operates a student training campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, with a 16-room training hotel, restaurant and farm. For more information about CTI’s programmes, email: info@oneeleuthera.org.