 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
growing some of the plants listed in this site. Keep in mind that
early gardeners in Mexico did not use chemicals pesticides,
herbicides and fertilizers. We feel that in our modern society, we
have lost the traditional knowledge of our ancestors and have
become too dependent on chemicals that are potentially dangerous
to our health. Therefore, we do not include any information related
to these chemicals in our gardening guide. Please see our links for
more information on organic gardening and organic gardening
products.
CACAO
Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is native to tropical areas in Mexico,
and Central and South America. The Aztecs and Mayas widely
cultivated cacao for ceremonial as well as culinary purposes.
Most people interested in growing cacao in the United States have to
do so in a greenhouse. However, it is suitable for growing in USDA
zones 9B—11. Plant the tree in partial shade. Make sure your soil is
moist and high in organic materials. Adding compost will also insure
that your soil drains well. Cacao requires frequent watering. Your
tree should grow to around 20 feet or more when mature.
Please see this site from Purdue University for more information on
growing cacao.
Check out ExploringChocolate.com for information on all things
chocolate.
CHILES
Chiles should be planted when nighttime temperatures average no
lower than 50 degrees. It’s recommended that you slowly expose
your chile starter plants to outdoor temperatures a few hours a day
and increase the time of exposure little by little. This will help them
adjust and avoid shocking them. When daytime temperatures
average about 75 degrees, you can transplant your chiles. If you
live in a very hot part of the U.S., where nighttime temperatures
may average 85-90 degrees, your chiles may not set fruit. Contact
your local extension agent for advice in this case.
Chiles do best in full sun. Good quality soil is critical. Adding
compost to your soil is the key to growing healthy chiles as chiles
suffer in soils with high clay or high sand content. Compost
improves soil drainage and gives your plants the nutrients they
need. Please see this Guide to Composting for more details. A pH
of 6.5 is recommended for growing chiles.
Drip irrigation systems are highly recommended for growing chiles
as this type of irrigation can give your plants a good deep soak
without wasting water. Also, if the chile blossoms remain moist,
this can affect your crop.
Ask your local nursery for recommended varieties of chiles that are
suitable for your part of the country.
This site from the University of California at Santa Cruz is an
excellent resource for learning more about chile gardening.
EPAZOTE:
Epazote (chenopodium ambrosioides) is an unusual perennial herb
that is essential for any chef serious about authentic Mexican
cooking. In its native Mexico and was common in the pre-Hispanic
cooking of the Aztecs and Mayas.
You can use Epazote leaves and fruits in a variety of dishes. It has a
strong and pungent flavor with a light hint of mint. It is an essential
ingredient in many recipes requiring beans. It’s no surprise to see
Epazote used to flavor beans, as its anti-flatulent properties come in
quite handy. Epazote is also said to cure an upset stomach.
You can grow Epazote in USDA zones 6-11. Make sure to plant your
seeds in full sun. Epazote will tolerate a variety of soils. Note that
Epazote is considered a perennial only in warmer climates. It’s best
to grow Epazote in pots as it can be invasive.
Harvest the large oval shaped leaves and store them in a paper or
plastic bag. Epazote also works well as a dried herb.
SUMMER SQUASH:
Start growing summer squash late in the spring. Make sure you use
plenty of compost in your soil. Once again, we highly recommend
this Compost Guide for composting tips. You should plant 3 seeds
per hole, at a depth of 1 ½” deep. Rows 3 ½ feet apart are
recommended, depending on the type of squash. Some squash
spread out more than others. Make the holes about 3 ½ feet apart
as well to give the plants plenty of space.
Summer squash require good deep watering. Consider a drip
irrigation system or a soaker hose to minimize water waste.
Thankfully, summer squash suffer from few problems, but some
pests and diseases can be serious. Be on the look out for squash
vine borers, striped cucumber beetles, and squash bugs.
Companion planting is an excellent way to keep away these pests.
Nasturtiums and marigolds work wonders. Also see our gardening
links for sites that sell natural organic pesticides.
TOMATOES
As with chiles, exposing your starter plants little by little to outdoor
conditions can be helpful. In this case, you should place the
tomatoes while still in their containers in a shady spot at first and
slowly increase the level of sun exposure each day. After a week or
so, your tomatoes should be ready to plant.
You should plant your tomatoes in full sun when there is no risk that
temperatures will drop below freezing. Recommended nighttime
temperatures are around 60 degrees. Soil temperatures should also
remain around 60 degrees. You can cover your tomatoes with row
covers if you’d like to get an early start with your tomatoes, but keep
a close eye on the temperature.
Plant your tomatoes deeply so that they develop a good root
system. Always water your plants deeply after transplanting.
Tomatoes are grouped into two categories, indeterminates and
determinates. Determinates grow to a certain height and then stop
growing. Indeterminates can keep growing and require much more
space. Talk to the experts at your local nursery for more
information on how to space the specific variety of tomato that you
want to grow.
Intercropping your tomatoes with other plants is an excellent way to
keep them healthy. Carrots make great companions for tomatoes.
Rotating your crops year after year can also help keep soil borne
tomato diseases at bay.
Make sure you weed frequently around your plants and remove leaf
litter as many tomatoes diseases and pests thrive on garden debris.
Water your tomatoes at regular intervals, as irregular watering can
stress your plants.
Please see this site for more information: Tomato Gardening Tips.
Gardening Guide, Travel Tips, About this site,
Links
