Oklahoma garden planning guide

              Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State University
David Hillock
Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Brenda Simons
Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Well-planned, properly managed home gardens can
furnish Oklahoma families with flavorful, high quality, fresh
vegetables from spring through fall, as well as for processing
or storing for winter.
The amount of money invested in seeds, fertilizer, pes-ticides,
and a few tools is more than offset by the enjoyment,
healthful outdoor exercise, and fresh “homegrown” flavor.
Choosing the Site
The selection and preparation of the garden site is an
important key to growing a home garden successfully. An area
exposed to full or near full sunlight with deep, well-drained,
fertile soil is ideal. The site should also be located near a water
supply and, if possible, away from trees and shrubs that would
compete with the garden for light, water, and nutrients.
While these conditions are ideal, many urban gardeners
have a small area with a less than optimal site on which to
grow vegetables. Yet, it is still possible to grow a vegetable
garden by modifying certain cultural practices and types of
crops grown. Areas with light or thin shade can be used,
such as those under young trees, under mature trees with
high lacy canopies, or in bright, airy places which receive only
one to two hours of direct sun per day. There are several
vegetables which will grow under these conditions, including
beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kohlrabi,
leaf lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, and
turnips. Unfortunately, few vegetables will grow well under
full, dense shade. If the site is not well drained or if the soil
is thin, the use of raised beds can help with this problem.
Planning the Garden
The accompanying chart should be of help in determining
family requirements of the different vegetables.
Perennial vegetables (asparagus, rhubarb, winter onions,
etc.) should be planted at one side or end of the garden for
efficient operation. The hardy vegetables planted early in the
season should be planted together, so they may be followed
with late season plantings of the same or other vegetables.
Vegetables requiring similar cultural practices should be
grouped together for ease of care.
The chart groups vegetables as cool season or warm
season crops, indicating under which conditions they grow
best. Crops classed as cool season may be planted earlier
in the season and thrive best under cool conditions (average
daily temperatures of 70oF or less), while those grouped as
warm season crops grow better during warm temperatures
(average daily temperatures ranging between 70 to 90oF).
Based on the temperature that the plants will withstand,
vegetables are hardy, semi-hardy, tender, or very tender.
Hardy types may be planted before the last killing frost. The
semi-hardy ones will be injured by a hard frost, but will grow
in cool weather and not be harmed by a light frost. Tender
plants are injured or may be killed by a light frost but can
withstand cool weather, while the very tender are injured by
cool weather.
Differences in suggested planting dates range from the
earliest for southeast Oklahoma to the latest for the northwest
part of the state.
Gardening Tips
In order to have a successful garden, the gardener must
follow a few rules. The following tips may help to prevent some
common garden problems from occurring, or help overcome
those that do arise:
• Sample soil and have it tested every three to four
years.
• Apply fertilizers in the recommended manner and
amount.
• Make use of organic materials such as compost where
available.
• Use recommended varieties.
• Thin plants when small.
• Use mulches to conserve moisture, control weeds, and
reduce fruit rots.
• Avoid excessive walking and working in the garden when
foliage and soil are wet.
• Examine the garden often to keep ahead of potential
problems.
• Keep the garden free of weeds, insects, and diseases.
• Wash and clean tools and sprayers after use.
• Rotate specific crop family locations each year to avoid
insect and disease buildup.
• When possible, harvest vegetables during the cool hours
of the day.
HLA-6004
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets
are also available on our website at:
http://osufacts.okstate.edu
Oklahoma
Garden Planning Guide
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service