Newbie Gardener Advice Needed

Dear gardeners,

My wife and I are planning our first EVER garden. She is in charge of flowers and such. I am in charge of vegetable/fruit/herb garden.
I am trying to get an idea on what veggies would be good (and easy) to grow. We live in IL. I am looking for some that can produce results as soon as possible and do not require degree in agriculture to grow. Since we are newbies, I want to keep up the excitement! So I am hoping for something that we could check frequently and be excited because we see our plants grow. I hope I make sense here.
So far I have the following planned: tomatoes (I think cherry), cukes, maybe blueberries. I thought of zucchinis, but I've read that they would take over things. For herbs, so far I only have dill in mind.
I am looking for advice on what to grow. Also, my space is limited and I dont want all these plants fighting with each other.
The garden should have sun all day long because it is located on the south side of the house.

I look forward to your advice and thank you so much in advance!

As far as being fairly easy and rewarding, I don't see anything wrong with what you have listed. I've grown zucchini before and it didn't take over everything but, if they are happy where they are planted, they will bear quite heavily. Also, with things like zucchini and cukes, you can grow them up a fence or trellis of some sort to save garden space. I prefer to do mine on the fence anyway even though I have lots of room because it keeps them cleaner vs. laying on the ground where they get kind of nasty on the bottom side. It also makes keeping the weeds down a lot easier. If you like them, you can intersperse radishes around some of your other veggies. They grow fast and you'll have them all picked before the other plants begin to produce. Also, if you like squash, a few hills of it will keep you well supplied (they don't vine like cukes or zucchini--they grow upright in more of a bush form).

Try bush beans. They grow rapidly and bear quickly - and keep bearing for a long time if you keep picking them. You can pick them very young and tender - much better than anything you'd be able to buy at the store.

LTilton,

Thank you for reply. Unfortunately, we are not big on beans. Since you are in IL and are near us, do you have any other recommendations of veggies, furit/berries and herbs to grow in our area?

NatureLover1950,

Thank you for your advice. I love zucchini, so I will see if I can grow them on trellis as you suggested. Also, radishes! I totally forgot about them. They are going on my list right now! Any ideas on fruit/berries/herbs?

Strawberries grow well here, but you usually have to wait a year for them. Raspberries are also easy to grow. Cantaloupe does well.

This fall, you can try peas, snap peas, broccoli, cabbage, but it might be too late to start them now if we get hot weather in early summer. It's probably not too late to get a crop of spinach.

Vitaly91,
If like blackberries, you could try thornless Navaho's. They are much bigger and sweeter than the wild variety (I have some and they are real good). Since your garden spot is small, I assume you live in a subdivision? Maybe you could put a few plants of whatever type berries you like along your fence. Also, on the fall crops LTilton mentioned, I think that's a good idea. It's always hard to find plants to buy in the fall but you could start them from seed. In my younger days, I always had a big fall garden because that's when all the veggies LTilton listed do best down here since they are cool weather crops. Some of the smaller types of lettuce such as buttercrunch do well in cooler weather too.

vitaly91,
Here's a site I have bookmarked that I think will be useful for you (it's even from your state). It has all sorts of info that's helpful even for those of us who have been gardening for 40+ years! Hope it helps.

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/basics.html

Good luck with your garden.

Thank you all for great advice!

Here's another question I have. My space is limited to 216 in by 24 in. So it is very narrow. It is located on the south side of the house right against the wall of the house. The house itself is going north to south. So I think that area will get plenty of sun. Am I correct in my assumptions?
Also, since the space is so narrow, what would be the best way to plant all my veggies and herbs?
Here's what I plan to grow:

Veggies: tomatoes, zucchini, radish, cukes.
Herbs: Dill, Basil, Oregano, Garlic
Fruit: blueberry, Navaho blackberry (as suggested above).

I am thinking of growing fruits in big container baskets. So how should I plant the rest of it? I am open to ALL suggestions. I have options to put some trellis or containers as well. If I use those, where would be the best place to put them and what would be the best thing to grow in them?

