New Here

17 years ago

Hello all!

I just found this forum tonight and thought I would introduce myself. I live down in the Rio Grande Valley and am very excited about starting my garden this weekend. I have never had a garden before but have wanted one for a very long time. My 6 year old (who I homeschool) wants to do one too so I thought that would be a great thing for us to do together.

I have been reading a lot on the Internet and have decided to do raised beds. We will build 2 4x4 beds tomorrow (12 in. deep) and grid it (square ft gardening). I have read that pure compost is great for this. True or should I mix it with something else? We have a place here where I can get compost delivered.

So far the things I want to grow are tomatoes, basil, garlic, zucchini, and carrots. What else is pretty easy that grows well in our heat? I'd like to try onions and peppers too.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!!

Brandi

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Comments (7)

tesa001
17 years ago
welcome brandi!

i envy your zone, for sure! i'm a beginner as well,
so can't advise you too much

i love the square foot gardening method, and there
is a fourm here devoted to that style

as far as compost, i think the guy who wrote the book
says to mix several kinds of compost for the best
results, but check the forum for specifics

last year, just for kicks, i planted some scarlet
runner beans, they grew fast, were preaty to look
at too

i really didn't try to eat them, i just wanted
something green and vertical

i plan to grow them again this year, and i'm gonna make
an honest effort to actually eat them

don't know how much room you actually have, but i'm
also gonna try gourds this year, i've always wanted
them for crafts, and such, and i hear its a lovley
vine

good luck!
happy gardening!

tesa
marlingardener
17 years ago
Brandi,
Welcome, and be sure to not be a stranger to this forum!
Gardening in the valley is probably the closest thing to heaven this side of, well, heaven! We envy you!
Peppers will do great in your area. You might want to plant some cucumbers (there are bush varieties that take up little space) and also green beans (you can trellis pole beans and that takes less space and are easier to pick, also). Your local Agricultural Extension agent should have a list of vegetables adapted to your area.
Pure compost? I don't know--personally I'd mix it 50-50 with good garden soil.
Good luck to you and your 6 year old, and let us know how your garden grows.
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raving_butterfly
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for your replies!
I talked to this guy today about delivering soil and he said that they have a 70/30 mix -- 70 top soil and 30 compost. Said that their compost is very rich and does not recommend anything over 30%. We'll see how that goes. After he delivers I can always add stuff to it before I plant I suppose. Any suggestions? I'd like to eventually start my own compost pile - have to read up on that.
Gosh, you guys are all going to get sick of me and all my questions! LOL But thank you for the welcome.
I definitely won't be a stranger! I want a beautiful and plentiful garden and I know you all can help a beginner.

BTW - I built my boxes today and they came out very nice! Now I just need to fill them! :)

Brandi
bobbi_p
17 years ago
Just one note on the compost: not all compost is created equal!

Several years ago, my husband built a 15 X 30 raised veggie garden for me. We purchased a "garden" mix, probably similar to your 70/30 mix. It was my third veggie season before I didn't have a problem with every thing seeming yellow.

The best explanation anyone could give me was that the compost in the mix I purchased must have been "green." That is, the compost hadn't been allowed to decompose completely. Ask your supplier how long the "compost" has been mixed and allowed to decompose. I don't know if there's a "proper" answer to the question. For your size garden, I don't think there'd be a problem with pure compost if it's good stuff.

Just don't give up if your first attempt isn't successful. It sounds like you're putting together an excellent system and there's no reason why you won't eventually succeed. Kids love to garden!
plantmaven
17 years ago
Brandi, I grew up in Pharr and San Benito!
The street I lived on was between two farms. We ate fresh carrots, onions, and tomatoes right out of the field.
My uncle was the county ag. agent. He frequently called me to go pick veggies with him.
Yes, contact your county extension agency.
The best onions are grown down there. 1015 sweet onions. Called 1015 because they are planted Oct. 15th.
Another uncle farmed. I remember going across the front yard to the field to pick corn for supper. Yummy!
Cantelope do well there also.

Are you in Cameron or Hidalgo county?

Remember, mulch, mulch, mulch! You can probably get cotton hull mulch cheap.

Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Cameron County
linda_tx8
17 years ago
I like the weedless topsoil with amendments like compost already in it for new raised beds myself. We have companies that sell it in bulk quantities like that and have been around enough years that we know it's done right. That way it's good to go as is...then later on we add amendments as needed as the nutrients are depleted. Be sure to ask around about this guy, whether his stuff turns out good.
pjtexgirl
17 years ago
Welcome!
I'm a homeschooler too. I am in a new home and have started my own compost pile for later. The sooner you start the better. My own compost is much better than anything I can buy and obviously cheaper. There are many sites on how to start compost and you can always add it to the beds as you go. Good luck! PJ