Encyclopedia of Vegetables

(Beans-Broccoli) (Brussels Sprouts-Cauliflower)  (Celery-Lettuce) (Onion-Tomato)   

Celery

Characteristics: Celery is difficult to grow from seed.

Planting: Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the season. Transplant when threat of frost has passed. Plant 6 inches apart in rows 18 + Inches apart.

Care: Needs rich, moist soil. Water frequently and mulch to keep the soil consistently moist. Weed meticulously.

Harvest: Pick medium size stalks from the outer stalk early on. Leave the remainder of the core for the season. Pull up the entire plant at the end of the season, root and all.

Cucumber

Characteristics: Numerous varieties including slicing and pickling varieties. Both types come in vining a bush varieties. Though bush varieties still vine, they take up much less space.

Planting: Need bright, sunny location after the soil has completely warmed. Prefers organic, loose soil. Plant seed 12 inches apart in rows 4-6 feet apart.

Care: Use a thick mulch to keep the soil consistently moist and to retain the warm temperature cucumbers need to grow. Pinching off the growing tip will help the plant to branch.

Harvest: Pick when ready to eat. Mature plants send off a hormone that signal the plant to stop growing.

Cucumber, Burpless Hybrid Slicing Henry Fields Seed and Nursery Co

Eggplant

Characteristics: Need a long period of warm weather to mature.

Planting: Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before growing season. Plant seedlings 2 feet apart in rows 2+ feet apart.

Care: Hand weed around the plant so as not to damage the shallow roots.  Water frequently and mulch to keep the soil consistently moist. Fertilize  several times during the growing season. 

Harvest:  Pick when the skins are glossy and firm. Cut the stem just above the eggplant.

* Eggplant, Twilight Hybrid Henry Fields Seed and Nursery Co

Lettuce 

Characteristics: Lettuce grows quickly, is easy to care for and has numerous varieties.

Planting: Lettuce does not like the cold so it must be planted early in the season or started indoors. Differing from other plants, lettuce is sprinkled onto the soil rather than burying deeply.  Cover with about 1/4 inch of soil immediately followed by a light watering.

Care: When seedling are about 4 inches high begin to thin. Progressively thin more as the plants get larger ending with about 12 inches between plants that in rows that are at least 12 inches apart. Fertilize with a high nitrogen fertilizer but never let the leaves touch it.

Harvest: Pick the outer leaves of the loose leaf varieties all season or cut the entire lettuce up to one inch for regrowth. For the crisp head varieties, cut the base of the head when it reaches maturity.

*Leaf Lettuce, Black Seeded Simpson Henry Fields Seed and Nursery Co