Need gardening help

[Michelle Stewardson]

Hi everyone. I have a house now (finally, yeah) with a decent sized backyard and would love to use the space to grow food but I don't even know where to start. I live in the SF bay area (Bay Point, near Pittsburg/Antioch). If anyone is in this area and is interested in working with me on this, I'd be thrilled... maybe I pay someone to design & set it up? or I don't pay but they do a lot of the work and take half the food? I'm open to ideas. Or if someone has another idea? I picked up a few seeds at the seed exchange at the conference in Oct, in anticipation of gardening this spring, but now that it's getting to be this time, I find myself standing there staring at my backyard with no clue what to do next. haha. Thanks! Michelle ([e-mail])

[grassrootzz]

If it's any help, I started a blog last month to help anyone grow organic food, especially for new gardeners.

You can check it at
http://grow-organic-food.blogspot.com

[Julie]

hi michelle, i don't live in the bay area, but wish you great success with a healthy garden. what are you wanting to plant? will you be using any permaculture methods in your space? have you started any seeds indoors yet?
good luck out there!
-julie

[Michelle Stewardson]

Hi Julie,
I haven't started anything yet and honestly don't even know what permaculture methods means. I would like to plant a fruit tree or two. I was thinking of planting zuchinni, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, watermelon... there are a couple of raised beds on the side of the house but when we moved in they had roses and some other flowering plants in them. Then the rain has been here lately and I grew beautiful 2 foot weeds in just a short time, haha. I assume I can just pull all of those flowering plants out and then plant seeds.. but I also assume I need to 'do something' to the dirt, like add different dirt or fertilizer? I just feel at such a loss. I tried checking out books from the library and found them all hard to read - simply because I have limited time after work and typically would skim thru instructional books to get the key points. I always knew that gardening was hard work, but I thought it was just work in the sense of time consumption for tending to it not in having an extensive knowledge. I thought I could just plants seeds and watch things grow. I'm feeling pretty intimidated by the whole process now. But I don't want to give up. I have the space and it's a waste to not use it. Not only do I want the fresh produce myself, but I know I can grow enough to provide at least one more family with their produce as well (planning to take to our local food bank). Hmm, maybe there's a gardening for dummies book? haha. Any suggestions on what the simplest veg's might be to grow? I could at least start with those maybe. Thanks!

[grassrootzz]

Hi,
Just to jump back in here real quick, I have a couple tips for you and questions. How's the sunlight--veggies need a lot, like 6-8 hr. Watermelon needs a lot of heat and space and a long season, it's not one of the easiest to grow...
Re: your beds, the weeds sound healthy so that's a good sign. You can clear all that out, then buy some bags of good mushroom compost, and a box of organic vegetable food. Mix those in according to directions on the bag. Don't skimp on this part, you'll be glad. Also, buy a liquid organic fertilizer for regular feeding with watering.
Work that stuff in with a hoe after you've turned over the soil with a shovel, pull out any weed roots etc.
The easiest things I think to grow (and fun) are potatoes, zuchinni, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, beans, peas, onions, herbs and spinach.
If you have the money, buy starts instead of seed, especially if you have a small space, you didn't say how big. That way they're less vulnerable. Just follow instructions on the packet of seed or the tag on the plants for info on spacing. You're in a mild climate, you probably don't even have frost. Just ask the nursery when you buy if it's time to plant. Of those you mentioned, tomatoes, squash and melons are the ones to watch for cold. Lettuce, cauli and carrots can go in right now.
Good luck--the main thing is get out there and start: clear it, feed it, and plant it, then water. It's easier than they let on ;). Just watch your plants and you'll know if you're doing it right. It's really fun.

[Jill]

Hi- When I first started a garden, I subscribed to Rodale's Organic Gardening magazine. They have a section for newbies- check out the website. Then I picked up their encyclopedia- it isn't super expensive as used book. Another thing I found helpful was a book on companion planting.

[Susan Horn]

Hi Michelle.

It's intimidating, like a blank page to a writer! I highly recommend Gaia's Garden for practical and theoretical approaches to homescale sustainable food production. One way to start small right now and have some relatively instant gratification would be to build a composting herb spiral. You'll have herbs for the kitchen (also attracting beneficials) while making a great soil amendment, creating something lovely to look at and hang out around, that doesn't look or smell at all like a compost heap.

Here's a story a friend of mine did on our two backyard herb spirals:

http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/sustainable-garden-spirals-to-life/

Best wishes and happy eating!