PLANTING SEEDS
Growing Practices
The information below will help you plant a productive garden and keep it healthy.
Seed Varieties
Bush Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Planting Depth
2.5 cm
Ideal Temperature
18 – 29° C (soil temperature)
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 8 – 15 cm apart · Rows: 45 – 60 cm apart
Days to Maturity
55 – 60 days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 60 – 80 seeds per packet
Water
Moderate, maintain evenly moist soil
Ideal Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow only
Common Pests
Aphids (Aphididae): Small, soft-bodies insects (often black or green) that gather on the underside of the leaves
Leafhoppers (Empoasca): Small green insects that gather on leaves and cause leaves to yellow
Treatment: Use soap spray to wash off insects
Common Diseases
White Mold (Sclerotinia): Fuzzy white growth on stems and pods caused by cool, damp conditions with little air flow
Root Rot (Pythium, Fusarium): Mushy dark roots caused by overwatering or poor drainage
Treatment: Manage moisture levels and ensure you do not over-water; practice crop rotation methods
Onion
Allium cepa
Planting Depth
2.5 cm
Ideal Temperature
18 – 29° C (soil temperature)
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 8 – 15 cm · Rows: 45-60 cm
Days to Maturity
55 – 60 days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 60 – 80 seeds per packet
Water
Moderate, maintain evenly moist soil
Ideal Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil; pH 6.0 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow only
Common Pests
Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci): Tiny slender insects that cause yellow or white spot on leaves and eventually cause wilting of the leaves
Onion Maggots (Delia antigua): Small housefly-like bug that lay eggs in the soil; larvae then burrows into onion bulb and causes wilting and possible plant death
Treatment: Rotate crop location from season to season; use soap spray to wash off pests
Common Diseases
Downy Mildew (Peronospora destructor): Fungus that causes pale patches on leaves and a greyish-purple fuzz; caused by overcrowding and excess moisture
White Rot (Stromatinia cepivora): Soil-borne fungus that causes yellow, wilting leaves; white fungus grows on onion bulb and causes rotting
Treatment: Avoid over-watering and planting onions too close to each other; to prevent fungus from building up, implement crop rotation techniques
Okra
Abelmoschus esculentus
Planting Depth
1 – 2 cm
Ideal Temperature
21– 35° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 30 – 45 cm · Rows: 75 – 90 cm
Days to Maturity
50 – 65 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 500 seeds per packet
Water
Moderate, drought tolerant once established
Ideal Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil; pH 6.0 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct Sow
Common Pests
Aphids (Aphididae): Small, soft-bodies insects (often black or green) that gather on the underside of the leaves
WhiteFly (Bemisia tabaci): Tiny white insects that cause wilting and can spread Bhendi Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus
Treatments: Use soap spray to wash off pests and companion plant marigolds (Tagetes) to attract whiteflies away from your okra
Common Diseases
Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV): Insect-borne virus that is transmitted by whiteflies; causes yellowing of the plant and stunted growth
Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum): Soil-borne fungus that causes yellowing of leaves and a black streak inside the stem
Treatment: Manage pests and moisture levels; practice crop rotation methods
Yellow Squash
Curcurbita pepo
Planting Depth
2.5 – 3 cm
Ideal Temperature
18 – 30° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 45 – 60 cm · Rows: 90 – 120 cm
Days to Maturity
45 – 55 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 90 – 175 seeds per packet
Water
Moderate to high; regular watering needed
Ideal Soil
Rich, well-drained soil; pH 6.0 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow preferred
Common Pests
Squash Bug (Anasa trists): Large, flat, grey-brown bugs that are found on the base and underside of the leaves; they cause yellowing and browning
Vine Borer (Melitta cucurbitae): Clear-winged moth that lay eggs by the stem; larvae tunnel into main stem which causes sawdust at the base and kills the plant
Treatments: Wash off pests with soap spray and remove eggs from the underside of the leaves. If the Vine Borer is present, you can wrap the base of the stem with aluminum foil or nylon; be sure to bury the bottom two centimeters into the soil
Common Diseases
Mosaic Virus (ZYMV): Insect-borne virus that is transmitted by Aphids; causes yellowing of the plant and stunted growth as well as distorted fruit
Downy Mildew (Peronospora destructor): Fungus that causes pale patches on leaves and a greyish-purple fuzz; caused by overcrowding and excess moisture
Treatment: Manage pests and moisture levels; practice crop rotation methods
Green Squash
Cucurbita pepo
Planting Depth
2.5 – 3 cm
Ideal Temperature
18 – 30° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 45 – 60 cm · Rows: 90 – 120 cm
Days to Maturity
45 – 55 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 125 – 250 seeds per packet
Water
Moderate to high; regular watering needed
Ideal Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil; pH 6.0-6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow preferred
Common Pests
Squash Bug (Anasa trists): Large, flat, grey-brown bugs that are found on the base and underside of the leaves; they cause yellowing and browning
Vine Borer (Melitta cucurbitae): Clear-winged moth that lay eggs by the stem, larvae tunnel into main stem which causes sawdust at the base and kills the plant
Treatments: Wash off pests with soap spray and remove eggs from the underside of the leaves. If the Vine Borer is present, you can wrap the base of the stem with aluminum foil or nylon; be sure to bury the bottom two centimeters into the soil
Common Diseases
