Backyard Gardening

[dalebert]

I'm reposting this here because it's more relevant and also because some people may not check the regional sections. This is also in Monadnock.

My roommate who works on a farm, had a great idea about doing backyard gardening. Everyone who has some space, and it doesn't take much, can grow one crop and we can swap crops for variety. We can get together to get the gardens going and then people can tend to their own gardens. People who don't have space can possibly volunteer to help out on some of the more high maintenance gardens for others. We grew tomatoes, basil, and a couple other things but the idea is to just focus on one thing each so we can grow it more effectively and easily.

If anyone's interested, we'll probably talk about it some at Social Sunday tomorrow (5th). Mike (the farmer) is coming. Even though it's fall, there are things we can do to prepare the growing areas for next growing season. Mike also works at a coffee shop and can start collecting large amounts of used coffee grounds. We may also want to consolidate composting in one or two places since a single household may not have enough for effective composting.

[slim]

If someone has enough space to grow one crop they can probably grow 2 in the same space for example you can plant some corn and then some beans right with the corn. The corn can be used as the poles for the beans to grow up.

[SpeedPhreak]

good idea

dont forget to rotate crops year to year.

[slim]

good idea

dont forget to rotate crops year to year.

Yep for annual cops a rotation and fallow is a good idea. If you are planning on a large garden (I am talking acres in size) you might want to have soil tested. The soil tests can tell you exactly what nutrients you need to put in to the soil.

[Peacemaker]

That's a great idea.  And sounds like you guys really know what you're talking about on the gardening iend.  I think I might be able to grow something on the coast. 

Is any one food better that's better to grow than another, based on living about 2 miles from the sea and in the Seacoast area?

[Lloyd Danforth]

I don't know what the soil is like along the seacoast, but, I once saw a garden in Marshfield, MA above Plymouth that had what amounted to gray sand, but, grew nice vegetables.

[slim]

That's a great idea.  And sounds like you guys really know what you're talking about on the gardening iend.  I think I might be able to grow something on the coast. 

Is any one food better that's better to grow than another, based on living about 2 miles from the sea and in the Seacoast area?

It all depends on what type of soil you got and the drainage. A easy way to determine what kind of soil is look at the local vegetation. Lots of Pine trees means a acid soil, other types of bushes and trees mean different soil types.

If you are seriously going to farm then it might be worth it to get the soil tested by a lab. The labs can tell you what nutrient levels are currently in the soil and what you need to add and at what concentration you need to add different nutrients.

If the soil is dark almost black and drains quickly that is normally very good. When I look for land I am going to look for old land that was used as a pasture for cows, I know that land will be high in Nitrogen because of the cow poo.

[Peacemaker]

Thanks for the advice Slim.  House backs up to forest and the property has mostly pines and oaks..but I"ll have to go kick up some dirt for a closer look.  And that is an excellent idea about testing the soil..

I've done "my fair share" of landscaping but never growing anything other than potted.... tomatoes, strawberries..spices, jalapeno peppers,..

Question: If I put down a good number of Miracle Grow Soil Bags, is it still worth it to have the soil tested?

And also, if you wouldn't mind mentioning that what are some of the easier (beginner) crops you would recommend...One thing I've always wanted to grow is peanuts but I have the feeling I need a green house around here as a peanut brain, err, farmer,I can think his name was Jimmy Car ter from JoeeeeahhhGHAAH, (had one there)...

[slim]

Thanks for the advice Slim.  House backs up to forest and the property has mostly pines and oaks..but I"ll have to go kick up some dirt for a closer look.  And that is an excellent idea about testing the soil..

I've done "my fair share" of landscaping but never growing anything other than potted.... tomatoes, strawberries..spices, jalapeno peppers,..

Question: If I put down a good number of Miracle Grow Soil Bags, is it still worth it to have the soil tested?

And also, if you wouldn't mind mentioning that what are some of the easier (beginner) crops you would recommend...One thing I've always wanted to grow is peanuts but I have the feeling I need a green house around here as a peanut brain, err, farmer,I can think his name was Jimmy Car ter from JoeeeeahhhGHAAH, (had one there)...

You could find out the soil type you have using the http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ You can define the area you want to know about and then look at the soil types you have in the area.

I don't think I would waste good potting soil. You can change the soil structure by adding organic matter for a richer soil or gravel to increase the drainage and if you are looking for a lot of drainage then put some tile in the ground.

For beginner crops vegetables are fairly easy to take care of. I would first go for tomatoes, pumpkins, zucchini, bell peppers, and corn. The tomatoes I would buy the already started plants at a greenhouse (it is just easier that way) the rest of them just buy some seeds and sow them in the ground. Pumpkins the vines grow out so I would give them some room.

Most of these crops you can grow fine without pesticides except the corn you might find some worms in and the tomatoes could get some bugs but if you are working a small garden for yourself you can pick the bugs off by hand.

I grew all those crops at my parents farm when I was about 10 and did not have any problems with them. If you do choose to grow a garden a hoe is going to be your best friend (and I ain't talking about street walkers).

I think I should have been a bit more specific about the soil testing if you are going to grow 5+ acres of vegetables then you probably would want to get the soil tested but if you are just growing on a small scale I see no reason for testing.

I have not tried to grow peanuts so not really sure about them but I figure they have a long growing season and would not grow in NH very well.

[Peacemaker]

Slim, great, thanks for the reply.  I'm talking a small little area, got to keep it small...but i do like the ideas of pumpkins, that sounds cool and one or two other veggies....sounds like fun, I just love being in the outdoors and enjoy seeing things grow.

[AntonLee]

at my place the landlord has a pretty big garden with tomatoes, squash, sunflowers, and tons of other stuff.  He built a box above the ground to house different soil I believe.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Raised gardens give you an area that you can easily control and build up the soil in.  You don't walk around on it so it doesn't pack down and require tilling every year. 

[Moebius Tripp]

"Square Foot Gardening" is a good resource book for raised bed gardening.

And never forget the wonders and joys of composting.
http://www.vegweb.com/composting/