| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 10 2008 : 3:31:39 PM
Hi all~
I am keenly interested in attempting a small garden for vegetables in 2009. I've only done flowers around my house, with moderate success. ;-) I work full-time outside the home and have other interests, especially in the summer, so growing my own vegetables was never a priority with me. I have seasonal farm stands close by and Whole Foods Market to satisfy my organic streak in general. But lately I feel like I want to prioritize growing my own edibles, especially with the rising cost of produce. My means and time are modest, but I am willing to adapt the best I can.
Tomatoes are a must, since we are so fussy about them. I am not sure if I am better off having these in the garden or in their own large pots. I'd also like to grow some variety of leaf lettuce since we're good salad eaters, and green peppers for sure (if not hot chile peppers.) Possibly zucchini as well, although I seem to inherit a number of these from friends' gardens, so maybe not LOL! Potatoes would be really nice, but I have the sense that they're difficult to grow? And finally, perhaps about six or seven herbs, including chives (already growing in my kitchen windowsill.)
The spot where I have land available gets full sun, noon to sunset, and I am in Zone 5.
I would really love some guidance as to varieties appropriate for my circumstances... and where do I start LOL? I already know how to gaze longingly at seed packets.  I don't want to, if you'll pardon the pun, bite off more than I can chew, nor be a slave to my garden, but something modest to satisfy the two of us here would be lovely.
Opinions and suggestions... come one, come all... please. 
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 6:54:48 PM
You have been busy, April. Sounds like you got it all together and ready to go. You'll have fresh veggies soon now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| CalicoCat |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 1:09:35 PM
Thank you, Alee! :D
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| Alee |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 12:49:56 PM
That is great, April! Sounds like you are off to a wonderful start!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| CalicoCat |
Posted - May 21 2009 : 10:55:49 AM
Just bumping this (and under my current forum name) to the fore in acknowledging all you kind ladies who advised me. I thought I would provide an update.
I ordered some seeds from Seedsavers Exchange, and have seedlings popping out of their one-pint containers and begging to be transplanted LOL! These are Brandywine tomatoes, hot red peppers and leeks. Carrots were already seeded outside and sprouting heartily. This weekend, as hubby finishes my raised beds, I'll direct seed my lettuce, zucchini, peas and radishes. I need some plantings of organic herbs which I can get at my local nursery, and will look to track down potatoes too. I think that's it. I'm so exicted!
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 6:58:10 PM
Friends, thank you all so much for your suggestions! I am bookmarking this thread for future reference, and making some notes now as well. I'm thinking it wouldn't be terribly long before I'd start some seeds under a grow light. :)
Unrelated to veggies, I'm also looking into forcing some bulbs for the first time. I so love hyacinth.
P.S. I really apologize for not responding sooner; it's been a very hectic few weeks! But thank you again!
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 4:53:58 PM
April, look on the Free Seeds thread for an address to send off for tomato seeds. I just got mine today. 8 little packs! That will get you started.
Kris |
| Lanna |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 5:21:33 PM
Ah, I like going down to my happy little, quiet sanctuary to water my little seedlings. It becomes my zen place that I kick the kids out of in the spring. I can sit on my little stool and water (using my old peri bottles to boot!) them to my heart's content, while gazing at the canned goods on the other side of the pantry. :)
Although if I kept potting soil in my kitchen my 2.5yo would have a heydey. Either last year or the year before he decided to eat dirt. Like he'd even take rocks he found in the garden and suck them clean. Oddly enough, my concern wasn't "oh my gosh, he's eating dirt!" it was "oh carp, I'm gonna have to wash his clothes tonight." It was hubby that freaked out about the dirt. :D Ah, to have older children that won't eat dirt or strip to underwear the minute we get home from the store...
