Gardening questions
 

Joie and I have decided to begin a garden. This is my 1st real attempt at gardening and I really don't have a clue as to how to prepare the soil. I walking the grounds to determine the spot for garden when I noticed a lot of critters in the ground. Exactly what these bugs are is undetermined but they do not look like grubs. Will these critters affect the garden? If so, what can be done?

Can I still get the soil prepared for this year? Several flowers have popped up this year across the yard that had been planted by previous owners. While the local hardware store clerk was trying sell me products I don't need and telling me that I won't have a garden because the critters would kill anything that tried to grow (except said flowers apparently) I wondered why previous annuals can survive but a vegetable garden will not? Do I need to treat the ground for bugs?

Should I add ash to the garden site? Does adding ash make a big difference is the garden? Is there a difference between charcoal ash and wood ash from a fire pit?

After preparing the soil how long before I plant vegetables? I am only trying tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and strawberries (maybe) this year.

What say you, Planeteers? Do I have a chance to garden this year?

Need to find out what the bugs are. Might be beetles that feed on decaying flesh. You living at Jeffrey Dahmer's old place?

Just pour anti freeze on the spot you intend to use for the garden.

Yep, Spray the hell out of it with roundup to kill everything out , then soak the soil in diesel fuel to get rid of all the critters. Wait 10 days then remove all the soil that has Diesel residue and replace with topsoil from a ditch. Then plant like hell. Oh yeah , and then spray with roundup and diesel fuel to kill the new weeds and critters.

Do you have a tiller? Is a raised bed an option?

Plant them where they get the most sun, weed and water. They will grow

This. A raised bed is an excellent option for a beginner. If you're just doing tomatoes and peppers and the like you'd be surprised how much you can get in a 4' x 4' raised bed.

It's really hard to know without seeing it and the varmints you are talking about.

The bugs are probably OK, but if you're worried about it, get some insecticide.

As for the weeds, I'd recommend you terminate them before you till. You need a non-selective herbicide. Glyphosate with some 2-4D works the best in most situations. I don't know what you can get for yourself, but beware of Roundup branded products. They have added a lot of residuals and other crap to just straight roundup. Don't buy anything that says extended control or anything like that. If you can get to a store with somebody that knows something, just ask for straight roundup. Spray it. Wait 2 weeks for the weeds to die. Till.

Find shit. Manure is your best friend.

Fertilize. You're going to need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium most likely. Most greenhouses will be able to fix you up. Just make sure you read the directions. Sometimes there is timing issues with picking, flowering, and the like, just read the directions.

Mulch. A lot. It will cut down your water usage through evaporation and keep the weeds out.

I'd stead clear of commercial fertilizer herbicide and pesticide. If you have a tiller till it every three days for 9 days. Or go a raised bed route depending on the size. First time out 4x 8 up to 16 ft. Jmo. I'll take a pic of mine later and post em.

I do not have a tiller. If I use a tiller I will rent one since I can't drop $400 anytime soon. A raised bed is an option.

4x16

I was thinking 5'x10' is this too much?

Don't let the sheriff find out you have a " garden".

The SOB just drove by.

Spade up several little gardens here and there. Ones you don't go back to next year can become flower beds so you have less to mow.