Two New Questions from the Rookie

[NeedleCast]

Good morning all,

As a rookie gardners, I'm playing most of this by ear. Beyond knowing that the plant goes in the dirt and needs water and sun, I really have no idea what I'm doing here. Can anyone recommend a good book (or books) for an entry level gardener, especially one that would give some basics on soil conditioning and growing from seeds (this year I'm planting transplants, next year I'd prefer to do seeds).

Also, while I have a fairly large back yard and lots of room for growing, I'd like to maximize my efforts. If anyone has good websites or books that would give me information on square foot gardening, I'd love to check them out.

Oooo, one other question. My dad told me planting hot peppers (I have Serranos this year) and tomatoes close together can result in spicy tomatoes. Is that true? It can't be true. It's not true, is it?

[hippywife]

1. Square Foot and Lasagna Gardening

both have books available and there is info at these websites:

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1999-04-01/Lasagna-Gardening.aspx

[JDPriestly]

13. I like the Gardener's Bible.

I have another book on container gardening that is very good. I live in Los Angeles, so I do a lot of vegetables (and flowers) in containers.

[Kolesar]

2. New gardener advice and book recommendations in this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=246&topic_id=6196#6219

Don't worry about cross breeding tomatoes and peppers.

Even pepper plants won't cross unless they are pollinated by long-tongued bumblebees. Honeybees can't do it--at least according to "the Pepperman" at the local nursery.

[XemaSab]

3. Trial and error works best

Go get some plants, dig up the ground, and plant them.

Unless you have a known problem with the soil, that should get you started.

[Blue Gardener]

4. Your State Extension Service

Has lots of information for your state. And it's free.

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/index.html

[conscious evolution]

5. Feed the soil

not the plants.

[lpbk2713]

6. Here's a website that can be a lot of help ...

Link: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/vagard/

And when you read about what applies to certain 'growing zones' or 'planting zones' you are in Zone Seven.

[NeedleCast]

7. Thanks All

Thanks for the information everyone. Looks like we might have some sun in Virginia today, that's a nice change from three days of continued rain (my rain gauge says we got just over six inches since Wednesday).

One question about square foot gardening. When the web site talks about thinning plants to a certain number per square foot, is this talking about the number of sprouting seeds?

[hippywife]

8. Yes.

The book does tell you how many plants each square foot will accommodate but it's a good idea to plant a few more seeds than that in case they don't all germinate. Then you can pull the sprouts that are too close to others and either transplant them elsewhere or in containers or throw them on the compost pile.

[Mind_your_head]

9. Begin and keep a "gardener's notebook" of what you planted and where

year-after-year. It will help you to know how to improve from one year to the next, b/c you will accurately remember what worked and what you liked, as well as.....as the years go by and you improve your gardening skills/know-how....you'll happily remember/know "how far you have come" along in your knowledge.

:hi:

[ima_sinnic]

10. yes, also because you want to plant things in different places from 1 yr to the next

i.e., don't plant tomatoes in the same place every year, rotate everything.
This is because different plants have different nutrient requirements, and they also give back different things.
It's good to plant a cover crop of, say, winter rye or a legume like alfalfa in the fall and till it under in the spring--instant plant food.

[NeedleCast]

11. Great idea, thanks

I'll do that for sure.

[bvar22]

12. Ask your neighbors.

Look for neighbors who have gardens.
They will be a great source of "What works well, and what doesn't work" for your area.
We have gotten great info from neighbors.
Use some caution.
Many gardens that LOOK great are loaded with pesticides and chem fertilizers.

Most gardeners LOVE to talk about their gardens, especially to people who admire their work, even total strangers.
To check out gardeners, we will ask something like, "We've had terrible luck with Squash Bugs. How do you get squash?" If they reply "We use lots of "Sevin" (or other pesticides)", we privately discount most of the "advice" they give us.

Your County Extension is another good source for localized information.
If you want to have your soil tested, they can direct you in the right direction.
Again, some caution needed here.
They are funded by "Big Ag", and tend to push chemicals and the latest Big Commercial Hybrids.