How to plant a garden?

[richamor]

I know, it seems like a simple thing. But like a lot of things, simpler said than done. And if I'm going to try it, I'd like to do a competent job, or at least grow something edible.

I have a Kubota BX and a Mitsubishi MT372. No plows, no tiller, no nothing for ground work. I DO have about an acre of open field, although it has not been worked in over 30 years that I know of. I still need to get a fence up and I've got one more tree to cut and get the stump out.

A tiller is out of the question right now. Unless I can run up on a screaming deal:laughing. Most likely I will get the fence up this year, get the tree out, buy the equipment I need, and get ready for next spring. Maybe even some late summer/fall crops. Cabbage and turnips and collards. YUMMY!!

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[hunterridgefarm]

If you don't have the funds at this time to buy the equipment needed or if no one in your area is able to plow/till you a small garden I would do raised beds. Get some boards 8-12" wide and make a raised bed, fill with good soil and plant. This is a easy way to get a small garden in by this Spring! And if you don't want the raised beds next year and have the equipment to till a garden you can disassemble and put the raised bed soil in your garden.

Make it 4-5' wide and how ever long you want/need. Great way to get started and hone your gardening skills!

David

[Duffster]

I know, it seems like a simple thing. But like a lot of things, simpler said than done. And if I'm going to try it, I'd like to do a competent job, or at least grow something edible.

I have a Kubota BX and a Mitsubishi MT372. No plows, no tiller, no nothing for ground work. I DO have about an acre of open field, although it has not been worked in over 30 years that I know of. I still need to get a fence up and I've got one more tree to cut and get the stump out.

A tiller is out of the question right now. Unless I can run up on a screaming deal:laughing. Most likely I will get the fence up this year, get the tree out, buy the equipment I need, and get ready for next spring. Maybe even some late summer/fall crops. Cabbage and turnips and collards. YUMMY!!

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

I do most of my gardening with a round mouth shovel and a hoe.

[Western]

You may also consider renting a 3pt tiller. Then at least you can give some crops a go and get the feel of a tiller. I venture to bet when you smell the earth and see the plants emerge, you will be "hooked"

[schoolsout]

If you don't have the funds at this time to buy the equipment needed or if no one in your area is able to plow/till you a small garden I would do raised beds. Get some boards 8-12" wide and make a raised bed, fill with good soil and plant. This is a easy way to get a small garden in by this Spring! And if you don't want the raised beds next year and have the equipment to till a garden you can disassemble and put the raised bed soil in your garden.

Make it 4-5' wide and how ever long you want/need. Great way to get started and hone your gardening skills!

David

agreed

google "square foot gardening"

[Car Doc]

I hire out this time of year and again in fall to tractor till for folks that don't have equipment and I get busier every year.

So I bet you could find someone in your area to till you a spot say 24x24 whatever (an acre is a big garden!) for now and stick some seeds and transplants when they are available and water it and start enjoying a nice hobby right now!

fwtw I give myself enough room between rows 2 steps or 6' about so later I can run my rider mower between rows and keep the grass and weeds knocked down, that will help you keep it manageable until you get a tiller of your own. hth

[MarkV]

Don't skip this year. Some hand work will let you grow some tomatoes and a few other things.

As you plan for the future look at having a soil test done now. It is cheap and will let you start what additives are needed to balance your soils PH, that can take some time.

MarkV

[Car Doc]

A KK middle buster is only about $120-150 and will open up a nice patch and give you actual rows that you can use this year plus you can harvest your potatoes with it using your tractor!

[smstonypoint]

Don't skip this year. Some hand work will let you grow some tomatoes and a few other things.

As you plan for the future look at having a soil test done now. It is cheap and will let you start what additives are needed to balance your soils PH, that can take some time.

MarkV

Per Mark's comment, most land-grant universities offer soil-testing services either free or for a nominal fee. You should be able to pick up testing kits at your local Cooperative Extension office.

Also, the Horticulture Departments at land-grant universities publish online gardening guides for their respective states. Check the one for your state.

Happy gardening.

Steve

[richamor]

If you don't have the funds at this time to buy the equipment needed or if no one in your area is able to plow/till you a small garden I would do raised beds. Get some boards 8-12" wide and make a raised bed, fill with good soil and plant. This is a easy way to get a small garden in by this Spring! And if you don't want the raised beds next year and have the equipment to till a garden you can disassemble and put the raised bed soil in your garden.

Make it 4-5' wide and how ever long you want/need. Great way to get started and hone your gardening skills!

David

That looks doable. Looking at the plot we've picked for the garden, I've got a bit more work to do than I initially thought (imagine that), so the SFG may be all we get this year. Not really enough to can, but enough to get us through summer into fall.

I do most of my gardening with a round mouth shovel and a hoe.

In Wisconsin I'll bet that's very likely. Great soil you have up there. Here in the SC piedmont all I have is red clay and white quartz.

Don't skip this year. Some hand work will let you grow some tomatoes and a few other things.

As you plan for the future look at having a soil test done now. It is cheap and will let you start what additives are needed to balance your soils PH, that can take some time.MarkV

I can do that this week. Fortunately there's a Clemson extension in town. I've had them out here before when I had fire blight on the pear trees.