The amount of fertilizer to apply to a garden depends on the natural fertility of the soil, the amount of organic matter present, the type of fertilizer used, and the crop being grown. The best way to determine fertilizer needs is to have the soil tested. Soil testing is available through your local Extension agent, through private labs, and with soil test kits which can be purchased from garden shops and catalogs.

Mulching is a practice adaptable to nearly all home gardens. To mulch is simply to cover the soil around plants with a protective material, organic or inorganic.

This publication provides guidance on establishing and managing asparagus, a hardy perennial vegetable productive for 12 to 15 years. It covers site selection, soil preparation, planting crowns or seedlings, and cultural practices such as fertilization, mulching, and weed control. The publication emphasizes proper planting depth, delayed harvesting to build crown strength, and techniques to extend harvest periods. Guidance is also provided for managing common diseases, insects, and cultural problems. Harvesting, storage recommendations, and expected yields help gardeners successfully grow asparagus in home gardens.

This publication will describe the common types of beans grown in Virginia's home gardens and how to grow each.

Sweet corn varieties differ significantly in time to maturity and in quality; yellow, white, bicolor, standard, and extra-sweet varieties are available. Most varieties planted are hybrids, which have been bred for greater vigor and higher yields. A continuous harvest can be planned by planting early, mid-season, and late-season varieties or by making successive plantings of the same variety every two weeks or when the last planting has three to four leaves (corn sown in early spring will take longer because of cool temperatures).

This publication provides guidance on growing cucumbers, melons, and squash in home gardens. It describes key cultivar types and outlines planting, spacing, fertilization, trellising, and pollination needs. Melons and squash are detailed by environmental preferences, cultural practices, and growth habits, including recommendations for black plastic mulch, transplanting, and managing pollinator activity. Common diseases, insect pests, and cultural problems are identified, along with strategies to reduce damage. Harvesting guidelines, storage conditions, and expected yields are included to help gardeners achieve high‑quality fruit across these warm‑season crops.

This publication provides comprehensive guidance on growing leafy green vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, cooking greens, and chard. It outlines environmental preferences, planting methods, spacing, and fertilization needs for each crop. Cultural practices emphasize cool‑season production, succession planting, proper watering, and mulching to maintain soil moisture and reduce disease. The guide details characteristics and harvest stages for crisphead, butterhead, romaine, and leaf lettuces, as well as strategies to prevent bolting and bitterness. Common diseases, insect pests, and cultural disorders are identified, along with recommended storage conditions and expected yields, helping gardeners achieve high‑quality, continuous harvests.

This publication provides guidance for growing onions, garlic, and shallots in Virginia home gardens. It outlines environmental preferences, planting methods, spacing, fertilization needs, and key cultural practices for each crop. Onions are detailed by type, day‑length response, and methods for producing bulbs and green onions. Garlic production focuses on selecting quality cloves, proper timing, and soil preparation to ensure full bulb development. Shallot culture emphasizes dividing sets, shallow planting, and careful weeding due to shallow roots. Common diseases, insect pests, cultural disorders, and recommended storage conditions are also described, helping gardeners produce high‑quality, long‑keeping alliums.

Tomatoes are valuable garden plants in that they require relatively little space for large production. Each standard tomato plant, properly cared for, yields 10 to 15 pounds or more of fruit.Diane Relf, Retired Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Virginia Tech Alan McDaniel, Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Virginia Tech Ronald Morse, Former Associate Professor, Horticulture, Virginia Tech Reviewed by John Freeborn, Assistant Master Gardener Coordinator, Horticulture, Virginia Tech

A fact sheet on growing peppers in the Virginia home garden.

A factsheet on growing eggplant in the Virginia home garden.

A fact sheet for growing potatoes in the Virginia home garden.