*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I recommend that you start out by getting a soil sample test kit from your local county extension office - this will be an office funded by the state and county and operated by your Big Ag school - Land Grant University. In our state, that would be Michigan State University. The master gardeners, horitcultural specialists, and agricultural directors are experts and the tests are easy to conduct. They will do the analysis for you and then you'll know what the soil might be lacking. The fees are very reasonable - some states offer it for free, I don't think ours does anymore because of money problems. The horticultural specialist will allow you to pick his/her brain! Bradfield Organics, Mother Earth News, and even Miracle Grow companies offer organic fertilizers. Once you have the analysis, you'll know what things would be good to add to your soil. I recommend that you start with easy to grow, easy to harvest, varieties. Save the fancy stuff for once you are at home with gardening and have a routine in place. If you like to eat radishes, that's a great crop. Honestly, you can't hardly kill the things and they tend to be pretty hardy. Some lettuces such as romaine and butter lettuce do not require much effort to grow. Tomatoes are always a good choice. But, they spread like the plague, so make sure you have a plan in place for tying, staking, caging, etc. None of the master gardeners will thank you for having your rogue grape tomatoes take over their broccoli! I would avoid the other varieties of vining crops such as zucchini, cucumbers, squash, and melons until you feel really comfortable with the lay out of your plot and your gardening routine. Leeks or onions - these aren't hard to grow either. Broccoli is pretty simple as long as you watch it closely during the heavy heat...it may need a little sun visor if you live south of the Ohio River Valley, or west of the Mississippi. In Michigan, we've never had to shield ours. But, I've heard of sunburned, dried out, stifled broccoli from nasty late July and early August heat. Think about what it is you want to do with your garden. Do you want to eat primarily in season produce and not worry about storing vegetables for winter, or do you have a grander food production plan? It affects what you plant. If you are thinking of lovely summer and early autumn salads, but not canning, freezing, and dehydrating, then I would stick to three types of greens (most of which grow pretty well without a lot of fuss), early maturing tomatoes, radishes, and spinach. If you want something to put away for winter, then you may want to try bush green beans (again, not too hard to grow but not as much yield as pole beans - can't recommend pole beans since you are sharing space with other gardeners and like all vining plants, pole beans need fencing/staking/nerves of steel to keep them from taking over the PLANET), tomatoes, leeks, onions, and broccoli (I freeze mine, even the little heads that are produced after you harvest that first big head. It's soooooo yummy in the winter.) Don't plant asparagus, artichoke hearts, strawberries, or other perenials that take years to mature unless you are guaranteed that you can have that plot again next year. It would not be much fun to go to all of that work and expense so that someone else can get next year's harvest. Have fun! Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cseitter Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 You can go to this site to do a garden plan http://www.motherearthnews.com/garden-planner/vegetable-garden-planner.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 You need to check before you put in the blackberry bushes. Many community gardens do not allow plants that spread. Also, when you sign your contract find out what pests are common at your gardens. Gophers are a huge problem at my community garden---good to know before I just planted in the ground without anything to protect the roots. Get in and talk to any and every gardener available. Listen to their experiences. rareseeds.com is an excellent place to get heirloom seeds from. Have fun! For me the planning is just enjoyable as the actual planting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 There is something you should know about blackberry bushes. They are like alien locusts...they come to your land to consume everything! Seriously, blackberries will take over everything and I think you have some master gardeners very angry with you if you plant them. At the very least, you will have to prune with the diligence of super model going after her eyebrows! If you want to make salsa, then definitely plant some onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and a spicy pepper - like a banana pepper or worse. Be very careful when you make your salsa. The acid is in the seeds. Not only do you NOT want to can the seeds, but you want to wear gloves while working at the de-seeding and above all DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYE after handling. Keep lemon juice and parsley nearby. When you are done working with the peppers, rub your hands with both even if you did wear gloves because the stuff squirts all over, can get under the glove, around the wrist, etc. Ask me how I know...I was canning banana peppers for dh while wearing gloves and assumed none had made it onto my hands. I then itched the corner of my eye. It was a new experience in pain, suffering, eyes that watered like Niagra Falls, and puffy eye lids! Pepper plants do not take up a lot of room. You can order heirloom seeds from Baker Creek Seed Company. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Too funny. FaithManor and I said just about the same thing. Baker Creek is rareseeds.com. :D I have used onion sets to grow onions and it is super easy. Throw the sets in the ground. Wait until the tops look dead. Pull. Viola---onions. I have never tried to grow them from seeds, but am actually going to try that this year for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 20x30 is a decent plot! I think you could do all of the above in a plot that big, mine is not that large and I fit an enormous amount of stuff in it. I don't know anything about seasons in the US except that I was really surprised when reading a US book how different the planting seasons are there. My recommendation is that you go to the library and get a book specific to YOUR AREA on what to plant and when, it should include pests and diseases and how to treat too. You could probably try all those things in a plot that big, and some will probably fail dismally and that is just fine, you will learn by trial and error what works. One thing I have recently learnt is that you choose your onion variety by when you are planting as they are "programmed" to mature on different day length. For lettuce, it's good to plant a few different varieties and you need to plant a few regularly unless you want to