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 3:13:52 PM
Lanna, I use a heat pad also. I love multi task things. But what I would like is a mister that is on a timer. I either over water or let things get too dry. I try to start my seeds on the kitchen counter so I can keep an eye on them. Nothing like a little potting soil right there next to the food. |
| Lanna |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 3:03:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by AprilRainI have a rustic, coolish basement where I could maybe start a few things, but they'd only get light from the basement windows. I'm not sure if this would be okay?
Depends on what you're planning to start. Tomatoes and peppers usually need warmer temps (like 70-95*F) to sprout in a few days, otherwise it can take a week or three. But without a good source of light and such, the seedlings can get pretty leggy rather than nice and strong and stout. I have some seed starting shelves in my pantry, and some of my seedlings get a little leggy despite some lights less than a foot away from them. A friend of mine just took one of those (garage-looking) metal shelf things from Costco, rigged up some shop lights on it, and that how she starts her seeds in her basement.
But some of the things that do better with slightly cooler temps may do well in your basement. :) I just have a lazy tendency to throw things like peas and beans and squash and cucumbers directly in the ground - starting in pots is more work that it's worth for me. I've done both from-pot and direct-seeded next to each other, and the direct-seeded catches up to the pot-started ones rather quickly and I don't get an earlier harvest or anything to speak of.
As for heating up the things, my "odd" way of getting my peppers and tomatoes to sprout is to grab my digital turkey thermometer and heating pad previously used for cramps. Stick the heating pad under my flat of peppers, turn on low or medium. Thermometer goes in the pot in the middle where it gets the hottest, and I turn the pad down or off for a little while if it gets to 95*F. Cheaper than those $40 seedling heating mats, and mine just keeps working and working and working.
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 09:25:28 AM
April, how exciting to be a first time gardener. I have been gardening for 61 years and I learn something new every year. I could write a book and it could be called "What doesn't work". All the gals here have given some good advice. What grows well one year won't grow at all the next. My neighbors tell me that I try too hard. But I have to make everything easy cause I am either too tired, lazy or old the do things the hard way. But hey, I can still make that tiller go. Most of my garden is raised beds with either concrete blocks or 4x4 ft boxes made with 2x12 boards. But some things do better in rows so I have to keep the tiller around. I have settled on just a few veggies that do well and I that I can or freeze. But every year I try something that I have never grown before. Last year is was purslane. Don't ask. I read or heard that it was a super food, I planted it and it grew well then I didn't know what to do with it. It didn't taste all that great so I didn't put it in my salads. Next year I'll grow something else. Maybe soybeans.
Have fun with your new garden. The farmgirls will be here for you. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 06:21:39 AM
Hey, you could invest in some grow lights to help them get started. Then you'd be way ahead of the game.
There should be a book about lazy gardening. That's kind of what I am. And I like weeds, too. There are actually some good weeds out there that the bugs like, so I leave a lot for them. And they are great shade for when it gets really hot, too.
Kris |
| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 06:08:07 AM
Hi Jessie~
I have a rustic, coolish basement where I could maybe start a few things, but they'd only get light from the basement windows. I'm not sure if this would be okay?
quote:
Originally posted by CRshelpmeet
Do you have to plant everything in the spring? or are there some veggies and stuff you could start inside in pots for the winter?
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work You don't give up.
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 06:06:44 AM
Cool, Lanna... thanks!
(I also love the sound of "Gardening Without Work: For the Aging, the Busy, and the Indolent" and "How to Have a Green Thumb Without an Aching Back". I think I like her style.)
quote:
Originally posted by Lanna
Um, well, since I've only read one of her books, I guess it's my favorite.  A neighbor loaned it to me - The Ruth Stout No-Work Garden Book. Carrots Love Tomatoes is on my bookshelf next to it, but that may be a bit too much at first. :)
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| Sitnalta |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 9:18:35 PM
Do you have to plant everything in the spring? or are there some veggies and stuff you could start inside in pots for the winter?
Jessie
Farmgirl Sister #235
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work You don't give up.
