Gardening Help!

**McD** · 05-24-2008, 02:07 PM

I have never planted a garden before and I have questions!

Is it to late to plant a garden now?

What can I plant?

How do I keep the bunnies out of my garden?

**missyali** · 05-24-2008, 03:28 PM

We're going to the garden center tonight when dh gets home from work to pick up some plants. We're planting tomorrow (NE Ohio)

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-24-2008, 03:38 PM

This is the right time for Ohio.

Bunnies can be kept out by using a fence. Like a chicken coop fence (pretty cheap) held up with metal stakes. Our you can go fancier with a real fence.

But.. when a bunny is hungry... they'll get to it.

We a have bunnies around and they don't seem to bother my garden.

Although I keep my lettuce in a movable container... they probably just don't know where it is today. LOL!

Have loads of fun! and get out there.. quick!

Tell us what you're planting.

**IntlMom** · 05-24-2008, 04:12 PM

You are in central IA, so you are not too late to plant.....but don't delay any longer.

Sorry, no help with the bunnies!

**BetterLateThanNever** · 05-24-2008, 04:20 PM

You could plant a in containers to keep out rabbits but if the containers alow enough they still might get into it. You might still need to put fencing up.

A cat or dog will keep rabbits away.

**SAHM I Am** · 05-24-2008, 05:37 PM

Plant! Plant!

Enjoy!

**McD** · 05-24-2008, 05:50 PM

THANK YOU!! Do I start with seeds or do I buy ready made plants?

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-24-2008, 06:50 PM

I don't know what you are planting.
Typically you plant tomatoes from plants because they need a longer growing season.
you can plant beans and all of it's brothers and sisters from seed. They're fast growers up a trellis.

Cukes I plant a couple of plants and then some seed so they're not all ready at the same time.

Lettuce.. a couple of plants and then seeds. (this works better if planted in boxes that you can move from the hot hot sun that will bolt them (cause them to stop growing and make seeds) and they'll be bitter.

Carrots - seed. Because they continue into the cold season

Squash and all its family- I do the same as cukes.
Pumpkin- same as cukes
watermelon - experimenting this year. I bought plants, but it is hard to grow watermelon in NE
Cantelope another experiment- ditto with the watermelon.

If you're a beginner- go with tomatoes. Just a few plants- a cherry, a big boy and an heirloom variety. This way you can see which works nicely in your parts. Alright get more- because you'll love them!

Cukes are sure fire.
Lettuce another sure fire
Beans.. easy no fail.

**McD** · 05-24-2008, 08:23 PM

I have no idea what I am planting either. I think a garden will be Zac and I's Monday project.

Hopefully, the four owls living in my backyards will just eat the bunnies so I won't; have to worry about them.

**Darlene** · 05-25-2008, 09:18 AM

We're planting our garden today or tomorrow.(I'll take a pic & post it when we're done) We bought some plants a few weeks ago, planted them in bigger pots and have them in the cold frame growing like crazy. Also started our cuke & summer squash seeds. Our garden has a picket fence around it and stapled to the nside is chicken wire that you really have to look hard at to see. No critters in our garden except pesky bugs.

One of our favorite plants to grow especially with little ones are carrots. They grown from seed & they just love picking them and eating them like bugs bunny. (that was back in the old days when bugs was young,lol) Pumkins are another fav & grown from seed. Kids love to watch "their" pumpkins grow.

Right now from seed you can easily grow, cukes, summer squash, carrots, green beans, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, corn

From plants: tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, peppers...
Herbs like basil, dill etc.

Next year when you find out what you like you can start some of your own plants from seed if you do it early enough.

Good luck & have fun!

**The Muse** · 05-25-2008, 09:28 AM

I'm in Connecticut and planted these past 2 weekends. I'm not sure about the growing season in Iowa.

I did peppers and tomatoes from plants because otherwise they won't mature in time to harvest before the growing season is over. I'm also growing strawberries from plants because this seems to be the norm.

From seeds, I'm growing cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, lettuce, spring greens, pole beans, radishes, carrots, sweet basil, lemon basil, cilantro, oregano, dill, and sage.

To keep bunnies out, DH built me a fence like Frugal Nurse suggested with wire ans stakes.

Have you tried square foot gardening? This is my first year trying this method and I'm excited, it seems pretty foolproof!

**bumplett** · 05-25-2008, 09:31 AM

I know I'm in a totally different region than you, but I just wanted to say: Have Fun!!

I planted tomatoes (a few different varieties), squash, cucumber, peppers -

Good Luck! Happy Gardening!!

**suki** · 05-25-2008, 10:45 AM

Plant sugar snap peas for the little guy. When my girls were little they loved just going out and sneaking a handful of them to eat raw. They always thought they were being so sneaky, hiding behind the fence to eat them... but, we planted them just for them! You have to let them sample them but they are so sweet and delicious raw that they will continue to go pick and eat them from the garden!

**McD** · 05-25-2008, 11:03 AM

THanks for the tip Suki.

We are having a hard tme getting Wesley to eat ANYTHING...but maybe if he thinks he is pulling one over on us, he'll eat/

**brainyblonde** · 05-25-2008, 12:08 PM

Bush green beans are easy to grow, and produce a nice crop. I love the purple podded ones.

It is probably too late for peas, lettuce and spinach, as they like cooler temps. (You can plant them in late summer for a fall harvest.)

We have lots of bunnies, but they don't bother my veggie plants. I used raised beds, and we have lots of clover in the yard!!