How to Start a Vegetable Garden: A Beginner's Guide ~ ADD YOUR TIPS! | |
The Jurist User ID: 642652 United States 03/28/2009 05:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Here has been one of the best finds I have run across [link to www.pathtofreedom.com] ` (Be) Divide(ed) and (be) Conquer(ed)... Don’t listen to what they say, watch what they do. ~There is Tranquility in Ignorance, but Servitude is its Partner. —me ~What luck for Rulers that Men do not Think. —Adolf Hitler :damned: Doom is optional. There is good news abounds. |
OneAngryMom User ID: 506709 United States 03/28/2009 05:46 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | *sigh* and laughing at the same time hint#1 don't plant the broccoli and blueberry's the weekend before the surprise snow/ice storm hint#2 If you surround your garden area with wood or rocks, do not try to step on them to cover your prematurely planted things if it is cold and icy outside hint#3 once you suction your foot out of about 9" of perfectly tilled mud due to the heavy rains/sleet/snow for the last 12 hours and still have a sense of humor enough to enjoy that amazing zszsllluurrrp sound it makes, do NOT track the MUD back into the house OR hint#4 That old hammock that has been stored all winter and a blanket will make a fine bed. I'm sure there's a little electric heater that can be used to keep warm. hint#5 Seriously...when you hear the kkckckcrack of the neighbor's tree IGNORE it. Remember, you have one foot receiving a lovely mud bath treatment and the sound of schlmulk - step - schlmulk - step - schlmulk - step, running across the yard only makes one look foolish only to have all of the snow and ice that was previously ON the breaking tree, bury you standing. Truly, it's just better to spend the extra 3 or 4 dollars for one of those little potting soil grow kits for seeds and some good organic seed starting potting soil and wait another month to get the stuff into a better prepared garden. craziest damn weather I think I have ever seen in living in KC nearly 50 years! Snow flakes mixed with sleet the size hands. The doggies love it though! DaJ....pretty sure I'm ready for the tavern to open....looks like it's gonna be a LONG night LMAO |
molson User ID: 498022 Canada 03/28/2009 05:48 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Timely thread, Daj. For me, dealing with weeds is the most frustrating, time consuming aspect of veggie gardening. Bending over, looking for and pulling those lil bastards really does a number on my back. IIRC, Lee Valley Tools sells a kerosene burning wand that one can use to burn the weed, without bending. It won't work for all weeds, as some will be too close to your seedlings, but it may be worth looking into. |
Avian User ID: 265661 United States 03/28/2009 05:48 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | OPEN THE TAVERN!!!!!i will byob..already started...wooot "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." - Frédéric Bastiat food, water, ammo, weapons, battery back up solar, hand well pump, wood stove and 1 year of food...oh yeah PM's too...good luck |
Seven of Nine User ID: 480844 United States 03/28/2009 05:49 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Avian User ID: 265661 United States 03/28/2009 05:55 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | 5 *'s bro.... Last Edited by aVian on 03/28/2009 05:56 PM "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." - Frédéric Bastiat food, water, ammo, weapons, battery back up solar, hand well pump, wood stove and 1 year of food...oh yeah PM's too...good luck |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 429391 United States 03/28/2009 05:57 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Timely thread, Daj. For me, dealing with weeds is the most frustrating, time consuming aspect of veggie gardening. Bending over, looking for and pulling those lil bastards really does a number on my back. Quoting: molsonhave a triangular hoe. make sure the edges are very sharp. use it as you would if you were using a broom and skim the weeds rather than "chop" the weeds. no harm to back. much easier plus the weeds that you've skimmed up add nutrient to the soil. |
OneAngryMom User ID: 506709 United States 03/28/2009 05:58 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | 7. Watch for Bunnies. Albeit cute, they can devastate just about anything in a matter of hours. Quoting: Seven of NineWell the easiest solution for bunnies is human hair so after ever hair cut (or find a shop that will let you sweep up for em).....spread it all around the parameter of the garden ... and the bunnies won't cross it. |
canttakeitnomo User ID: 630998 United States 03/28/2009 05:59 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
molson User ID: 498022 Canada 03/28/2009 06:02 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Timely thread, Daj. For me, dealing with weeds is the most frustrating, time consuming aspect of veggie gardening. Bending over, looking for and pulling those lil bastards really does a number on my back. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 429391have a triangular hoe. make sure the edges are very sharp. use it as you would if you were using a broom and skim the weeds rather than "chop" the weeds. no harm to back. much easier plus the weeds that you've skimmed up add nutrient to the soil. Hey, thanks for the tip. :) |
