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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
I've bought a house and I want to start a garden. I have two main
goals for this garden. First off, I'd like to save a little money. I'm going to be on a tighter budget and I'm hoping I can save some money. Secondly, I'm always looking for healthy new hobbies that don't involve the TV and computers etc. Gardening seems like a good addition. I live in zone 8a(Dallas, TX) and I want to start sometime in August or September. I think I'm interested in the Square Foot Gardening, since I have very little room to work with anyways(small backyard). Also, where can i find a schedule of what grows when for my area? I'd especially like to hear some tips from the frugal growers out there. The people that like me get a thrill from saving money Another issue: being by myself, I always have an issue with food going bad because i can't use it in time. This is especially true with veggies. Any tips on harvesting or storing so i won't be wasting too much? And, can you staggar plant veggies in a way such that you are always harvesting something? Someone point me in the right direction. So far, i've learned about preparing raised beds and some pointers on square foot gardening and soil prep, but I'm still lost on what to plant, when to plant, and when to harvest. Oh, and one other thing. I'm interested in organic gardening. I'd like to hear from the organic gardeners too. Since i'm a homeowner now i may be interested in flower planting as well, but for now I'm more interested in veggies. |
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
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#5
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
(Not Much) writes:
Another issue: being by myself, I always have an issue with food going bad because i can't use it in time. This is especially true with veggies. Any tips on harvesting or storing so i won't be wasting too much? You basically have three choices for long-term storage: freezing, canning, or drying (and some root crops like potatoes can just be kept in the basement for a while). Vegetables vary in how well each method works. A good book for explaining all the methods, and telling you which ones work best for each vegetable, is _Stocking Up_ from Rodale Press. As far as frugality goes, drying is probably the cheapest. You can get a dehydrator for $20 or less (or just use your oven), and then all you need are some jars or tins to put the dried food in and a dark place to keep them. Canning would be the next cheapest; you need a pressure canner, jars, lids, and some know-how. Freezing is the most expensive, since you'll need a freezer and freezer bags or containers, but you may be able to pick up a cheap freezer at an auction or estate sale. And, can you staggar plant veggies in a way such that you are always harvesting something? Definitely. I've been picking turnips, lettuce (several kinds), swiss chard, and peas for over a month now. It got too hot and dry for radishes, and the peas will probably be done for in a couple weeks, but beans and other things will be coming on by then, and I'll have peas again in the fall. There aren't many individual varieties that will bear all season, but you can definitely be picking something every day all season. In fact, since some plants take longer to mature than others, and different plants like different weather, it mostly just works out that way. Someone point me in the right direction. So far, i've learned about preparing raised beds and some pointers on square foot gardening and soil prep, but I'm still lost on what to plant, when to plant, and when to harvest. Raised beds might not be the most 'frugal' way to go, but I'll let others with experience at that chime in here. If you have to purchase soil and lumber or other edging for your beds, you'll surely spend more than someone who just works up a plot of ground. But you might be ahead in the long run, if you never have to buy/rent a tiller. -- Aaron |
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
I read "square foot gardening" about 2 years ago.
