Random: Anyone here a gardener?

janneann1127 · June 2014

So, we are moving into a new house in 2 weeks and it has a beautiful vegetable garden. While I absolutely LOVE the idea of a garden and fresh vegetables, I have a seriously brown thumb. Like, I've killed any and all attempts at gardens/planting. But, a lot of the hard work is done already - there are boxes built, irrigation system running, and already there are tomatoes, artichokes, strawberries, etc growing (and who knows what else?!) Where do I start? Anyone here have a garden and can point me in the right direction? Call a gardener to come help me? I don't know what's already growing, how to maintain, how much to water, etc. I'm lost in the sauce.

EricaLee2013 · June 2014

I use this website to ask questions or research topics: https://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/

It's a lot like TB with specialized forums and regs who are very knowledgable. I would also look up vegetable gardening books for your particular zone/state. Good luck, it sounds like a great homeowner to buy from!

AprilRaine · June 2014

Dr Garden Google has been my friend as a beginning gardener! Lol! Also, if you ever have questions bring pictures or snippings into your local Lowes/Depot/nursery and the people there are always more than willing to help if you run into bumps maintaining what's there.
Congrats on the new house!

Snowbird7 · June 2014

Congratulations on the new house! Artichokes growing? So jealous!

Strawberries can be pretty persnickety, so don't beat yourself up if you lose those. Other vegetables, like tomatoes and zucchini, are easier and more hardy, so you might want to try sticking to those while you get your feet wet?

Have you heard of vermicompost tea? It's a composting tea made from the droppings of red worms. Some gardeners sell their tea, and I swear it's 10x more powerful than Miracle Gro, and it's organic. You might try finding someone local who sells some. It's great!

A bunch of my gardening experience has been trial and error. So don't feel bad if you don't get everything (or most things!) right in the first year. You learn, do Internet research, and try a few new tactics the next year. Before you know it, you'll have a great garden. Good luck!

Oh, and a tip for if you plant an herb garden with mint, make sure the mint is contained in a separate pot or container. It spreads like a weed.

janneann1127 · June 2014

AprilRaine said:
Dr Garden Google has been my friend as a beginning gardener! Lol! Also, if you ever have questions bring pictures or snippings into your local Lowes/Depot/nursery and the people there are always more than willing to help if you run into bumps maintaining what's there.
Congrats on the new house!

Ooh ok good to know! I was thinking I go to Lowe's, but I wasn't sure how helpful they could be.

janneann1127 · June 2014

ayanahazel1 said:
Congratulations on the new house! Artichokes growing? So jealous! Strawberries can be pretty persnickety, so don't beat yourself up if you lose those. Other vegetables, like tomatoes and zucchini, are easier and more hardy, so you might want to try sticking to those while you get your feet wet?

Have you heard of vermicompost tea? It's a composting tea made from the droppings of red worms. Some gardeners sell their tea, and I swear it's 10x more powerful than Miracle Gro, and it's organic. You might try finding someone local who sells some. It's great!

A bunch of my gardening experience has been trial and error. So don't feel bad if you don't get everything (or most things!) right in the first year. You learn, do Internet research, and try a few new tactics the next year. Before you know it, you'll have a great garden. Good luck!

Oh, and a tip for if you plant an herb garden with mint, make sure the mint is contained in a separate pot or container. It spreads like a weed.

I am super excited about the artichokes too! It does have mint growing in its own box, so I will make sure not to plant anything else in there. I hope the tomatoes stick around because those are my favorite.
I am going to look into that tea! Thanks for the tip. They also have a composter in the area, but learning how to do that will be another
challenge, I'm sure.

Thanks !!

