PROPOSED GARDEN PLAN FOR 2024 - ROC/GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION GARDEN
OVER VIEW:
2023'S Garden was quite successful with over 12,000 lbs of vegetables grown for distribution to ROC recipients while also adding fresh vegetables for meal use at the Mission's kitchen. The result of this success is attributed to:
-Bradley Bass' oversight which included bed preparation, overall maintenance and harvesting.- Using high production hybrid varieties which had a variety of disease resistance characteristics.
-Bed Preparation. The 51 raised beds utilized poly mulching to achieve weed control while also keeping soil temperatures at a desirable rate for root growth, Soil fertility was enhanced by a variety of methods which included: use of both organic and chemical fertilizers, addition of 4” layer of compost to each bed, drip irrigation (both hose and individual emitters) and regular timed irrigation.
-Successful planting of seedlings performed by members of The Rogue Gardeners of Josephine County gardening club (a majority who are trained Master Gardeners). The addition of using Osmocote fertilizer (a timed release plant food) when planting also aided in fast growth of seedlings and overall garden success.
PROPOSED CORRECTIONS/ CHANGES TO 2024'S GARDEN:
-Eliminate Jalapeno and Anaheim peppers for more desirable and 'useful' varieties in terms of ROC recipients food needs. While both peppers were productive harvest required more actual labor time and the growing space could have been better utilized. While both peppers are useful maybe more emphasis could be placed on PAR (Plant A Row) gardeners to supplement them in their personal gardens.
-Harvesting was troublesome at times as some vegetables became overgrown and were not usable as a food source. Better coordination needs to be done with Mission personnel (men & women) to create a regular harvest plan, ideally the day before ROC distribution days.
-Regular garden clean up. Plant maintenance through out the season was lacking especially during the warm part of the growing season (Late July thru October). Old leaves 1 (yellowing) need to be cut away regularly to encourage new growth and continued
production. This is a labor issue and needs to be addressed utilizing Mission residents or community volunteers on a regular basis.
-Pest Control. Aphids and squash bugs were a problem. Early control measures are best achieved reducing or eliminating the population before it gets out of hand. The biggest challenge is using pesticides or other controls in a safe manner so as not to contaminate the food being grown for public distribution. Another matter which should be address and that can be achieved in a safe and timely manner.
2024'S PROPOSED PLAN:
-Crop Rotation. Switch beds growing specific vegetables of beds which were not grown with that crop from the previous year to avoid potent disease and insect problems. I realize that this can not be done completely but surely can with lettuce, onions, and cabbage which should be grown in Beds 30 – 48 (early crop) to be followed up with zucchini and yellow squash.
-Continued use of hybrid/disease resistant varieties which performed well in 2023
- While eliminating Jalapeno and Anaheim peppers expand with King Arthur bell pepper planting (variety. We did two Bell peppers Red Knight & King Arthur (both hybrids) and the latter performed better.
-Eliminate Diva cucumber and replace with Diomede (a traditional slicing cuke) No need to have two types of cucumbers while both performed well Diomede is a better overall choice
-Add a patty pan or scallop squash to the mix. Just two beds as an experiment. The variety Moon Beam F1 a semi-upright type will be chosen reputed to have exceptional production.
2 TOTAL PLANTING - 69 BEDS
18 EARLY SPRING (March) - Romaine Lettuce (8), Farao Cabbage (4) & Walla Walla onions (6) Beds 30 - 47
51 SUMMER CROP – As noted – fast maturing varieties will replace the early spring plantings Beds 30 – 47 will replace early spring crops - each variety has a 65 day or less maturity time – zucchini, yellow squash and patty (scallop) squash.
VARIETAL DESCRIPTIONS AND BED DESIGN - WARM SEASON (SUMMER)
Beds 1 – 8: King Arthur F1 Bell Pepper. Large plant (36”) needs staking, very productive with excellent disease resistance. Large thick walls, 57 days 8 beds
Three rows per bed (8/7/8) 18” spacing, staggered planting 23 plants/bed Total: 184
Flats: 1204 (48 plants/flat) - 5 flats required
Beds 9 – 18: Diomede F1 Cucumber. Traditional slicing cucumber with exceptional disease resistance. Variety is 'gynoecious' producing a majority of female flowers resulting in increased production compared to standard varieties. Fruit are dark green and straight.