Again, thank you all so much for all your help!

It seems that I have asked too many questions... :(

Sorry to leave you hanging, vitaly91. I don't know that there's any magic arrangement, other than what you find works for you. You'll probably have to do some experimenting with your space to figure out how to best utilize it for yourself. However, I would strongly recommend that you put large, vining plants like your tomatoes and zucchini on the ends, and trellis the cucumbers. I know nothing about your fruits, so no help there, and very little about container gardening--other than to be sure you use potting mix, not soil, for good drainage. And remember that your containers will need water more frequently than your in-ground plants, so you want them to be easy to get to with the hose. Herbs frequently do well in containers, and can be pretty to look at as well, so they might even be candidates for growing on a patio or something.

Keep us posted, and good luck!

I'm interested in the vining zucchini. Does that mean they grow like the winter squash, spreading on the ground, or up? The only kind I've heard of that climbs is Tromboncino (sp). The ones I've grown before, and the packets I have ready to go in (tomorrow, yeah!!) are all "bush" type. My other kinds of summer squash I think are bush, too. I'm only on my second season, so any input would be helpful.

As to your situation, vitaly91, I'd put the herbs in amongst the tomatoes and/or in containers. I grew my garlic in an old bathtub :)

margo

For herbs you might also want to consider sage and rosemary (I've got to have them for poultry stuffing!). In the spring and early summer leaf lettuce or mesclun or spinach grow quickly and are infinitely better than anything you'll get in the store. Good luck!

Good luck with your very 1st garden. I'm sure it won't be your last as you become hooked like the rest of us.
There's nothing like harvesting your own fresh veges just when you want them and they taste so much better.

Container gardening makes good use of limited space and you will be amazed how much you can produce in a small space especially if you combine it with vertical gardening as was suggested making use of trellises and frames etc to grow things up. Growing lettuces (leaf type)and other salad greens when you use them young give pretty instant results and you can grow them in amongst tomatoes etc before they get too big. Is great being able to pick a few ultra fresh leaves for a sandwich or salad.
I always find Zucchini great value as they are so productive and you can use them in so many ways. You don't need many plants or you will soon be supplying the neighbours as I was this last summer!!
I'm not a great fan of cooked beans either but have you tried them raw chopped up finely in a salad. As with so many veges they taste so much better raw (especially fresh from your own garden) and are better for you. Beans like zucchini are good producers and will keep producing for ages if you keep picking them as has been mentioned. It is good to use such high producing things to make the best use of limited space.
Checking out your local garden center is always good to get an idea of what to grow and they should be able to tell you what is suitable for your area. Also find out what neighbours and friends are growing in your vicinity to see what does best.
Here is a link to a free report on container gardening you may be interested in checking out: http://ContainerSmallGarden.com/freereport/

Like catmad -- I have only grown bush zucchini -- they wouldn't grow up any trellis, but they can get rather tall. I usually plant the seeds in a "hill" so I actually have two or three plants in one space - so they get rather large, and productive.

There are bush cucumbers that grow in small spaces and would be ideal for containers, as well as bush varieties of tomatoes -- but keep in mind the difference between "determinate" and "indeterminate" plants on tomatoes.

Determinate tomatoes are designed to produce heavily -- in a short length of time, so they are ideal for a heavy production of tomatoes if you want to can all at once. However, then the plant dies off, but they make a smaller plant that doesn't normally need to be staked. If you plant only determinate tomatoes, you will be disappointed by "no tomatoes" at the end of the season -- unless you are planting in series. Indeterminate plants are designed to produce for a longer period of time. Some of them produce ripe fruit relatively early -- as little as 45 days (plus or minus) from transplant date, and others are "late varieties" which typically get larger fruit. Do a little research on the expected size of the tomato you are planting. Large tomatoes are great fun for sandwiches, etc., but you will have to wait longer for them -- sometimes much longer. I like to plant a couple "Early Girl" or another early variety - then whatever else I like.

