LIBRARY BLOG

Four Essential Vegetables for Your Summer Garden

It’s that time of year once again, and if you’re like me you’ve been playing in your garden for several weeks now. But if you’re a beginner or unsure what may do well in your area, here is a list of vegetables that typically thrive in South Louisiana. Because not all plants grow well in all regions it is important to research which plants may be best for your garden—keep in mind that south Louisiana is in plant hardiness zone 9. The hardiness zones determine which plants will do best in that particular climate. Usually, plants from nurseries or even home improvement stores will indicate which zone the plant will do well in as well as how much sunlight and water is needed to keep your plant happy and healthy. Don’t discard those plant tags! I keep all plant information tags in a little box next to my gardening supplies so I can always refer back to them if I ever need to.  

Be sure to visit the Terrebonne Parish Library’s Main Branch at 151 Library Drive in Houma to view our newly constructed community vegetable gardens. The produce harvested will be donated to the Terrebonne Churches United Food Bank located on Sunset Blvd. This project is made possible through our partnership with the St. Francis Vegetable Garden group & the LSU AgCenter. The garden is also the product of our continued involvement in the Live Healthy Houma coalition whose mission is to improve the health of the residents of the Downtown Houma community through the uniting of agencies, organizations & community members. 

Also located at the main branch is our brand new Seed Library. Stop by any day of the week to get some new seeds to grow in your garden. Participants can select up to two packets of seeds to grow for FREE. All you have to do is once your plants have grown, save their seeds and bring them back to the library. Find out more information at https://mytpl.org/seedlibrary/

Care  

• Eliminate weeds when the plants are young.  
• Apply a layer of mulch 2 to 3 inches high.  
• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly or side dress your rows with 10-10-10 or aged manure.  
• Keep the plants well-watered throughout the summer months. 
• 1 inch of water per week is best, but use more if in a hot, arid region. 
• To speed production after the first harvest remove the plant’s lower leaves. 

Harvest 

• The first harvest will be ready about 2 months after planting. 
• Harvest okra when it’s approximately 2 to 3 inches long. 
• Harvest it every other day. 
• Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife.
• If the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is likely too old and should be discarded.

Care  

• Soil should be well draining, but be sure to maintain adequate moisture with mulch.  
• Water one to two inches per square foot per week.
• Remember that sweet peppers are extremely heat sensitive, and they are also susceptible to blossom-end rot if watering is not adequate.
• If you live in a warm climate, or are experiencing a hot, dry summer, watering everyday may be necessary.
• Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer after the first fruit set. (Too much nitrogen can cause the plant to produce foliage instead of flowers and fruit!)  
• Weed carefully around plants to avoid disturbing roots.  
• If necessary, support plants with cages or stakes to prevent bending.  

Harvest 

• Harvest as soon as peppers reach desired size or color.
• The longer bell peppers stay on the plant, the sweeter they become and the greater their vitamin C content. 
• Use a sharp knife or scissors to cleanly cut peppers off the plant. 

Care  

• Do not over-fertilize or the fruits will get stunted.
• When seedlings reach 4 inches tall, thin plants so that they are at least 1½ feet apart.
• If you’ve worked organic matter into the soil before planting, you may only need to side-dress your plants with compost or well-rotted manure.
• The main care requirement for cucumbers is consistent watering!  
• A minimum of one inch of water per week (or more, if temperatures are sky-high). Put your finger in the soil and when it is dry past the first joint of your finger, it is time to water.
• Water slowly in the morning or early afternoon, avoiding the leaves so that you don’t encourage leaf diseases.  
• Mulch to hold in soil moisture. 
• When seedlings emerge, begin to water frequently, and increase to a gallon per week after fruit forms. 
• Tip: set up trellises early to avoid damage to seedlings and vines. 

Harvest 

• Don’t let cucumbers get too large or they will taste bitter 
• At peak harvesting time, you should be picking cucumbers every couple of days. They’ll grow quickly! 
• Cucumbers are best picked before their seeds become hard and are eaten when immature. Do not let them get yellow. A cucumber is of highest quality when it is uniformly green, firm, and crisp
• Any cucumbers left on the vine too long will form tough skins and lower plant productivity
• Using a knife or clippers, cut the stem above the fruit

• Do NOT apply high nitrogen fertilizers such as those recommended for lawns, as this will promote full foliage but can delay flowering and fruiting.  
• When planting seedlings, pinch off a few of the lower leaves. Here are two ways to set seedlings in the soil: 
  • Place each root ball deep enough such that the bottom leaves are just above the surface of the soil. Roots will grow all along the plant’s stem underground. Plant seedlings 2 to 3 feet apart.  
  • Or, lay long, leggy transplants on their sides in trenches 3 to 4 inches deep. Bury the stems up to the first set of true leaves. Roots will develop along the buried stem. Remember to allow enough space for the plants to spread out.
• Water well to reduce shock to the roots.  

Care  

• Do not over-fertilize or the fruits will get stunted
• When seedlings reach 4 inches tall, thin plants so that they are at least 1½ feet apart
• If you’ve worked organic matter into the soil before planting, you may only need to side-dress your plants with compost or well-rotted manure
• The main care requirement for cucumbers is consistent watering!  
• A minimum of one inch of water per week (or more, if temperatures are sky-high). Put your finger in the soil and when it is dry past the first joint of your finger, it is time to water
• Water slowly in the morning or early afternoon, avoiding the leaves so that you don’t encourage leaf diseases  
• Mulch to hold in soil moisture 
• When seedlings emerge, begin to water frequently, and increase to a gallon per week after fruit forms 
• Tip: set up trellises early to avoid damage to seedlings and vines. 

Harvest 

• Don’t let cucumbers get too large or they will taste bitter 
• At peak harvesting time, you should be picking cucumbers every couple of days. They’ll grow quickly! 
• Cucumbers are best picked before their seeds become hard and are eaten when immature. Do not let them get yellow. A cucumber is of highest quality when it is uniformly green, firm, and crisp
• Any cucumbers left on the vine too long will form tough skins and lower plant productivity
• Using a knife or clippers, cut the stem above the fruit

More Plants to Add to Your Garden

Recommended Books

Source: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 

-Emily Duplantis, Youth Services Clerk