Texasmomma13 · June 2014

You can order worms for the composter from schumways. Their worms are really good. Look into square foot gardening. It sounds like they might have been doing that already if things are in boxes. I agree with PP, learn your zone and what does/doesn't grow well there. Before adding any plants check for compatibility to the ones already there. Certain plants grow well together. For example, tomatoes and eggplants need the same ph and nutrient levels. So, they go well together. You can pick up a soil test kit for like $5 from Lowes to see what if anything needs to be added to your soil for ideal growing. Take it slow and don't beat yourself if you loose a few plants here and there. It's definfitly a trial and error hobby.

janneann1127 · June 2014

texasmomma13 said:
You can order worms for the composter from schumways. Their worms are really good. Look into square foot gardening. It sounds like they might have been doing that already if things are in boxes. I agree with PP, learn your zone and what does/doesn't grow well there. Before adding any plants check for compatibility to the ones already there. Certain plants grow well together. For example, tomatoes and eggplants need the same ph and nutrient levels. So, they go well together. You can pick up a soil test kit for like $5 from Lowes to see what if anything needs to be added to your soil for ideal growing. Take it slow and don't beat yourself if you loose a few plants here and there. It's definfitly a trial and error hobby.

Thank you! That's is very helpful. You must have a very nice garden!

Texasmomma13 · June 2014

janneann1127 said:

You can order worms for the composter from schumways. Their worms are really good. Look into square foot gardening. It sounds like they might have been doing that already if things are in boxes. I agree with PP, learn your zone and what does/doesn't grow well there. Before adding any plants check for compatibility to the ones already there. Certain plants grow well together. For example, tomatoes and eggplants need the same ph and nutrient levels. So, they go well together. You can pick up a soil test kit for like $5 from Lowes to see what if anything needs to be added to your soil for ideal growing. Take it slow and don't beat yourself if you loose a few plants here and there. It's definfitly a trial and error hobby.
Thank you! That's is very helpful. You must have a very nice garden!

I've had good years and bad. Last year was awful. It was hot and I was huge (like everyone else here). We got some bad compost. It was just bad all around. But this year is looking good so far. The plants are doing well and I should get to starting picking veggies in the next week or so. WE took the time last fall to winterize properly, although in LA you don't have to worry about that so much. And I did tests and added nutrients before planting.
If you want I can look through my books for some recommendations for you. I like to keep one or two on hand for quick referral. Sometimes it helps to diagnose when there is a bug or fungus problem. Google is helpful but a book to me is just simpler. I do practice the square foot gardening method. We love it. Container gardens are super easy. I will never have a row garden again.

janneann1127 · June 2014

texasmomma13 said:

janneann1127 said:

texasmomma13 said:
You can order worms for the composter from schumways. Their worms are really good. Look into square foot gardening. It sounds like they might have been doing that already if things are in boxes. I agree with PP, learn your zone and what does/doesn't grow well there. Before adding any plants check for compatibility to the ones already there. Certain plants grow well together. For example, tomatoes and eggplants need the same ph and nutrient levels. So, they go well together. You can pick up a soil test kit for like $5 from Lowes to see what if anything needs to be added to your soil for ideal growing. Take it slow and don't beat yourself if you loose a few plants here and there. It's definfitly a trial and error hobby.
Thank you! That's is very helpful. You must have a very nice garden!

I've had good years and bad. Last year was awful. It was hot and I was huge (like everyone else here). We got some bad compost. It was just bad all around. But this year is looking good so far. The plants are doing well and I should get to starting picking veggies in the next week or so. WE took the time last fall to winterize properly, although in LA you don't have to worry about that so much. And I did tests and added nutrients before planting.
If you want I can look through my books for some recommendations for you. I like to keep one or two on hand for quick referral. Sometimes it helps to diagnose when there is a bug or fungus problem. Google is helpful but a book to me is just simpler. I do practice the square foot gardening method. We love it. Container gardens are super easy. I will never have a row garden again.

It's all very interesting. I know nothing about it, and I would love to take the time to learn but right now with both kids, I feel so overwhelmed I don't even know when I would have time to focus on it! I would love a book recommendation for quick reference.

thank you!

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