new gardener questions
 

This was my first year attempting a garden of any sort.
Having sent houseplants in three states to their untimely
demise, I was very wary. I read at the library, and asked
folks handing out zuchinni and tomatoes at work what they did.

Having gotten through the summer with more success than I
really expected, I'm wondering about planting for fall, and
about planning for next year. If you have advice/answers/tips,
I'd love to hear them.

Specifically--

1. I think I underestimated sun requirements. I planted two beds, both
semi-shady, one more so. One did ok--lots of growth with some vegetable
production, the other was/is kind of sickly and sad looking. I just
didn't really think 'full sun' could mean Texas sun, and now know better.

The spots were picked mostly because they were areas without grass.
Next spring I want to plant a new bed, in more sun. Should I tack a
tarp down over the spot to kill the grass? Just pile clippings etc. on
it until the grass underneath dies?

2. Should I start lettuce seedlings now, to put in the beds I have
for fall? Just throw some seeds in the ground? When I tried lettuce in
the spring, I got nice seedlings, but when I moved them they croaked.
Or should I just spread the compost I've been cooking all summer and turn
it over, and wait for spring? Can I try zuchinni again?

3. Things that did well were string beans, peppers, and cucumber. The
tomatillos grew like mad--easily hundreds of flowers, but only a dozen
fruit or so. Tomatoes grew ok, but only one or two, zuchinni and squash
got bugs, I think. Herbs, in the very shady bed, were not happy, except
one that the guy at the store called 'Portugese cilantro', I think.
Next spring I'm planning on putting things right back where they did ok,
tomatoes and herbs in the new, sunnier bed.

Any help, info etc appreciated.
Jen

new gardener questions
 

wrote in message
...
This was my first year attempting a garden of any sort.
Having sent houseplants in three states to their untimely
demise, I was very wary. I read at the library, and asked
folks handing out zuchinni and tomatoes at work what they did.

Having gotten through the summer with more success than I
really expected, I'm wondering about planting for fall, and
about planning for next year. If you have advice/answers/tips,
I'd love to hear them.

Specifically--

1. I think I underestimated sun requirements. I planted two beds, both
semi-shady, one more so. One did ok--lots of growth with some vegetable
production, the other was/is kind of sickly and sad looking. I just
didn't really think 'full sun' could mean Texas sun, and now know better.

The spots were picked mostly because they were areas without grass.
Next spring I want to plant a new bed, in more sun. Should I tack a
tarp down over the spot to kill the grass? Just pile clippings etc. on
it until the grass underneath dies?

2. Should I start lettuce seedlings now, to put in the beds I have
for fall? Just throw some seeds in the ground? When I tried lettuce in
the spring, I got nice seedlings, but when I moved them they croaked.
Or should I just spread the compost I've been cooking all summer and turn
it over, and wait for spring? Can I try zuchinni again?

3. Things that did well were string beans, peppers, and cucumber. The
tomatillos grew like mad--easily hundreds of flowers, but only a dozen
fruit or so. Tomatoes grew ok, but only one or two, zuchinni and squash
got bugs, I think. Herbs, in the very shady bed, were not happy, except
one that the guy at the store called 'Portugese cilantro', I think.
Next spring I'm planning on putting things right back where they did ok,
tomatoes and herbs in the new, sunnier bed.

Any help, info etc appreciated.
Jen

If an area didn't even grow grass, it's probably not optimum for a garden.
Enough compost, mulch and water will eventually improve things, but the
dirt's probably in lousy shape now.

Lettuce is a cool season crop here. Direct seed every few weeks in the
fall/winter/early spring for a continuous crop.

Fall is the best time to garden in Austin IMO, especially if you're doing
perennials. Annuals too. With luck, good sun and extra attention on frosty
nights, your fall tomatos may keep fruiting through February.

new gardener questions
 

gribbee wrote:
If an area didn't even grow grass, it's probably not optimum for a garden.
Enough compost, mulch and water will eventually improve things, but the
dirt's probably in lousy shape now.

Previously, one bed had ferns, the other ivy. I am going to keep
working on the soil.

Lettuce is a cool season crop here. Direct seed every few weeks in the
fall/winter/early spring for a continuous crop.

This is great to know. Hopefully I'll be more successful than I
was in spring.

Thanks,
Jen