The answer to "how big should I make my first garden" is almost always "smaller than you think you really want." I say this as a classic garden over-achiever! That being said, don't be daunted by what everyone is saying. You're not a new gardener, you're just a new vegetable gardener. You know part of what it will take, and you know what your soil is like. Yes, getting a new garden started is a lot of work (you probably already know this!). The first year is always the worst in that regard. Every time I've done it, however, I've always been struck after the fact that once I buckled down and did it, it didn't feel so bad, and it certainly was quite satisfying. Of the things you listed, the peas could probably go in now, or at least sometime soon. The rest should wait until mid May, or possibly late May. This gives you some time to get your beds in order, if the soil isn't still too wet. I'd echo everything that others have said about acquiring yourself some organic matter. It will be a huge boon, and it can take a bit of finagling to figure out how to get as much as you need as cheaply as you'd like to get it. Then, I'd suggest that you start working on prepping beds, but start small. Get one section dug up and amended and ready to go, and if it didn't feel like too much work and it's not planting time yet, tackle another section. Meanwhile, as others have said, spend some of your indoor time plotting out your garden on paper. Figure out what you can fit if what you have available is your just first section, or if you have two sections, etc. Meanwhile, even if it gets later than planting time, you can continue to prep additional sections over the course of the Summer, for use next year..or perhaps you could get a few fall crops in this year. Another round of peas, perhaps, or some spinach or lettuce. I'm taking the "do it in sections" approach in my garden this year, too. So far, I've expanded my garden to about half of the size I'd really like. However, that half is done and ready to plant (the cool season seeds went in last weekend), and I've still got more than a month before the warm season stuff needs to go in, so I haven't totally ruled out additional expansion yet...but if it doesn't happen, I have some space to plant and I know what I can fit in that space.

This, of course, will all be guessing. The orange powder sounds like some kind of fungus or mold. (just guessing) What condition is your soil in? Loose? well-drained? (poor drainage would definitely contribute to fungus, molds, mildew, etc.) When was it last tested? Does your soil have proper fertility? Is your Ph near neutral? As a rule, if plants are growing in good soil, with adequate nourishment and water, they will be healthy enough to fight off onslaughts of aphids, molds, etc. Second, are your plants spaced adequately? Over crowded conditions can definitely contribute to fungal problems. My first response to aphids is to spray them off the plants with a strong jet of water. If your plants are healthy, this should suffice. If they are not healthy, you need to see to that. I am sure others will have more ideas.

I hope this idea really expands. I don't belong to a community garden, but I know that the idea is catching on and it should. As I drive by churches with big lawns I always think "Why don't they get the parishioners together and grow a garden...they could call it "Grow with God" or something to that effect and feed not only needy members but contribute to food banks and at the same time grow comraderie amongst the church members. I have heard of some community gardens where after all the hard work thiefs come in and strip the produce bare. That has always disheartened me and as much as I would love to have another plot of earth to work ...that would be devastating. I have been in contact with a local farm 30 minutes away that will rent farm land for a nominal fee and actually sell the produce through not only their farm-stand but through a CSA as well. I want to do it so bad, not just for the money, that is secondary, but for the sheer joy of bringing fresh, locally grown organic food into peoples kitchens. My problem is my pet sitting business is extremely busy during the summer months and I don't know how I would find the time...but I may try this year. If I ever hit the lottery I would buy a small farm of my own. What a great feeling it is to grow your own food! It is good for the mind, body and soul. Duane

Wow, Cathy. That sounds like quite a tomato year. I thought I was doing great with over 25 on my Pineapaple plant. Your Big Rainbows look gorgeous. Thanks for the tip about drying them - I will definitely try that. I count 8 right now on my Big Rainbow. One is large, 4 are medium and 3 are small. Strangely enough, although growth started out slow with this plant, it's now my tallest. Here's what it looks like today. I guess the tomato got heavier, because now I see the top instead of the bottom. It seems like the Pineapples are smaller than the largest Big Rainbow. But they are plentiful. A bug obviously liked them too. (Anyone know what kind of bug that would be?)