Everything dies!

[moniquem]

I have not grown anything in my life until last spring!

I moved into my house dec 2015, I spent the spring/summer of 2016 just watching areas of the yard for sun/shade spots and kept track of seasonal weather. I did plant some flowers and a tree but that was it.

Last spring, 2017, I decided to start small with a few things that are easy to grow. I planted 2 tomato plants, some bush green beans and zucchini. I read up on these 3 veggies and they did really well!

Tomatoes don't like wet leaves, don't like burning hot sun and need to be staked. I bought a couple 1.99 plants from a local store and they went to town!
Bush beans I started by putting the seeds in damp paper towel for a few days until they sprouted then I planted them in some dirt. Grew like crazy.
Zuccini I also bought a few cheap starts from local store and they took off as well.

I gave them food once per month, watched for bugs, watered in the morning as most plants dont like to go to bed with wet leaves.

This year I'm doing the same but growing more so I can put up some of the beans and make tomato sauce. I also want to try strawberries, brussell sprouts and broccoli this year.

My advice is to start small.....

 

[Mimiruu]

sfgwife: I havenever grown anything ever... this is why I wanted to start this now to start getting things ready if I need to. I wanted raised beds last year but my husband was like " blah why waste money when the ground is free blah blah" Thank you for the advice.

Farmer connie: Thank you for the links! Luckily the warm states mean spring will be here sooonnnn! =)

Johnny98: Thank you for that advice =)

 

[Mimiruu]

moniquem: Thank you so much for your advice! You know where I am coming from with the being new to it all! I may have been too ambitious trying to start off with seeds and a large plot garden with many things growing. I may try some starter plants I can grow in pots and grow from there.

 

[moniquem]

Don't give up! If I can do it you can too

I forgot to mention that I watched some youtube videos on growing these things too. Hollis and Nancy have some great videos about growing vegetables.

I put the tomatoes right in the ground. The beans and zucchini I did put in 4X4 beds. I used 1/3 dirt,1/3 compost and 1/3 peat moss for my soil.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

sfgwife: I havenever grown anything ever... this is why I wanted to start this now to start getting things ready if I need to. I wanted raised beds last year but my husband was like " blah why waste money when the ground is free blah blah" Thank you for the advice.

Farmer connie: Thank you for the links! Luckily the warm states mean spring will be here sooonnnn! =)

Johnny98: Thank you for that advice =)

Tell him your back will appreciate the raised beds. If you decide on raised beds, you want to watch your water as well - it is like having a big planter which can be over watered and/or dry out easily.
As far as watering in the evening, it can also cause blight on the plants which can kill them if other conditions are also off balance.
I would see what grows well in your area. Check your "zone" and by doing that you can figure out when the best time to plant is. Are you just wanting to grow vegetables or flower gardens?
You also want to amend your soil - tilling the aged compost in and making sure your soil is well worked. If you continue to have issues, you might want to have your soil tested to see what you are dealing with. Your local extension office can do that.

 

[Mimiruu]

Soon2BChixMom: Thank you for the advice! I have been checking out the zone listed on the back of the packages of plants. I did check out the website, I made a list... then unfortunately never looked at it again. I want to grow vegetables (Soooo badly!).

 

[1cock2hens]

It wouldnt hurt to ask people in your state thread if they have any tips on varieties of veggies they have had luck with in your area and if they have any other tips.

 

[sfgwife]

Soon2BChixMom: Thank you for the advice! I have been checking out the zone listed on the back of the packages of plants. I did check out the website, I made a list... then unfortunately never looked at it again. I want to grow vegetables (Soooo badly!).

Go to your local agriculture extension office. They will have loads of info. Also ask if they have water wise, composting, and a few other classes like that. I did one on a saturday mornin til noon and it was four classes. (we were in hillsborough county... valrico) ... and i went to the classes which were very good plus you go home with tons of GOOD freebies to boot. I got a rain barrel, drip hose system, moisture reader, compost bin starter and a bunch of smaller things.

There is also i think it is fl state college that has a great table for planting. What and when. The ag ext office should have it.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Is there a lot of citrus in your compost? Lol. But serious too. Composting with limited citrus is something I’ve read before.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

A free rain barrel?! They’re expensive at my tractor supply!