I just started this year's garden. My mom and grandmother have wonderful gardens and lots of food to harvest, but every year something always happens to mine...

Bugs, too little water, traveling too much in my part, etc.

Anyway, we are trying to incorporate more veggies in our diet so I am trying to really make an effort this year.

I just planted 2 row of peppers, 2 rows of tomatoes, 4 rows of Alaskan peas from seed. No clue if they will sprout or not but the packets say I can plant them now.

I have more seed packets I want to start inside the house or plant in April or May.

I am really excited and start this thread as a journal and to gather advice.

Really would like to have a decent crop this year.

Only 4 of the herbs made it through the winter. The fig tree is budding. The two blueberry bushes look pitiful and I don't know about the oriental persimmon tree, it had bugs last year.

Just praying God gives me the wisdom to tend to the garden.

Hope everyone has a blessed day. Thank you for taking time to read and respond.

God bless you!

Search around on this guys channel... When I was doing Hydroponics he was so helpful to watch, he explains everything from PH to pruning, to transplanting, to basically everything... And he teaches in every medium: soil, water, air, coconut....

His name is Everest Fernandez

https://www.youtube.com/user/Just4Growers

I don't have much helpful advice to give. I like to grow my garden, and it is a lot of work to keep up. Harvest, and preserving my harvest are also a lot of work too. Good luck with your crops!

Originally Posted by Ariel82

I just started this year's garden. My mom and grandmother have wonderful gardens and lots of food to harvest, but every year something always happens to mine...

Bugs, too little water, traveling too much in my part, etc.

Anyway, we are trying to incorporate more veggies in our diet so I am trying to really make an effort this year.

I just planted 2 row of peppers, 2 rows of tomatoes, 4 rows of Alaskan peas from seed. No clue if they will sprout or not but the packets say I can plant them now.

Not sure what part of the Country you live in..........but some "tips" would apply most anywhere.

Tomatoes can be so rewarding to grow, and, so heartbreaking as well. In my experience, to achieve the best Harvest, you need to start in February by preparing the ground. Till the soil until it is very fine and loose. I always used 7/7/7 Fertilizer because it fed the plants well all Season, and was not so strong it would burn the plants should you add a wee bit too much. As well, tomatoes need lime.........I used granulated, but you can also use powdered. After tilling the ground, adding fertilizer and lime........till the ground again until both the fertilizer and lime are well mixed into the soil. Then water the plot to help start the process of the ground absorbing the fertilizer and lime.

As for planting, I never planted my tomatoes until AFTER Easter Sunday. And, depending on that particular Season, I might wait until May 1st to plant. Just depends on the growing season where you live.

It is important to tend your garden daily. If you don't do anything more than just go out and walk through it to see any evidence that it has been disturbed by animals or such. And/or to check for grass/weeds growing. Watering should be done either EARLY in the morning (before the sun is up too high) or LATE in the evening. Plants, like flowers, open up their pours late in the evening to absorb the dew that forms and collects on their leaves. Watering in the heat of the day can cause the plant leaves to burn, which will damage the plant, and could lead to disease.

Over watering is also a thread as it can lead to root rot. I can't give you an exact measurement of gallons, pints or such, you will have to learn this by trial and error I suppose. Let's just say you do not want to water any plant to the point that it is in a swamp like state! I would make sure the leaves of my tomato plants were good and wet, then water the base of the plant just enough to where the water began to puddle just a wee bit around the stalk. IF you water daily, it doesn't require as much watering...........and, if it rains a good soaking rain, do not water until the soil has absorbed all of the rain water. You can dig down about 2 to 3 inches, and if the soil still has moisture, then you can wait to water until the soil is dry.

Bugs and disease love tomato plants.......I used Sevin Dust to protect my plants........just follow the directions..........you can go on line and find out loads of information tips on how to grow the particular type of tomato you are planting also. I always planted Better Boys and Lemon Boys...........loved those, and they are very good for Canning.

Peppers (jalapeno and cayenne) usually only require fertilization one time just before planting..........and then, just be sure they receive some water if it gets too hot and dry. DO NOT overwater them! They naturally grow in warm, arid climates, so they do not need as much tending as tomatoes or other veggies. Bugs don't like them, so they are good about producing, and usually two of each plants will yield enough peppers for a family of 4 to 6 people. They are great for Canning as well.


Back to tomatoes.............I would keep an eye on my plants, and after about 4 to 5 weeks of growth, I would re-till the ground around them, mix in a bit of fertilizer and just a wee bit of lime and water good. Do not fertilize/lime the plants when it nears time for the Harvest..........at least 4 weeks prior to Harvest........

There is a wealth of information online you can read...........just search the plant you are planting.......and ask about fertilizing, tending, watering, whatever........

Couple of examples that deal with using lime on tomato plants

Lime for Tomato Plants | Garden Guides

How to Apply Lime to Tomato Plants | Home Guides | SF Gate

Wow thanks will have to look at the websites. In the fall hopefully y'all can tell me how to can my harvest. Lol.

Need to prep the soil soon but will have to wait at least a week post surgery today.

Maybe grow tomatoes from seeds today instead but it might be too soon.

I live in southeastern US coastal area.it is 70 degrees most days drops to maybe 40s at night. We sometimes have frost but not often.

When I had a garden I got one of those flat hoses with the holes in it. I dug about a 6" trench through the garden in a couple of spots and put the hose hole side down in the trench and turned the water on so it just trickled out, and let it go all day. The ground gets saturated without getting the plants wet which lets the sun burn them. After a few hours I would move the hose to another trench.