52 days 10 beds
Two rows per bed 16” spacing 20 plants/ bed Total: 200
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) 19 flats required
Beds 19 – 23: Sugar Cube F1 Cantaloupe Personal sized fruit, very sweet with aromatic
flavor, easily separates from vine when ripe (ease in harvesting decision) Disease resistant
Spreading. Good for location (end of first half of garden) 80 days 5 beds
Two rows 20” spacing 16 plants per bed Total: 80
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) 4 flats required
3
Beds 24 – 31: Asparagus (Established)
Beds 32 – 43: Dunja F1 Zucchini Exceptional hybrid, great performer in '23. Dark green, high yielding and powdery mildew resistant. Somewhat self-pollinating, during peak of season needs 'daily' harvesting producing market quality fruit. 44 days 12 beds
Two rows 24” spacing 16 plants per bed Total 192
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) 9 flats required
Beds 44 - 47: Gold Glory F1: Yellow zucchini with a crook neck taste. High production Semi-spineless easing harvesting. 50 days 4 beds
Two rows 24” spacing 16 plants per bed Total 64
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) Total 3 flats
Beds 48 – 50: Moonbeam F1 - Scallop squash, nice pie shaped fruit with heavy production
Two rows 24” spacing 16 plants per bed Total 32
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat) – 2 seeds/pot) Total 2 flats
Bed 51: Big Beef F1 Plus Tomato Standard indeterminant tomato for GRM use 73 days
1 row 24” spacing 6 plants
6 - 1 gal – staked plants 24 – 28” tall
4 VARIETAL DESCRIPTIONS COOL SEASON PLANTING – EARLY MARCH
Beds 32 – 37: Walla Walla Sweet Onions Quick harvest Annual donation from Doxondale Onion company in Texas but need a letter from GRM with photos to secure donation.
Three rows per bed - 22 plants per row 66 plants per bed 6 Beds (400 plants)
Beds 38 – 41: Farao Cabbage 2-3 lb heads 65 days Nice crisp heads, slow bolting
Three rows per bed – 24” spacing 21 plants total (7 per row) 4 beds Total: 84
Flats: 1204 (48 plants/flat) 2 flats required
Beds 42 – 49: Sunland Romaine Lettuce Heat tolerant. Two plantings early March and 2 weeks later. Great production in 2023. 56 days thick, savoyed leaves
Three rows per bed - 12” spacing – 45 plants total (15 per row) 8 beds Total 360
Flats 1204 (48 plants/flat) 8 flats required
5 FLATS NEED TO PURCHASE FROM GREENLEAF INDUSTRIES
(They can keep last year's prices if we purchase and furnish the seed-
normal retail prices are $18.00 for a 1204 and $16.00 for a 2401) Our prices will be $12.00 for both and the seed we will be using is far superior , hybrids that Greenleaf uses for retail sales. Thus the production and disease resistance
2401 - 37 flats @ $12.00 ea $444
1204 - 15 flats @ $12.00 ea $180
6 1 gal tomatoes @ $3.50 each $21
TOTAL: $645 ($63 LESS THAN IN 2023!!)
OVER VIEW:
2023'S Garden was quite successful with over 12,000 lbs of vegetables grown for distribution to ROC recipients while also adding fresh vegetables for meal use at the Mission's kitchen. The result of this success is attributed to:
-Bradley Bass' oversight which included bed preparation, overall maintenance and harvesting.- Using high production hybrid varieties which had a variety of disease resistance characteristics.
-Bed Preparation. The 51 raised beds utilized poly mulching to achieve weed control while also keeping soil temperatures at a desirable rate for root growth, Soil fertility was enhanced by a variety of methods which included: use of both organic and chemical fertilizers, addition of 4” layer of compost to each bed, drip irrigation (both hose and individual emitters) and regular timed irrigation.
-Successful planting of seedlings performed by members of The Rogue Gardeners of Josephine County gardening club (a majority who are trained Master Gardeners). The addition of using Osmocote fertilizer (a timed release plant food) when planting also aided in fast growth of seedlings and overall garden success.
PROPOSED CORRECTIONS/ CHANGES TO 2024'S GARDEN:
-Eliminate Jalapeno and Anaheim peppers for more desirable and 'useful' varieties in terms of ROC recipients food needs. While both peppers were productive harvest required more actual labor time and the growing space could have been better utilized. While both peppers are useful maybe more emphasis could be placed on PAR (Plant A Row) gardeners to supplement them in their personal gardens.
-Harvesting was troublesome at times as some vegetables became overgrown and were not usable as a food source. Better coordination needs to be done with Mission personnel (men & women) to create a regular harvest plan, ideally the day before ROC distribution days.
-Regular garden clean up. Plant maintenance through out the season was lacking especially during the warm part of the growing season (Late July thru October). Old leaves 1 (yellowing) need to be cut away regularly to encourage new growth and continued
production. This is a labor issue and needs to be addressed utilizing Mission residents or community volunteers on a regular basis.
-Pest Control. Aphids and squash bugs were a problem. Early control measures are best achieved reducing or eliminating the population before it gets out of hand. The biggest challenge is using pesticides or other controls in a safe manner so as not to contaminate the food being grown for public distribution. Another matter which should be address and that can be achieved in a safe and timely manner.
2024'S PROPOSED PLAN:
-Crop Rotation. Switch beds growing specific vegetables of beds which were not grown with that crop from the previous year to avoid potent disease and insect problems. I realize that this can not be done completely but surely can with lettuce, onions, and cabbage which should be grown in Beds 30 – 48 (early crop) to be followed up with zucchini and yellow squash.
