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Organic Gardening

Seed suggestions for new super awesome organic vegetable garden

16 years ago

I'm a novice who has just laid down 288 square feet of raised beds. My challenges include partial shade/shade and some clayey soil. But, I'm trying to decide what to grow and I would love some advice. You can see what I'm doing here. Thanks!

http://mercenarygardens.blogspot.com/

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Comments (5)

hamiltongardener
16 years ago
I notice you have mint in your list.

For gods sake, keep it in a container! Mint can and will take over everything.

Tomatoes are a must for any garden in my opinion. Hot peppers are also on that list. Plant basil in the same bed as the tomatoes (companion planting and it looks nice together)

Swiss Chard. Will take the cool weather.

Some sort of squash near the tree because it looks like you have enough area to let it trail toward the tree. My fave is butternut (more resistant to SVB and it tastes great too!)

How about one bed for strawberries? I have one of my raised beds dedicated to strawberries. Come on...is there anything better than strawberries?
Kimmsr
16 years ago
What seeds you use mean much less than the soil they are to be grown in. A good, healthy soil with a well balanced nutrient load is necessary for any garden, and is the only way to grow a super awesome garden. A humus level in the 5 to 8 percent range, a soil pH in the 6.2 to 6.8 range, and the nutrients in balance, not too much of one and not too little of another is what you want to have.
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I think you can send/take a soil sample to Cornell to get testing done. They can probably test for lead if that seems likely to be a problem as well as pH, major nutrients, and organic matter. You can do some basic tests as outlined here: http://organicgardening.about.com/od/soil/a/easysoiltests.htm http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/hows-your-soil-texture.aspx?id=81680 Adding organic matter to the soil is always good, particularly if it is clay (yours sounds like it has quite a bit of clay) or sand. Some options to get additional compost might include: Can you borrow a truck? Could you hire a landscaper to deliver city compost for a cost that seems reasonable? Can you rent a truck (I think some of the big box stores rent trucks by the day/hour)? Is there a soil/mulch/compost supplier that can deliver a quantity from their bulk stocks for a price that seems reasonable to you? In future years, you may be able to pick up other folks leaves curbside to create more of your own compost. How worried you should be about contaminents may depend on where you are planting. For instance I live on an old farm, so in general I don't worry, but I don't plant anything edible near the house or where other old buildings stood since lead was used in house paint for many years, so I just assume that the soil near the house has a relatively high lead content. Likewise, I wouldn't plant next to a busy road since lead was a gas additive, but if your land has no history of industry, I wouldn't worry beyond that. Covering the grass is a great start since it will add organic matter as well. If you used enough layers of newspaper and it has been on long enough, most of the grass will have been killed. Grass will grow sideways into the garden under the stone border, so I would add a V shaped trench a few inches deep that gets refreshed a couple times over the course of the growing season to help keep the grass from growing into the veggie bed. Keeping mulch on the surface will help prevent weed seeds from sprouting and keep moisture levels more even. There is a vegetable gardening forum and a soil forum and also I think a composting forum here on GW where you can also ask questions.
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I'm afraid that it's too late to start tomatoes in Houston. Really you want to put the largest transplant possible in the ground by the middle of March (I do 4 inch pot transplants in March 1, then protect if there is a late freeze in the forecast). You could try one now if you found a huge transplant, but the temperatures will likely be too hot for good fruit production by the time the plant is ready. Peppers should be fine, and I would also recommend summer squash and/or zucchini. I have had very good luck with them. I had a pepper plant live for 3 years without me doing a single thing to it (except pick the peppers of course). It died in the ice storm this past January. I put veggies in the soil as soon as I buy them. Also, mulch is very important. Not all insects are bad! Personally, I visually inspect veggies every day and kill stinkbugs and snails. I would also do a search on lasagna gardening if you haven't already.
