i want to have my own garden but..................?

Question

i dont know where to start. i know that i want to plant the following:
lettuce
tomatoes
peppers
watermelon
corn
peas
zucchini
potatoes
red potatoes
beans
some herbs maybe
and in the fall:
pumpkin
butternut squash
the only problem is i dont know where to put the garden, i dont have any seeds, i dont have any money, and i'm 15 and want to do all this on my own (so i can sell most of it / my mom and dad dont think i can do it / i REALLY want to do this!!!).
any advise!?!?!?!?!?!?!

me and my family live on a farm and we all do the gardening together so i know exactly what to do i just need help starting

Answer 1

You sound very ambitious! Where to start. Let's see.

First: Where do you live? Some of your selections may not be an appropriate input for your climate/zone, no matter how badly you want to grow them. It matters quite a bit. Learn about zones, growing seasons and regional climate.

Second: How much land do you have to work with and what type of tillage equipment is available for your use? Your project sounds very ambitious and depending on your intended plant count, you could need quite a bit of space. Corn for instance...you need a good plant population or it won't pollinate properly. Watermelon and squash take up loads of space.

Third: What is your budget? This endeavor will be expensive. Even seeds are expensive. You may be able to get natural fertilizers from area farms, but fresh manures are nitrogen "hot" and would require a lot of incorporation into the soil. (plowed in..) Older manure (aged) is best but may not be available to you. You need to start a list of all the things you will need and then try to find these resources at low or no cost. You could exchange fruits and vegetables for manure or compost. Or babysitting services for someone to come over with a little 2 bottom plow and prepare your seed bed, etc.

Fourth: Water and weed control. Do you have a water source available to you? What will it cost and do you have watering equipment? Decide how you want to water, it will make a difference when you bed your garden. You can row water, water over the top or put soaker hoses under the weed fabric. Consider obtaining a ground covering fabric to prevent weed growth or you'll spend your life fighting weeds.

Fifth: You will need a VERY good gardening guide, suited to your growing area. You will need to read up on rotational requirements and what crops can go next to what crops, etc. For instance, don't put your strawberries next to your jalapeño peppers.

Sixth: Plants and seeds: Can you start your baby plants indoors? You will have more success if your start them inside, but this requires space and light..otherwise, you'll be buying plants that are already started to put in your garden and they are expensive. Plan your budget carefully and stick to it

Seventh: Pest and Critter control: Know your enemy and plan how to prevent or attack before it hits. Make a decision about your intended farming practice, in regards to organic or conventional practices. Learn about them, they are very different and you may have personal feelings that will assist you in your decision. Each comes with it's own set of benefits and draw backs.

Last, I don't want you to become discouraged, but because your idea is very big, it will be expensive to launch and will require all of your dedication. As a farmer and a crop insurance adjuster, I recommend starting small. Maybe asking a neighbor farmer if you can "rent" a small corner of his garden in exchange for helping him with his own garden (you'll learn on the job, so to speak) as you grow yours. Consider joining your local FFA or 4-H. These programs are EXCELLENT ways to become involved in growing food, feed and fiber. Seek out and then go meet your County Extension Agent. Tell him or her your plans. See what they say, take note and ask for literature and guidance.

Promise me you won't give up, but also promise me you won't take on more than you can do and then quit. I love your idea. Hang in there.

Best wishes!!

Answer 2

I don't know where you live, but in most areas in the USA it's just about winter and the end of growing season.
I have attached some links where you can get plants and seeds on-line or through a catalog. I have used the Gurneys in the past, they are pretty good. They now send me a catalog each year. Save your nickles, and by next spring you will have enough to order some seeds or plants. You should do some reading over the winter too, some plants can be planted earlier than others, some like full sun, while others do better in partial shade. In the USA we have broken up areas called zones, and seed packages will tell you if it's a good plant for your zone or not.
Gardening takes a lot of time, pulling out weeds, watering, and maintenance, but you sound really sincere in wanting to do it! I love it, it gives me some quite time, and something to do like a hobby, but the end result are the fruits of your labor.

Answer 3

That's mighty ambitious and that is also a lot of work you have planned for yourself, but I have no doubt you can do it if you put your mind to it. A good place to start is with the garden location. You will need to find a full sun location and begin by amending your soil. You will need to till up the earth or turn it over with a shovel. Add amendment like compost, composted manure, leaf litter, and dried grass clippings. Turn it all into the soil and the water well. Cover with a layer of straw and let it do it's thing until Spring. Since I don't know what zone you are in I can't offer any suggestion as to when to begin planting, but typically you can start seeds inside 6-8 weeks before the last freeze of Spring or you can just wait until last freeze to sow the seeds directly into the ground. I'm in zone 7 and I can start planting cool weather crops in Feb.
Things like:Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower,
Chard, Chinese Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard,
Onions, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, sugar snap peas and Turnips just to name a few. So, everything other than the lettuce and peas you mentioned will have to wait until after last freeze in your area.

As for getting seeds, I'm sure you won't have a problem. Seeds are inexpensive and I would bet that a few chores for friends and family may get you the money you need for that.
There are many who would probably donate seeds for such a determined young lady. My advice is that you can do anything you put your mind too.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Google for gardening forums and seek advice from the experts even might get donations of seeds from them. Ask your parents for suggestions on garden location and for the seeds or ask friends and neighbors. Good Luck :-)

Answer 5

How to Grow a Vegetable Garden, click this link:
http://www.ehow.com/how_110539_start-vegetable-garden.html
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Call or email your local County Extension Service/Agent and ask if there is an organisation that will give out free vegetable seeds.

Answer 6

It depends on where you are as in Fall, you generally only plant lettuce and a few root vegetables. If you can make an above ground bed with some old wood and put in great soil, you willl have much better luck. We planted garlic, lettuce, and radishes yesterday in Dallas.Good luck, I like your attitude.

Answer 7

can you ask a friend for a loan to buy the seeds(maybe a grandparent/aunt/uncle)seeds are very inexpensive go to burpee.com they give you all the advise and planting times for your zone good luck to you!

Answer 8

You've gotten some great advice above, but I do know where you can get free seeds: www.blossomswap.com. It's a site where people trade seeds or simply ask people to send them and then send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for the person to send them. Lots of people have food crop seeds--I got some free there this summer and gave away lots of them for free. Try it out!

Answer 9

WOW! Slow down farmer,You need to consult your local plant nursery.
Time of year,soil type,weather and other variables determine what to plant and it is allot of work to start one then you must maintain it.

Good luck

Answer 10

since you have access to the internet simply go to some of
the gardening sites and see if they help you with getting
started also you might try going to farmers almanac site
they have some great ideas and information.