Hi. My name is Dawn, and I am very new to gardening. I am trying vegetable gardening again after several failed attempts. I am determined to make it work this time!

We've build 3 x 6 planters as we have lots of moles and red clay and/or sand. I made the planters sub irrigated. I'm hoping that this will help my tendency to forget to water or over water.

So far I've planted tomatoes, green beans, peas, zucchini, and jalapenos. I also have cinnamon basil, orange mint, peppermint, habaneros, marigolds, lemon balm and bee balm. I got a late start, as usual. I've been combing the internet for the best information to help me. I've also got an aerogarden full of herbs.

I also have plans to add red wigglers to my gardens. I'm trying to keep it as organic as possible. Sadly our grocery stores have awful produce, so I'd like to provide my family some good stuff.

Anyway, I'm eager to learn and look forward to it!

Dawn

Hi Dawn, to ATP!

The best advice that I can give is to plant in lots and lots of compost! You really can't use too much of this when it comes to growing veggies. You might grow some food without it, but it's a lot more work. Not only will plants require more watering and grow slower, but their disease resistance will be lower without it.

If you need any assistance finding your way around the forums here, just holler! We'll be happy to lend a hand.

to ATP Dawn.

Hi, Dawn and

Did you notice that we have a forum just for Edibles and Preserving? That would probably be a good place to just look around for good tips on vegetable growing. http://garden.org/forums/view/...

dmmcnair,
Sounds like you are off to a good start and this will be your most successful garden ever!

Dawn!

chelle said:Hi Dawn, to ATP!

The best advice that I can give is to plant in lots and lots of compost! You really can't use too much of this when it comes to growing veggies. You might grow some food without it, but it's a lot more work. Not only will plants require more watering and grow slower, but their disease resistance will be lower without it.

If you need any assistance finding your way around the forums here, just holler! We'll be happy to lend a hand.

Welcome, Dawn! I have to second and third what Chelle says here. When I don't have compost or can't get it for some reason (having moved around and started new gardens many times in my life) I buy well composted steer manure and use it copiously on new beds. Mulching with a natural substance such as straw or dried leaves is a great help also, but enriching the soil is crucial, IMO.

I am in yet another new garden and planted some pole beans along a fence in the back. I clearly did not enrich the soil enough because while they are growing and I am harvesting some beans I can see they are struggling a bit and not the heavy producers I hoped they could be! Live and learn. Whereas my bush beans, in another area that benefitted from earlier and better soil prep, are going great guns.

Makes a gigantic difference.

Thank you everyone! Composting, got it! That is where the red wigglers are coming in, hopefully. I got my wigglers yesterday. Made a worm pole in my raised garden and added some worms, maybe 1/4 lb, and the rest are in the kitchen. Wish me luck on keeping them alive. Off to do more research.

Dawn

Welcome, Dawn! Ditto to what Chelle said above about the compost; or just adding any sort of organic material... there are different ways to make compost, some are as simple as burying your veg scraps next to the rows of plants. Have fun, expect to fail at some things and have success at other things, and share your experiences with us!

Worm pole?

A 4 in pvc pipe with holes drilled all around and buried in middle of raised bed. Bedding in pipe, add our scraps for worm food. Worms are able to go into soil and leave their composting presents through out the garden bed and do their thing. I guess it's called a worm tower.

Thanks! I'll put that on my 'to-do list.