Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022 - 27

Field Production Information
Field Production
Information
Major Update by Liz Maynard and Ben Phillips - Sept 2021
Vegetable Classifications
EPA Vegetable Crop Groups
EPA Crop Group
Crop
Group 1 (Root and Tuber
Vegetables)
Group 3 (Bulb Vegetables)
Group 4 (Leafy Greens and Leafy
Petioles)
Group 5 (Cole Crops and Brassica
Leafy Greens)
Group 6 (Legume Vegetables)
Group 8 (Fruiting Vegetables)
Group 9 (Cucurbit Vegetables)
Group 15 (Cereal Grains)
Group 19 (Herbs and Spices)
Beet, Carrot, Celeriac,
Horseradish, Parsnip, Potato,
Radish, Rutabaga, Sweet Potato,
Turnip
Garlic, Leek, Onion, Shallot
Arugula, Asparagus, Chicory,
Chives, Celery, Cress, Endive,
Escarole, Florence Fennel,
Lettuce, Mizuna, Parsley,
Radicchio, Rhubarb, Spinach,
Swiss Chard
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts,
Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale,
Kohlrabi, Mustard Greens, Turnip
Greens
Beans, Peas, Southern
Peas/Cowpeas, Lima Beans
Eggplant, Pepper, Okra, Tomato
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon,
Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash,
Watermelon
Sweet Corn
Basil, Cilantro, Coriander, Dill,
Fennel, Florence Fennel,
Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano,
Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory,
Tarragon, Thyme
Botanically Related Vegetables
Plant Family
Crops
Amaranthaceae
Amaryllidaceae
Apiaceae
Asparagaceae
Asteraceae
Brassicaceae
Convolvulaveae
Cucurbitaceae
Fabaceae
Lamiaceae
Malvaeae
Poaceae
Polygonaceae
Solanaceae
Beet, Spinach, Swiss Chard
Chives, Garlic, Leek, Onion, Shallot
Carrot, Celeriac, Celery, Cilantro, Coriander, Dill,
Fennel, Florence Fennel, Parsley, Parsnip
Asparagus
Chicory, Endive, Escarole, Lettuce, Radicchio,
Tarragon
Arugula, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage,
Cauliflower, Cress, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi,
Mustard Greens, Mizuna, Radish, Rutabaga,
Turnip, Turnip Greens
Sweet Potato
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon, Cucumber, Pumpkin,
Squash, Watermelon
Beans, Peas, Southern Peas/Cowpeas, Lima Beans
Basil, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary,
Sage, Savory, Thyme
Okra
Sweet Corn
Rhubarb
Eggplant, Pepper, Potato, Tomato
Midwest Veg Guide 2022
27
Temperature Tolerances of Selected
Vegetables
Warm-season
Very Tender
Cantaloupe,
Cucumber,
Eggplant, Lima
Bean, Okra,
Pepper,
Pumpkin,
Squash,
Watermelon
1Hardy crops are most tolerant of cool temperatures and frost.
Very tender crops are most susceptible to frost and cool
temperatures.
Using Plastic Mulch
Black plastic mulch laid before planting helps control weeds,
reduce root pruning, and give profitable increases in early
yields of warm-season crops. Wavelength- selective and clear
mulches typically lead to greater early yields than black
plastic, but weed growth under these mulches may be a
problem. This is particularly true for clear mulch. Because
leaching is retarded, less fertilizer is lost, and nitrogen
sidedressing is often unnecessary with the plastic mulch. If
nitrogen needs to be added, it can be applied later through the
irrigation system.
Try to lay plastic mulches as early in the season as possible.
Mulches should be laid as soon as the ground can be worked
after a heavy rain. Irrigate the field if soil moisture is not
adequate prior to laying the mulch. Plastic mulches should be
laid over moist soil. If the plastic is laid over dry soil, it will
actually delay subsequent transplant growth. It is better to lay
out plastic at midday so it can be stretched tight. However, do
not overstretch the plastic because cool nights may actually
cause it to tear.
The seedbed should be as fine as possible in order to get a
good covering. The plastic is laid by burying about 6 inches
of each edge. Black plastic mulch is most effective in
warming the soil when it is in direct contact with the soil.
A disadvantage of plastic mulch is disposal at the end of the
season. Many landfills do not accept plastic mulches.
Photodegradable plastic mulches, which degrade into small
pieces of plastic that remain in the environment, are
available. Biodegradable plastic mulches that break down
completely are also available. Fully biodegradable mulches
are currently more expensive, but do not need to be removed
and disposed of at the end of the season, and do not leave
long-lasting contamination in the environment. For more
information on biodegradable mulches, see information from
a nationally funded project at
ag.tennessee.edu/biodegradablemulch.
Tender
Snap Bean,
Sweet Corn,
Tomato
Cool-season
Semi-Hardy
Carrot,
Cauliflower,
Chinese
cabbage,
Lettuce, Potato
Hardy1
Asparagus,
Broccoli,
Cabbage
Horseradish,
Onion, Pea,
Spinach
http://ag.tennessee.edu/biodegradablemulch
Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022

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