-Continued use of hybrid/disease resistant varieties which performed well in 2023
- While eliminating Jalapeno and Anaheim peppers expand with King Arthur bell pepper planting (variety. We did two Bell peppers Red Knight & King Arthur (both hybrids) and the latter performed better.
-Eliminate Diva cucumber and replace with Diomede (a traditional slicing cuke) No need to have two types of cucumbers while both performed well Diomede is a better overall choice
-Add a patty pan or scallop squash to the mix. Just two beds as an experiment. The variety Moon Beam F1 a semi-upright type will be chosen reputed to have exceptional production.
2 TOTAL PLANTING - 69 BEDS
18 EARLY SPRING (March) - Romaine Lettuce (8), Farao Cabbage (4) & Walla Walla onions (6) Beds 30 - 47
51 SUMMER CROP – As noted – fast maturing varieties will replace the early spring plantings Beds 30 – 47 will replace early spring crops - each variety has a 65 day or less maturity time – zucchini, yellow squash and patty (scallop) squash.
VARIETAL DESCRIPTIONS AND BED DESIGN - WARM SEASON (SUMMER)
Beds 1 – 8: King Arthur F1 Bell Pepper. Large plant (36”) needs staking, very productive with excellent disease resistance. Large thick walls, 57 days 8 beds
Three rows per bed (8/7/8) 18” spacing, staggered planting 23 plants/bed Total: 184
Flats: 1204 (48 plants/flat) - 5 flats required
Beds 9 – 18: Diomede F1 Cucumber. Traditional slicing cucumber with exceptional disease resistance. Variety is 'gynoecious' producing a majority of female flowers resulting in increased production compared to standard varieties. Fruit are dark green and straight.
52 days 10 beds
Two rows per bed 16” spacing 20 plants/ bed Total: 200
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) 19 flats required
Beds 19 – 23: Sugar Cube F1 Cantaloupe Personal sized fruit, very sweet with aromatic
flavor, easily separates from vine when ripe (ease in harvesting decision) Disease resistant
Spreading. Good for location (end of first half of garden) 80 days 5 beds
Two rows 20” spacing 16 plants per bed Total: 80
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) 4 flats required
3
Beds 24 – 31: Asparagus (Established)
Beds 32 – 43: Dunja F1 Zucchini Exceptional hybrid, great performer in '23. Dark green, high yielding and powdery mildew resistant. Somewhat self-pollinating, during peak of season needs 'daily' harvesting producing market quality fruit. 44 days 12 beds
Two rows 24” spacing 16 plants per bed Total 192
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) 9 flats required
Beds 44 - 47: Gold Glory F1: Yellow zucchini with a crook neck taste. High production Semi-spineless easing harvesting. 50 days 4 beds
Two rows 24” spacing 16 plants per bed Total 64
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat – 2 seeds/pot) Total 3 flats
Beds 48 – 50: Moonbeam F1 - Scallop squash, nice pie shaped fruit with heavy production
Two rows 24” spacing 16 plants per bed Total 32
Flats: 2401 (24 pots/flat) – 2 seeds/pot) Total 2 flats
Bed 51: Big Beef F1 Plus Tomato Standard indeterminant tomato for GRM use 73 days
1 row 24” spacing 6 plants
6 - 1 gal – staked plants 24 – 28” tall
4 VARIETAL DESCRIPTIONS COOL SEASON PLANTING – EARLY MARCH
Beds 32 – 37: Walla Walla Sweet Onions Quick harvest Annual donation from Doxondale Onion company in Texas but need a letter from GRM with photos to secure donation.
Three rows per bed - 22 plants per row 66 plants per bed 6 Beds (400 plants)
Beds 38 – 41: Farao Cabbage 2-3 lb heads 65 days Nice crisp heads, slow bolting
Three rows per bed – 24” spacing 21 plants total (7 per row) 4 beds Total: 84
Flats: 1204 (48 plants/flat) 2 flats required
Beds 42 – 49: Sunland Romaine Lettuce Heat tolerant. Two plantings early March and 2 weeks later. Great production in 2023. 56 days thick, savoyed leaves
Three rows per bed - 12” spacing – 45 plants total (15 per row) 8 beds Total 360
Flats 1204 (48 plants/flat) 8 flats required
5 FLATS NEED TO PURCHASE FROM GREENLEAF INDUSTRIES
(They can keep last year's prices if we purchase and furnish the seed-
normal retail prices are $18.00 for a 1204 and $16.00 for a 2401) Our prices will be $12.00 for both and the seed we will be using is far superior , hybrids that Greenleaf uses for retail sales. Thus the production and disease resistance
2401 - 37 flats @ $12.00 ea $444
1204 - 15 flats @ $12.00 ea $180
6 1 gal tomatoes @ $3.50 each $21
TOTAL: $645 ($63 LESS THAN IN 2023!!)