I am a brand new gardener. In fact so new that I have planted a thing yet. All the information out there is great but where do I begin? I live around the Hillsboro area smack in the middle of cotton farms along with their pesticide use. I would like to plant a small vegetable garden of cucumbers, tomatoes, yellow squash,carrots and watermelons. However how do I prepare my soil? Any one out there who could give me some information would be much appreciated. thanks

By David on Monday, April 30, 2001 - 09:02 am:

Hi Emily, You might want to think about rised beds. You are quickly running out of time for a vegetable garden. I know it sounds weird to hear that but the roots of the veggie's have to have there roots established before the heat comes. I would order some compost (from Living Earth) and lay out some rock or stones and make some raised beds and plant as soon as possible. Some "Rabbit Hill Farms Tomato and Pepper Fertilizer would be great too. Good Luck..

By Larri Calupig on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 01:26 am:

Hi Emily, The best way to start is to have your soil ph check and from the result you'll know what soil nutrients is missing and what is available. Good luck and happy gardening!

By Doug Scoggins on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 12:05 pm:

Need to plant grass in a shaded area that is pretty bare-think my neighbor chemical zapped it. Probably will plant St. Augustine because that's what's there, but need info on how to prepare the soil for good results.

It's about a hundred sq. feet.

If poss. please respond to email.

Thanks,

By angie on Saturday, September 28, 2002 - 06:57 pm:

Hi Doug. For St. Augustine to thrive it is recommended that it is exposed to at least 4 hours of sun each day. I'd check how much sunlight you get there before investing anything in grass -- you might need to consider a shade-tolerant groundcover instead.

That being said, aerate the soil and put down a thin layer of compost & lava sand. We have a fertilizer calculator at http://www.aogc.org/fertcalc/fertcalc.htm that can help you decide how many pounds you'll need.

Good luck!

By Meitelis on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 09:43 pm:

About the fertilizer calculator -- it's great!!! But, do I apply ALL that or just pick and choose?