My confession regarding gardening...

[Lara]

I'm intimidated. Okay I admit it. I've been talking about starting a garden for years now and JUST HAVEN'T DONE IT. I really don't know how to begin simply and cheaply and my perfectionism is kickin' in, big time! My main concern is that I'll invest my hard earned money in soil, fertilizer, seeds/seedlings, tools etc and then I'll screw it all up somehow and will have wasted my time, energy and money.
I would love some advice if you have it... especially good websites or blogs...
I have a 3 by 5 box in my back yard that gets lots of sun in the spring/summer. I have a compost box nearby that i've just started composting stuff.
So where AND WHEN to begin?? If you care to share, I welcome it.

Blessings and thanks in advance.
Lara
p.s. I've been googling this as well and haven't found a blog or website that seems right yet. I've literally been on my computer for hours now. :eek::(

[DebB]

Hi Lara ~ Wow - you've got a 3x5 garden area all ready in your yard. You're a lucky girlie!! I just love John Kohler (http://www.youtube.com/user/growingyourgreens)(Growing Your Greens) on YouTube. He has more videos than you can shake a piece of kale at - you may like to check it out.

I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice here, we've got some great gardeners who post here! *Ü*

[Lara]

Deb! I will check him out...

[DebB]

And, you'll see he's in northern CA too! I'm envious of year round growing possibilities I tell ya! ;) ;) *Ü*

[Tsurugi_Oni]

3x5 aint very big, even for a beginner.

Even if you fail, it's a learning experience, that's like anything in life. The best thing to do is invest as much time as you can right now, and when crunch time comes you'll be best prepared.

Greens are always easy to grow. Tomatoes are too, but since the weather's been very inconsistent I don't know if they're a good beginner crop. Definately greens tho, theyre extremely hardy.

[T-Bird]

I'm intimidated. Okay I admit it. I've been talking about starting a garden for years now and JUST HAVEN'T DONE IT. I really don't know how to begin simply and cheaply and my perfectionism is kickin' in, big time! My main concern is that I'll invest my hard earned money in soil, fertilizer, seeds/seedlings, tools etc and then I'll screw it all up somehow and will have wasted my time, energy and money.

did that LOT of time. Last year - finally - success. So stoke for 2010!

Just go for it, and check out the forums on organicgardening.com with detailed q's this forum doesn't handle....

[Lara]

will do...will check out that website.

[Green_Woman]

Wow, almost exactly the question I had! Except I don't have a box yet for my garden, but I'm designing one!

[solarliving]

I'm just learning myself. I do know soil is important so composting is a good thing to understand. Also look into Food Foresting, Permaculture

on youtube there are some awesome vids of people growing over 80 fruits trees on just 1/3 of an acre. "Greening the Desert," with Geoff Lawton is documentary that will inspire you.

[Shine]

http://www.organicgardening.com/

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/organic/the-essence-of-permaculture-gardening.htm

http://laughingdogfarm.com/Gettingstartedathome.htm

http://www.howtocompost.org/

http://www.ccof.org/

First - way to go!! Gardneing is fabulous. I have had a garden since I was a wee one (to be expected in my fam with the last name of "gardner" :))

I have put in links to good sites that I find useful. The last is specific to you for where you live. In Maine we have MOFGA and many farmers are pleased to share information with beginners and "old hands" alike. Not all farmers will be veggies only just FYI.

3x5 is small but a good place to start. I would contact your town and find where to get your soil tested locally (usually cheap) and see where you are lacking in nutrients. Then you can find fertilizer specific to your needs and the needs of the plants you want to grow.

I agree that greens are a great way to go. Many arre hardy (this is something you could check with a local farmer about) and they grow quite quickly. You could also bring permaculture into play as a start with trying a large leaf veggie (like zucchini) and place greens that like a little more shade (spinich I am thinking) under the leaves when the zucchini plants are still young.

Peas grow quickly and will climb (with a little assistance) so you can make a little climbing wall for them on the side of your garden. Cucumbers will also climb and are easy to grow so this will give you even more room.

Compost is excellent - it will take a while to get the good soil but it is so worth it. Most of the time I use my compost as an additive. You can also compost your weeds (sans roots) right back into your garden by burrying them as you weed! Straw or clippings make good mulch for this purpose too.

Ok, I'm long winded but it's the dead of winter hear and I am already planning this years garden and looking through my seed catalogues in anticipation!! Good luck to you!

[T-Bird]

Ok, I'm long winded but it's the dead of winter hear and I am already planning this years garden and looking through my seed catalogues in anticipation!!

pfft! I started before christmas!

[Shine]

pfft! I started before christmas!

:D

I have material for cold frames too but there's too much dang snow on the ground right now!

[Raw Joy]

I just got a book called Bountiful Container. After being moderately successful with Square Foot Gardening a couple of years ago (great tomatoes and cucumbers; not much else) , I thought I'd check out container gardening.

This book is absolutely wonderful. I'm still going to do some Square Foot Gardening (tomatoes & cucumbers :D) but can hardly wait to start doing greens, herbs, radishes, peppers, green beans, peas, beets, and carrots this year. And am already planning to branch out to strawberries and blueberries next year.

[Bookish Lass]

:D

I have material for cold frames too but there's too much dang snow on the ground right now!

I dug down and put a cold frame out recently, then just brush off the snow whenever it covers it. That way the sun can start heating the ground there.

[Revvell]

Yesterday I picked up a magazine put out by Birds & Blooms entitled "Grow Veggies". It's got a really cool section that shows how to set up your garde. They're showing in a 3x6 but, you can eliminate the beans.

I just started my pea and sunflower seeds indoors today.

[Number37]

I recommend growing some varieties of kale. It's very easy and quick to grow, and you can harvest the crop all through autumn and winter with cut-and-come-again varieties (which means you can just take a few leaves at a time and the plant will just sprout some more!) In a 3x5 space you could fit in 3 or 4 plants (that's plenty) and still have room for another crop.

Imagine having just-picked organic kale for your green smoothies and salads every morning :D

Don't bother with anything that's cheap at the store - go for the pricey things like salads leaves (though the slugs go crazy for those so be sure to use some copper/coffee grounds/eggshells/other organic method of slug repellent. It might even be an idea to pop down to Wholefoods, look at the most expensive seasonal veg you buy reguarly and compare the seed packets instore to see what is in season to plant (if your WF sells seeds). Then go for it! Don't be scared of failure - even the most experienced gardener has failures. Just remember that it will make your next success all the more special :D