my first garden?

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i_like_melons Aztec, NM(Zone 6b) May 05, 2007

um i just started it today. i live in northwestern new mexico. how do i start? i got it all weeded and the boundaries are marked with rocks for design and so no weeds can get in. now what? do i fill whole thing with store baught soil or what? and what is compost and what do i do with it? please help!

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tggfisk Garner, NC(Zone 7b) May 05, 2007

I'm not sure what kind of soil you have, but you can always add compost. Compost is what's left when organic materials break down...it makes new soil. If you want to start to compost, then great! But it will take a while to make. Meanwhile, I use compost and cow manure from Lowe's. My DH dug down over a foot and dug it into the soil. We have lots of red clay that he busted up and mixed as he dug. I've never used store bought top soil or garden soil so I can't tell you how well it works, but I do know that it's much more expensive that what I use.
BTW, weeds will still get into your garden. We mulch with newspaper (assuming your paper is printed with soybean inks like ours) between the rows and use regular mulch on top of that. This will help with weed control and water loss.
Good luck. Learning to vegetable garden is fun and frustrating, too. Gotta love it:))

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) May 06, 2007

If you're going to invest money in any type of soil improvement, I would definately go with composted cow manure. As tggfisk said, Lowe's carries it as does Home Depot. The only one I will buy from them is Black Kow (yellow bag). Many of the others are mostly sand. Compost will help you grow some very amazingly healthy plants. Also, if you get time, late this fall when your garden will probably be sitting idle, plant some rye grass or wheat and let it grow until about January, then plow it in. Disc it in several times over the next few weeks to get it good and worked in. This is called green manure and helps to condition your soil too. I also have heavy clay and have been doing this with my garden. Good luck.

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tggfisk Garner, NC(Zone 7b) May 06, 2007

I agree with the cover crop idea! Remember that compost piles should not have any oils, meats, or fats added. Mine gets lots of yard clippings, chipped limbs from the yard, leaves, eggshells, and stuff from the kitchen. It smells alot like grapefruit:)) Guess that says lots!

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i_like_melons Aztec, NM(Zone 6b) May 13, 2007

thx for all the tips guys

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