Stop by my blog for a visit www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
| Lanna |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 3:18:03 PM
Um, well, since I've only read one of her books, I guess it's my favorite. A neighbor loaned it to me - The Ruth Stout No-Work Garden Book. Carrots Love Tomatoes is on my bookshelf next to it, but that may be a bit too much at first. :)
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Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 05:12:04 AM
Hi Lanna~
Great information; thanks bunches!
I see several books by Ruth Stout on Amazon. They seem to have similar themes (and cute titles!); do you have a favorite?
quote:
Originally posted by Lanna
There's a fun little book by Ruth Stout (she reminds me of my grandma) that may be worth checking out from the library.
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 05:09:48 AM
Lillian, yes actually, I have been to the Danger of Extinction thread; great information! Thank you so much for the links as well. (A small addiction wouldn't be too bad. ;-) )
Kristin, I can easily get straw bales locally, so this is interesting! Great tips...
Lisa, yeah, I've been thinking about a compost pile too. Seems like there's no substitute for good compost... :-)
Amy Grace, I just picked up a copy of Gardening for Dummies LOL! Not much for pictures but the information seems sound and easily understandable. ;-) I'll have to check out Rodale; my favorite books about herbs are from them too.
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 05:03:42 AM
Dawn, that sounds about exactly how I should start. I appreciate the tip about the flavor of tomatoes in pots vs. in the ground; that makes sense.
Very useful; thank you so much!
quote:
Originally posted by ddmashayekhi
April, last year I started my first vegetable garden here in our zone 5 area. I put in a 6x14 vegetable and bordered it with leftover paver stones. Next we put 3 large bags of Miracle Grows Organic Vegetable soil down. In the end of February, I grew from seed organic tomatoes in my basement. When the first of May came along, I put them outside and surrounded each one with a tomato cage. I also added herbs, cucumbers, green peppers and early green onions. Everything grew for me and we had a bumper crop. It was so much more tasty to just pick what I needed every day for meals then Whole Foods or the Farmers Market.
I have grown tomatoes in pots and to me, they didn't have near as much flavor as those grown in the ground. The Chicago Botanic Garden has superb ideas for container growing early herbs & lettuces in flower boxes. You may want to check their website out for growing organically.
Have fun plotting & planning your first vegetable garden!
Dawn in IL
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| AprilRain |
Posted - Dec 13 2008 : 05:00:27 AM
Hi Diana~
So with the potatoes... I'm trying to picture this. Do you have them in the plastic bags in pots, or... ? 
Thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by gramadinah
Every thing will grow given the right conditions, You can put everything in large pots put a tomato and surround it will a lettuce or herb. Try anything it is only the price of the seed and some dirt and water. I did my potatoes in plastic bags with border fencing in rings to keep them standing up as the green grows up cover then again with dirt and at the end of the season yea spuds. Your local seed store will have seeds that you can grow in your area.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273
~April
http://aprilsatelier.wordpress.com/
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| Lanna |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 10:39:47 PM
April ~ I'm in zone 5a, so I'm familiar with the short growing season thing. I think planting tomatoes in the ground wouldn't be such a bad thing... From what I've heard, pots tend to dry out quicker (so you really have to be good about watering) and then the roots can't explore as much terrain underground for nutrients.
Potatoes aren't really that difficult to grow - as long as you water them. Last year I went and had a baby and forgot to water the seed potatoes that I'd planted while trying to garden the baby out (she was two weeks late). So rather than get a respectable crop of potatoes I got a bunch of seed potatoes to use for next year (if they don't shrivel up/sprout in the meantime). If you go to the Irish Eyes website (http://www.gardencityseeds.net) they have a little thing about how to grow 100lbs of potatoes in 4 square feet. A friend of mine halfheartedly did that this year, and was surprised that it kinda worked.
I think mulch would most likely be your friend, especially because you're working full time. There's a fun little book by Ruth Stout (she reminds me of my grandma) that may be worth checking out from the library.
