Too late to start??

This winter I moved to a new home and now have a beautiful garden area maintained by the previous homeowners... however,the birth of our 4th child in March and other challenges have prevented me from learning about and starting the vegetable garden that I had wanted. Now the plot is filled with what I assume are weeds, the asparagus plot has ferns 3' high and I don't know if I should give up before I started. i really want to do and learn about gardening (I have never done any gardening) but I am overwhelmed even where to start... is it too late??? FYI I live in zipcode 48111 in SE Michigan.

dschicke, what do you mean the asparagus bed is full of ferns 3 ' high? Those are your asparagus plants probably going to seed. I love asparagus and would love to have a bed but am not able to tend one. So, I envy you that "fern" filled bed.

Someone on here will know what you should do, but please wait for instructions before you destroy it.

Jeanette

Congratulations on your new baby! Gardening can seem overwhelming if you've never done it before. I would recommend enjoying your baby this summer, and in your spare time reading lots of how-to gardening books. You could spend the summer getting lots of knowledge about gardening, and also tidying up the garden for next spring. I've learned LOTS on sites like this one, and Google is also a great resource for any gardening questions you might have. There are tons of gardening books at your local library, and Mike McGrath has a very informative gardening radio show that I listen to online. If you just can't wait to get some dirt under your fingernails, you can buy a tomato plant or two at your local gardening center and pot those up....nothing like homegrown tomatoes, and they're fairly easy to grow! Good luck!

Ask around among neighbors, co-workers, a local gardening club, extension agency, or maybe even a nearby DG member & somewhere you'll find an experienced gardener who would be delighted to visit and "survey" your garden holdings with you. Those tall ferns are how asparagus develops after harvest is over.

DO NOT cut the asparagus! I learned that from a friend as I was all prepared to givs my ferns a haircut, to keep them "neat" She said if I do that next years' spring crop will suffer. I know find them very pretty :).

I'd say go ahead and plant. You can't get any experience unless you do, and you might have a great result. I'd figure our what you want to grow, and clear enough for a few plants. Maybe some tomato and pepper transplants, and seed in some squash (summer and winter) as they pretty much grow themselves. They should have plenty of time. Green beans would be another choice, and cucumbers.
Kind of depends on what you and your family like:)

I agree with honeysucklemoon.

If you stick around here at Dave's Garden, you'll get lots of gardening advice without ever having to step outside - were open 24/7/365!

The only thing you need to do with your asparagus patch, is get rid of any weeds. Don't cut back the green "ferns" - they will eventually turn brown and you can cut them back next spring.

Take the time this summer to prepare your ground for next year by adding lots of compost and well-aged farm-animal manures (if you can get some locally).

I may not get what many folks will get from their gardens and you may not either but if you dont plant antthing you wont get anything either. plants are cheep and seed are too with a little work and love and time the good Lord will Bless your work and it will be worth your effort . some veggies are better than none ;>)

I started my first veggie garden last month. I was late for this area and didn't get to do a whole lot of soil preparation. I started not to bother but I'm so glad I did. I picked five chili peppers today! I think you should go ahead and plant a few things. Like catmad said, at least a few tomatoes and some peppers. Toss some squash seeds out. Think of it as your experimental garden. That's what I'm doing and I'm having the best time with it! Good luck!