be picking 20 lettuces in a week and then having none for the rest of the time. I'm growing watermelons this year, they are not too bad with regards to spreading, much more controllable than pumpkins/squash so definitely give them a go! Pumpkins/squash are very spready and could take over a garden easily, I've given up on trying to grow them this year, I might try again next year when I have more room to guide them into. Zucchini and cucumber are other cucurbits that do great and should be fine to plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Haven't read the other replies yet, so forgive me if these are all repeats. :) -I'd find out if there are any plants you're not allowed to grow. -Be prepared to protect the roots and tops of your plants by lining beds, surrounding baby plants with chicken wire cages (easy to make), and reinforcing your fence area with something like chicken wire. -Walk around and see what other people are having success with, and to get ideas. -Reach out to the veterans -Make or buy a compost, if there isn't one there already -Scope out what's already growing in the plot, I've inherited some good stuff that was well established when I gardened at a similar type place. -Don't do all challenging stuff, if all else fails at least the wildflowers and cherry tomatoes are big and bushy. :D -Take photos -Share seeds -Make sure there's a hose, or if there's an irrigation system, that it works. -Start collecting tools, if you don't want to spend a bundle, you can sometimes find them at garage sales or on Craigslist. -Make a sitting area, it's nice to be able to sit and have a place to put your cool drink. hth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Instead of rows, consider Square Foot Gardening plots within your plot, with walkways between them. See how your soil is, and if necessary, consider raising your beds the first year or two while you develop the soil. Don't do too much the first year (I should take my own advice - just ordered way too many seeds from Baker Creek!). Consider setting up a compost bin in one corner (if allowed by the powers that be). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 Check your library for free local gardening lectures and classes, and your local 4H extension offices for brochures and contact with master gardeners. We've still got a few feet of snow on the ground. Enjoy your garden journey. http://www.seedsavers.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted February 13, 2011 Share Posted February 13, 2011 :crying: I hope I can manage some. I have great memories growing up in the South with blackberry bushes EVERYWHERE and eating them as snacks while we were out playing.... We pick them at a farm, but it's a 30 minute drive. And you have to pay, LOL. We have a variety of blackberry that is non-spreading and thornless. We grow it on a trellis and it stays put. I think they are not really cold-hardy, though (not a problem for us, but maybe for you). Your extension office can tell you what will work in your climate. We also have invasive, thorny blackberries and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. The berries aren't good enough to compensate for the scars on my forearms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 I went and signed for my plot today! I asked them about blackberry bushes and they said I can grow whatever I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only "rules" they have pertain to gardening organically and not "overflowing" onto other plots/common areas. Keep it weeded, etc. It looks like I have a lot of work to do! Apparently, you have to plant Winter Rye by November 30th, for the Winter.... so my plot is covered in Rye. It looks like the last person left a HUGE hose, a hoe, and 3 or 4 trellises... so at least I don't have to buy those few things. So, I need to get rid of the rye..... test the soil... add compost, etc. to the soil.... Till the soil.... plan and plant!! I am using that Garden planner from Mother Earth news :) Awesome! So, I'm going to try..... Blackberry Bushes Watermelons Herbs Flowers Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Lettuce Spinach Kale Swiss Chard Onions Out of ALL that, something HAS to make it, LOL!! I kinda sorta' already asked this, but, which of these would you sow outside (from seed) and which would you start indoors (from seed)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I went and signed for my plot today! I asked them about blackberry bushes and they said I can grow whatever I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only "rules" they have pertain to gardening organically and not "overflowing" onto other plots/common areas. Keep it weeded, etc. It looks like I have a lot of work to do! Apparently, you have to plant Winter Rye by November 30th, for the Winter.... so my plot is covered in Rye. It looks like the last person left a HUGE hose, a hoe, and 3 or 4 trellises... so at least I don't have to buy those few things. So, I need to get rid of the rye..... test the soil... add compost, etc. to the soil.... Till the soil.... plan and plant!! I am using that Garden planner from Mother Earth news :) Awesome! So, I'm going to try..... Blackberry Bushes Watermelons Herbs Flowers Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Lettuce Spinach Kale Swiss Chard Onions Out of ALL that, something HAS to make it, LOL!! I kinda sorta' already asked this, but, which of these would you sow outside (from seed) and which would you start indoors (from seed)? :lurk5: I've been working on my seed list, and I took everything off that was recommended to start indoors. :blush: Renee's Garden seed packets tell you what needs to be started indoors. If you click on "How to plant and grow" on the website you can read all that info: http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/seeds-hm/vegB.htm#car Do the berries produce fruit the first year, or is that one of those plants where it takes a year to produce crops? The most memorable plants at our old community garden plot were artichoke, grapes (inherited), and blackberries (inherited). Hope you have a wonderful time in your new garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Oh, and an audio book to listen to to get you in the gardening spirit: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It's a lovely book to listen to, her voice is so gentle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 Oh, and an audio book to listen to to get you in the gardening spirit: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It's a lovely book to listen to, her voice is so gentle. Read it!! One of my FAVORITE books!! I agree about the voice, I first heard about the books when I was channel surfing (radio) and she was talking about the book. :) Do the berries produce fruit the first year, or is that one of those plants where it takes a year to produce crops? I have NO idea, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.