| I am a very new gardener and I need help on how to start a new garden from scratch. I have very wet soil and I barely get any sun. Can anyone help me? |
| The first step in soil prep is to have the soil tested for nutrient and organic matter levels. A soil test performed by your agricultural extension service (ph# 360/423-9986) will result in recommendations for balancing soil nutrients and improving drainage and structure if that is necessary. In general, soil can always use a boost of organic matter. It's the "glue" that holds the mineral part of the soil together, and truly makes soil a living substance. Organic matter (also known as humus) results from the decay of living plant and animal tissues, and increased moisture retention on soil particles, improved drainage, increased nutrient availability, and helps balance the populations of "good" and "bad" organisms in the soil. You can often purchased bagged compost from garden centers, but I also recommend that you start your own compost "factory". It can be as simple as a pile in a corner of your yard or as fancy as a store-bought compost bin. Heap grass clippings, yard trimmings and leaves, as well as your vegetable/fruit kitchen waste (meat and dairy products are more likely to attract flies and larger critters) into your compost, turn it once in a while, and it will rot down to beautiful humus. There are lots of publications on composting out there, and I'll bet your extension service even offers one. It's really important to provide as much sunshine as possible. If the site is shady, you may have to concentrate on leafy vegetables and shade-tolerant annuals and perennials. I'll bet your extension office has a calendar of planting times and tips for vegetable gardeners -- they can provide you with a wealth of information. We're always here if you have specific questions their literature doesn't answer. I also recommend a couple of great gardening books for beginners: Real Gardeners' True Confessions, by Pat Stone (Storey Publications, Pownal VT), is a collection of stories and instruction from gardeners who learned the hard way, and want to pass on the knowledge gained from making LOTS of mistakes, so hopefully you won't have to repeat them! Another is Burpee's Complete Vegetable and Herb Gardener (available on their main webpage). Here's to you and your first garden! |
