Vegetable Garden: Basics and Plant Selections

Site/Location

Full sun equals 6 to 8 hours of sun per day.  Close enough that you will want to go it. Water/hose will reach it. Start small, 10’ by 10’ will provide vegetables while still being manageable to weed, water, plant and harvest.

What to grow

Vegetables that you like and will eat and that are suited to the location. The recommended plants are suggestions only. Visit our fact sheet Seed Companies for more ideas.
 

Soil

soil test from the UConn Soil and Nutrient Analysis Laboratory is recommended. Add amendments as recommended. Compost or aged manure worked well into soil. Plotting area, single rows, wide rows or blocks. They all work. Tall crops on the north. Track shadows so all plants get sun.

Timing

Plants that reach harvest in under 120 days are considered short season crops and those that take longer are long season crops. Subtract the days to harvest (on seed packets) from the first fall frost date to find the last planting date.

  • Last spring frost date in CT is May 15th.                                                              
  • First fall frost date in CT is Sept. 15th.

Cool Season Crops

Seed packet will say “Plant as early as soil can be worked”. A good test to tell if the soil is workable is to make a ball of soil in your hand and poke it with a finger, if it falls apart like chocolate cake crumbles, it is ready. If the soil is too wet, the ball stays together leaving only an indent from finger. Working the soil when it is too wet will ruin the structure of the soil and cause compaction.   

Warm Season Crops

Seed or transplant info will say “Plant after all danger of frost has past”. This varies from year to year. May 15th is only an average. Watch daily weather reports for frost warnings and dropping overnight temperatures. Warm season crops will be killed by freezing temperatures and frost. Planting warm season crop transplants in cold soil will stunt the roots. Warm season seeds placed in cold soil will not germinate until a higher soil temp is reached.     

Water

Vegetables need one to two inches of water per week by rain or hose. Feel the soil down where the roots are located. If it is dry, water it. Soaker or trickle hoses are best. They provide a slow, deep watering. Shallow watering keeps the roots up near the surface where it is hotter and dries out quicker. Deep roots make better plants. Keep foliage dry; apply water in the morning, never in the evening. Wet foliage invites fungal disease.

Feed

Fertilize when transplanting or when seeds grow into plants with two sets of leaves. Use manure or packaged vegetable fertilizers with balance nutrients such as 10-10-10. Side dress when plants begin to flower and set fruit by again applying fertilizer lightly a few inches away from plants. Follow label directions. Do not over-fertilize as this can harm plants and add to polluted waterways.

Weeds

Get weeds out. They compete with and steal nutrients and water away from vegetable plants. Hand pull weeds while still small. Cultivate weekly or more often, by hoeing or scratching the surface to one inch deep of garden soil discouraging weed growth around vegetable plants. Apply mulch around plants, but not touching plants, to block light to weed seeds in soil. This stops their germination. Straw, grass clippings, chopped leaves and pine needles are all good mulches.

Insects

If you find an insect in the garden, identify it. It may be a good guy providing pollination or predation on the bad guys. Look it up in a book or contact the UConn Home and Garden Education Center for correct ID. You can call or email us Ladybug@uconn.edu.

Harvest

Pick produce when ripe. Not picking tells the plant its job in life is done. It has produced a fruit containing a seed and then it will die. Leaf crops will send up a seed stalk. Continuing to remove fruits and leaves will keep the plant trying to make more seed, therefore providing more produce. 

Plant Selections –

Resistant varieties are marked with the following codes:
AL-Alternaria (Early blight)   DM-Downy Mildew     F-Fusarium Wilt    M-Mosaic Virus     N-Nematodes     PM-Powdery Mildew     V-Verticillium Wilt

 

Plant Variety  (2020) Cool/Warm Weather
Seed
Germination
Temp (F)
Short/Long Season
(Days to Harvest)
Insect pests
(SAA= Same As Above)
Light/Heavy Feeder Early Frost
Resistance (EFR)/
Tolerates Lite/
Heavy Frost (TLF) (THF)
Common
Diseases
(SAA= Same As Above)
Artichoke
Globe
 
Imperial Star
Violetto
 
Cool
 
70-80
Long
(100-150)
Aphids Heavy THF  
Artichoke
Jerusalem
(actually a sunflower)
Plant as tubers
Stampede
Red Fuseau
Waldspinel -
All are very aggressive
Cool
 
At least  44
Long
(130)
Snails, slugs Light THF  
Sclerotina
(PM)
Arugula Roquette
Runway
Garden
Cool
 
40-55
Short
(21-40)
Flea beetle Light EFR rare
Asparagus Jersey Series (F)
Jersey Giant- good var. for cool areas
Millenium
Cool
 
