ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION 3.

Ideal characteristic of an organic nursery:

a. Clean free from contaminants and stablish
buffer zone, if necessary
Unit of Competency: Produce Organic Vegetables b. Put up shade/ screen or transparent plastic to
protect from heavy rain/ entry point of insect
pest.
1. Step in Preparing a good seedbed: c. Availability of clean and unchlorinated water.
a. Clear the area and prepare growing media by d. Availability of concoctions.
mixing vermicast, carbonized rice hull (CRH) e. Provide clean garden tools.
and garden soil at a ratio of 1:1:1 (1- part f. Secured area from stray animals.
vermicast,1 part CRH, 1- part garden soil) or g. Strictly maintain proper record keeping.
other combinations that can be used are a a.)
2:1:1 (garden soil, organic fertilizer, and 4. Step in preparing the land for vegetable
carbonized rice hull) b.) 1:2 ordinary farm soil gardening:
and organic fertilizer). a. Through land preparation
b. Sterilize plots through sun drying, hot water b. Pulverized soil, free from weeds
treatment, and burning c. Construct canal and waterways for proper
c. Introduction of beneficial microorganism such drainage
as IMO & LABS. d. One- meter width of plot/ half meter between
d. Accessible to clean and unchlorinated water. pots/hills (distance depends upon type of crop
e. Prepare the seedling tray/ seed box (range in to be planted)
size depends on the crops to be sowed) using e. Sterilize plots through sun drying
indigenous materials in the area f. Introduction of microorganism
g. Strictly record the activities
2. Selection of Good Seeds according to the
Philippine National Standard 5. Proper procedures in planting and
transplanting various vegetables:
a. No to GMO seeds a. Direct Planting
b. Source of seeds and planting materials shall - Staking using plastic wines
be from certified organic producers, when - Establish distancing/ spacing
available - Holing
c. Used untreated/ certified seeds and planting - Sterilizing
materials which are available, in case, - Basal application (compost/
chemically untreated conventional materials vermicomposting/ OF)
may be used provided that they have not - Spraying concoction (IMO/ OHN)
been treated with pesticides. - Planting
b) Transplanting (from seedbed/ seed box)
 - Same as planting procedure - Yellowing of fruit, shiny, perfect size
b. Cucurbits, pipino, squash, upo, pakwan)
6. Types of pest diseases of vegetables - Size, age from transplanting, convex,
a. Pests appearance, color
 Insect pests c. Leafy (petchay, lettuce, mustard)
- Sucking insects (hoppers, aphids) - At least 8 leaves from the base
- Chewing insects (defoliators- larva,
spotted beetle) 9. Performing plant care activities:
 Rats/birds, mites - Visit the plants every day and observe presence of
 Astray animals pest/s and disease/s
b. Diseases - Water the plants everyday preferably in the
 Bacterial disease (BLB) morning
 Virus (Mosaic) - Weed the plants when needed by hand weeding
 Nematodes - Spray concoction like IMO to make soil healthy
 Fungus (stem rot, fruit rot) because of the principle “feed the soil not the plants”
- For faster growth, spray IMO & FPJ
7. Organic methods of preventing and - Spray FFJ to make the fruits healthy and good taste
controlling pest and diseases for vegetables: - Spray OHN/ LABS when there is insect, pests and
a. Prevention diseases observed.
- Maintain sanitation in the field - Planting of herbs and other insect repellants around
- Choose healthy and resistant variety the garden.
- Increase population of NEs by planting - Practice crop rotation.
alternative host plant for NEs
- Plant insect repellant/ attractant (amarilyo, 10.Steps/ procedures in performing to improve
cosmos) the fertility of the soil:
- Plant sacrificial plant - Use of organic fertilizer: basal and foliar application
b. Control - Loosen the soil and spray IMO to increase the
- Introduction of micro- organism growth of beneficial microorganism
- Increase population of NEs by planting - Practice intercropping
alternative host plant for NEs - Application of green manure
- Use parasitoid - Practice crop rotation
- Maintain sanitation in the field - Prevent soil erosion through contour farming
- Plant sacrificial plant - Practice fallow period

