By Alice Crites
Those who have been in the Valley for any length of time have probably heard of or seen Dr. Sylvan Wittwer’s garden in Logandale. Wittwer is a retired vegetable researcher who loves to garden and share his knowledge with others. He is giving a tour of his garden tonight, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Wittwer’s house is at the edge of the field behind the LDS Chapel at Hinckley and Moapa Valley Blvd in Logandale. Park in the back lot behind the Chapel and follow the sidewalk to the house.
Dr. Wittwer recommends using ammonium phosphate fertilizer (11-52-0) when planting almost all vegetables. You can now purchase ammonium phosphate locally in 50 lb. bags. If you have a large garden or a dry safe place to store the fertilizer, a 50 lb. bag works well. If you have a very small garden or inadequate storage, consider splitting a bag with a friend. Ammonium phosphate is widely used on alfalfa, so it has a proven history in this area.
Wittwer recommends that the fertilizer be worked into the ground before planting. A general guideline is 2-5 lbs per 100 ft. row for most vegetables and 1 to 3 lbs. per 100 foot row for melons. His publication gives his recommendations for specific crops. Some cool season vegetables like asparagus, beets, carrots, swiss chard, parsley, radish, and spinach can be planted through March. Most warm season vegetables can be planted by mid-March into April and include beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumber, eggplant, peppers, pumpkin, squash, tomato and watermelon.
Dr. Wittwer encourages growing vegetables and fruits both for health and fitness benefits and judging by his spryness, he is doing an excellent job of both. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) encouraged Dr. Wittwer to write down his recommendations for growing vegetables and he did. Copies of Vegetable Gardening in the Moapa and Virgin Valleys are available by stopping by UNCE at 1897 N. Moapa Valley Blvd or calling 397-2604.
Alice Crites is an educator at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in Logandale.
