Veggie garden questions (growing, grass, tomatoes, cucumbers) - Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - City-Data Forum

mrs1885 · 05-31-2008, 04:08 PM

We're putting in our veggie garden now - late again.

Last year we had a very small garden. This year we've expanded to about 1/2 an acre. We've got a big family - 7 kids at home between 14 and 23 years old. We go through a lot of food!!

So, we have 2 rows of corn in and plan on putting in 2 more rows each weekend for a month or two. Does that work to keep the corn coming all season long, and if so, when should we stop planting?

We're putting in corn, carrots, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cukes, and bush beans. Is there any specific veggies that should or should not be near each other??

For the time being, I think that's all my questions. We did have the garden cleared and tilled this year and brought in some top soil to mix in, as we're sitting on tons of very hard clay. We also mixed in some lime. Opinions?

teatime · 05-31-2008, 05:43 PM

Are you just starting from seed now or did you buy plants? (I'm assuming you planted the corn via seeds.)

If you're starting from seed, you're going to have to do a lot of nurturing of your tomatoes and lettuce. The summer heat is almost upon us -- actually, where I live, it's already here in full force! I planted a month ago and lost my tomatoes so I'm trying again with bigger plants. I also lost half of my lettuce to the heat.

I don't know what the weather is like where you are but you're getting a late start.

CouponJack · 05-31-2008, 06:15 PM

What zone are you in? That is very important.....

Starting at this time is fine for certain vegetables...many people in warmer climates plant for summer harvest and go around for a 2nd time in the fall...

mrs1885 · 05-31-2008, 06:35 PM

I think we're 6B. And yes, it's all from seeds. Last year we did all seed except the tomatoes which were from plants. We started late last year and had a decent season I guess, but we also had a severe drought and had to water just about every day. The season didn't last long. Also - last year we got about 20 ears of corn off of about 15 plants, but then the corn started growing weird. Almost like it mutated. Any clue what that's all about?

This year we have carrots, bush beans, corn, lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes. We had everything last year except the lettuce and cucumbers.

I knew it was late. Grrr!!! Next year we're starting earlier!!

Anyway, it's all in, so I hope it does ok. It's about to start raining now. If it passes us, which it hasn't lately, we'll go water it real good.

Any other last minute advice?

CouponJack · 05-31-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs1885

Any other last minute advice?

Its pretty simple. You need full sun (8-10 hrs per day preferably) and good soil...keep the soil moist and watch the plants daily for insects/disease...

If you don't watch or take care of your plants, most likely you won't get a good crop when its time to harvest...

You should be good to go.....

jdavid93225 · 05-31-2008, 07:05 PM

It does seem somewhat late for getting a garden started, at least since I started mine from plants a few weeks ago. The bad news where I am is that we never quite know when winter will be over. We actually had snow again about a week ago, so I had to take some special measures to protect the tomatoes. Since my daughter was home, and I wasn't, I had her turn on a sprinkler in the garden to keep the snow from accumulating. Since it only snowed for a short time, that worked well in that situation. It looks like the plants are still doing OK.

Good luck with the garden you're planting. I hope it does well.

desi2007 · 05-31-2008, 10:57 PM

I've put my garden out about a month ago...my green beans and tomatoes are doing good. When it comes to gardening must have good soil tilled up and your rows set up for the plants to grow in, with sunlight, water, and most of all no weeds after that not much to do. The more you do it the better you become at gardening each year. I find it a great stress reliever, something about tilling up the earth and watching something grow seems natural to me.

teatime · 06-01-2008, 12:08 AM

Any advice on keeping native grasses out of the garden? I tilled really well with my gas-powered cultivator, put down weed killer, etc. Everything was going great until about a week ago when the native grass started coming back, grrrrr. It's probably because of all of the watering I've been doing -- our temps are running about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year!

Our native grass is just SO heavily rooted and the roots go down at least a foot. I dug up the areas around the edges away from my plants and such but I obviously can't do that around the veggie plants! What can I do to nuke the native grass/keep it from coming back without hurting my veggie plants??????

ellie · 06-01-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teatime

Any advice on keeping native grasses out of the garden? I tilled really well with my gas-powered cultivator, put down weed killer, etc. Everything was going great until about a week ago when the native grass started coming back, grrrrr. It's probably because of all of the watering I've been doing -- our temps are running about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year!

Our native grass is just SO heavily rooted and the roots go down at least a foot. I dug up the areas around the edges away from my plants and such but I obviously can't do that around the veggie plants! What can I do to nuke the native grass/keep it from coming back without hurting my veggie plants??????

They're probably not native grasses. There are a number of non-native grasses that are far more likely to give you the kinds of problems you are describing.

Best idea would be to take a sample in to your county extension agent and find out what to do.

In the meantime, pull out the ones that you can. A heavy mulch will help prevent some, but a garden requires a lot of work, especially where you have aggressive weeds.

ellie · 06-01-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs1885

We're putting in our veggie garden now - late again.

Last year we had a very small garden. This year we've expanded to about 1/2 an acre. We've got a big family - 7 kids at home between 14 and 23 years old. We go through a lot of food!!

So, we have 2 rows of corn in and plan on putting in 2 more rows each weekend for a month or two. Does that work to keep the corn coming all season long, and if so, when should we stop planting?

We're putting in corn, carrots, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cukes, and bush beans. Is there any specific veggies that should or should not be near each other??

For the time being, I think that's all my questions. We did have the garden cleared and tilled this year and brought in some top soil to mix in, as we're sitting on tons of very hard clay. We also mixed in some lime. Opinions?

Carrots and lettuce are cool season plants. You should have started those early early in the spring. The others may or may not do well, depending on the weather, especially rain. You're probably in the drought zone too.

I'd do about 4 weeks worth of corn and stop. IMO corn takes up too much space in a garden when you could be growing more productive vegetables. Buy some tomato plants that are already going. Winter squash seeds might be a good investment since they'll keep. (plant them now) Spring onions are also easy, even if it's almost summer. They're expensive at the grocery store. Fresh herbs like basil and parsley will add to your savings and expand your repertoire. I also like peppers and chinese eggplant. Not too late for either of those.

With as many kids as you have I can understand how hard it is to get things done. And you're not experienced gardeners.

It is not too late to invest in a good vegetable gardening book. Good luck.