[heatherly30]

DH planted a vegetable garden last year, but with the exception of grape tomatoes, the groundhog that lives under the shed reaped all of the benefits of our garden. I wasn't too into a garden last year, but I really want to save money and eat healthier, so this seems logical. Looking for tips, links, anything that will point me in the right direction to have a successful and productive garden this year. Advice?

 

[Russ]

Get rid of the ground hog by any means necessary.
you can try putting up a fence, but they can obviously dig under those and believe it or not, can actually climb over them. Are you sure the ground hog is the only thing reaping the rewards? It could be rabbits.

 

[heatherly30]

The garden was planted right next to the shed, where the groundhog took up residence. We definitely saw it/them out there. Only seen a rabbit in our yard twice, so I can't be sure, but unlikely.

Another problem, in my opinion, was the location. Too far from the hose, thus, more of a pain to drag the hose back there to water. Would it be odd to not have a garden at the rear of our lot? (See I'm a newbie). There is a spot on the side of the house that would be ideal, but is it ok that it is up next to the house?

 

[Russ]

Well, if you read enough gardening books, like me, one of the main things they mention is convience and proximity to water. The harder you make it for yourself, the less likely you are to tend to the garden.
A good rule of thumb for garden location is it must have at least 6 hours of full sun. Otherwise it can go anywhere you have good soil, but even bad soil can be ammended.

 

[sabrelvssammy]

I am no expert, in fact I have another gardening thread going on at the moment and I am picking the brains of the pros - but in answer to your question. I have seen gardens literally planted everywhere. As long as you have good sunlight, good soil and good drainage I would think you can put the thing where ever your little heart desires.

I am too a newbie and although I plant one every year it never amounts to much but a dead weed pile. This year I am taking it seriously. In fact just came in from weeding all the walkways. Now we can get busy on the beds.

I am finding a boatload of info by just doing a search of 'planting garden veggies'. I have made a list of what I want to grow and I am taking the time to research each plant and take notes. Then I will organize and plan out the arrangement of such.

I have checked the zone and planting dates of plants (just put in search bar 'planting time in Illinois for garden vegetables' and you should get an extensive chart. Then I am checking for the germination time of each plant and charting when the seeds should be planted into pots. (Homemade pots of course from newspaper) and then go out into the prepared beds.

I am reading what they like to eat and how often and whether they have any other particulars that I need to know about.

I wish you the best of luck in your garden and hope that you have the most awesome bounty!

 

[Russ]

Just don't try to do too large of a garden and become overwhelmed. You'll give up.

Also, don't wait for the weeds to grow a foot tall before you begin weeding because you will give up and crop production will suffer. If you go out 3-4 times a week and hoe the small weeds for 15 -20 minutes at a time you will easily keep up with it.

 

[sabrelvssammy]

Just don't try to do too large of a garden and become overwhelmed. You'll give up.

Also, don't wait for the weeds to grow a foot tall before you begin weeding because you will give up and crop production will suffer. If you go out 3-4 times a week and hoe the small weeds for 15 -20 minutes at a time you will easily keep up with it.

....Guilty.....

....Guilty.....

(you been watching me Russ ~ haha)

 

[Russ]

....Guilty.....

....Guilty.....

(you been watching me Russ ~ haha)

Why yes, yes I am.

 

[heatherly30]

Definitely won't try to do too much! Thinking salsa ingredients, and maybe potatoes. Reading about the trash can approach. If we can find success with those, I'll try more.
Are there any that are easier to grow than others? Any that are hard to fail at?

 

[Contrary Housewife]

Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, garlic, herbs, lettuce, greens... these are things that practically grow themselves as long as you give them sufficient water.

A 50 ft hose goes for about $12 at Home Depot. I have multiples for the front and back yards.

 

[Spirit Deer]

I was going to suggest the same thing. Buy enough hose to reach your garden space and don't roll it up unless you need to mow. Just let it lay there so it's handy. We built a new garden space last year and went this route, giving up the idea of tapping into some bathroom plumbing nearby in the house. Much cheaper, quicker, and easier to just buy and lay out some extra hose.

The type of gardening you do will also determine how much work is involved. We're lazy, therefore we would never do conventional gardening in rows again. Raised beds are the way to go for us. They are small enough that we can plant things that completely fill the space and don't leave room for much weeds, and we can reach in and easily do what little weeding needs to be done. We also like self-watering planters which conserve water and help ensure the plants always are watered.