Your list of things to grow doesn't sound too long to really get you down though. It's when you see a list and plot like mine that you may end up getting sick of it by July. But, unless you like babying little plants and have a decent way to start your pepper and tomato and herb seeds indoors, you may be better off snagging some of those things from a vendor at the farmer's market or something. I've started my own seeds down in the pantry for 2 years, and this coming year may have less hiccups than the years before *knock on wood*. It does take effort, at least for me.
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 7:35:50 PM
At this time of year my best advice would be to find a good book on gardening and read up. I have been really happy with all the books published by Rodale that I have. I think my favorite is "Let's Get Growing" by Crow Miller - it's just fun to read as well as informative.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
| LisaLu |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 08:47:16 AM
April:
I would be more than happy to send you some seeds. My garden started 3 years ago, it was about 400sq ft....then 800sq ft....now it's 5000sq ft! It is so much fun!
Once you select your sight, work in some rich soil, plant and water...keep on top of the weeds, and before you know it...you have more produce than you know what to do with! I let my plants go to seed, dry them, and replant for the next season. Save seeds from your best tasting tomatoes, dry them and store in an envelope, and you will be set for many years to come. I love growing heirloom tomatoes. Last summer I had over 600 plants! I love to can, cook, and share the wealth with friends and neighbors. My husband built a fruit stand, it works on the honor system, so all I have to do is pick everything!
You should start a compost pile asap. Just keep all of your kitchen scraps (plant only, no animal), and layer them in a pile somewhere in the garden (away from the house), layer with brown (grocery bags, egg cartons, newspapers, dried leaves). Keep your pile moist, and turn it every week or so, and you will have "magic dirt" for your veggies! Best of luck, hollar if you have any questions!
LisaLu
Happiness is homemade... |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 6:37:52 PM
April, raised beds are great to start out with. You can get a lot of veggies in one 4x8 bed. And maybe get a book on companion planting to know what grows good with another plant to help it grow better. And lots of good manure and compost, too.
I still want to try the straw bale tomato plants. You can get 3 tomato plants in one bale. You just pull back a little hole and add some good soil and put the plant in. It's good for small spaces. Also you can plant potatoes in old tires. Just put soil in one tire and the seed potatoes and as they grow, add another tire and more soil.
Have fun deciding what to grow. You'll be hooked in no time!
Kris |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 07:57:24 AM
April, last year I started my first vegetable garden here in our zone 5 area. I put in a 6x14 vegetable and bordered it with leftover paver stones. Next we put 3 large bags of Miracle Grows Organic Vegetable soil down. In the end of February, I grew from seed organic tomatoes in my basement. When the first of May came along, I put them outside and surrounded each one with a tomato cage. I also added herbs, cucumbers, green peppers and early green onions. Everything grew for me and we had a bumper crop. It was so much more tasty to just pick what I needed every day for meals then Whole Foods or the Farmers Market.
I have grown tomatoes in pots and to me, they didn't have near as much flavor as those grown in the ground. The Chicago Botanic Garden has superb ideas for container growing early herbs & lettuces in flower boxes. You may want to check their website out for growing organically.
Have fun plotting & planning your first vegetable garden!
Dawn in IL |
| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 07:33:30 AM
Hi April- I always get excited to talk gardening. First off if you haven't been over to the Danger of Extinction thread, check us out! As far as the garden, the first thing to do is test your soil and then add what is needed. Order in some seed catalogs, they are loaded with free information.
www.seedsavers.org
www.rareseeds.com
www.bountifulgardens.org
www.johnnyseeds.com
Potatoes are pretty easy, just make sure you buy the kind that grow in your zone. Last year I threw 6 lbs of potatoes in the ground and as they came up covered them with hay. We ended up with 75 lbs of potatoes. It was my first time growing potatoes. I grow my tomatoes in the garden and they usually end up about 6-8 feet tall. Since you are in a cold zone make sure to start your tomatoes and peppers inside about March. Lettuce does well in containers and is a cool weather crop, so you can start growing it pretty early. Be careful gardening can be addictive. Good luck and have fun with it.
Lillian
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