TIPS FROM THE FIELD:

CORN
As soon as you pick the cobs from your corn plants, the sugars in the kernels start to convert to starch. This results in a less sweet product. To ensure maximum sweetness, immerse the cobs in ice cold water as soon as possible. Leave them in the water until it's time to eat. Shade them from direct sun as much as possible. Some folks go so far as to take pails of water and ice out to the garden when harvesting!

Tips From The Field

If you want to ensure the performance of your garden vegetables, companion planting can be a big help.
Here are some good combinations for your garden:

Beans and peas add nutrients to the soil. Interplant them with
tomatoes,corn, potatoes, rosemary, celery or marigolds.
Marigolds and potatoes repel Mexican bean beetles.
Rosemary repels insects. Celery,corn and tomatoes improve growth.

Interplant cabbage and cabbage-family plants with herbs such as
rosemary, sage, and thyme which repel insects. To help confuse insect pests, interplant them with clover and lettuce.
 
Interplant carrots with peas, radishes, or sage to improve their
flavor. Peas also add nutrients to the soil. Onions, leaks and
rosemary help repel root maggot flies. Onions also repel carrot
rust flies.

Interplant melons with corn and peas to improve growth and flavor.
Radishes and nasturtiums repel cucumber beetles.

Interplant lettuce with beets, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage-family crops, radishes, and strawberries. All will enhance lettuce growth.

Separate plants that do not grow well together:

Beetroot with pole beans
Onions with peas and beans
Cabbage with strawberries, potatoes and pole beans
Pumpkin with potatoes
Tomatoes with cabbage and potatoes
Sunflowers with potatoes
 

TIPS FROM THE FIELD:      January

Strawberries

Strawberries will produce the best crop given full sun, but a harvestable crop can still be had with as little as 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
They will not tolerate drought or standing water and require good air circulation and drainage. Place beds beyond the root zone of large trees so that the tree will not compete with the berries for moisture.
Also choose a spot that will be easy to water during dry spells.
Augment your soil with organic matter and be sure it is well-draining.
In order to grow hardier plants, resist the temptation to pick berries and pinch off blossoms during the first year. The plants will then develop a strong root system and bear even more fruit the following
year.   

 Mid January

Grapes

Grapes require full sun and high temperatures to ripen.
Plant on south-facing slopes, preferably on the south side of windbreak s or buildings. Northern slopes or low ground will be cooler throughout the growing season and delay ripening of the fruit. Plant as early in the spring as possible. A well-draining soil will encourage early growth while preventing harmful standing water. Space the young vines about six to eight feet apart. Before planting, remove all canes except the most vigorous one and trim off any broken or over-long roots. Dig a hole large enough so you can easily spread the root system out without
bending. Do not plant too deeply. Spread the roots and cover them completely with soil. After planting, shorten the remaining cane to two strong buds. Each bud will develop into a vigorous cane.

TIPS FROM THE FIELD:

Speaking of spraying, did you know that grapevines can be susceptible to injury from 2,4-D dicamba, and similar broadleaf herbicides?
Depending on where you live (for instance, in farm country), you may want to select a growing site protected by a windbreak of large trees, a fence, or natural topography. If your neighbors control their yard weeds with broadleaf herbicides, ask them to do so in the fall only.
Fall applications provide the best broadleaf weed control and are less likely to injure your grapevines.

TIPS FROM THE FIELD: Mid January

Asparagus

Asparagus is very prolific once established. An area of 20 square feet or a row 50 feet long will supply a family of 5 all year long (assuming you can or freeze your excess harvest). The roots of newly planted asparagus crowns will spread widely, so separate your rows by at least 4 feet. Plant the crowns 18 inches apart and about 8 inches deep, covered with two inches of soil. Add in plenty of organic material to the soil and work thoroughly to a depth of one foot. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet.
 
Wait at least one year before harvesting from your new asparagus patch. Keep this first harvest small. Harvesting too early drastically reduces your yield as well as crop quality. To harvest, use a knife to cut the shoots off as close to the ground as possible.
 
Each year, after the last harvest of the season, allow the spears to fully develop into ferns. Prune or selectively trim to reduce the amount of top growth. Occasional light fertilizing and adequate moisture will help the patch develop sufficient top growth for good spear production.