I want to start a serious veggie garden this time?

I've planted a tomato now and then, even bell peppers but I want to get serious this time. I've ordered up garlic to plant now. Is there anything else I can fall plant for next year? My intention is to do heirloom and possibly the sfg method. I'm also going to try the growing potatoes in a garbage can method. I also need help on how to harvest vegetables. I grew carrots once and didn't store them properly. Any book recommendations or websites would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Rose

http://www.amazon.com/New-Self-Sufficient-Gardener-John-Seymour/dp/0756628989 John Seymour's book of self sufficiency - my bible. Even if you don't do half of the things he talks about it's still worth owning. I bought it when I had a smallholding over 20 years ago. Many of the sections deal specifically with veggie and fruit growing, storing, canning etc;
Good luck!
:-)) Rosie

Perfect - just what I was looking for!

rosie, thanks for the link.

No Probs :-)) Course it doesn't mean you won't find other reading material along the way. But beware! Once you start veggie gardening for real - then you end up with a really large book collection. May mean moving into a bigger house - just what I'm doing LOL

rosie, this is my first year growing veggies, and it has been quite rewarding. i am planning what to grow for next season already. i like the idea of sustainable gardening, and it won't just be an idea for me anymore.

rose, i'm growing an heirloom tomato in a square foot kit. so far, so good.

Good girl! There's nothing quite like growing your own veggies - it's simply the most rewarding experience. I have been growing veggies for years but this year was also my first with heritage tomatoes - San Mazano. I had a good crop, the flavour was wonderful and will definatly be growing them again next year.

I too plan well in advance. My problem is stopping my other half from ordering the contents of the entire seed catalogue LOL

Rosie :-))

Just realize that heirloom tomatoes in particular take up a LOT of space. It depends a lot on climate, and I know plants get bigger in Houston than in Chicago, but I would not be surprised if some of the more unwieldy tomato plants get 5 feet tall and 1 1/2 feet wide for you. :)

I plant everything in raised beds, and I incorporate some of the advice and ideas of SFG, but I don't limit myself to 12" boxes. I do use the tape measure though. :)

SFG is all about space saving and the best example is cucumbers. They can be encouraged to climb tomato cages, fence, or really anything you give them.

Specifically for beans, the last 2 years I have packed them in as close as I can, actually on 6" x 6" centers. And I get a large crop, but it is very tricky to find all the ripe beans. This fall I am trying rows 1' apart and will see if this makes it easier to pick without reducing the crop too much.

This message was edited Sep 23, 2008 10:03 AM

The key making it all successful is proper preparation of the soil. Get a soil test, you local extension office should be able to provide you with a kit and directions on how to use it. Normally, it's done by the state lab for a nominal fee and doing it in the fall/winter will get you results faster, because the lab is not a busy.

Garlic is a heavy feeder and needs a bed rich in organic materials. I planted soft neck for the first time last spring in my rose bed and was pleasantly surprised with good results. We're not big garlic eaters, but the fresh was sure a nice taste surprise. It also kept a lot of bad bugs off my rose bushes. Can't beat that! LOL