My First Garden, I hope : )

[SwishTN]

Hi All!

Well, I have been really really wanting to do this raw thing for a long time, but one of the things that has been a huge hindrance has been the money necessary to spend (at least in my opinion) to eat quality organic fruits/vegetables. Well, I am trying to swing a half bushel of a local csa - www.delvinfarms.com, and also try my hand at my own garden.

I would be using a container garden, from www.agardenpatch.com. I have NEVER had a garden before, and really want to set myself up for success in going raw, and also working my little garden patch.

So, I am wondering. It is now April 5th, and I haven't yet ordered my 3 containers. (I am hoping before the end of next week to have them ordered). After I receive them, I am not sure WHAT to plant... And would love some suggestions.

I am definitely thinking some tomatoes in one container. It says two seedlings per container. Do you think I could also grow garlic and/or parsley in the same container? They are supposed to be compatible - and it would be wonderful to utilize as much space as possible.

Then, I want a container for greens... salad greens as well as dark leafy greens for green smoothies etc.. Do I need seedlings for things? How long do they take to become seedlings? Is it too late? How long does it take for them to grow?

In my 3rd pot I want to grow mostly herbs... Cilantro, basil, parsley, etc...

But then I also want cucumbers, peppers, and maybe celery...

So, any help would be SO much appreciated!!!

What, when, how should I plant? Anyone try these before? I see the earthbox on here all of the time, but they are costlier, and I hear horrible things about their customer service...

Thanks all so much!!! You may not be able to help me, but this all seems so overwhelming to me.

Ciao!
Lauri

[Conscious Midwife]

Hmmm

I'm contaner gardening on my deck with pots I bought from a dollar store

My lettuce seeds are already sprouting ( even in this crazy TN weather)

Starting some carrots tommorow

Bought my seeds from lowes and in about a month I will get seedling from the Farmer's market on 8th Ave for other stuff

I compost, got the composeter for $40 from the recycle spot on Omuhundron of Lebanon Pike in NAshville

Try the 8th ave farmers market and all the little Ehtnic markets on Nolensville and M'boro road for some good priced RAW eats


Good Luck

[PERRAW]

If you have a very small yard, you can plant either dwarf or miniature fruit trees. One day while I was googling dwarf fruit trees, I came across a site where this guy up North, I think in Michigan planted his small backyard in dwarf and miniature trees. It had shown a picture of it. Pretty neat idea if you have a tiny yard.
If you're growing vining vegetables,fruits, you can put a trellis of some sort in the pots for the plants to grow up on. The Sqarefoot guardening book has some ideas in it. It shows how to build a vertical frame and attach it to a sqare wooden unit you can set up on a patio or yard. You could go to your local library and see if they have some gardening books for ideas.

[Revvell]

I like the look of The Garden Patch better than the EarthBox which I used. I never had to use their customer service.

O.k., dwarf fruit trees can stay in a pot for about 2 years before having to be transplanted. Currently we've got two ~ a fig and a blood orange. We'll be picking up a valencia orange and sweet lime soon. I'm looking for an almond tree. Many places wont ship to Ca. so it's got to be from someone local methinks. Anyone know otherwise?

Here in SoCal we've got a better/longer growing season so, can't help there.

I think it would help others here to know what space you've got available. Do you have any yard at all? Patio? Stairs only you use? We put my Earthboxes down the stairs as I had nowhere else to put them living in a second floor apartment. Used the railing as a trellis. Put them on one step, then put a support under them two steps down. Grew tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers (they take OVER!!!).

So many things can be grown in pots if you've got the room to put them.

Revvell

[carolg]

I'm a big fan of earthboxes and have several. http://www.earthbox.com/consumer/how_works.php

My veggies last year were massive. I start most seeds indoors and right now I iam just soaking tomatoes and I mean loads of varities and numbers. I have the room on an acre. I will have various cukes too and some zucchini. The earthboxes are pricey, but long time investment. Big fan of Heirloom. Earthbox has a forum. Also rareseeds.com is great gardening forums site. I have ordered from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed too with fabulous results and quick service plus nice catalog.

Oh, Ultimato Staking Kit from Home Depot for staking is fabulous, fabulous to the max! I think it is 2 poles and 9 thingies that go across that you can manage as plant grows. I bought them on sale, but normally $5.99 last year's prices. I didn't buy any cages, just this kind.

