Gardening help

[hizoot]

This will be the first year we will be taking on a garden of much size.(1/3 acre) It will also be the first for planting different vegetables for the first time..such as potatoes,asparagus,watermelon,and cantaloupe to name a few. Is there a website that may help us with some basic knowledge in setup,care,irrigation,timing,etc?
Also, I would like to make the beds mounded rows....I do not see an implement around our immediate area being sold that does this. So...can I take a cultivator,remove some tines, install a couple of discs mounted almost 90 degrees to the direction of travel to do this? What would be a good row spacing?
....as you can see,we need some input! Thanks!
BTW, I have a new JD 2520, 60" tiller, box blade ...if that helps with input. I can weld...and wouldnt mind making my own "hiller",and can copy a design or picture if its cost effective.

thanks...

 

[smstonypoint]

I think your best bet for gardening info will be Texas A&M.
Home Vegetable Gardening | Aggie Horticulture

I seem to recall several threads dealing with build-your-own hillers/hippers/bedders. You could try searching for those threads if someone with direct experience doesn't respond.

Good luck with your garden.

Steve

 

[Western]

Steve gave you a good link, I have used it for years. Here is a link to their main page.

Aggie Horticulture

You should also go to your local County Extension agents office, they should have brochures with great detail on almost everything "rural" in Texas.

I usually go 36", shorter for some, really depends on what your growing in the row. large plants such as Corn, Okra I will go 36", smaller ones like radish, carrots I go smaller.
Melons are even further spaced.

As far as the rows, try your idea, should work if you don't mind the down time.

Texas A&M and your extension agent will get you going well for your area.

 

[jinman]

To go along with what everyone has said about the TAMU site. They maintain Master Gardener websites for locations around the state. The local website for your area is Smith County Master Gardeners. They will probably have the best info for your area and charts showing planting dates that work best for various crops. They are a huge source of info.

Here is Home Vegetable Garden Guide PDF file from the TAMU site. It shows average last frost date info for your area as March 1st. You are safe to plant anything right now.

 

[2720wes]

I suggest also reading the book "Joy of Gardening" by Dick Raymond. Lots of great info.

 

[Briar Hill Brittanys]

I can weld...and wouldnt mind making my own "hiller",and can copy a design or picture if its cost effective.

thanks...

Something like this perhaps? Won't eat much, and takes up little space in the barn/garage. I'm sure we can both agree on a mutually beneficial design cost reimbursement. HTH, Mark

 

[sixdogs]

Something like this perhaps? Won't eat much, and takes up little space in the barn/garage. I'm sure we can both agree on a mutually beneficial design cost reimbursement. HTH, Mark

I built one very similar to this and it works great at hilling.
My plan is to use for potatoes this year and then swap out to a shovel for digging them. Should work fine.

 

[RalphVa]

I did my raised rows by putting 2 big 20" discs at 45 degree angles right behind the rear tires. Pounted the discs on an old soil ripper diamond bar. You can get a similar rig from Agri Supply called a Keulavator. You can also order the discs and clamps there.

Here's a photo of mine.

1/3 of an acre is an awful big garden. I have a 50x75 one that feeds lots of people. Made 20 rows in it.

Ralph

 

[Arkaybee]

RalphVa,
I need some diamond toolbar mounting clamps to add some cultivator sweeps or other tools onto my toolbar. Do you know of a source? I would prefer those like near the middle of your toolbar which appear to be cast steel. Any workable style would be helpful though. Thanks for your help.

Arkaybee

 

[sixdogs]

RalphVa,
I need some diamond toolbar mounting clamps to add some cultivator sweeps or other tools onto my toolbar. Do you know of a source? I would prefer those like near the middle of your toolbar which appear to be cast steel. Any workable style would be helpful though. Thanks for your help.

Arkaybee

"Market Implement" or something like that in PA sells a variety but are sort-of costly.
I used some clamps off a 1970's Ford cultivator. Others similar.
Photo when I can get back in the barn or sooner if needed.

 

[hizoot]

This forum is great! Thanks for the input. That TAMU sight was very enlightening and just what we needed. And ...yep, the 1/3 acre thing aint happening. Waaaaay to much to take care of and plant for just our immediate family and some neighbors. I guess it was a newb mistake as well....We cut it back to 50'x90' or so. And thanks for the pics of the hillers.....Mark,your check is in the mail :laughing: I'll take pics this evening for ya'll!

 

[Snaker]

This will be the first year we will be taking on a garden of much size.(1/3 acre) It will also be the first for planting different vegetables for the first time..such as potatoes,asparagus,watermelon,and cantaloupe to name a few. Is there a website that may help us with some basic knowledge in setup,care,irrigation,timing,etc?
Also, I would like to make the beds mounded rows....I do not see an implement around our immediate area being sold that does this. So...can I take a cultivator,remove some tines, install a couple of discs mounted almost 90 degrees to the direction of travel to do this? What would be a good row spacing?
....as you can see,we need some input! Thanks!
BTW, I have a new JD 2520, 60" tiller, box blade ...if that helps with input. I can weld...and wouldnt mind making my own "hiller",and can copy a design or picture if its cost effective.

thanks...

I see you listed a tiller. I just threw out a brochure for a DR brand tiller. It offered a hiller option that can be attached to the rear of the tiller. You might get some ideas from that.

 

[boggen]

to deal with weeds between the rows. make sure you space the rows far enough apart, that you can take a walk behind tiller. and just go down the rows. and till the weeds in. pulling weeds is a pain, and this makes it much more easier.

as far as irrigation. just a standard lawn sprinkler works when ya first plant everything, then as the plants get higher, tossing a milk crate under the lawn sprinkler to raise it up some.

but as the plants get taller. milk crates start to tip over. and that is when ya break out. A frames made out of pvc pipe or small lumber say 1" x 1". to hold the sprinkler even higher.