70-77
First harvest 2 y after planting Asparagus beetle
(hand pick)
Light TLF  
F,
Crown rot
Rust
Beans Bush Green
Provider, (M), (PM)
Desperado, (M)
Derby (M,PM)
Strike (M)                  
Warm
 
70-80
Poor under 60
Short
(45-70)
Bean beetles, aphids
leaf hoppers
Light   Bacterial blight
Bean mosaic virus
White mold
  Bush Yellow:
Rocdor (M)

Gold Mine 
Goldilocks
Warm
 
70-80
Short
(45-70)
Bean beetles
aphids
spider mites
Light SAA
  Pole:
Blue Lake

Seychelles
Kentucky Wonder
Warm
 
70-80
Short
(50-70)
SAA Light SAA
 
  Lima:
Burpee Bush
Fordhook 242
Warm
 
85  ideal
Moderate
(75-85)
SAA Light SAA
  Broad or Fava:
Vroma
Windsor
Cool
 
75-85
Moderate
(75-80)
SAA Light Aphid-spread virus
Beets Red:
Forono
Detroit Dark
Babybeat
Cool
 
50-85
Short
(45-65)
Leaf spot
root rot
scab
Light       Leafminer
  Golden:
Burpee's Golden
Golden Beet
Boldor
Cool
 
50-85
Short
(45-65))
SAA Light TLF SAA
Broccoli Gypsy Hybrid (DM)
Marathon (DM) Waltham
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(55-70)
Cabbage: worms, beetles, maggots
Slugs, aphids
Light TLF
Some var. THF
Clubroot
Brussels
Sprouts
Jade Cross
Tasty Nuggets
Cool
 
45-85
Long
(80-120)
Cabbage: worms, root maggots,
aphids.
Flea beetles
Slugs, nematodes
Heavy THF SAA
Cabbage Early Season:
Quick Start
Savoy Express
Gonzales
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(55-75)
Cabbage Maggot, Flea Beetles, Cutworms. Aphids Heavy TLF Clubroot
Purple Blotch
  Midseason:
Alcosa,

Savoy Ace
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(70-85)
SAA Heavy TLF SAA
  Late Season:
Huron

All Seasons
Cool
 
45-85
Long
(95-115)
SAA Heavy TLF SAA
  Red:
Ruby Perfection

Red Acre
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(75-90)
SAA Heavy TLF SAA
  Savoy:
Clarissa

Kilosa
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(80-85)
SAA Heavy TLF SAA
  Chinese:
Blues

Jade Pagoda
Cool
45-85
Moderate
(50-80)
SAA Heavy Frost will cause plants to bolt early SAA
  Bok Choy (Pak Choi):
Toy Choi
Joi Choi

Mei Qing Choi
Cool
 
50-80
Short
(45-55)
SAA Heavy May TLF Mildew,
Leaf spot,
AL
Carrots Danvers, Nantes
Thumbelina
Tendersweet
Cool
 
50-85
Short
(50-75)
Carrot rust fly
Carrot weevil
Leaf hopper
Light TLF Few
Cauliflower Freemont
Snow Crown
Graffiti (purple)
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(48-95)
Cabbage worms, flea beetles, root maggot, aphids Light TLF Clubroot
Purple blotch
Celery Utah 52-70
Ventura
Cool
 
70-75
Long
(80-120)
Aphids, tarnished plant bug, white flies, cutworms Heavy TLF Leaf blight,
Celery mosaic
Corn, Sweet Honey Select
Delectable
Precious Gem Supersweet
Warm
65-85
Long
(60-100)
European corn  borer
corn earworm
Heavy TLF Rust
Smut
Collards Champion
Flash
Top Bunch
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(60-85)
Many: same as other cabbages Heavy THF Clubroot
Black rot
Cucumber Pickling:
Chicago, Sweet Marketmore

Adam Gherkin (CMV) (PM)
Warm
 
60-90
Short
(50-70)
Cucumber  beetles, squash vine borer,
Aphids
Heavy Bacterial wilt, Downey mildew, Cucumber mosaic virus
Slicing:
Fanfare
County Fair

Dasher II
Warm
 
60-90
Short
(50-70)
  Heavy Anthracnos,
Leaf spot
Eggplant Beatrice
Black Bell
Falcon
Warm
 
60-95
Long
(70-85 from transplant)
Aphids, flea beetles, cutworms, CO potato beetle Heavy (V)
Endive/
Escarole
Bianca Riccia, Bellesque, Salad King//
Full Heart, Nataly
Cool
35-85
75 = optimal
Long
(45-95)
Aphids Light TLF  
Garlic German Extra Hardy,
Georgia Fire
Russian Red
Cool Plant bulbs in fall for next summer harvest Few
Leek moth
Light THF Root rot in heavy wet soil
Kale Red Russian
Toscano
Winterbor
Cool
 
