Starting a garden - tips?

[SixxOfDiamonds]

We are looking into starting a garden project. I think it would be something both DH and I would enjoy. We like to spend time outside.

How much money did you have to invest initially? I'd like to put money aside for that. Our soil here is great to grow things in and we luckily have a long growing season.

What are the things that I should look into, what should I avoid? We're first time gardeners, but we both grew up growing things on farms. I also have access to horse manure for fertilizer.

[Contrary Housewife]

I would estimate a couple hundred initially for tools and such. Shovel, hoe, hand tiller, trowel, tomato cages, mulch, weed barrier, seed starting trays, soaker hoses, sprinkler, etc.... double or triple that if you're going to landscape with raised beds and gravel paths, or if you need fencing to keep critters out.

Start a compost pile now. There are a lot of websites on the science of it, but a simple pile will do for starters.

Manure of any kind needs to "age" a certain period of time. You don't want to use it while it is fresh.

Find your state agricultural service site, usually associated with the state university. They will have a lot of info regarding what grows in your area and what regional problems are.

You can remove the grass by digging it out, or by killing it. Lay newspaper over it and hold it down with bricks. It will take several weeks, or more. Do not use herbicide. You will probably want to rent a tiller to break the soil the first year. After that you can either do it by hand, or buy a little gas one to turn it over each spring.

Grow what you will eat.

[SixxOfDiamonds]

I would estimate a couple hundred initially for tools and such. Shovel, hoe, hand tiller, trowel, tomato cages, mulch, weed barrier, seed starting trays, soaker hoses, sprinkler, etc.... double or triple that if you're going to landscape with raised beds and gravel paths, or if you need fencing to keep critters out.

Start a compost pile now. There are a lot of websites on the science of it, but a simple pile will do for starters.

Manure of any kind needs to "age" a certain period of time. You don't want to use it while it is fresh.

Find your state agricultural service site, usually associated with the state university. They will have a lot of info regarding what grows in your area and what regional problems are.

You can remove the grass by digging it out, or by killing it. Lay newspaper over it and hold it down with bricks. It will take several weeks, or more. Do not use herbicide. You will probably want to rent a tiller to break the soil the first year. After that you can either do it by hand, or buy a little gas one to turn it over each spring.

Grow what you will eat.

That is a GREAT tip about the agricultural service site. I will definitely look into that.

Are soaker hoses or a sprinkler a necessity? The reason that I ask is that I water our flower bushes daily, and it rains about 2-3 days a week.

Thanks!!

[Contrary Housewife]

The hoses are a necessity for me because I don't want to stand there for 30-60 minutes watering the garden. We have heavy soil and I have to give it water slowly or it just runs off.

Also, for some plants, like tomatoes, you really don't want water dripping on the plant, you want it going straight into the ground. I don't use the sprinkler late in the summer, only early when I am trying to get the garden started.

My list was just a suggestion of the types of things you'll be buying. You may not want or need all of those items, and there are plenty more tools and garden widgets than I can remember the names for.

One more suggestion: buy quality seed. Your garden is only as good as what you start with. Dave's Garden website maintains a list of reputable catalog houses that sell healthy seed. I find that more often than not "dollar store" and clearance seed from the previous year is not a savings because the yield is low or grows poorly.

If you keep seed packs in an airtight baggie in the fridge it will often stay viable more than one season, but 3 years is about the limit.

[frugalfranny]

My first comment is start reading about your area....and read, read, read. Talk to other gardeners in your area and be aware that if you talk to three, you will get three different opinions, but use what will work for you......both financially, and time wise.

How much money did you have to invest initially?


This will depend on how big you want to start. A few plants in some pots?....probably under $100 for everything, including good soil. A larger 'in the dirt' garden?.. then you will be looking at more tools/expense. But watch/check CL for everything. I also keep an eye out at garage sales for any tools, pots, hoses, etc.

This is where you have to train yourself to think OUTSIDE the box.

The garden catalogs want you to think that you need every little tool, and they are fun, but you can do other things.

This gives you a chance to get started and see what you will need for your area and 'ground'. (IE: I laugh at the bulb planters for this area. They are a joke! Our ground is so rocky that you couldn't get one in the ground deep enough to put the bulb in! Also, I don't/won't use a large spade....the small ones go between the rocks better.)

I don't use tomato cages....stakes put in the ground with string wound around will work just as well. (cheaper) I don't use seed starting trays....egg cartons, small cups, and most anything that will hold dirt, and have a little depth, will work. (cheaper) Make sure they have (or you put a hole in them) drainage holes and go for it.

What are the things that I should look into, what should I avoid?


This is where the advice from gardners in your area will be invaluable. They know what works and what doesn't 'for them' and you can use what you want.

I also have access to horse manure for fertilizer.

Yep, I agree, unless it is cured don't use it unless you want a lot of weeds. Think what horses eat and if you want that in your garden...well...that is up to you. Also, it is too strong, when fresh, and will burn the plants.

I also don't use weed barriers. I dig the weeds (as opposed to pulling them), and BAG them. (they don't go in my compost pile) I use grass in spring (prior to weed and feed application) and then straw if I need it or a bark mulch.

Most of all........HAVE FUN.....it is a CONTINUALLY learning thing and new ideas, things, and plants are out every year.

[Nemeweh]

I would recommend the book Square Foot Gardening. The author tells you everything you need to know, and it's made it so EASY!

This is my first year doing so, and DH and converted all of our terraces to Sq Ft garden boxes, so for us, it was a bit more expensive than it would've been, but so worth to not have to worry about weeds and weeding this year.

[fixer]

Start small, revel in your successes and learn from your failures. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office. They will have information that will prove invaluable. You can also use the web site of your land-grant university for information. Tools, etc. can be found at garage sales and estate auctions for pennies on the dollar. Above all, enjoy yourself. I have been gardening for many years and grow many things. I still have problems that must be worked through.

[pat in east texas]

I also recommend a Square Foot garden. It's a LOT of work to set up, but once it's done, it's done! My garden is pretty large, but I spend very little time actually working in it. It's mostly watering, harvesting veggies and herbs, and admiring the flowers. VERY little weeding! It's been hot and dry here, so I water every other morning. I have pine straw mulch on everything, or else I'd have to water every day.

[SixxOfDiamonds]

Thanks for all your tips! We're starting the actual layout this year and then next spring will start planting. I am so excited to do this!

[Missy]

Know what you have first, be sure the soil will handle what you want to put down, different plants have different requirements. Learn, learn, learn.

Compost is the best possible piece of advice I have for you. Compost EVERYTHING. Manure is well and good, but be sure age it first, too "hot" a manure or other fertilizer can burn your plants. Don't compost weeds. Garbage them. They'll spread their seeds into your compost and soon your pretty compost will just be a vehicle for transplanting weeds.

Get thine self to the library. There's tons and tons of book, square foot gardening is one of my favorites. Go check out our sister site www.homesteadgarden.com . Or click on "Me Time Media" on the top blue bar on the screen, then click Garden. Soak up all the researching you can.

Learn your sun path in your yard. That will help you with planting alot.

Look to cheap sources for tools, freecycle, craigslist, yardsales, etc. A shovel, trowel, rakes, garden forks, cultivators...hoses, sprinklers (droughts happen, can't always count on the weather)...



PLan your crops carefully. Plant what you'll eat.

count on it costing around 500 to get started depending on what you already have and the costs in yuor area.