On Jan 24, 8:20*am, (EVP MAN) wrote:
I'm new here and have been looking for just such a group as this to
discuss vegetable gardening. *I'm a 61 year young male who lives in
central Pennsylvania. *Last season I decided to grow some tomato plants..
Didn't know much about it though. *Just dug some holes right through the
sod in my back yard about 10" in diameter each and planted (14) plants.
I wasn't expecting much but to my surprise, *they done really well
especially the Jet Star plants. *Needless to say, *this got me hooked on
gardening big time! *I've been digging up sod every chance I get. *Sure
is a back breaking job *By this spring I hope to have about 175 sq.
ft. of planting rows dug each being 30" wide. *I even ordered 35
asparagus crowns and plan to start a bed. *If possible I'd like to try
and grow all the vegetables I enjoy eating. *The bug bit me hard. *I got
a Tumbleweed composter, grow lights and heat mat for starting seeds and
lots of different seeds from the net. *I plan to grow tomatoes (all
kinds including heirlooms) leaf lettuce, sweet bell peppers, eggplants,
cauliflower, parsley, copra storage onions, ground cherries, turnips and
cantaloupes. *The wife says: that's enough so it looks like I have to
stop now! *LOL *My soil is clay so I been digging in lots of shredded
leaves from last fall and also some home made compost. *I may also mix
in a bit of dry bagged cow manure and some bagged garden soil. *Any
hints or tips on any of the veggies I'll be growing will be much
appreciated *........... Rich From PA

Oops - I think I hit the wrong key and my message went out unfinished
g

Anyway, just to run on a bit: It's great that you are composting. I
keep
a crock in my kitchen sink and compost all vegetables, fruits, and
carbs,
trashing only grease, meat and bones -- of which I use very little.
There is such delight in shoveling out of the bottom of my compost
bin that lush, dark treasure!

I know you got lots of good advice above; just mentioning that it
might
take a season or two for the asparagus to kick in.

Also, don't forget the carrots (many varieties) and green onions.

Gardening at the beach here is very different from Pennsylvania (I
grew up
in Luzerne); we can garden all year, but not the crops that need
winter chill. Even here, however, microclimates differ; just over
the
mountains there could be frost.

OK, I'm rambling; just to say Hi and Welcome.

Persephone