45-85
Short
(50-80)
Cabbage: worms, loopers, aphids.
Slugs, snails
Light THF Clubroot,
Black rot
(A)
Kohlrabi Grand Duke
Konan
Gigante (130 days)
Cool
 
45-85
Short
(45-60)
Same as other Cabbage family;
Slugs, snails
Light Clubroot,
Black rot
(A)
Leek Lancelot
Lincoln
King Richard
Cool
 
45-95
Long
(50-150)
Onion maggot
Thrips
Light THF Purple blotch (Alternaria porri)
Botrytis leaf blight
Lettuce Butterhead:
Tom Thumb
Burgundy Delight
Speckled
Cool
 
40-85
(70 ideal)
Short
(28 -75)
Aphids, slugs
Leafminers
Leafhoppers
Cutworms
Wireworms
Light Damping off
Downy mildew
Mosaic
Fusarium
Looseleaf:
Ruby
Oak Leaf
Red Salad Bowl
Cool
40-85
(70 ideal)
Short
(50-60)
SAA Light SAA
Romaine:
Little Gem,
Pensacola,
White Paris
Cool
 
40-85
(70 ideal)
Short
(65-70)
SAA Light SAA
Melon Canteloupe:
Sugar Cube Hybrid

Harper
Sarah’s Choice
Warm
 
60-95
Moderate
(70-90)
Cucumber Beetles, Aphids, Squash Vine borer, Flea Beetles, Squash bugs Heavy
(High N before flowering, lower after)
(PM)
(F)
(M)
Bacterial wilt,
Fungal leaf spot, scab
Honeydew:
Passport
Earlidew
Warm
 
60-95
Moderate
(70-100)
SAA SAA SAA
Watermelon:
AU- Sweet scarlet
Moon & Stars
Crest
Warm
 
60-95
Long
(60-95)
SAA SAA (PM), (M),
(F), Scab
Anthracnose
Phytophthora

 
Onions Yellow:
Early Yellow Globe

Copra
Candy
Walla Walla
Cool
 
45-95
Long
(100-175)
Onion maggot Heavy TLF (A)
Red:
Red Candy
Mars

Red Grano
Cool
 
45-95
Long
(100-175)
SAA Light SAA
Parsnip Harris Model
All-American
Hollow Crown
Cool
 
50-85
Long
(75-120)
Carrot weevil
Leaf hopper
Light THF Few
Peas Early:
Coral

Dakota
Spring
Cool
 
40-85
Short
(60)
Least-
Aphids
Light TModF (PM)
Wilt
Seedling root rot
Late:
Lincoln
Mr. Big
Tall Telephone
Cool
 
40-85
Moderate
(65-75)
SAA Light SAA SAA
Snap:
Cascadia

Sugar Ann
Sugar Snap
Cool
 
40-85
Moderate
(60-75)
SAA Light SAA SAA
Snow Pea:
Little Sweetie
Oregon Giant
Cool
 
40-85
Moderate
(60-80)
SAA Light SAA SAA
Peppers Sweet Bell:
New Ace

Red Knight
King of the North
Warm
 
70-95
Moderate
(60-95)
Aphids
Borers
Tarnished plant bugs
Light, avoid high N Light Blossom end rot
(MV)
 
Sweet Long:
Big Bertha

Giant Marconi
Lipstick
Cubanelle: Nassau
Warm
 
70-95
Moderate
(75-90)
SAA Light, avoid high N SAA SAA
Hot Long:
Anaheim
Long Red Slim
Super Chili
Thai Hot
Warm
 
70-95
Moderate
(65-90)
SAA Light, avoid high N SAA SAA
Hot Round;
Poblano (Ancho)
Baron
Warm
 
70-95
Moderate
(65-90)
SAA Light, avoid high N SAA SAA
Potatoes Early:
Peter Wilcox
Adirondock Red
Chieftain
 
Warm
Min. 40
Use disease-free seed pcs
 
Moderate to Long
(60-120)
Potato beetle
Aphids
Flea beetles
Leaf hoppers
Avoid High N Light
 
Early, late
Blight,
Scab
Aphids
  Midseason:
Kerr’s Pink
Kennebek
SAA SAA SAA SAA TLF SAA
  Late:
Lehigh
Garnet Chili
SAA SAA SAA SAA SAA SAA
  Sweet:
Golden Jewel
Georgia Red
SAA Long
(80-120)
SAA SAA SAA SAA
Pumpkin Large:
Howden,

Connecticut Field
Warm
 
60-105
Long
(90-120)
Aphids,
squash bugs
spider mites
vine borer
cucumber beetle
Heavy Sensitive to frost (PM)
(DM)
Bacterial wilt
Scab
Some viral
Small:
Baby Bear

