Eggplant Planting Guide

Melody Acres Hobby Farm

Eggplant Planting Guide

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a warm season tender annual in the Solanaceae family which includes peppers, tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes and ground cherries.

Eggplant types include the familiar Italian type and the long and slender Asian type with a thinner skin that doesn’t need to be peeled. Colors range from deep purple to blushing lavender to stripes of orange and green.

Plant outdoors when daytime temperatures are at least 65°F and night time temperatures are above 50°F. Plastic mulch and floating row cover may be used to increase soil and air temperatures and ward off insects.

Soil and Nutrient Requirements- Deep well drained sandy loam with pH 6.5-6.8 is best. Eggplants are heavy feeders. Plants are sensitive to nitrogen; if over fertilized, they will grow excessive foliage and produce less fruit. Use a high phosphorous starter such as bone meal.

Position: Full sun

Plant Spacing: 18-24”

Row Spacing: 30-36”

Double rows: 24” with 4-6’ centers.

Planting Instructions:

Amend soil as needed with peat and composted manure mixed thoroughly with an organic granular fertilizer.  (Add fertilizer as directions indicate and reapply at intervals according to directions)  Plant eggplant to original pot depth. Water and Mulch. 

Stake as needed when the plant is heavy with fruit to prevent stem breakage.

Harvest eggplants when skin is glossy and thumbprint will not leave an impression, if seeds are brown fruit is over-ripe. Regular harvest increases production of fruit.

Companions: Green beans, Peppers, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Borage, Feverfew, Marigolds

Happy Gardening!!

Pepper Planting Guide

Melody Acres Hobby Farm

Pepper Planting Guide

Peppers (Capsicum annuum) are long-season, heat-loving annuals in the Solanaceae family which includes eggplants, tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes and ground cherries.

• Bells- Oblong lobed fruit that is sweet and red or yellow when ripe, also eaten in the immature green stage.
• Specialty – Long tapering fruits are especially flavorful and sweet, often used as frying peppers but also excellent for fresh eating.

Peppers prefer light, well drained, moderately fertile soil with pH 6.5-6.8. Use a high phosphorus starter fertilizer when transplanting to give young peppers a good start. Keep nitrogen levels in moderation, as high amounts can reduce yields. 

Position: Full sun.

Plant Spacing: 12-18”

Row spacing: 18-36"

Double rows: 18” apart on 5-6’ centers. 

Planting Instructions:

Amend soil as needed with peat and composted manure mixed thoroughly with an organic granular fertilizer.  (Add fertilizer as directions indicate and reapply at intervals according to directions)  Plant pepper to original pot depth. Water and Mulch. 

As peppers grow and become heavy with fruit, stake plant to prevent stem breakage.

Harvest first peppers promptly to stimulate further fruit production. Peppers can be harvested and eaten at either unripe (green) or ripe (colored) stage. Colored peppers generally require 2 – 4 weeks longer

Companions:  Parsley, Basil, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Carrots, Onion, Garlic, Borage, Bee Balm

Happy Gardening!!

Tomato Planting Guide

Melody Acres Hobby Farm

Tomato Planting Guide

Types of Tomatoes

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) are warm season tender annuals in the Solanaceae family which includes eggplants, peppers, tomatillos, potatoes and ground cherries.

• Indeterminate varieties bear fruit over a long period of time and typically require trellising or staking.

• Determinate types have a concentrated fruit set and a shorter growth habit, therefore don’t require trellising.

Soil and Nutrient Requirements

Tomatoes yield best in loam soils that are well drained and high in organic matter. Use a high phosphorus fertilizer for transplants. Take care not to over-fertilize with Nitrogen as this can result in more foliage but lower yields of fruit.

Position:                     Full Sun

Plant Spacing:          Determinate varieties 18" apart (Indigo Rose & Roma)

Indeterminate 36" apart

Row Spacing:           4-6’ centers

Planting Instructions:

Amend soil as needed with peat and composted manure mixed thoroughly with an organic granular tomato specific fertilizer.  (Add fertilizer as directions indicate and reapply at intervals according to directions) Dig hole to deep enough to plant each tomato up to 1/2 of height for strength.

To the hole add: 2 handfuls of Fish meal, 4 crushed egg shells, 2 Crushed Aspirin, One handful of Bone meal.   Pinch off any leaves that will be below soil and plant tomato so that half of its height is below the soil. Water, mulch, and stake.  Taking the time to plant carefully means less work later!

For more information, check out this awesome blog: http://www.growbetterveggies.com/growbetterveggies/2012/04/how-i-plant-a-t.html?utm_content=buffer329d2&utm_medium=social

Be consistent with daily watering and water at soil level slowly so you do not splash on the plant and encourage blight.  Do not allow to dry out and wilt as this decreases the health of your plant.  Do not over water.   Cage or stake up Indeterminate tomatoes as they grow to keep them off the ground and healthy.
                                                                                                               

Companions: Basil, Calendula, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Carrots, Onion, Garlic, Borage, Bee Balm

Happy Gardening!!