As I have an acid reflux issue to deal with, I also like to plant low acid varieties -- and I like the cherry tomatoes, but unless you buy the miniature plants (Tiny Tim, Micro Tom), most of the cherry tomato plants actually make very large plants -- hence "Sweet 100" or "Sweet Million" for very productive plants.

Some parts of the country -- the northeast in particular, has a large problem with blights that kill off the tomato plants right when they are getting large enough to bear. There are a few varieties that are resistant to the blight, "Legend" being one of them. I grow Legend for this reason, but it is determinate, so I plant them in a series. I have also found "Old Brooks," an old heirloom, that is said to be somewhat resistant, which is indeterminate - but higher in acid - so less friendly to my tummy.

Just do a little research on the variety you plant -- and consider the timing - and whether or not you want to wait for large tomatoes -- and in limited spaces, I'd stay away from determinate varieties.

I wouldn't expect to pick many berries off plants that would fit in that size of a space. Also -- does your southern exposure have an overhang that will limit the summer sun?

Good luck with your garden.
T
Theresa




T
Theresa

You mentioned garlic. I love garlic! My garlic is over 12" tall and will be ready for harvest about mid July. But there's a catch with garlic, most varieties need a cold weather growing time. I plant mine late Oct / early Nov here in OH. Its relatively easy to grow but takes a LONG time. There are some varieties that will grow without the cold season.

Other possible starter plants include turnips, beets, and carrots (if you have good soil-clay makes growing these more difficult).

Hope this helps!
Megan

Hi:
You mentioned herbs. i would be carefull with mint. it can get very invasive. I like to grow my mint in containers.
I realize potatoes are a longer crop but I have seen potatoes grown using used tires. start with one or two staked. fill partially with soil and plant the pieces. as the plants grow add new tires and soil. To harvest just knock them over and your crop will be easily harvested. I thin k you could work the used soil into the garden. I hope this helps
Dave

Parsley and chives ... can't imagine my herb garden without those two (in addition to the ones you mentioned)

I am so glad you posted this question, it is my first garden too but it is still a bit early to plant.

Does anyone know which veggies I can grow as seeds, now, and which I definately have to start as plants. I am looking to plant veggies and herbs; such as carrots, tomatoes, squash, zucchini,parsley, dill, beans, peppers, and as many more as I can get. Any ideas or suggestions would be very helpful.

I'm not familiar with your zone, babybird, so I can't speak to timing of when to plant, but I can tell you that tomatoes, peppers and eggplant are usually best set out as transplants after your last frost date. Everything else on your list is pretty easily started from seed, your zone permitting, although many of them you still may find transplants of at your local nursery.

thanks, I have lots of seeds, that I am hoping will not go to waste. I never had time to plant early this year.

Babybird -- I am on the other side of PA -- in a little cooler zone, but I can make some suggestions. Peppers take a long time from seed -- if you have seed for that, I'd put it in the refrigerator in a covered coffee can or jar - and hold them for an early start for next season.

If you have tomatoes and lots of room, you could split up your tomato plantings and still plant a little from seed for a late crop -- and buy plants for now to give you earlier plants. Be aware that the Northeast US does have some issues with some late blights that can kill off tomato plants -- and that there are a few varieties that are more resistant. Ask your local greenhouse about that. They will know if your region has trouble. If you do decide to plant tomato seeds now, stick with varieties that have a short maturity time. Stay away from the late season tomatoes - but save that seed for next year.

Determinate tomato plants ripen their fruit in a short period of time, then they are done -- so if you want to can tomatoes, they can be a good choice, but know that they will quit producing before the summer is over. Indeterminate tomatoe plants bear longer and make larger plants. They more often need to be staked.

You can buy plants for zucchinis and squash -- but ones planted from seed, if planted between now and Memorial Day -- will catch up with those plants very quickly -- and will be a little more sturdy than seedlings you have to move around. It's easy to break those seedlings while handling.

