Beginner gardener?

Question

I live in DC (zone 6b) I have not started to grow anything yet. I would like to grow Vegatables, flowers and herbs. At this point what am I able to plant? It will probably take about 3 or 4 weeks to prepare the groud to plant. Is it too late?

Answer 1

It's not too late, especially if you choose carefully. For any of the tropicals (tomatoes, peppers, etc.), you might have to buy plants instead of starting your own seeds. But you should be able to plant seeds for lettuce, beans, peas, carrots, most annual flowers, and probably more that I can't think of offhand!

I found this article about how to start a garden:
http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/ss/NewGarden.htm

Have fun!

Answer 2

My advice is to not get too complicated yet. Growing plants takes patience and attention. If this is your first year to plant, I would suggest trying something easy. Radishes are the easiest vegetable you can grow I think. Beans and peas are pretty easy. Potatoes are not too hard but you have to watch for pests and diseases on them. Corn is fun but once again you have to watch for disease and pests. If you have room then growing melons, squash, or pumpkins is pretty fun. Cucumbers and zuchini are pretty easy and you get a lot of use out of those in the kitchen. Tomatoes are what a lot of experienced gardeners treasure. They take quite a bit of attention. That can make them hard to grow for some people. So, I would recommend them but just don't be suprised if they do not turn out well. Great gardeners do not get their skills over night. It takes time and practice.

Next up, read. Do some research. There are lots of great books out there about gardening. Do a bit of looking and you can find some that will walk you thru some of the stuff that is a littler harder for people to understand like choosing the right fertilizer or pest control. There are also lots of websites that you can get information out of. Also, don't be afraid to ask at the local greenhouse or plant nursery about different techniques.

Answer 3

I grew up in MD, about 45 minutes outside of DC, and my herb garden did lovely. Herbs are so hardy (most of them). Some can grow well from seeds, others you would do better to purchase a plant from a greenhouse or farmer's market. It is not too late--you shouldn't start planting in the ground for another three weeks anyhow.

Answer 4

Were you live you have plenty of time to start a garden my friend..in your area of the country you would plant your garden after the first full moon of june..if you follow this you will allways have success ..but if you plan on growing corn or watermellons or any mellon you have to get your seeds in the ground four weeks earlier..

Answer 5

I am in zone 7 and my last freeze date is 1 April so I plan my tomatoes to start seeds mid to late March- to plant out by May 11th.- I begin to harden my plants by May 1st.

Peas, lettuce or cold crops sow in ground after last frost date.

Shade tolerant species like lettuce, spinach, and celery may be planted in the shadow of taller crops.

Heavy feeders, such as cabbage family crops, melons, squash, and tomatoes should be interplanted with less gluttonous plants like carrots, swiss chard, peas, and onions.

Top 15 Vegetables in Economic Value:
Tomatoes
Beets
Green bunching onions
Carrots
Leaf lettuce
Cucumbers
Turnip (green + roots)
Peppers
Summer squash
Broccoli
Edible pod peas
Head lettuce
Onion storage bulbs
Swiss chard
Beans (pole, bush)
Values based on pounds produced per square foot, retail value per pound at harvest time, and length of time in the garden.

Low-Value Crops (not recommended for small spaces):
Corn Squash Melons Pumpkins
Miniature varieties or trellising may increase value per square foot.

Answer 6

I live in the deep south, but for your region, I would think it is ideal time to begin. We start around the end of feb or first of march, pruning and planting. The website listed below is an ideal place to find answers to any questions you might have. it includes the different regions and the ideal plants, time to pleant, lighting, etc. Check it out

Answer 7

We used to live in Fairfax, and had luck with tomatoes, Asparagus (but that's a pain in the butt because of digging those deep trenches), and also cucumbers. Try Merrifield Garden Center in Nova, and they should be able to help you (there are several locations). Good luck!

Answer 8

The above referenced website, Michigan Bulb, may have decent information, but before buying from them, you may want to check their rating at Garden Watchdog at the link below.