GardenersCardiff answers:

Hi Penny:

Well, you are getting a late start for this year. I typically spade (turn the soil over) my beds in March or April, and put down some general fertilizer like 12-12-12 then.

A sunny spot is best for the bed.

Of course, manure is a great natural fertilizer, but you typically put that down in winter before you spade it.

In any case, prepping the bed by spading is an important step many people miss. Normally, as mentioned, it best to do it and let it sit, but you are going to have to do it and then hoe it down a bit (getting rid of big clods and leveling it) and then plant right away.

Dig holes for the tomato and eggplant at least 3-4 feet apart, and plant them fairly deep. Compact the soil firmly and water thoroughly.

I recommend Jobs tomato spikes. (I know they aren’t natural!)

Do the same for the cucumber and catelope, except, be prepared that they are vine plants and need room to spread out.

Hoe and pull weeds regularly. Water them if you have a dry spell.

Pepper plants are easy to grow too, then you can make fresh salsa.

Put the tomato cages on early, perhaps right away. If I don’t do it right away the plants are big before I know it, and I tear them up putting on the cages.

Of course, the tomatos will turn red, cantelope a golden brown, and egglant and cucumbers can be picked anytime they get a good size, but best if picked before they get too big.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a great year. It takes a year or two to really get things off the ground.

Good luck. Email me if you have any questions.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Start small, to start with–you’re on the right track with just a few easy plants first.

When you plant your tomato plants, notice that there are little bumps along the bottom of the stem. These are also roots, and you can plant the tomatoes up to the top of these, which will root them better, and they’ll be less likely to fall over.

Also, you may want to put down a layer of black plastic before you plant, then cut X’s in it where you plant the plant–that way, you won’t spend all your time weeding, plus it holds in moisture.

Check the backs of your packs of seeds–they’re very good about telling you what zone you’re in, and when you should be planting what.

Unless you LOVE zucchini, tomatoes, or peppers, or you have a big circle of friends, don’t plant a lot of them–one year we planted 60 pepper plants and 120 tomato plants (my husband’s idea, not mine), and we were taking out a bushel of produce twice a week!

GardenersCardiff answers:

Almost all veggies are easy to grow if you have some time and know their needs. Starting a garden is work, but you enjoy the result. Maybe a basic gardening book from your local library can help you get started.
Broccoli and cauliflower are winter veggies.
You can start seeds in late summer or buy plants in early fall.
Have fun