I love, love gardening. I get so much delight seeing the seeds become seedlings to plants in the garden.

I'm looking at planting some garlic chives too.

Plans for indoor herb garden for winter time I'm going to start too

I want to get some florescent tubes to get more light to the seeds at night. I'm thinking shop light with the tube type of light...those long skinny thingies...

Well, off for now to shower and church.

I'm here or email me to get back here so reply.

Don't forget those monster tomatoes like Mortgage Lifter. I also grow hugh orange beefsteak tomatoes. Got my orange at Baker.

cukes: Armenian cukes--almost 3 feet size and yes did in container box with Ultomato. Love pickling type of cukes too. English.

Yes, the 2 of us eat veggies, veggies, but also just me alone eats a ton.

One lady I had not seen in at least 18 years last night showed up at a potluck. She said me, I saw her and we both said we knew each other. Both looked the same. Amazing!

Enjoy gardening experience.

Oh, soil: Eko Potting Mix I use for planting my seeds inside in and for my general planting in the house.

Fertilizer: I have some organic granular in the garage and don't remember kind. Got at nursery.

I'm here if you need me and again get me back here if I need to be.

carolg

[FloridaPatty]

I prefer their contains because they are one piece design. They cost the same as agardenpath. Also, if you order 10, the price drops to $27.95.

By one picece - the outsie of the box is one piece and then the screen is another. The agarden patch is 2 parts to the outside and I am always worried the bottom will fall off if I put it up to move. Hasn't yet, but I only have 2.

Earthbox.com has wheels, a watering system, much nicer covers for the boxes. And my favorite - I don't have to grow mosquitoes along with my food. Also, I don't have to bend down to the ground to put water in.

[SwishTN]

Thanks Everyone!

Okay, I can't grow anything in the ground b/c I live in an apartment... but perhaps I could try one of the mini dwarf trees in a pot. How long would it take something like that to fruit, though?

As far as WHERE I can put my containers... I can probably put 3 to 4 out on my back patio, which is privacy fenced in.. So, I can also hang some stuff as well, or use the fence as a leaning post for my tomatoes... ?

I can get 3 garden patch containers for 105, including shipping.... Plus they have a 1 year guarantee... for me it is a LOT about cost right now....

LifeAGift, great to know about the lettuce growing in the pots!! A friend of mine is going to give me one or two, and I am thinking of growing lavender in one of them. Maybe lavender and yarrow? I just like purple and yellow, but not sure how they will go together... Also great to know about the farmers market on 8th... and the fact that you can buy seedlings there. Are they organic? Do you have someone in particular you buy from?

Does anyone have an answer as to what I can grow in my boxes together?? Such as one gardenpatch box having room for two tomato plants, but then could I add garlic or parsley as well? I want to make the very very most of my space...

After this is a bit situated I am going to check into getting a good yet inexpensive sprouter. I will continue to graduate to more and more items, possibly including the earthbox....

So, any thoughts on how much to plant so that I have a pretty good supply???

Thanks so much, all!

Hi Revvell!! I haven't seen you in a long time, because I haven't been here, ha!! : ).

Ciao!
Lauri

[FloridaPatty]

A friend of mine who has the Agardenpatch recently moved. When she dumped out the soil and took them apart, she found all sorts of insect cacoons and insect skeletons on the bottom of the upper part andin the water part.

I dumped the soil out of one yesterday to move it. It was too heavy to even pull. All that was in the bottom of my earthbox was roots and dirt.

Earthbox.com has some information about growing trees in their earthboxes. Same for the Agardenpatch one too.

Where in Tenn do you live? My friend just moved back to her home near Nashville!

One interesting tree you could grow in an earthbox would be the dwarf mulberry. It has fruit 9 months a year. You could take it inside in the colder parts of the winter. It might even go through a hard winter. It does take a hard freeze here in Florida.

[PERRAW]

Heh SwishTN, Remember that once you put dirt in those containers, it'll be hard to move around. So maybe make a little garden map for your patio how to set it up with pots. Especially for any heavier ones so you don't break your back moving things around. Happy Gardening!

[Revvell]

Sounds like a new, improved Earthbox. Not like ours. Thank you for the explanation. I'll check them out again.

Revvell



I prefer their contains because they are one piece design. They cost the same as agardenpath. Also, if you order 10, the price drops to $27.95.

