So excited!

**hotprincesscm** · 04-03-2011, 10:53 AM

My apartment complex is offering FREE garden plots to it's residents! I have to sign up for one in the office this week! As long as they are not all taken already, I will have a 4x12 garden plot to work with. I have never had a garden before and don't even know where to start! What are some fool proof veggies that I could start with that would give me the most bang for my buck so to speak in the space alloted? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Any over abundance I would either can or freeze for future use. I was thinking tomatoes, green beans, lettuces, and maybe either peas or peppers!

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-03-2011, 11:15 AM

The soil is likely to need amending, so consider a couple bags of compost or composted manure into your budget.

Lettuce is easy to grow, tomatoes can be (you'll need cages for them), bell peppers, hot peppers, carrots, turnips, beets if you can get the soil worked well. Herbs will also do well.

Has the soil been worked before? If so, your job will be easier. How safe is the area? Are kids going to come smash your tomato plants? Where is the nearest water spigot? How far do you have to run a hose or haul buckets of water?

**hotprincesscm** · 04-03-2011, 11:21 AM

As far as I know this is the first year they are doing this. The complex is only 2 years old. I'm assuming they are going to till up the plots. I'm not sure where on the grounds they are going to put them. I will be signing up for my plot this week and hope to get the details of where it will be, access to water, etc. The are having representatives from the cooperative extention in my area teaching us how to garden I think?! I live in a low income complex....most people in here have never gardened either...SO I'm trying to plan the easiest and most abundant veggies to grow! My dream has always been to have my own veggie garden. I will be able to get some manure and the starter kids or packets of seeds....I'm not planning on spending more than $50 for supplies.

**craftypam** · 04-03-2011, 01:57 PM

How EXCITING!!!!
I would get tomato seeds and peppers in very soon. I love cucumbers and they can be directly planted into the garden; same with green beans after frost. Above vegetables like only warm weather. Lettuce needs to be planted outside soon because if the weather is too warm it will bolt and taste bitter. Peas also are a cold weather crop.
When transplanting tomatoes and peppers; don't plant when it is real sunny and hot.

Hope this will help. I LOVE gardening and cannot wait for the weather to warm up!!!!

**ravenmaniac** · 04-03-2011, 02:40 PM

I have only grown tomatoes and peppers, but this year I am expanding my garden. I believe vegetable, and flower, gardening is definitely trial and error. You have to see what will grow well where and which plants need extra attention such as fertilizers and/or insecticides.

I am keeping a gardening journal so I can keep track of my plants and their progress. Hopefully this will help me next year.

Good luck with your garden!

**Contrary Housewife** · 04-03-2011, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by hotprincesscm

The are having representatives from the cooperative extention in my area teaching us how to garden I think?!

Excellent! I was going to suggest you contact them anyway. Listen to their suggestions on what to grow, they will know what works in your area. Also, get their website so you can go back and reference it during the season.

I think $50 is a reasonable budget for a starter garden. You won't need a lot of tools or fancy gadgets. I suggest buying tomato and pepper plants rather than starting seeds, as the plants will be easier for you as a novice. Lettuce, radishes, carrots, etc go straight into the ground on planting day.

**itlw8** · 04-03-2011, 07:24 PM

I would not buy seeds for your tomato or peppers buy the plants.
you can plant peas and then when they are done plant cucumbers

Go up when you can trellis everything you can to save room

lettuce is a cool season crop so it it takes too long to get going plant some for a fall garden. Fall radishes are far better than those in the spring.

I like bush beans but pole beans take up less space

**Debbie-cat** · 04-03-2011, 07:48 PM

Congrats!! That's wonderul for you. Don't forget carrots and I would find out if the garden will be protected from kids ....will only the gardeners be allowed in? You will want to make sure your plot is protected. Others would be tomatoes and beans. Peppers are great if the plot will be in full sun all day. Have fun and enjoy yourself! Anything you pick from it will taste better than what you buy from the supermarket.

**hotprincesscm** · 04-04-2011, 07:14 AM

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! I'm hoping the plots will be protected from children, but I'm not sure! I hope they have all the information I need when I sign up! If I'm not happy with the info I get, I might not do the garden. If it gets destroyed by neighborhood kids and the such it would be too frustrating and a waste of time and money! But I'm assuming they have thought of all this...I can't wait to have homegrown fresh produce! I am def thinking of getting the tomato plants. Seems like a fool proof way of getting them started. Carrots! I amost forgot about those...Yum! So many possibilities!

**Labontet** · 04-04-2011, 08:32 PM

Boy, I am so excited for you. Such a wonderful thing for your apartment complex to provide for its renters.

As stated previously by others, I would defineately buy tomato and peppers that are already plants. That would be so much easier for a newbie to gardening. Also, amending the soil would be so important.

Have fun with your plot and Happy Planting. Don't forget to get those fingers dirty!

**hotprincesscm** · 04-07-2011, 08:26 PM

I finally signed up, via email! All supplies are being provided for free and they are assisting the tenants in starting their plots! I will have no cost out of pocket for anything! And the women in charge said they will be very easy to maintain! All the seeds and everything the are providing! Now I'm super excited, a totally free garden and amazing fresh produce all summer long! Thank the Lord for this wonderful opportunity for nutritious FREE food! I'm going to make the most of it for sure!