[Latania]

Time to think Spring!!! So this year I've convinced my spouse to "go Green" by switching over our high maintenance lawn to a no mowing grass lawn and adding garden space - the bigger the better. I tried the No Mow (a low growing) Grass last year on a little spot and loved it so I'm going with that. The food thing I'm new to and have no idea what, how to get things going. What are good fruit trees for the area?

I'm new to gardening so tips are welcome!

We eat a lot of food here so any / all info is helpful. Thanks!

Thinking Spring!

[DC at the Ridge]

Where in Arkansas are you? Different areas have different climates and soils.

[Penguin_ie]

What kind of fruit and veggies do you like? I like berries, so I looked into that and blackberries and blueberries are very easy to grow around here. Squash, pumpkin, potatoes and carrots are also quite easy, as are herbs to flavour your dishes.

[Stormcrow73]

How much space do you have? Fruit trees can take up a good deal of space and usually require at least 2 of the same variety to bear and some even prefer to have more than one variety for pollination purposes to set decent crops. "Self pollinators" will set a crop with only one tree but you'll get a bigger crop with more trees.

Also remember that it may be a year or two before you get any output from fruit trees.

That said, most any non-tropical fruit crop can be grown in AR. There are even varieties of kiwi available that can be grown here.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Penguin_ie

What kind of fruit and veggies do you like? I like berries, so I looked into that and blackberries and blueberries are very easy to grow around here. Squash, pumpkin, potatoes and carrots are also quite easy, as are herbs to flavour your dishes.

I am beginning to think "sping" as well and have always had a garden. Mine will be small this year but raised. It is about 10x10. How about cukes, I would think if squash grows, cukes would as well..When can we put them in the gound? Maybe May 1st??

I need lots of help, growning things in NM was so very easy..

Nita

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I am beginning to think "sping" as well and have always had a garden. Mine will be small this year but raised. It is about 10x10. How about cukes, I would think if squash grows, cukes would as well..When can we put them in the gound? Maybe May 1st??

I need lots of help, growning things in NM was so very easy..

Nita

Nita

Cukes grow marvelously well. In fact, you're probably liable to get more than you can handle and be giving them away. As for when to put them out...that I'm not too sure on. But I would wager well before May 1st.

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow73

Nita

Cukes grow marvelously well. In fact, you're probably liable to get more than you can handle and be giving them away. As for when to put them out...that I'm not too sure on. But I would wager well before May 1st.

But wait for Easter! Every year it's Sooooo tempting to get an early start. And every year, there's an "unexpected" late hard frost. My mom ended up re-planting twice last year.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by DC at the Ridge

But wait for Easter! Every year it's Sooooo tempting to get an early start. And every year, there's an "unexpected" late hard frost. My mom ended up re-planting twice last year.

thanks guys, that is what used to happen to me in NM, I would jump the gun..Seeds seem to be ok as it takes them so long to germinate, but the tomato plants or anything in plant form will die a quick death if it is too early. I guess I will start thinking seriously in about 6 weeks.

Nita

I did order some seends tody, sure am glad cukes work, I would hate to think I paid all that money for a type of produce that didn't.

Nita

[Clay Lady]

This is a good time to prepare the soil but don't plant until after Easter. Cukes are a warm weather crop and will not do much until the soil warms up a little. I like to plant mine near something they can grow up on like a wire cage you use with tomatoes. A chain length fence is perfect.

[SwinerBock]

Cucumbers typically go in the ground about a week after your area's average "last spring frost" date. For south Arkansas, the last spring frost averages around April 6th, so I've got it on my calendar to put cucumber plants out the following weekend.

I came across a handy little schedule on the web that suggests when various vegetables can or should be seeded/planted based on "last spring frost" and "first fall frost". Just find out those dates for your area and calculate accordingly. I've researched a few of the suggestions with other resources, and they've been more or less spot on, so I just keep this link bookmarked now.
Planting Schedule