Newbie Needing LOTS of help

Hello I am very new to gardening. I have "NO" idea what I am doing. I have seeds and don't know when they should be planted, or how. I have no idea what soils are best for planting what plants. I really really Need HELP ASAP. Anyone have any websites, books, etc that could help a newbie. I feel like I need to enroll in Gardening 101 at my local college.
thanks
tamlamb

Your local library should have books for beginning gardeners, and your local extension agent will be able to provide help about your soil, amendments, etc.

Almost any specific question you post here at DG will elicit a friendly and competent response, but asking such a broad-range question is like asking for an explanation of the Universe.

If you check the forum on bookworms, you will find a few recommendations for gardening books, but they may be more advanced than a novice gardener wants right now, but very helpful overall.

gently,
darius





This message was edited Sunday, Aug 26th 10:09 AM

tamlamb, I mailed your iris this morning. There are 3 rhizomes. Prepare a place for them by digging in some nice compost. You can get a good soil mix at Wal-mart. Make sure your site drains well. When the rhizomes arrive, plant them so that the rhizome is at ground level and the roots in a little trench down each side of the rhizome. You will want to just barely cover the rhizome. Water them in, but don't water them too often because they can rot.
Darius is right, when you consider that there are trees, shrubs, perennials, biennials, bog and pond plants, some love shade, some love sun, etc. and this doesn't even count vegetables. You need a good gardening book or two and a gardening magazine. I like Garden Gate Magazine. I also like the Organic Gardening Encyclopedia (one volume). It has good information even if you don't try to garden organically. I also like Better Homes and Gardens New Complete Guide to Gardening. You might want to go to the library and look for gardening books and when you find one that is complete enough for your tastes, see if you can buy it at the local bookstore. You might even find some good ones at a second-hand bookstore.

Tamlamb, your question is indeed too vast.

Things to look out for in your learning:

Where will you be planting? What is the soil like - sandy, clay or just "good dirt"? What kind of light do your beds or future beds get - full sun (6 hours or more), full shade, or partial shade? If shady, deep shade from a house,fence or thick branches, dappled shade through thin branches?

Plants can be annuals - sprouting, flowering and dying in one growing season, biennials - sprouting one year, flowering and dying the next, or perennials - living for several or many years (usually don't flower the first year).

When you plant something make sure you are respecting its needs for soil, light and water. Putting a plant that likes damp shade beside one that likes hot dry sun guarantees that at least one will do badly.

Have fun.

Hello Tammy,

I can remember that'overwhelmed' feeling not so long ago! So, what you are seeking is a recommendation for a website or book with general seedstarting information... Here is a favorite site, a Seed Germination Database from Thompson and Morgan, now out of print, but online at:

http://www.backyardgardener.com/tm.html

That should help getting your seeds started! Good luck.

John

Thank you JOHN that is exactly how I feel and exactly what I was looking for. :)
And thanks to woodspirit1 for the suggestions & help.
tamlamb

Hi Tamlamb! I have been gardening fo a couple of years now and still find myself trying to figure it all out daily! I started out buying Sunset Garden books to learn the basics and still find them helpful at times. From there I began searching the web for answers too. Searches can be frustrating when you don't know the questions to ask. But here at DG you can take it one question at a time and someone is sure to either know the answer or where to find it. So go ahead and ask away... who knows, you might even ask something that I could answer!

tamlamb...I have just what you need. It is the Better Homes and Garden Complete Guide To Gardening on CD! I was impressed with the way it is set up but I never use it...(I think there was a software conflict in my system, but it works just fine in my friends computer.) It is for both Windows 95 and 98. It is easily installed, and removed if you like, and is yours if you want! Let me know, okay?

And Horse rides his white Knight to the rescue of the Damsel in distress! :}

Horseshoe you've got mail. And thanks very much
tamlamb

We tar heels are wonderful aren't we? LOL, well at least it seems there are a high percentage of Gardeners here. I just love the magazine, Carolina Gardeners.

hi tamlamb,
i am a second year gardener. i was lucky to find Daves this past spring. I too had lots of questions. I found by exploring the internet, asking questions here and reading a book here or there, i am growing more knowledgable each day. Do i have a lot to learn? You bet ya, but that is half the fun. Most of the people here are caring, giving and knowledgable people.
nice to meet you
debi z

Hi Tamlamb,
I am new at all this too but everyone has been helpful, generous and kind at DG. Don't be afraid to ask questions here. This is a VERY knowledgeable group!

In fact I have wondered if many of you aren't professionals?
Do you own nurseries? Are you Master Gardeners?

SandyR

There are several Master Gardeners on Dave's and yes, some do own and work in nurseries. Go to the Master Garden forum and will learn alot there as well

tamlamb

I have 53 years of gardening behind me, I learn something new every day, still.

Try www.shepherdseeds.com then click on growing guides

If nothing more just to get acquainted with the garden lingo.

Byron

Thanks CoCo!
I will check out that Master Garden Forum though a lot of it will probably go right over my head!
(Hopefully a little will penetrate my brain.)

SandyR

Hi Tamlamb,

You could find lots of info at http://www.rebeccasgardenweb.com

Cheers!

Hi Tamlamb
I have a couple of suggestions for you
First start small your first year growing bigger gardens through the years is half the fun.
Second look around your area and see what grows well in your neighbors yards and ask for a root or some seed most will give advice on how to grow the plant.
Last but not least ask questions even if it's one plant at a time everyone here has knowledge of one kind or another and will be glad to help.
I also live in zone 5 (Ohio) and grow perennials feel free to e-mail me anytime. Hope this helps
Love to talk gardens.
Linda

This message was edited Saturday, Sep 1st 8:47 PM

Tamlamb, look up your local extension agent. It will be a county office connected to your state university. Like your neighbors these folks have knowledge of your local growing conditions. Sometimes a book written about gardening in the south for instance isn't too useful when dealing with growing conditions in the north or in my case the dry west. If you start with some easy plants you will learn the basics of gardening in your locale, then branch out to trickier stuff. It will be a learning experience for the rest of your life. Enjoy!

Hi Tamlamb.......It has been my experience that one's gardening friends and neighbors are one of the very best sources of information. Like personal chats with people who have been there:)

Lots of information is available from folks in here also, but keep in mind growing conditions vary depending on your location.

My tip is just to feed all your plants with plenty of anhydrous water during the dry spells, use lots of raw manure, and pour the 12-12-12 fertilizer on by the bucketfull:) Please feel free to e-mail me if you want advice on veggie growing.....or on anything for that matter, since "I know it all":) j/k :)






This message was edited Tuesday, Sep 4th 12:50 PM