gardening questions

[chickpeaz]

So I'm a total novice at vegetable gardening. My mom always had beautiful flower beds but not much in the way of vegetables -- maybe a couple of patio containers with tomato plants -- so I wasn't really exposed to it growing up. I've grown tomatoes and peppers and zucchini and other things that I've bought in flats from the nursery in the early summer, and we have lots of berry bushes, but I'd really like to have a big and productive veggie garden this year with a wider variety of produce that I can start from seed. I have a couple of ridiculously newb questions -- can anyone help?

1) I have a box of seed packets that I've been collecting for a couple of years. What are the odds that the older ones will germinate? Is it worth the trouble to try to plant them, or should I just buy new?

2) What exactly does it mean when it says to plant seeds "as soon as the ground can be worked?" I mean, our ground is pertty well thawed but it's really muddy, and we could still get snow yet this year. Things like peas and beets and lettuce -- is it time to begin planting them yet?

3) Are there any really good gardening for idiots websites or books out there, that don't assume that you already know the jargon and really bring it down to the very basics?

I do know I'm right on the border between Zones 5 and 6 if that helps. Thanks!

 

[Judy]

See if this helps (from our sister website, link at bottom of page

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=30562&action=new

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

Quote:
======
My responses are in bold. Good luck!

 

[gavinandallison]

Growing Veggies for Dummys is a great book..

I personally would not bother with seeds , get you a few plants and start with them ... I live in NC so soil and times are different - " worked " soil is when the dirt is broken up and full of good stuff , again if you live in my area I could tell you what you need but PA is way up north and you all have much better soil BUT I do know it is too early to plant most stuff in your area, shucks you still may get snow and frost... good luck

 

[hennyannie]

Quote:
I am thinking that one to two years is the max. If you put them in the freezer they last better. The mud would not be a good thing, and hard to work with. I would recommend going on line to your local agricultural extension office about times to plant. Here they are very helpful. Goggle backyard gardening. Also the ag extension can help with literature too.

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

I think one thing you're going to find is that garden advice can vary WILDY!! Everyone has their own way of doing things that works best for them. Growing seeds is dead easy. Seeds naturally want to sprout, it's their prime function. If you provide an environment in which they want to grow, mother nature will do most of the work for you. There is also nothing wrong with buying vegi starts at a nursery. Gardening is a skill that is only learned by doing. You can gain an idea of what to expect from books, but the only really knowledge you will gain comes from experience. I see many new gardeners get frustrated and give up. DON'T GIVE UP!!

Quote:

 

[Frosty]

Pick up some dirt in your hand and squeeze it. If it stays in a ball that doesn't crumble easily, the soil is too wet and shouldn't be worked yet.

Seeds vs plants... I use seeds because that gives you a wider variety to choose from (plus it was plants from a box store that started the blight year before last).

Most seeds if they were stored in a cool dry place sprout just fine. If you want to test a few you can put them on a damp paper towel wrapped in plastic and put them somewhere warm for a while to see if they sprout. Onions are one that you are better off getting new seeds. It takes them a long time to start from seed anyhow so we usually by plants (and I have heard that onion plants store better than onions started from sets.)

Depending on where you are in PA, you may need a really good fence around your garden, deer love what you plant. My mother lives in Butler County and the things just stared at her when she yelled at them, a few strands of electric seems to be working for her (plus 2' high poultry wire at the bottom to keep the bunnies out).

Start small and gradually increase the size of your garden, it will help keep the garden manageable so you don't get discouraged.

And don't forget to take the time to enjoy your garden!