Steps to Planning a Theme Garden

Determine what type of theme garden you
would like. In this case, we want an Asian-
American Garden.
2. Determine the location and size of your
garden. Select an area that receives at least
six hours of full sunlight every day and is
close to a water source.
3. Take a soil sample and send it to be ana-
lyzed with the help of your county Extension
agent.
4. The shape of your garden may be a 4’x4’
square area or whatever fits into your land-
scape scheme!
5. Amend the soil according to soil test
results. Using a tiller, work in a 3-inch layer
of organic matter (peat moss, manure, rotted
compost, etc.) to improve the soil structure.
6. Select plants from list of recommended
varieties.
7. Plant warm-season vegetables, such
as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and most
herbs, after April 25
th
to avoid frost or freeze
damage.
8. Water, weed, fertilize and
harvest on a weekly basis
throughout the growing sea-
son.
9. Enjoy your abundance of
fresh vegetables and herbs.
Asian-American Theme Gardens will con-
tain stir-fry type plants introduced to the
United States by Asian immigrants.
Asian cultures relate to nature by capturing
its heart and spirit and incorporating that es-
sence into daily life. Asian peoples have long
been masters in the art of gardening in small
courtyards.
When using fresh greens to make salad mixes,
use leaves with mild flavors such as lettuce or
endive to make up the bulk of the salad. Sharp
or pungent leaves such as basil, coriander,
parsley, mizspoona and mustards should be
used in smaller amounts as an accent.
Recommended Plants
Red Mustard: Mix young leaves in with other
salad greens or sprinkle flowers on sand-
wiches.
Mizspoona: Adds a spicy bite to salads or
stir-fry dishes.
W037
The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex,
disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Agricultural Extension Service, Charles L. Norman, Dean
Pac Choi: A traditional stir-fry. Separate leaf
from stem and chop both into 2-inch wide
diagonal chunks. Also good raw in salads.
Snap Peas: Plant early in spring when tem-
peratures are cool. Harvest daily.
‘Thai’ Basil: This herb with its warm spicy
flavor is a native of Africa and Asia held in
divine essence. Pick leaves when young for
best flavor.
Others: Asian red kale, eggplant, coriander,
radish, mizuna, early endive and many lettuce
varieties.