Where do I start?

[gil1]

Never had a garden, although I've helped with them some. I have the yard for it now, and my taste buds have matured such that I want fresh veggies. I'd like to dig in (literally) and just let her rip. Don't care what I screw up, just want to learn.

I haven't the foggiest clue what to do or how to start. Is there a book or something that can get me going? Thanks in advance.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

There are 1000's of books and websites.Most people are inclined to start out big and find out it is more than they can handle.I would suggest starting out small and working your way up.
I would suggest Raised beds and sq Ft gardening if you want to start out small and easy.If you want to go whole hog with a big garden you will want to invest in a decent rear tined tiller.
You can rent tillers from Home Depot and other rental places.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

Here are a bunch of links From the Davidon county Master Gardeners.
http://www.dcmg.org/Other_Resources_-_Links/
I learned alot thru the Master Gardener Program and the UT Extension office.
http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/

Mel Bartholomew is one of the 1st Sq Ft gardening authors and has several books out.
http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bartholomew/e ... r_dp_pel_1

I would also suggest buying some plants when 1st starting out. Some Seeds can be alittle hard to start indoors.

http://www.backyardgardener.com/veg/VEG ... inners.htm

 

[BowGuy84]

little reading and some hands in the dirt. Its hard to really mess it up. Your yield and lack of weeds will increase as you go along, but deciding on your starts and getting them in the ground come end of april beginning of may is the step...some soil prep in the mean time if you have the time.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

I'll be planting onions,lettuce,Kale,turnip greens,spinach, snow peas,potatoes,broccili,brussel sprouts and cabbage late next month or the 1st part of April.

 

[farmin68]

Gil, what do you want to grow? If you're not wanting to grow lots of peas, green beans, or sweet corn you will be amazed at how much of everything else you can produce in a garden no larger than 20ft.x 20ft.

Unless it has been applies in the last couple years, you need lime and I would go ahead and apply it now. Lowe's usually has bagged fine ground (100 mesh) lime. Comes in 50 lb. bags and as a general rule of thumb 70 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. is ideal for most soils.

If you do want to grow some corn, lime isn't all that critical for it. However, peas and beans will respond very well to it and may be the difference in a good harvest and a slim one.

 

[eightpointer]

Raised beds with tons of compost..now that's the ticket for sure. Good luck.

 

[gil1]

Thanks for all the input.

I hadn't even thought of a raised garden, but I guess I could git r dun.

Not sure what I want - yes, I love corn, peas, and green beans, but I assume that takes a lot of space.
I love squash, zucchini, spinach, asparagus, etc. - maybe even some basil. Wifey must have tomatoes.

But I don't want to get too overwhelmed - just a good start so I can learn through the years.

 

[rem270]

I help my neighbor out with his. He plants it and i eat it. It seems to always work out good ;)