Garden Advice

Discussion in Home & Garden started by Gavin • May 27, 2014.

  1. Gavin

    GavinMember

    Joined:
    May 27, 2014
    Threads:
    13
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    13
    So, I'm looking at starting a garden in the upcoming month and am wondering where do I even really start. I'd love to grow something that my family can use but I don't know what grows well in June through the Hotter months. I'm going to do some research but I'm also curious if anyone here has anything they can add.

    I have a pretty large space, though I don't know the exact dimensions and am able to water as needed. Shoot some advice and ideas my way!
     
  2. Lostvalleyguy

    LostvalleyguyActive Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2014
    Threads:
    168
    Messages:
    524
    Likes Received:
    14
    I suggest taking a trip to you local garden center to get some ideas. If you are looking for a harvest later this summer you had best get a quick start on things. Most small plants at a nursery will have an approximate time from planting to harvest on the ID tag. I do recommend a proper garden center rather than the local seasonal ones that appear everywhere. The people at the garden center will tell you what will grow well in your area.

    One of the mistakes people often make when first starting to garden is planting too much. You really don't need that 6-pack of zucchini plants (no really - you don't!). Keep it simple at first and enjoy the experience.
     
  3. ami560

    ami560Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Threads:
    9
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    Make sure you have a nice space laid out whatever you choose to plant. First pick a nice plot that gets a good amount of direct sunlight, but not so much that the plants shrivel up. This will depend on where you live, shade, etc. Then, dig up any weeds and grass, or build a plant box. If you dig down, then only go a few inches, but keep the soil as the topsoil is full of nutrients that plants love. Then, for both the hole or a planters box, lay down some landscaper's fabric. It helps block weed growth, which is a pain when gardening. Weeds starve out the roots of plants you want to grow, so this helps keep them at bay. Then, plant what you want with the soil you have if it is good enough, or buy potting soil if you feel your soil doesn't have enough nutrients. There's a lot more, but the internet is a nice place for learning about hobbies like gardening.
     
  4. Sweetkymom

    SweetkymomActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2014
    Threads:
    64
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    9
    A porch garden would be a great start. Assemble some boxes to arrange on the porch. Drill
    A few holes in each box. Fill with some miracle grow dirt. Plant your seeds and/or plant already started plants. Be sure to grow plants that don't overpopulated as you won't have room for them. I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce and a few other plants in mine.

    A really good tv channel And/or website to get ideas from are HGTV.com. I actually got alot of my ideas from there. Its worth looking into.
     
  5. DDavies

    DDaviesActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2014
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    2
    You can also visit your local University website to see if they have an Ag department. See if your county's Cooperative Extension has a website.

    You have to consider more than just sun and water. You will have to test the pH levels in your soil. Vegetables generally prefer 5.5 to around 7.0 but some prefer it as high as 8.0.
     
  6. KymARenner

    KymARennerNew Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    Threads:
    0
    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    1
    Great tips available on this thread already, I would just like to add that you will need a lot of patience and put in time, especially in the initial weeks, to get the desired garden.So plan well and Good luck.
     
  7. Pat

    PatWell-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2012
    Threads:
    66
    Messages:
    2,725
    Likes Received:
    328
    The advice to check out HGTV as a good resource is a good tip. Also you want to consider how the plants you are interested in planting will grow, are the plants spreaders or are the climbers, will they need to staked up for support like tomatoes or will the crawl all over the yard like squash.
     
  8. guineapigsandgardens

    guineapigsandgardensMember

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2015
    Threads:
    10
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    6
    I love HGTV as a resource.

    My advice is to start small. You can always grow a bigger garden as time goes on. Don't overwhelm yourself with too much work. That's the easiest way to fail. Tomatoes are pretty "user friendly" as are herbs. I have a window sill herb garden right now with basil, dill and parsley.
     
  9. franpj

    franpjNew Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2015
    Threads:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    3
    Everyone here who posted I agree with. Local garden center, starting smaller, troll the county extension site, etc. I wound up abandoning my garden because the neighbors tree grew up and being in the high desert, the growing season didn't start soon enough or last long enough to overcome the deep shade of the neighbors tree.
    My back deck, however, was flooded with light from the get go till late in the evening. So I bought those "trough" planters, and had a thriving garden going nuts. Even tho the deck area would get over 100 degrees during the day.....much much easier to garden that way. no weeds either