8. Identifying the different maturity indices of 11.Application of basal and foliar fertilizer in the
common vegetables in the Philippines: vegetables:
a. Solanaceous (eggplant, sili, tomatoes, etc.)
 - Basal fertilizer is applied in the soil by digging holes 15.Observing the Harvesting protocol of organic
or mixing basal fertilizer into the soil of preferred bed vegetables:
before planting the seedling - Must have clearly defined collection/ harvesting
- Foliar fertilizer is applied by spraying into the plant area
leaves and body during ambient temperature while - Harvest must be identified and familiar with the
the stomata are open. harvesting area
-The harvest area shall be at an appropriate distance
12.Harvesting and handling vegetables properly from conventional farming and other possible
using indigenous materials: sources of pollution and contamination.
- Harvest fertilizer early in the morning or late in the
afternoon using pruning knife. 16.Plants to implement the Philippine National
-Segregate the different sizes of vegetables and Standards:
remove those that have defects. - The farm shall meet the minimum requirements as
- Place the bamboo baskets lines with banana leaves prescribe by the PNS
and / or used newspapers to prevent from rashes.
- Transport vegetable at cool temperature or early in 17.Communicating with superiors and co-
the morning. workers to ensure that planned activities in
production are carried out effectively:
13.Keeping records in the farm: - Memos
Maintain record or logbook containing the following: - Farm records
- Activities - Regular meetings
- Date (start/ End)
- Inputs (kind/quantity) 18.Appropriate PPE’s in the garden:
- Expenses ( Unit/ total cost) - Boots
- Labor cost - Gloves
- Person responsible - Cap/ hat
- Others Remarks - Mask
- Long sleeve/ jackets
14.Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in
your farm: Different Families of Vegetables
Implement 5S and GAP 1. Leafy Vegetables -crops manly used for their
- Sort leaves whether eaten raw or
- Straighten cooked
-Sweep  Usually grown for salad
- Standardize  Requires full sunlight
- Sustain  Can also be grown in container/ pots
 Shallow roots
  Minimal pests 5. Legumes – member of the legume family that
 No trellis needed produce edible pods and seeds
 Ideal for backyard gardening  Snaps beans
 Pole beans
2. Cucurbits- better known as the squash family  Trellis is required
Cucurbitaceae. Also includes;  Very minimal organic input is required
 Bottle gourd  Can be intercropped with other smaller plants
 Sponge gourd (patola) 
 Wax gourd (kundol) 6. Crucifers – Cole crops family and includes broccoli,
 Zucchini cauliflower, kale, kohirabi, brusselspouts, etc.
 Requires trellis
 30-90 days to grow  Has anti- cancer properties ( if prepared well)
 Deep roots  Loves organic fertilizer
 Requires full sunlight  Recommended to be eaten cooked than raw
 Can also be grown in bigger container
7. Herbs
3. Solanaceous crops – Solanaceae family  Parsley Rosemary thyme Chives Basil
 Pepper  Mint
 Tomato  Tarragon
 Eggplant  Culinary purposes
 Potato  Medicinal purposes
 Better grown in summer or hotter region  Loves to be planted in pots with lots of
 Deep roots organic inputs
 Can be grown in bigger pots  Can tolerate partly shaded areas
 Requires trellis
4. Roots Crops - cropsthat produce edible and enlarge STAGES OF PRODUCTION
roots or stem.
 Carrots 1. Seedling Stage – how to prepare seedling medium
 Radish or potting mix and seed
 Deep roots sowing.
 Requires sandy- loam soil  Should be porous to provide good air
 Minimum of 12 inches- deep plots circulation and root development
 Can be grown in bigger pots  Rich in plant nutrients
 Full sunlight is required  Pathogen free
 Direct seeding  Has good water holding capacity, and
  Should have lots of microbial activity to keep  Preparation is a set of procedure done to
plants healthy, robust and thus, higher make the soil conducive for planting, It
resistance from pests and diseases involves;
Ratio 1:1:1 1. Weeding and debris clearing- remove
1. Mix all solid ingredients together unwanted plants or grass from an area of
- 1 sack vermicast/vermicompost
- 1 sack carbonize rice hull ground.
- 1sack top soil 2. Cultivating – the act of preparing a land
2. Mix concoctions with water (soil) for planting.
- mix 20ml each of each of IMO, LABS, 3. Pulverizing– separation of particles from
FPJ, into 1 liter water each other rather than the breaking up of
3. Mix all the ingredient well individual
- 30- 40% moisture content particles.
4. Fill the seedling tray with potting 4. Plot forming- form division of land (plot).
5. Punch holes into the tray using a tray 5. Sterilization–process that removes, kills,