Seven of Nine User ID: 480844 United States 03/28/2009 06:03 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Well the easiest solution for bunnies is human hair Quoting: OneAngryMomso after ever hair cut (or find a shop that will let you sweep up for em).....spread it all around the parameter of the garden ... and the bunnies won't cross it. That's a great tip! (Alas, I didn't find out about it till the little bunnies completely nibbled up my okra last year!) |
Seven of Nine User ID: 480844 United States 03/28/2009 06:04 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 635666 United States 03/28/2009 06:05 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 644921 United States 03/28/2009 06:05 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Be sure no matter HOW curious you are as to how big your root plants are getting, like beets, onions, carrots, turnips etc. DO NOT dig them up til it's harvest time, they don't do well being continuously being "checked on", You'll have bigger better crops if you just leave things be and water them every once in a while. Plants/everything does better without human interaction. It's a fact! ;) |
canttakeitnomo User ID: 630998 United States 03/28/2009 06:05 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
OneAngryMom User ID: 506709 United States 03/28/2009 06:09 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
OneAngryMom User ID: 506709 United States 03/28/2009 06:10 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I've been doing gardens for awhile- just tilled up a 65X210 feet one, and have 2 smaller ones to work on. Quoting: canttakeitnomo 630998I'll take general questions for a few minutes. hehe what's the best time saving tip you can offer |
Square Foot Gardening User ID: 462545 Australia 03/28/2009 06:12 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Square Foot Gardening - By Mel Bartholomew [link to books.google.com] [link to video.google.com] [link to www.squarefootgardening.com] |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 644067 United States 03/28/2009 06:13 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Angel Girl on Cloud 9 User ID: 644893 United States 03/28/2009 06:14 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Great idea for a post. I agree with Jurist pathtofreedom is wonderful. I love planting heirloom seeds, and organic gardening. Some great things to plant seeds in are egg shells, tin cans with holes on the bottom and I have a friend that uses the big dog food bags to make hanging tomato containers. Most fruiting vegetables - tomatoes, zucchinis, squash, peppers, capsicum, pumpkins etc and leaf vegetables - lettuce, cabbage, kale, chard etc are easily transplanted so those seeds can be planted in trays or pots and raised in a warm place. As soon as the soil is warm enough you can transplant an already growing plant, saving the three or four weeks it would take the seed to reach that stage if you planted it straight in the ground. A seed is a self contained unit of nutrients that only needs warmth, moisture and soil to germinate and grow. When you plant your seeds they do not need light or fertiliser to grow. Placing them into soil and watering them gently is enough to make that seed burst into life. When the seed has germinated and has grown the first couple of leaves, it then needs adequate light, moisture and light fertilising to keep it going. Compost tea, comfrey tea or organic liquid fertiliser are all ideal for this task. You make those teas by adding a quarter bucket of either compost or comfrey to a bucket of water. Stir and allow to sit for a day or two, then strain the compost or comfrey out and keep the liquid (the strainings go in the compost). This is then diluted one part tea to six parts water and used on the seedlings after they put on their first few leaves. You plant the seeds according to their size - each seed is planted at double it's size. For instance - if your seed is 1 mm, plant it 2mm deep, or one eight of an inch, plant it one quarter inch deep - so the bigger the seed the deeper it is sown. The instructions for planting seeds are on their packets. Make sure you plant into clean containers using seed raising mix or your own light blend of garden soil, sand and old compost - is must be well draining and it must not have any lumps that might stop a seed from emerging. Here is a seed chart some one gave me from Ed hume seeds that helps gauge or give you an idea how much you need to plant. Plant extra seeds as it is not guarantee all will germinate. [link to www.humeseeds.com] I also love Mother Earths method for organic no dig garden beds. [link to www.motherearthnews.com] I agree Square foot gardening Mels method is wonderful: Square Foot Gardening - By Mel Bartholomew [link to books.google.com] [link to video.google.com] [link to www.squarefootgardening.com] Blessings and hope everyone has a great gardening season!! Last Edited by Angel Girl on Cloud 9™ on 03/28/2009 06:16 PM "Careful or you will end up in my novel" Angel |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 630998 United States 03/28/2009 06:15 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I've been doing gardens for awhile- just tilled up a 65X210 feet one, and have 2 smaller ones to work on. Quoting: OneAngryMomI'll take general questions for a few minutes. hehe what's the best time saving tip you can offer Well, I'd say to organize your layout on paper before actual planting to insure proper spacing, allowing for room needed to attent the plants. Using some kind of water retention layering so one doesn't have to water continously. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 537928 United States 03/28/2009 06:17 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I just covered mine with a black plastic covering , where it will sit until I'm ready to plant. This will kill the weeds. Good timing for this thread. I am starting to plan my garden, and will make it bigger this year. Looking forward to the tips that come by here. |