Mosaic Virus (ZYMV): Insect-borne virus that is transmitted by Aphids; causes yellowing of the plant and stunted growth as well as distorted fruit
Downy Mildew (Peronospora destructor): Fungus that causes pale patches on leaves and a greyish-purple fuzz; caused by overcrowding and excess moisture
Treatment: Manage pests and keep moisture levels from getting too high; practice crop rotation methods
Pole Bean
Phaseolus vulgaris
Planting Depth
2.5 – 4 cm
Ideal Temperature
18 – 29° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 10 – 15 cm · Rows: 75 – 90 cm
Days to Maturity
60 – 70 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 100 – 200 seeds per packet
Water
Moderate; avoid waterlogging
Ideal Soil
Well-drained soil; pH 6.0 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow only
Common Pests
Aphids (Aphididae): Small, soft-bodies insects (often black or green) that gather on the underside of the leaves
Leafhoppers (Empoasca): Small, green insects that gather on leaves and cause leaves to yellow
Treatments: Wash pests off with a soap spray
Common Diseases
Bean Rust (Uromyces appendiculatus): Fungus that causes red powdery spots on the underside of leaves; also causes leaves to fall off and kills vines that produce fruit
Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis): Seed-borne bacterial disease that causes water-soaked spots on leaves and weak stems that can snap easily
Treatment: Remove rust affected leaves and remove them from the garden, being sure not to drop them in soil; avoid overwatering which can cause more blight and rust
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Planting Depth
1.5 – 3 cm
Ideal Temperature
21 – 35° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 90 – 120 cm · Rows: 180 – 240 cm
Days to Maturity
80 – 100 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 115 – 225 seeds per packet
Water
High at establishment; reduce near maturity
Ideal Soil
Sandy, well-drained soil; pH 6.0 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow preferred
Common Pests
Aphids (Aphididae): Small, soft-bodies insects (often black or green) that gather on the underside of the leaves and on stems
Cucumber Beetle (Acalymma vittatum): Beetles found on vines and fruit that cause leaf damage and scar the fruit
Treatment: Wash Aphids off with soap spray. For beetles, mulch ground and pick beetles off in the morning and remove from garden
Common Diseases
Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum): Soil-borne fungus that causes yellowing of leaves, a black streak inside the stem and wilting vines
Anthracnose (Collectotrichum orbiculare): Bacterial disease that attacks the roots, leaves and fruit; causes dark, circular marks on the fruit and dead vines
Treatment: Start with good seed; practice crop rotation methods; avoid overwatering
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Planting Depth
1 – 2 cm
Ideal Temperature
18 – 30° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 30 – 45 cm · Rows: 90 – 120 cm
Days to Maturity
50 – 65 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 475 – 950 seeds per packet
Water
High; consistent watering required
Ideal Soil
Rich, well drained soil; pH 6.0 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow preferred
Common Pests
Aphids (Aphididae): Small, soft-bodies insects (often black or green) that gather on the underside of the leaves and on stems
Cucumber Beetle (Acalymma vittatum): Beetles found on vines and fruit that cause leaf damage and scar the fruit
Treatment: Wash Aphids off with soap spray. For beetles, mulch ground and pick beetles off in the morning and remove from garden
Common Diseases
Powdery Mildew (Peronospora xanthii): Fungus that causes white, powdery patches on leaves and stem; often confused with Downey Mildew
Downy Mildew (Peronospora destructor): Fungus that causes pale patches on leaves and a greyish-purple fuzz; caused by overcrowding and excess moisture
Treatment: Use crop rotation methods and avoid overwatering; also avoid watering in the evenings during humid months as moisture on the leaves during the night can cause mildew to grow
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Planting Depth
2.5 – 4 cm
Ideal Temperature
20 – 35° C
Row and Plant Spacing
Plants: 15 – 25 cm · Rows: 60 – 90 cm
Days to Maturity
60 – 90 Days
Number of Seeds
Approx. 125 – 250 seeds per packet
Water
Low to moderate; drought tolerant
Ideal Soil
Well-drained soil; pH 5.8 – 6.8
Start Indoors / Direct Sow
Direct sow only
Common Pests
Aphids (Aphididae): Small, soft-bodies insects (often black or green) that gather on the underside of the leaves
Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata): Caterpillars that burrow into pods and feed in developing seeds
Treatments: Spray Aphids with soap spray to remove; pick Pod Borers and damaged pods off by hand and remove from the garden (these make a great treat for chickens!)
Common Diseases
Mosaic Virus (CABMV): Insect-borne virus that is transmitted by Aphids; causes yellowing of the plant and stunted growth as well as distorted and underdeveloped fruit
Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis) – Seed-borne bacterial disease that causes water-soaked spots on leaves and weak stems that can snap easily
Treatment: Manage pests well using soap spray; use disease-free seed; practice crop rotation methods
Natural Pesticide Recipes
Soap Spray Recipe: Mix 1 L of clean water with 1 – 3 cap fulls of clear unscented dish soap. Start with the lowest amount of soap and increase if it is not effective. Works on small, soft bodied insects.
Oil Spray Recipe: Mix 1 L of clean water, 4 – 8 cap fulls of vegetable soil and 3 cap fulls of clear unscented dish soap. If oil separates, add a bit more soap. Start with the lowest amount of oil and increase if it is not effective. Works for Leaf Miners, Aphids and Whitefly Eggs.
Neem Oil Spray Recipe: Mix 4 L of water with 3 – 6 cap fulls of neem oil and 3 cap fulls of clear unscented dish soap. If oil separates, add a bit more soap. Start with the lowest amount of neem oil and increase if it is not effective. Works on caterpillars, grasshoppers and ants.