with mix soil amendments or deactivates all forms of life and other
6. Sow seeds biological agents
- 1 seed per hole like prions present in a specific surface,
7. Water again using the diluted object or fluid, for
concoctions example food or biological culture media.
- Do not put too much 6. Basal application – application of
8. Apply markings fertilizers to soil before sowing of seeds or
- Put in the variety, date of sowing, panting of seedlings.
date of transplant and name of the person 7. Mulching–any material laid over the
who sown the seeds surface of the soil to retain moisture,
suppress weeds, regulate
SEED SOWING temperature, and prevent erosion.
 Sow seeds in seedling tray or seedling 2 types of Basal Application
cups to protect them from predators e.g. ants, Type 1: Surface of the soil
birds, etc.  Application rate: minimum of 100g/ sqm
 Seedling in trays/ cups are also  1, 000kg / hectare
protected from stress during transplanting  Turbo charge your soil for faster
improvement
2. Land Preparation– how to prepare the soil before Mulching
transplanting  Prevent weeds from sprouting
 Maintain moisture content in the soil
 Allows microorganisms to work
  Use plastic mulch during rainy  Once or twice a week spray maintenance
season to control weeds and IMO, FPJ, OHN, FFJ, LABS, (you can make
excessive rainfall. cocktails of concoctions to save on labor
 Use rice straws during summer to cost
control weeds and to preserve  Once every 2 weeks after planting side
moisture in the soil. The mulch will dress bokashi 100g/sqm
be converted into fertilizer upon  Maintain safety distance (5-6 inches)
decomposition. Do not let the between bokashi and stem of plants
mulch touch the stem of the plants
to avoid yellowing of leaves. Sources of Organic Fertilizer
 Drench with IMO solution(20ml/ L of 1. Nitrogen – rich in organic fertilizer (for foliage
water).IMO enhances and greening).
decomposition and population of
beneficial microorganisms. Vegetable Stage
 After 7 days, soil becomes porous  FAA fish Amino Acid
with improved organic matter  FPJ- Fermented Plant Juice using legumes
content.  Seaweeds/ duckweeds/ azolla extracts
 Rabbit manure (decomposed)
Type 2: Beneath the soil Application  Processed Chicken Manure (PCM)
 Wait for two weeks before transplanting. 2. Phosphorus- Rich organic fertilizer ( for the root
 Let the microorganisms decompose the systems) at planting stage/
organic matter in the soil. land preparation
 Bat guano/manure (controlled)
3. Transplanting  Burnt and fermented animal/ fish bones
 The process of planting the seedlings  CRH – carbonized rice hull
from the nursery to the field 3. Potassium – rich organic fertilizer (for heavy
 2-3 true leaves – rule of thumb yield)
 Drench with IMO solution (20ml/liter of Reproductive Stage
water)  Fermented Fruit JUICE (FFJ)
 Cover the soil with organic matter  CRH -Carbonized Rice Hull
(dayami, kugon, carbonized rice hull) Complete Organic Fertilizer
 Maintain safe distance (5-6 inches)  Bokashi
between the mulch and stem of the plant  Fortified Organic compost
to avoid yellowing of leaves.  Vermicast/ Vermicompost
4. Growing Period  Fermented Animal Manure
 Application of concoctions 5. Harvesting
Best time to Harvest CROP BETWEEN NUMBER DAYS
HILLS (cm) OF ROWS BEFORE
 Leafy vegetables/Herbs – early in the PER 1 HARVEST
morning or late in the afternoon METER
 Root crops/ fruiting vegetables- any time BED
of the day Leafy type 20- 25 4 30
 Use plastic crates to avoid unnecessary lettuce
spoilage Beaded 40 2 60
type lettuce
Pechay, 10-20 5 30-40
Maturity Indices
Mustard
Tomato , 40- 50 2 60
 Size, length, diameter Eggplant
 Number of leaves Hot lady 40- 50 2 60
 Firmness/ solidity finger,
 Flavor, sweetness, bitterness pepper
 Weight Bell pepper 40 2 60
 Color
 Seed development Ampalaya, 100 Every other 60
Upo, Patola bed
Tomato Maturity and ripening Stage Arugula, 5 20 30-40
Chinese
1. GREEN- the tomato surface is completely green. The
kangkong,
shade of green may vary from light to dark. amaranth
2. BREAKER- there is a definite break of color from Japanese, 30- 40 2 28
green to bruised fruit tannish- yellow, pink or red or American
10% or less the tomato surface. Cucumber
3. TURNING- tannish – yellow, pink or red color show on Herbs, 30 3 90- 120
over 10% but not more than 30% of the tomato surface Parsley,sag
4. PINK- Pink or red color shows 10% but not more than e thyme:
30% of the tomato surface dill, sesame
5. LIGHT RED – Pinkish- red or red color shows on over leaf
60% but red color covers not more than 90% of the Italian 50 20 30- 60
tomato surface oregano,
6. RED- red means that more than 90% of the tomato basil
surface, in aggregate, is red
7. PACKAGING – avoid packaging wet vegetables herbs TABLE 2: Maturity Indices

