First time gardening

so.nice

Well-Known Member
I have a plot of soil that's fully exposed to the sun. The plot is about 4 feet wide and 15 feet long. Today I dug out at least a shovels amount of the soil all over very thoroughly so it is all soft now,

Can I grow veggies and berries in it successfully now just buy planting in it?

Before, all types of weeds grow on this plot so I'm thinking the soil is fine.

Should I plant seeds or pre-grown veggies?

Also anyone have picture of how I should plant them and what to do with my soil?

Thanks a lot!
 

Dave's Not Here

Well-Known Member
Can I grow veggies and berries in it successfully now just buy planting in it?
It's probably fine for growing whatever in but adding some compost, composted manure etc. and working it in would probably help improve it.

Should I plant seeds or pre-grown veggies?
Depends on what you're growing and where you're at... most places it's probably going to be a little late to plant tomato and pepper seeds, so you'd want to go purchase some plants. The plants need not be the expensive big ones either, the cheap little six pack tomato/pepper plants are usually fine and will take off fast once in the ground... Beans, melons, cucumbers, squash etc. I start all of that stuff from seed directly in the ground.

Also anyone have picture of how I should plant them and what to do with my soil?

If I want to grow something I try to study up on the vegetable/plant I'm growing and give it what it needs in terms of space, care, support etc. but you can always just go for it too and learn through experience which I also do a lot of... I'd say get it planted as soon as you can but I don't know what zone you're in or what your local conditions are like...
 

so.nice

Well-Known Member
It's probably fine for growing whatever in but adding some compost, composted manure etc. and working it in would probably help improve it.



Depends on what you're growing and where you're at... most places it's probably going to be a little late to plant tomato and pepper seeds, so you'd want to go purchase some plants. The plants need not be the expensive big ones either, the cheap little six pack tomato/pepper plants are usually fine and will take off fast once in the ground... Beans, melons, cucumbers, squash etc. I start all of that stuff from seed directly in the ground.




If I want to grow something I try to study up on the vegetable/plant I'm growing and give it what it needs in terms of space, care, support etc. but you can always just go for it too and learn through experience which I also do a lot of... I'd say get it planted as soon as you can but I don't know what zone you're in or what your local conditions are like...
Thanks man, I live in Los Angeles. I'm thinking about first growing tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, strawberries, cucumbers, bell peppers, and spinach. It depends on what Home Depot has and how much it is.

I don't know if everyone is like this but I'm a wuss when it comes to learning new things. I need to take tiny one by one steps. Like turning that soil was enough for me I'm dead. Now I just want to plant something in it at least tomatoes but maybe space everything out like 2 feet away (unless the plans are super cheap) cause I have a $20 budget tomorrow unless I work which like I said I'm dead right now lol.
 

so.nice

Well-Known Member
start with the plants not seeds if this is your first time. good luck and post some pictures!
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I bought organic strawberries and patio tomatoes and regular green and red bell peppers from Home Depot, came out to $14. I might have put the strawberries to the tomatoes but whatever. Watering the soil was a little tough, need to create a wate route I think, or at least a dirt wall around each plant.
 

Dave's Not Here

Well-Known Member
Alright man, I agree, plants were a better idea, your spot looks good, your soil looks like it could use some help, looks really sandy to me, but see how it does for you.

You should mulch around those plants with some wood chips, straw, leaves, or even just some cardboard... keeps the weeds down and helps retain the moisture, + adds organic matter to the soil over time as it breaks down..

If you don't have one you should start a compost pile, then next year you can use the compost to improve your soil.
 

so.nice

Well-Known Member
I think the soil will be okay, because before there were plenty of weeds growing, and I also planted sunflower seeds into the soil without softening the soil and it was hard but they are growing.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out the compost and mulch thing, soon as I get some energy back im taxed from pulling out all the weeds in my backyard, thinking about expanding the garden and adding soil to the other parts.
 

dogweed

New Member
Your gonna need some support for those tomato plants.just bury some 2x4s in the ground and tie wire between but you've probly fig that out by now.
 

so.nice

Well-Known Member
:) so, @so.nice what about an update on that garden?
They all died, couldn't keep up with watering but I had planted some sunflower seeds and they did well with little water. Next season I'm just gonna grow a few in pots or a garden bed instead and plant my next weed seeds in the dirt cause I planted one this year and it's doing well..
 

iHearAll

Well-Known Member
Idk if youre ever planning on watering with a well pump but theres a device that allows the pump to remain on as opposed to to it filling the bladder tuening off, filling the baldder, turning off, over and over and in a year doing that every.other day the motor will.be fried.

I just had this problem, not that you will, but i figured id share amd ill tell you the component name that fixes that when i fix this well.
 
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