canttakeitnomo User ID: 630998 United States 03/28/2009 06:22 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Use the weed barrier cloth that is permeable. I use it for watermelons. Those plants are hard to cul the weeds once they get vining. the black plastic will only stunt weed growth. There's always a gilzillion other weed seeds in there just waiting for their time to germinate. |
Angel Girl on Cloud 9 User ID: 644893 United States 03/28/2009 06:23 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Use the weed barrier cloth that is permeable. I use it for watermelons. Those plants are hard to cul the weeds once they get vining. Quoting: canttakeitnomo 630998the black plastic will only stunt weed growth. There's always a gilzillion other weed seeds in there just waiting for their time to germinate. Thank you!! "Careful or you will end up in my novel" Angel |
canttakeitnomo User ID: 630998 United States 03/28/2009 06:28 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Thank you!! Quoting: Angel Girl on Cloud 9Ur welcome! Here's a real good website for gardening info: [link to forums.gardenweb.com] |
Omega User ID: 340280 United States 03/28/2009 06:31 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | What vegetables grow well together?<<<< Corn, beans and squash. Ole Indian technique called The Three Sisters. I am going to try that this year. Last years. :07058gnd02: :0708gnd03: Handguns are a skill; shotguns an art; rifles a science. _____________________________________ Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on whats for dinner. Disarmament is the precursor to Genocide. Better to take action now rather than chances later. Your choice. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 620712 United States 03/28/2009 06:33 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Timely thread, Daj. For me, dealing with weeds is the most frustrating, time consuming aspect of veggie gardening. Bending over, looking for and pulling those lil bastards really does a number on my back. Quoting: molsonIIRC, Lee Valley Tools sells a kerosene burning wand that one can use to burn the weed, without bending. It won't work for all weeds, as some will be too close to your seedlings, but it may be worth looking into. We also (my wife and I) have had trouble with weeds too. But last year we bought 2 bales of straw and covered the garder with it. It prevents most of the weeds and keeps the soil moist a bit longer so less water is needed. |
canttakeitnomo User ID: 630998 United States 03/28/2009 06:34 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Omega User ID: 340280 United States 03/28/2009 06:34 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | FYI: Three Sisters (agriculture) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The Three Sisters are the three main agricultural crops of some Native American groups in North America: squash, maize, and climbing beans (typically tepary beans or common beans). In one technique known as companion planting, the three crops are planted close together. Flat-topped mounds of soil are built for each cluster of crops. Each mound is about 30 cm (1 ft) high and 50 cm (20 in) wide, and several maize seeds are planted close together in the center of each mound. In parts of the Atlantic Northeast, rotten fish or eel are buried in the mound with the maize seeds, to act as additional fertilizer where the soil is poor.[1][2] When the maize is 15 cm (6 inches) tall, beans and squash are planted around the maize, alternating between beans and squash. Milpas are farms or gardens that employ companion planting on a larger scale.[3] The three crops benefit from each other. The maize provides a structure for the beans to climb, eliminating the need for poles. The beans provide the nitrogen to the soil that the other plants utilize and the squash spreads along the ground, monopolizing the sunlight to prevent weeds. The squash leaves act as a "living mulch," creating a microclimate to retain moisture in the soil, and the prickly hairs of the vine deter pests. Native Americans throughout North America are known for growing variations of three sister's gardens. The Anasazi are known for adopting this garden design in a more xeric environment. [edit] References 1. ^ "The Three Sisters." Phil Dudman. October 19, 2005. ABC North Coast NSW. 2. ^ "The Three Sisters." John Vivian. February/March 2001. Mother Earth News. 3. ^ Mann, Charles. 1491. 2005. pp. 220-221. Vintage Books. [link to en.wikipedia.org] Handguns are a skill; shotguns an art; rifles a science. _____________________________________ Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on whats for dinner. Disarmament is the precursor to Genocide. Better to take action now rather than chances later. Your choice. |
Omega User ID: 340280 United States 03/28/2009 06:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | 7. Watch for Bunnies. Albeit cute, they can devastate just about anything in a matter of hours. Quoting: Seven of NineYeah I fenced my stuff with chicken wire. Front area I am trying to grow some tobacco this year. :0708gnd: Handguns are a skill; shotguns an art; rifles a science. _____________________________________ Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on whats for dinner. Disarmament is the precursor to Genocide. Better to take action now rather than chances later. Your choice. |