By one picece - the outsie of the box is one piece and then the screen is another. The agarden patch is 2 parts to the outside and I am always worried the bottom will fall off if I put it up to move. Hasn't yet, but I only have 2.

Earthbox.com has wheels, a watering system, much nicer covers for the boxes. And my favorite - I don't have to grow mosquitoes along with my food. Also, I don't have to bend down to the ground to put water in.

[Revvell]

Hey Lauri!!! *waves muchly*

Thanks for the topic. We just moved to a new home with a LARGE yard yet, we're leasing and don't want to tear up the yard ~ yet. We'll have pics up soon as to what I am doing.

I'd love to hear how the EarthBoxes work for you.


T

Hi Revvell!! I haven't seen you in a long time, because I haven't been here, ha!! : ).

Ciao!
Lauri

[SwishTN]

I see that all ya'll want me to get the earth boxes, and they really look great!

BUT, it is DOUBLE the amount of the gardenpatch boxes...

I am thinking...

ANYWAY, does anyone have any input about how/if I could plant garlic or parsley with my tomato plants? I can plant two seedlings a box, but it doesn't say if you can plant anything else. Any input would be great..

Ciao!

[Conscious Midwife]

HEy was there anything wrong with just using an everyday dollar store pot???

Then you can have lots of easily moveable and manageable pots with any variety of stuff you want.

I grew tomatoes on my deck last year just fine, oh and strawberries did ok too but the birds got to them first.

There are several nurseries at farmers market on 8th, some have organic veggie starter some don't. I don't have a preferred nursery I jsut by the healthiest stuff I can.

Just planted some carrot seeds with my little ones today

and yeah my lettuce sprouts look great, it's Romaine somwe will see what happens.

A friend of mine in TN grows greens in hard back yard almost year round the kale made it through Dec even.

[Conscious Midwife]

You might also like these items:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/nationalgardening_1996_18636688

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/nationalgardening_1996_21673715

Think I'll be ordering this sprouter myself

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/nationalgardening_1996_15520702

http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com

[SwishTN]

I am seriously considering it.

But when you see the HUMONGOUS yield that the garden patch and earthbox give, it's hard to feel as if you're not settling by using pots. Not sure if that makes any sense.

Where is that sprouter?

I am still seriously considering doing the delvin farms coop, too....

But I definitely want a sprouter.

[carolg]

My earthboxes are the original ones. The oldies, without problems. Yes, they are super heavy to haul around but the newer version you can get wheels, but not for mine. I’m content with that. Some nurseries sell them so may even go visit, check out the pricing and see what you decide.

Rareseeds.com forum may have more feedback as there are lots of gardeners there so great place before buying.

For me I don’t see any reason to change so keeping what I have and may expand my territory eventually. Think I’m up to 10 boxes now.

Back to getting more seeds soaking. I suppose that means tomatoes and cukes too.

carolg

[FloridaPatty]

I see that all ya'll want me to get the earth boxes, and they really look great!

BUT, it is DOUBLE the amount of the gardenpatch boxes...

I am thinking...

ANYWAY, does anyone have any input about how/if I could plant garlic or parsley with my tomato plants? I can plant two seedlings a box, but it doesn't say if you can plant anything else. Any input would be great..

Ciao!
http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/EarthBox/products.asp?dept=5

Click on "Buy Now". On the left is a list - click on the "Earthboxes" link. They recently lowered their prices too. I find it annoying that most of the places that sell the earthbox keep trying to get you to buy the whole package - thereby running up the price of shipping for the soil.

[FloridaPatty]

Probably 2 tomatoes and 2 parsley or whatever would look good with the garlic. Earthbox has a forum that is really good to answer questions on soil type, fertilizers, and mixing plants. And they don't check where you got your box from!

[Revvell]

There ya go. This is the one I got... I KNEW they weren't twice the price.

Also, you can always put them on a lil platform with wheels. I don't know where we got ours but it's just some plywood with 4 wheels on it. Makes earthboxes and pots really easy to move.

We went to see this guy ~ http://2doo.com/thepower2be/2doo/ (slow to load, be patient) and most of his stuff is in pots and he's got lots of them.

