Tip: Proper location determines the success rate of the crops.
Plant perennial crops, such as asparagus and strawberries, over to the side of the garden, since they will remain in the same area for many years. Put all tall growing crops together where they don’t shade out low growing crops. Follow quick growing, early spring crops with warm season crops during the late spring and summer. Many gardeners prefer to make one large planting rather than stagger plantings if crops make a good frozen product. This is especially true with crops like corn and greens.

Tip: Plant food is a boost in early plant growth.
A starter solution helps plants grow quickly by providing nutrients to the plant quickly. Make a solution by mixing one tablespoon of a soluble fertilizer such as 10-20-10, in one gallon of water. Pour 1 cup of this solution around each plant as you set it out.

Tip: Big things sometimes come in small packages.
Small garden plots can be prepared for planting by using a spade, shovel or spading fork to turn the soil. Turn the soil to a depth of 6 to 7 inch. Use a small tractor or garden tiller for larger gardens.

Tip: Too much water results in damaged crops.
While water is essential for plant growth,it is possible to overwater. Plant roots need air as well as water and are not able to get enough air when flooded. We often see landscape plants die during the summer months due to overwatering rather than under watering. Use the container method to determine how much water you are applying and don’t apply more than 2 inches of water per week. There should never be standing water in a flower bed or garden.

Tip: There is a time and place for everything.
Some crops grow better depending on the time of year they are grown. In the tropics, most crops can be grown all year round. However, in the Virgin Islands the best yields are obtained between late October and late March. This is coolest time of the year and the pest pressure is reduced somewhat. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage leaf lettuce, and celery thrive best. Other crops do really well at that time of year with the exception of corn that prefers longer days.

Tip: Poor soil can be improved
Even poor quality soil can be improved by an annual application of organic matter. At least one inch of organic matter should be added to the soil each year to improve the quality of your soil. In the Virgin Islands, clay soils are the dominant soil type and organic matter content can be low. This tends to make the soil hard and difficult to cultivate. Organic matter can include straw, hay, farm animal dried manures, (sheep, goat, chicken, cow, etc.) compost and bedding from stables.

Tip: Use a thick mulch to suppress weeds
One way of controlling weeds is to use a thick layer of mulch derived from dried grass, straw, hay, woodchips or other types of organic matter. The recommended thickness of organic mulch is between 4-6 inches. Because high temperatures and high humidity create the ideal environment for microorganisms to breakdown organic matter rapidly, a mulch layer that is less than 4 inches will disappear in a matter of 3 or 4 months on average. If you are mulching trees, keep the mulch at least 1 foot away from the trunk of the tree in order to prevent bark rot.

Tip: Seed size determines planting depth.
Small seeds like those of lettuce, mustard, radish or turnip should be planted about 1/4 – 1/2 in. deep. Large seed such as beans, squash, pumpkin and corn can be planted deeper 1 to 1 1/2 in deep.