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I've skimmed thru the responses. I'd like to recommend Johnny's Selected Seed in Albion ME for varieties that do well in the north. They also have a lot of growing information on their website. I usually order most of my seeds thru FEDCO which also has a website and allows group buying. The more $ spent, the better the discount. Keep eyes and ears open for somebody in your area that is acting as a group manager. Sometimes it's mentioned in local community news. The group I buy through had an order deadline of 1/21 because so many start seeds. I've also been happy with Pine Tree Seeds which offers smaller packets and some interesting varieties. They are a family owned and operated seed business in Maine. They promise not to sell any GMO seeds. Right now you might be able to get discounted fertilizers etc thru the organic farmers association in MA. The NH bulk order is due by 1/28 with March pickup in a few specified towns. In NH, you do not have to be a member to order thru them. It's a once a year event. There is no order minimum for the individual. There are used book stores around and I usually see copies of Crockett's Victory Garden available. This was my first gardening guide and I still love it. This used to be a Boston tv gardening show so the month by month guide of what to do in the garden is perfect for your growing zone. Your local library might have a copy. I suggest you also keep ears and eyes open for a local plant grower. I love the yearly plant list from a local backyard grower in my area. We have to order in April and plants are ready mid-May. The great thing is I can buy individual plants at a reasonable price so I can try a variety of tomatoes and peppers. There's a backyard grower near Manchester NH (really small farm) who grows heirloom tomatoes for local restaurants. He sells a small selection of his extra plants in May. I realize it's probably not worth the trip for you but it might be fun to look at his homemade website. I see he has notes about which varieties can be grown in a large pot. I find his photos dazzling but haven't yet been able to buy any plants from him although a friend has. http://www.rustysheirloomtomatoes.com/
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There are 'hot season' veggies and 'cool season' veggies. The cucurbits - zucchini, cukes and any other squashes - are hot season veggies and need summer heat to produce. Same with corn, tomatoes and peppers (and other Solanaceae) and things like beans or okra. It is too late now to plant from seed and expect a harvest before the temps cool.....unless you plant a very short season variety. Cool season veggies can be planted from seed in early spring for an early to midsummer harvest or in late summer for a fall harvest. Some actually benefit from a frost to condense the sugars and make them sweeter. Cool season veggies include any greens, radishes, carrots (and most other root crops), peas and any of the cabbage family plants.....Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard, etc.
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pnbrown
16 years ago
I can second that mint is a bit of a nightmare. It wears out the soil and you get nothing for it unless you are going to sell mint or drink mint tea 24 hours a day. During the growing season I rip out mint roots nearly every day and throw them deep into the shady woods. Once established it seems impossible to eradicate, and contrary to what you read, it survives just fine in thin, dry soil and partial shade, as well as your rich well-watered soil in full sun.
joytosew
16 years ago
I loved seeing all your hard work! I hope to start mine in another month. I am new to square foot gardening and growing organically.
I do know about the mint and that is a mistake that will take over your yard. I do grow 1 or 2 plants in a container in the greenhouse/front porch for a wonderful tea.
lorna-organic
16 years ago
You have some serious gardening in mind! Mint is supposed to be a good companion plant for tomatoes. However, I heartily agree with the other posters that it must be planted in a container WITH A SAUCER. Roots can escape through drainage holes of containers. It is a highly invasive plant.

I would put in plants which are beneficial for repelling insect pests, such as Chrysanthemums, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Santolina, Lavender, alliums (onions and such), and radishes. The flowers of Marigolds, Lavender and Nasturtiums are edible. Borage is also a good one with edible flowers.

I like asparagus. The Jersy types are supposed to be all male plants. Female asparagus are not desireable. It takes four years of undisturbed growth to get a good crop. The plants are ferny looking, very pretty. Homegrown lima beans are sweet and tender. Arugula is a nice pot herb to have. The young leaves are good in salads and sandwiches. The more mature leaves can be cooked as one would any green. Arugula is also called Rocket, it has a smoky spicy flavor.

Lorna

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