Might check out some sites on container gardening. You can get so many more containers for free or cheap for the price of 3 Earthboxes. We're doing much of our stuff in containers. When we moved, we couldn't just dump the dirt and take the boxes sooo, they stayed where they were.



http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/EarthBox/products.asp?dept=5

Click on "Buy Now". On the left is a list - click on the "Earthboxes" link. They recently lowered their prices too. I find it annoying that most of the places that sell the earthbox keep trying to get you to buy the whole package - thereby running up the price of shipping for the soil.

[Revvell]

http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com

I like THIS site! Thanks!

[Conscious Midwife]

...

Where is that sprouter?

I am still seriously considering doing the delvin farms coop, too....

But I definitely want a sprouter.

thee sprouter is at the same kids garden link

http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com (http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com/)

[Conscious Midwife]

I like THIS site! Thanks!


I stumbled across it while looking for homeschool gardening ideas

Anyway I love how the prices are so much more reasonable on sites that
aren't deliberately marketing to vegans or raw foodies, the seed sprouter is only $14.95.

Now some of the gardening tools I guess are priced on par with Lowe's or Kmart. But definately a cool variety of stuff especially for the little ones.

[carolg]

I wouldn't start with more t han 2 EB to see if you like them. I started with 5 however way back. Good they finally lowered prices as that is way to much that I paid back then too. I suppose competition has set in.

Soil buy at nursery and not anywhere else--Eko POTTING mix. Don't compromise. This works great. Even my fertilizer came from nursery and both organic too (can't remember kind).

Rev I know what you are describing and great idea for moving around the "EB". I call it a dolly?

It's confusing listening to us all come with our minds made up but it will be worth while. I know there are less expensive ways to do container gardening, but for me this works "great."

carolg

[SwishTN]

Okay,

With shipping and everything, 3 earthboxes are 110 and change. SO, only 5 more dollars than the others.... I am seriously considering it now...

I just want to grow and have enough so that I am not hungry all of the time, and gravitate to other crap... So, I am going to come back later and tell ya'll what I think I want to plant, and maybe you can help me? I am sooooo super duper green, and I don't mean green thumb, about all of this stuff.

How many vegetables do you think 1/2 a bushel is? That is what would be in the Delvin Farms box every week....

LifeAGift, I couldn't find the sprouter...

Anyone have a great sprouter that they recommend, with fantastic yields?

Who knows, maybe I won't even go to the grocery store any more : )...

Thanks so much everyone, I am getting excited!!!

L.

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.kidsgardeningstore.com/21-1426.html

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/nationalgardening_1996_21673715

[SwishTN]

Thanks, LifeAGift!

That is a pretty darned good price, too : )... Especially for a beginning sprouter...

Patty, I kind of checked out the forum... I will have to look harder I guess...

So do you think that if I have two tomato plants in an earthbox, I could also ADD garlic and parsley maybe?

More to come ; )...

Thanks all... Woo hoo!!!

Lauri

[FloridaPatty]

Thanks, LifeAGift!

That is a pretty darned good price, too : )... Especially for a beginning sprouter...

Patty, I kind of checked out the forum... I will have to look harder I guess...

So do you think that if I have two tomato plants in an earthbox, I could also ADD garlic and parsley maybe?

More to come ; )...

Thanks all... Woo hoo!!!

Lauri

The tomato roots go deep. Parsley roots aren't as deep and garlic sits on the top. Parsley does get up to 2-2.5 feet tall. Maybe put the parsley between the tomatoes and the garlic everywhere else.

As for sprouters - use a cermic bowl that is wider than it is taller. I've seen that set up when I took the certification classes and the instructor sprouted that way. Worked very well I might add. Someone also said Alissa sprouts that way too. Very cheap. Plastic will probably work as well. Just rinse it out 3 times a day.

[carolg]

For the EB, did you check with local nurseries even if they are not on the EB website as they could buy from distributor. I am thinking of $ saving.

Swish where are you seeing $110 which looks like a good price from what I saw at Ebay which is very expensive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_fJ25Mubck

I tried listening but it seems everytime I listen to something else like HAiwaan music online station it messes us you tube so now without volume again. Have to see what Rev before about fixing this problem. I didn't download anything I am aware of. Gosh, darn it.

carolg

[FloridaPatty]

We have them here in Florida. With the break on quantity and not paying taxes, it comes out $2 cheaper to buy from earthbox.com. Plus I save 3 hours driving to pick them up.