Wee-Be-Little
Warm
 
60-105
Long
(95-100)
SAA Heavy SAA SAA
Novelty:
Prizewinner
Atlantic Giant
Jarrahdale
Warm
60-105
Long
(110)
SAA Heavy SAA SAA
Radish Cherriette
 Easter Egg
Everest
Cool
55-85
Short
(25-70)
Cabbage root maggot Light
Keep N low
TLF Clubroot
Rhubarb McDonald Strain Victoria Cool
Plant crowns when soil can be worked
Moderate
When stalks are 12-18"
Few:
Rhubarb Curculio
Potato stem borer
V. Light TLF Fungal leaf spot
 
Phytophtora
crown rot
Rutabaga Laurentian
Joan
Purple Top
Cool
 
45-85
Long
(90-110)
Flea beetles
Cabbage root maggot
Light N TLF Turnip mosaic virus
Black rot
Spinach Spring:
Bloomsdale
Longstanding
Tyee
Cool
 
40-75
Short
(40-50)
Spinach leaf miner Light THF Few
Fall:
Giant Winter Melody

Olympus
Cool
 
40-75
Short
(40-50)
SAA Light THF SAA
Squash Summer, Yellow:
Sunray (PM)
Goldrush
Early Prolific Straight neck
Warm
 
60-105
Moderate
(45-60)
Squash bug
Squash vine borer
Stripped cucumber beetle
Moderate V. sensitive (PM)
(DM)
Bacterial wilt
Scab
Viral diseases
 
Summer, Green: Ambassador (PM) Cocozelle
Spineless Beauty
Eight Ball
Raven
Warm
 
60-105
Moderate
(60)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Bush, Scallop:
Peter Pan
Sunburst
Sunny Delight
Warm
 
60-105
Moderate
(45-50)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Winter:
Betternut (PM)

Bon Bon
Waltham Butternut, Sunshine,
Table Queen
Cream of the Crop
New England Blue Hubbard
Warm
 
60-105
(Won’t germinate in cold soil)
Long
(60-100)
SAA Heavy SAA SAA
Swiss 
Chard
Bright Lights
Fordhook Giant
Rhubarb Chard
Cool
 
40-95
85 best
Short
(55-65)
Aphids
Leaf miners
Light TLF (DM)
Leaf spot
Tomato Early:
Early Girl

Pilgrim (F,V)
Early Cascade
4th of July
Warm
 
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(65-70)
Tomato hornworms
Aphids
Whiteflies
Cutworms
Flea beetles
Co. potato beetle
Moderate
Keep N low
(V)
(F)
Blossom end rot
Septoria leaf spot
Late blight
 
Midseason:
Jet Star (F,V)

Ultraboy  (F,N,V)
Celebrity (F,M,V)
Mountain Magic (AL)
Mountain Pride (F, V)
Mountain Supreme (AL)
Warm
 
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(70-80)
SAA Moderate
Keep N low
SAA SAA
Late:
Supersonic (F,V)
Better Boy (F,V)
Super Beefsteak (F,N,V)
Burpee's Super Stake Hybrid (F,N,V)
Warm
 
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(80-90)
SAA Moderate
Keep N low
SAA SAA
Orange:
Sweet Tangerine

Orange Blossom
Warm
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(70-80)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Yellow:
Golden Delight

Taxi
Yellow Stuffer
Warm
 
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(70-80)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Paste:
Roma (F,V)

Amish Paste
Plum Dandy (AL)
Warm
 
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(75-80)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Salad:
Bellstar

Juliet
Warm
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(75-80)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Cherry:
Pixie (F,V)

Sweet 100
Sun Gold
Warm
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(70)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Pear:
Red

Yellow
Warm
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(85)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Plum:
Red
Yellow
Warm
60-95
Best = 75-90
Moderate
(75-80)
SAA Moderate SAA SAA
Turnip Purple Top
White Globe White Lady
Tokyo Cross
Cool
 
45-85
Moderate
(50-60)
Flea beetles
Cutworms
Slugs
Snails
Light TLF Turnip  Virus

The recommended plants are suggestions only. Visit our fact sheet Seed Companies for more ideas.
There are many new vegetable varieties being developed.  Before purchasing veg plants locally read the label carefully, research the variety for disease resistance, growing condition, date to maturity, plant spacing and other desirable qualities.

Despite good cultural practices, pests and diseases at times may appear. Chemical control should be used only after all other methods have failed. For pesticide information or other questions please call toll free: 877-486-6271.  

UConn Home and Garden Education Center, 2020.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Dean of the College, Cooperative Extension System, University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, Stop Code 9410, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964