Pennsylvania Native Perennials To Plant With Vegetable Garden
When planting a vegetable garden in Pennsylvania, it’s important to include some native perennials to help attract pollinators and provide habitat for wildlife. A few of our favorites include:
Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum) – This tall, showy perennial blooms in late summer and attracts butterflies and pollinators. The flowers can be dried and used in arrangements or tea.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – This bright yellow flower is a favorite of butterflies and bees. It’s also a host plant for the black-eyed Susan butterfly.
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – This bright orange flower is a favorite of monarch butterflies. It’s also a host plant for the milkweed butterfly.
Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) – This wildflower is a favorite of bees and other pollinators.
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) – This shady perennial has heart-shaped leaves and small, brown flowers. It’s a host plant for the Canadian ginger butterfly.
These are just a few of our favorite Pennsylvania native perennials for vegetable gardens. For more ideas, visit the Pennsylvania Native Plant Society website.
Planting Vegetables In Garden
When planting vegetables in the garden, it is important to select a location that receives full sun. The soil should also be amended with compost or organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Vegetables can be planted in rows or clusters, and spacing should be based on the size of the vegetable. Larger vegetables, such as tomatoes, should be planted about 18 inches apart, while smaller vegetables, such as lettuce, can be planted closer together.
When planting vegetables, it is important to dig a hole that is deep enough and wide enough to accommodate the root system. The hole should also be amended with compost or organic matter. Carefully place the vegetable in the hole and backfill with soil. Tamp the soil down gently and water well.
Some vegetables, such as carrots, can be planted by broadcasting the seeds over a designated area and then raking them in. Be sure to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
Most vegetables need regular watering, especially during the hot summer months. Mulching the garden with a layer of organic matter will help to retain moisture in the soil.
When harvesting vegetables, it is important to use a sharp knife or scissors and cut the vegetable at the base. Do not pull the vegetable out of the ground, as this will damage the roots.
Getting Vegetable Garden Ready To Plant
Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to start thinking about planting your vegetable garden. Here are a few tips to help you get your garden ready:
-Pick a sunny spot: Vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight per day to grow properly.
-Check the soil: Vegetables need well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. If your soil is not suitable, you can amend it with compost or fertilizer.
-Choose the right vegetables: Not all vegetables grow well in every climate. Check with your local nursery to find out which vegetables are best suited for your area.
-Prepare the soil: Use a hoe or tiller to loosen the soil and break up any clumps. Then, rake it smooth.
-Add compost: Mix compost into the soil to improve its fertility and drainage.
-Plant the vegetables: Dig a hole for each vegetable, and place the plant in the hole. Fill in the hole with soil, and pack it down gently.
-Water the vegetables: Water the vegetables regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
-Watch them grow: Be patient – it will take a few weeks for the vegetables to start growing. But soon, you’ll be enjoying fresh vegetables from your own garden!
Agrilife Vegetable Garden Planting Guide
The following planting guide is designed to help you produce a bountiful vegetable garden using agrilife technology. The guide is based on the planting zones found in the United States.
First, consult the map below to determine your planting zone.
Next, select the vegetables you would like to plant and find the corresponding planting date in the table below.
Finally, follow the planting instructions for your zone.
Happy planting!
PLANTING ZONE:
SELECTED VEGETABLES:
PLANTING DATE:
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the pot the vegetable was grown in.
2. Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the soil around the roots.
3. Place the plant in the hole and fill in with soil, firming it around the roots.
4. Water thoroughly.
ZONES 1-3
Vegetables: Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips
Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips Planting Date: March-May
March-May Planting Instructions: 1. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the pot the vegetable was grown in.
2. Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the soil around the roots.
3. Place the plant in the hole and fill in with soil, firming it around the roots.
4. Water thoroughly.
ZONES 4-8
Vegetables: Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips
Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Squash, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Turnips Planting Date: April-June
April-June Planting Instructions: 1. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the pot the vegetable was grown in.
2. Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the soil around the roots.
3. Place the plant in the hole and fill in with soil, firming it around the roots.
4. Water thoroughly.
Austin Vegetable Garden Planting Guide
When to plant?
The best time to plant vegetables in the Austin area is typically in the early spring, before the hot weather arrives. However, many vegetables can be planted throughout the summer.
Which vegetables?
There are many vegetables that can be planted in the Austin area, depending on the time of year. Some vegetables that can be planted in the early spring include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Later in the spring, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants can be planted. In the summer, zucchini, cucumbers, and beans can be planted. And in the fall, carrots, beets, and turnips can be planted.
Where to plant?
Most vegetables can be planted in either full sun or partial shade. However, some vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, need full sun.
How to plant?
Most vegetables can be planted by either planting the seeds directly in the ground or by planting the seeds in a container and then transplanting the container to the ground.
When to water?
Vegetables need water regularly, especially during the hot summer months. It is best to water vegetables in the morning so that the plants have time to dry off before nightfall.
What to do when vegetables are ripe?
When vegetables are ripe, they should be harvested and eaten. Ripe vegetables are typically those that are the correct size and color for the particular vegetable.
If you’re looking to get into vegetable gardening, or are just looking for some tips on how to make your current garden better, then you’ve come to the right place! My name is Ethel and I have been gardening for years. In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of my best tips on how to create a successful vegetable garden.
