198 



KB 



I M SP CHI F 



J CHA L 



GARDEN CROPS 

 1989 ^ 1990 



Figure 6-4. Frequency with which crops were planted in gardens during 1989 and 1990 (C = com, 

 S = squash, KB = kidney beans, I = ibes, M = yam, SP = sweet potato, CHI = chile, F = fruits, 

 Y = yucca, J = jicama, CHA = chaya, L = lentils, and O = other). 



Crop phenology was studied intensively on the seven selected gardens in 1990. Six of the 

 seven selected gardens were planted during 6/13-6/28, while one was planted about 7/25. The seven 

 selected gardens were surveyed eight times each during 7/90-1/91. The number of reported 

 observations per gardens, however, was less than the number of garden surveys as some gardens were 

 planted later or harvested earlier than others. Gardeners reported that the key factor in deciding when 

 to plant was sufficient rainfall. In 1990, relatively heavy rainfall occurred at the beginning of the 

 planung season on 4/3 (11.2 mm), 4/12 (13.5 mm), 4/27 (40.0 mm), 6/7 (16.0 mm), and 6/8 (20.5 

 mm; see Appendix A). Many gardens were planted soon after each of these dates. 



Com, the most abundant crop according to the density of stalks (see below), was present in the 

 gardens for about six months in 1990. During 7/90-8/90, com plants primarily were at the seedling 

 stage (Figure 6-6). In 9/90, about 37% of the plants were seedlings, 29% had flowers, and 34% had 