In my experience it is better to grow tomatoes from plants that are already AT LEAST 4 inches tall........you can grow them from seeds, but that can be a hit or miss way, and usually less fruitful.

Will be glad to give you advice on canning.........betwixt now and then though, you need to shop for a canner........

Canners come with a Book of Recipes with complete and easy to follow directions as well...........do a search for them and you will find lots of info there as well........

Some canning does not require a pressure cooker/canner though, and that is the easiest. Canning figs is one example of this.
Canning Chow-Chow also.............

Originally Posted by Ariel82

Wow thanks will have to look at the websites. In the fall hopefully y'all can tell me how to can my harvest. Lol.

Need to prep the soil soon but will have to wait at least a week post surgery today.

Maybe grow tomatoes from seeds today instead but it might be too soon.

I live in southeastern US coastal area.it is 70 degrees most days drops to maybe 40s at night. We sometimes have frost but not often.

Hi ariel,
Just simple tips to give now. Plant some marigolds or one of those that repel insects. Somehow our marigolds are gone but i got some seeds again. Perhaps u have other flowers? They just make things look more cheerful=).
Let the children help and appreciate the fruit of ur labors. Although i love to plant, sometimes i need someone to help water but theyre so distracted now, w/ other interests-(.

Originally Posted by p_rehbein

In my experience it is better to grow tomatoes from plants that are already AT LEAST 4 inches tall........you can grow them from seeds, but that can be a hit or miss way, and usually less fruitful.

Will be glad to give you advice on canning.........betwixt now and then though, you need to shop for a canner........

Canners come with a Book of Recipes with complete and easy to follow directions as well...........do a search for them and you will find lots of info there as well........

Some canning does not require a pressure cooker/canner though, and that is the easiest. Canning figs is one example of this.
Canning Chow-Chow also.............

Do you need a cannerr to can tomatoes or sauce? Maybe strawberry jam?

Both on my to do list cause we eat lots of both.

Originally Posted by mar09

Hi ariel,
Just simple tips to give now. Plant some marigolds or one of those that repel insects. Somehow our marigolds are gone but i got some seeds again. Perhaps u have other flowers? They just make things look more cheerful=).
Let the children help and appreciate the fruit of ur labors. Although i love to plant, sometimes i need someone to help water but theyre so distracted now, w/ other interests-(.

We have a flower garden in the middle of the others boxes. We have 6 boxes outside but I only planted one to start the reds. Might move them after.

We have morning glories, four oclocks, marigold seeds in the ground. Day lillies, tulips, etc bulbs come back each year.

U was happy to see my rose bushes from last year start to bud. I have 3 of them scattered around the yard, a butterfly bush, 2 blueberry bushes and a plot of asparagus that are pretty established ( besides fertilizing and clearing seeds they take care of themselves)

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My first attempt via seeds..,let's see what happens.

I can normally grow tomatoes indoors from seed and get them to plants that bear tomatoes..,,uts the traveling that has a negative affect on them....my husband doesn't water them as long as I tell him he ahould and the tomaoes burst.

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I found stink bugs and other beetles making this bush yellow with spots. I would spray once a month with sevin poison,.,,i probably need to replace mulch.

Any other suggestions to get rid of pesky beetles?

More pictures hope they aren't as fuzzy as they look to me,

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Rosemary bush love the smell and seasoning.

We have had these two for at least 3 years.
.occassionally they get this spider mites we have to spray but really hardy since I haven't managed to kill them yet.

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Okay, lime and fertilizer for tomatoes.....how many do you normally grow?

I am thinking two boxes which is 5 plants per box? Maybe do half from seed and buy a few plants?

Never heard about lime before but my mom would add things like egg shells to her soil

I might go visit and get some of her plants to try and grow. She normal grows Asian squash, veggies and mints.

Lol it's when you move away and try and replicate what your parents did that you realize how you should have paid more attention and appreciated what they wanted to teach you.

How does your garden grow?

Not very well, it just grows wild! lol

Thankfully I've only a very small garden as I dislike having to attend to it, I've no green fingers whatsoever.

The key for me has always been sunlight placement. But it's easy to prove you have a green thumb when you only plant small patches.

I've had a garden for five years now. But the only spot I could put it in was too shady to do very well. Tomatoes were okay, and cucumbers and green beans were so so. But not much else would grow. But we had a severe wind storm in July 2015. It blew down my neighbor's huge oak tree that shaded much of my back yard. So I'm moving my garden to a corner where there's now plenty of sunlight. I am hopefully optimistic that it will do better in the sunnier spot!

I also have two blue berry bushes, several blackberry bushes, and several young fruit trees. The fruit trees are too young to start producing. But I get lots of blackberries and my blueberry bushes are just starting to produce.

The only garden hint I can think of is this: Blueberry bushes love pine needles. (They're acidic.) I have several pine trees that produce nice long, soft pine needles in my front yard. I use the needles to mulch around the blueberry bushes.

Hmmmm maybe i need to test the ph of my soil

Have you ever noticed how many metaphors and parables in the Bible are related to gardening and growing things?

Waiting seems to be the hardest thing for me. I know that under the surface the seeds are sprouting, making roots and slowly sending sprouts up towards the sun.

I wonder if that is like our spiritual life: God plants seeds as we read His words and pray and slowly it sprouts and takes roots in our hearts?

1 Peter 1:23
for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.