What to do for garden NEXT year?

TigerfaninAR · Feb 27, 2012

Yes, next year. This Spring will consist of finish levelling part of the lawn, landscaping the back beds, and planting some trees and larger shrubs in the front. When May gets here I have a large area to level and seed some bermuda. Have had small raised bed gardens for a few things but now that I have a little land want something larger and more variety. I'd say the area I have is 1/4 to 1/3 of an acre.

I want a good garden but I don't see how I have time to get anything in this year. Main reason is I'll have to buy/construct some sort of deer fence or it will be for not. They are thick as can be around here and that's the number thing when talking to everyone, got to get your deer fence first. I'll add that to the list once the other projects are done.

As I research some on different sites I see advice about planting cover crops at different times of the year, getting this and that into the garden etc. Since I have another year, what should I do with my piece of land now? I have a middle buster, thats about it except for boxblade. Should I run the middle buster over it and then have someone come till it this year? Middle buster then box blade with just the rippers down or none of the above, and wait till Fall?

955er · Feb 27, 2012

Find where you want to put the garden, and hit the entire area with roundup or some other broad leaf plant killer. Then go over it with the middlebuster, and rent or buy a tiller.

The deer will get you, but they seem to stay away from tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplants. They LOVE green beans, spinach, lettuce, and anything else with a tasty leaf.

Definately plant something this year. Good luck!

otis whitehead · Feb 28, 2012

Find a horse barn that needs to get rid of waste(manure). Get as much of that stuff and start mixing it in.If you are certan you will not plant spread cow manure it needs a year to cook off otherwise it will be to rich and burn the plants...Good Luck

bp fick · Feb 28, 2012

Any manure is better than no manure, but cow is better than horse, if one considers the weed issue. Chicken manure is even better and cleaner in that regard.

Middle buster is just fine, Keep at it. Do it over and over. Drag something akin to a C-tine drag harrow or even a box blade, if that's what you have. Time is on your side.

We just had a similar thread last week. I'll bet you'd enjoy reading it.

"Starting A New Garden From Scratch"
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ting-new-garden-plot-scratch.html#post2714567

jinman · Feb 29, 2012

Plant asparagus this year for small yields next year and good yields the year after. For asparagus, you definitely have to be patient.

TigerfaninAR · Feb 29, 2012

bp fick said:
Any manure is better than no manure, but cow is better than horse, if one considers the weed issue. Chicken manure is even better and cleaner in that regard.

Middle buster is just fine, Keep at it. Do it over and over. Drag something akin to a C-tine drag harrow or even a box blade, if that's what you have. Time is on your side.

We just had a similar thread last week. I'll bet you'd enjoy reading it.

"Starting A New Garden From Scratch"
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/234162-starting-new-garden-plot-scratch.html#post2714567

Thanks, great link. I hit it for the first time yesterday with the middlebuster. Thought about lowering the rippers all the way down on the bb and go over it a few times.
Have seen some local places for free chicken manure so will check that out.

Appreciate the info

jones6780 · Feb 29, 2012

I would stay away from the horse manure as the Bermuda seeds will sprout. Bust up the ground, add organic matter, composted leaves, chicken litter, and plant either clover or buckwheat as a green cover crop. Till it in before it goes to seed. And get a fence, deer around here love tomato, peppers, okra and beans. Well they like everything but squash.

skylarkguy · Feb 29, 2012

I put horse poop on the past 2 seasons but decided that there was too much bedding in it (wood chips) this year I got a big pile of composted sheep manure that looks much better...and it must be cus my dog won't stop eating it.:licking:

jem041279 · Feb 29, 2012

I would do a soil sample, especially since you have so much time. Down here LSU ag center charges 10 bucks which is cheap insurance that will tell you exactly what your ground needs. See you local county agent and he can fix you up and by the way let them know it is for a vegetable garden so they can give you the proper recipe of fertilizer, good luck

TigerfaninAR · Feb 29, 2012

jem041279 said:
I would do a soil sample, especially since you have so much time. Down here LSU ag center charges 10 bucks which is cheap insurance that will tell you exactly what your ground needs. See you local county agent and he can fix you up and by the way let them know it is for a vegetable garden so they can give you the proper recipe of fertilizer, good luck

Looked today and our local county extension co-op does it for free. Thanks