posted
Hey All, I'm new to this gardening thing. I started my plot last weekend and just want to get things started off on the right foot. I live in the Sacramento Valley. I put the plot in a old horse pasture and added 2 truck loads of dairy manure. (the plot is about 50ft x 100ft) I disc'd the plot real well before adding the manure then went over it again several times with the disc. I have some golf ball to baseball size clumps So I assume I need to till? (gota barrow one) Also I'm guessing that the rows should run east west? with the taller plants on the south end? Besides the manure what else (if anything)should I do to prep the soil? I want to grow pretty much everything corn, tom, pep, qu's, strawb, mellon, let, Rad, and ? Oh ya 1 more thing seeds or starter plants? sorry for being so long winded
wingnut
Plants: 1 | From: Sac county | Registered: Mar 2007
| Seeded: 69.225.57.190
posted
I would put taller plants on the North end, so they don't block sunlight for your other plants. Is the manure fresh or aged? If it is fresh, it may burn anything you plant in there. I think that fresh manure is supposed to sit for 6 weeks or so to "mellow" it out. A soil test ($2.50 at walmart) will tell you what, if anything, you may need to add to the soil.
Personally, I am *trying* to grow everything from seed this year. However, you may not want to overburden yourself and burn out. Seeds are much cheaper though.
I also would recommend mulching your garden. This helps keep in moisture and helps prevent some fungus/bacterial problems.
Finally, I envy your space! I'd love to have that much room. Congrats on the new garden and keep us updated!
* * * * Sarah - Zone 5b/6 Plants: 662 | From: Ks, USA | Registered: May 2006
| Seeded: 70.130.58.191
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