newbie to gardening

**wwe11** · 03-19-2009, 03:42 PM

We would love to start a garden next year,it will be our first, but how where do I begin? I would love all the info you could give this newbie. We can't afford to do one this year.

**rsbs** · 03-19-2009, 03:56 PM

I would start with a trip to my extension service office...
They have TONS of information available for your area, which would be much more helpful than what I could give you!

And in the next year, do some research... scope out what is grown in your area. Look at the "land" - is it wet? dry? where things are grown - then look at your own. Get a soil test kit too.
Do you need to clear a space? If so, you can do that. Scope out frugal sources of fertilizer (we have a community compost pile that is FREE for the taking!) And do your research on your veggies. Keep track of what you eat the most. It's not going to do you any good to plant & tend to veggies you & your family won't eat. Then go to the library - read up on them! Preparing this far in advance really gives you a wonderful chance to research!

**Aubella** · 03-19-2009, 08:42 PM

This is my first year too so after I make my mistakes I will let you know. I'm really excited though! This is the first time I've ever wanted to do it.

**tkn4lif** · 03-20-2009, 10:58 AM

We want to do a garden this year too.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-20-2009, 02:16 PM

Look at your back yard and find a suitable place to put the garden. As spring and summer progress pay attention to how the light moves. What is a sunny spot today may be in the shade in August when you want your tomatoes to ripen. The lazy way to kill grass is to place layers of newspaper over it, held down with boards or rocks. It takes several months to kill the grass, but can make it easier to break ground next spring.

As RSBS suggests, hit the library and read up on gardening. Look at the prep work you'll need to do, what tools you'll want, any soil tests that might be needed. Read up on pests in your region.

You might see if there are any community garden projects in your area that need volunteers. You can get some hands-on experience working in a garden that is run by more knowledgeable people.

**Pemberleyan** · 03-21-2009, 05:13 PM

Start a compost pile. You can never have too much! Perhaps your neighbor puts out their grass clippings on the curb. Collect all of it and start a compst pile. Add all kitchen scraps, except meat, bones and dairy, to it.

**fixer** · 03-22-2009, 10:35 PM

You have already done the wisest thing you can do, prepare a year in advance. It gives you time to learn what will grow and what won't in your area. You can chose a site and take a soil sample to your local cooperative extension office to be tested. Ours charges five bucks and it will be the best money you will spend. I will be able to do without everything except nitrogen this year. It will be a considerable savings. I would suggest starting small with an option to expand later. This will be our first harvest of asparagus this spring. I was not sure how it would do so I only planted fifty crowns. I made sure the site I choose allowed for expansion down the road if needed. Above all, have fun. No one has success with everything. Learning what works is one of the best parts of it. Also, if you are old and memory impaired like me, take copious notes along the way. My gardening dairies are some of my most prized possessions.