VEGETABLES MATURITY SPECIFICS

TABLE.1 Planting Distance INDEX
Cucumber Size, color 6-8 long,  Predators- mobile insects that hurts for harmful
green- dark animal, which they kill.e.g spiders, frog, bird, earwigs
green  Parasites – creatures that Live inside the harmf ul
Lettuce No. of leaves, 12- 16 leaves, animal, which they kill e. g . Trichogramma
size, flavor 6-8 tall sweet  Species – specific disease – culture of micro control
Beans Size, seed 5-6 slight bulge agents like “ BacillusThunringiensis” bacteria ( not
development of seeds GMO)
Tomato Color, size, Turning, full
firmness size, firm
Pepper Color, size, Market defined,
Common Insects/pests
firmness full size, form
Okra Color, size, 4-5 long, light
firmness green- green, 1. Fruit Fly
slightly firm Host Range
Cauliflower Size, Florets Around 3  Cucurbits watermelon,muskmelon, butter gourd,
diameter, ridge gourd, pumpkin)
slightly open  Solanaceous ( tomato, eggplant, sweet pepper)
florets  Legumes
 Fruit crops(papaya, jackfruit, avocado, pummel

C. Pest Management Control

Disadvantage in the use of Agro- Chemicals  Net bags – wrapping of the fruit newspaper, nylon
 Very dangerous to humans (both farmer and net or polyethylene sleeve (specially for long, thin
consumer) and to the environment cucurbit fruits)
 High cost/ high risk  Use of attractant’s (phenomones) for suppression
 It can develop immunity and distance to pest of male population
 Sticky traps
Holistic Approach
 Multi- cropping 2. Aphids
 Crop rotation
 Companion planting Host Range
 Net bagging  Cucurbits(watermelon,muskmelon, butter gourd,
 Beneficial Insects ridge gourd, pumpkin)
 Flower & herbs  Solanaceous (tomato, eggplant, sweet pepper)
 OHN  Legumes
Biological Pest Control  Brassicas
 Control  Sticky Traps
 Pruning of the heavily infested plant- parts  Elimination of weeds
and proper disposal (bury or burn)  Use of yellow sticky Traps
 Use of yellow sticky traps to lessen aphid  Intercrop with onion
population
 Use of botanical extracts such as neem, 5. Broad Mite
kakawate, hot pepper and ginger extracts Host Range
(OHN)  Cucurbits (Cucumber)
 Use of plastic mulch is recommended since it  Solanaceous (tomato, eggplant, pepper,
can help rappel insect pests(including aphid) tomato)
specially in the early stages of the plant  Brassicas
 Intercrop with chives
Control
3. Cucurbit beetle  Pruning of the heavily infested plant- parts
and proper disposal (bury or burn)
Host Range  Smudging or smoking using rice hull, rice
 Cucurbits (watermelon, muskmelon, butter gourd, straw, saw dust etc.
ridge gourd, pumpkin)  Spraying of botanical insecticides (OHN) such
as hot pepper and kakawate extracts.
Control
 Tirricide (tiris) collection of beetles in the 6. Flea beetle
early morning Host Range
 Wood ash  Brassicas (pechay, cauliflower, broccoli,
 Intercrop with radish aragula)

4. White Fly Control

 Spray botanical pest control like OHN
Host Range  Intercrop with parsley, chives, and onion
 Cucurbits (watermelon, muskmelon, butter gourd,
ridge gourd, pumpkin)
 Solanaceous (tomato, eggplant, sweet pepper)
 Okra
 Brassicas

Control
 OHN