If you follow even HALF of the advice in there, your garden will be rockin' in just maybe 2 seasons. (hopefully getting better every season--so far so good) gardening is the ONLY activity that I am invoved with that i just cannot be angry with. no stress at all, even when stuff goes wrong! later john |
#7
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
This should get you started. Don't forget herbs. My house in far North Dallas has more mint, lemon balm, rosemary, oregano, & sage growing that we can eat Oops almost forgot mexican mint marigold(tarragon substitute) http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/p...rs/vegvar.html http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/home/hmguide.pdf http://extension-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/ http://extension-horticulture.tamu.e...NCVEGLIST.html Bright lights swiss chard, & any kind of kale, ambrosia melons & walking onions all are very happy in my square foot organic garden. Starting in August will be a challenge to keep stuff from burning up in the daytime. bob Not Much wrote: I've bought a house and I want to start a garden. I have two main goals for this garden. First off, I'd like to save a little money. I'm going to be on a tighter budget and I'm hoping I can save some money. Secondly, I'm always looking for healthy new hobbies that don't involve the TV and computers etc. Gardening seems like a good addition. I live in zone 8a(Dallas, TX) and I want to start sometime in August or September. I think I'm interested in the Square Foot Gardening, since I have very little room to work with anyways(small backyard). Also, where can i find a schedule of what grows when for my area? I'd especially like to hear some tips from the frugal growers out there. The people that like me get a thrill from saving money Another issue: being by myself, I always have an issue with food going bad because i can't use it in time. This is especially true with veggies. Any tips on harvesting or storing so i won't be wasting too much? And, can you staggar plant veggies in a way such that you are always harvesting something? Someone point me in the right direction. So far, i've learned about preparing raised beds and some pointers on square foot gardening and soil prep, but I'm still lost on what to plant, when to plant, and when to harvest. Oh, and one other thing. I'm interested in organic gardening. I'd like to hear from the organic gardeners too. Since i'm a homeowner now i may be interested in flower planting as well, but for now I'm more interested in veggies. |
#8
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
Aaron Baugher wrote:
Raised beds might not be the most 'frugal' way to go, but I'll let others with experience at that chime in here. If you have to purchase soil and lumber or other edging for your beds, you'll surely spend more than someone who just works up a plot of ground. But you might be ahead in the long run, if you never have to buy/rent a tiller. Consider used lumber such as that reclaimed from old pallets. Just avoid the ones soaked in oils or with obvious chemical spills. A 42x48 pallet will yield 3 2x4's of a decent length.Often the lumber in a pallet is hardwood and that is a plus. I'm sure others will have additional tips. Bill -- I do not post my address to news groups. |
#9
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
On Wed, 02 Jul 2003 17:48:21 -0400, Noydb
wrote: Aaron Baugher wrote: Raised beds might not be the most 'frugal' way to go, but I'll let others with experience at that chime in here. If you have to purchase soil and lumber or other edging for your beds, you'll surely spend more than someone who just works up a plot of ground. But you might be ahead in the long run, if you never have to buy/rent a tiller. Consider used lumber such as that reclaimed from old pallets. Just avoid the ones soaked in oils or with obvious chemical spills. A 42x48 pallet will yield 3 2x4's of a decent length.Often the lumber in a pallet is hardwood and that is a plus. I'm sure others will have additional tips. We don't have a source of free pallets, and couldn't afford to buy enough lumber or cement blocks. We're using old tires (free!) for raised beds. So far, we're very happy with it, it is working very well for us. Examples can be seen at: http://www.tirecrafting.com/03garden...gardengrow.htm Pat |
#10
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Beginner garden, Zone 8a, need tips
Pat Meadows wrote:
On Wed, 02 Jul 2003 17:48:21 -0400, Noydb wrote: Aaron Baugher wrote: Raised beds might not be the most 'frugal' way to go, but I'll let others with experience at that chime in here. If you have to purchase soil and lumber or other edging for your beds, you'll surely spend more than someone who just works up a plot of ground. But you might be ahead in the long run, if you never have to buy/rent a tiller. Consider used lumber such as that reclaimed from old pallets. Just avoid the ones soaked in oils or with obvious chemical spills. A 42x48 pallet will yield 3 2x4's of a decent length.Often the lumber in a pallet is hardwood and that is a plus. I'm sure others will have additional tips. We don't have a source of free pallets, and couldn't afford to buy enough lumber or cement blocks. We're using old tires (free!) for raised beds. So far, we're very happy with it, it is working very well for us. Examples can be seen at: http://www.tirecrafting.com/03garden...gardengrow.htm Pat There are lots of good ways to do this. You've found yet another. Probably there is someone, somewhere, using old washing machines or the trunks of cars in the junk yard. -- I do not post my address to news groups. |
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