You've got lots of time for things like carrots and beets -- but they need special preparation of the soil, as they will not produce well if the soil is too heavy.

You've got lots of time for beans -- I like the pole beans because hubby and I both have back issues, and they are just easier to pick. However, they do need a support.

We don't even think about planting most of our garden until Memorial Day, here, but we do get peas in earlier -- and mine are up about 4 inches. If you like to eat raw peas and haven't planted yet, there are some varieties reported to do ok in warm weather.

Garlic -- I planted in the fall, but I supplemented some "missed" plants in about March -- with some garlic that was sprouting inside. It won't get as large, but it will add to my crop.

Good luck with the garden -- and give a holler if you have any questions. I am new to Davesgarden - but I grew up in a greenhouse family and garden every year, even though we no longer own the wholesale/retail greenhouse.

T
Theresa

Babybird -- your herbs like parsley and dill can be direct seeded into the garden - but you may want to plant some of your seed into containers as well. They may germinate more quickly if you give them a little TLC -- and they will be easier to separate from the weeds. Also -- some folks grow Carrots and Beets in containers of sterilized growing mix -- to avoid having to fight their weeds.

I mulch everything I can - to avoid having to weed.

T
Theresa

thanks so much, it's all been a great big help!

Plant basil near the tomatoes. Both plants will benefit. But, be careful! One summer I nearly ruined myself eating tomato, basil, mayo sandwiches! Absolutely delicious, but.....I gained 10 pounds.

MMMMMM that sounds delicious!

If you want to try something that should work in IL (heck, we grew them in Maine and that's a much shorter/colder season up there), you might try some Sugar Snap Peas. If you like them, they can be grown on trellis's or as bushes (there are both the vine and the bush varieties).

I've grown them in Missouri so I believe that the climate would be similar, and I've even containered them. Put a tree branch in the center of the container, and then surround it with peas and you will be amazed at what one small container can grow. And that's just in a container!

It is a pleasure to help a fellow novice. I have grown herbs for a few years now and this season am taking the plunge into veggies. Herbs seems to grow like weeds once they take root, I barely water some of them and prune like an axe murderer (thats a slight exaggeration but no much of one). My big growers are oregano, thyme, cilantro, fennel, mint and dill. Rosemary and majoram are also good growers in the right spot. Be bold with herbs, they require little care if their location and soil is good, in fact the hard part is pruning them when they get too big. I am thinking aboiut taking my extra to a community kitchen nearby for low-income folks.

So, Vitaly, how is your garden doing? What did you end up planting, and what are your thoughts so far?

I'm finding this to be a weird gardening year in central IL--usually beans and peas take off for me, but this year seemed to have been too wet. If something doesn't do well this year, try it again another year before you give up. Might just be the unusually wet weather.

I'm growing tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, lettuce (Romaine), 2 kinds of spinach, 3 kinds of onions, peas, beans, and watermelon. Also started strawberries and asparagus this year, and will be putting in garlic this fall. I also have an herb garden with 4 kinds of basil, oregano, dill, chives, sage, rosemary, thyme, and winter savory. Herbs are great in our climate--I can't imagine a summer without basil, oregano, and chives in particular!

Enjoy! You won't look back, now that you've gotten started!

Angie

I planted tomatoes (big boy and plum), zucchini, cucumbers, peas, bell peppers, radishes, mesculin mix,dill, basil, onion, chives, parsley, geeze- I think that's all! lol My zucchini are huge, got quite a bit of peas and the herbs are growing like crazy! I went to New Mexico for a week and came back to a beautiful lush-green garden! The only thing not getting anywhere yet is the tomatoes. They do have flowers on them, tho.

The big boys are going to take a bit of time. I have a pair of big boys that i planted may 15th and have finally got a few fruit clusters on them but it will probavly be another 3 week before any of them ripen

Andrew