Submitted by mainemademess t3_z5p3wt in Maine
Not looking to do anything crazy, maybe some herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers. I have a ton of thriving houseplants but have never done an outside garden before.
Just looking for some tips on when/what to plant, what to avoid, etc. Thanks!
Raised beds are generally a good idea, not least of all because you can curate the soil more easily. Also, if you live out in the sticks, think about some sort of fence. Probably won’t be necessary in populated areas, but deer are essentially giant rats and can get bold.
/r/gardening
I was hoping to get some good Maine-specific answers but will try over there as well. Thank you!
Plant dont know if you are putting them in soil in Maine or soil in VA. They just grow.
It’s not simply about soil. Weather and climate play a huge role. We have a vastly different growing season compared to Virginia. The length of season (timing of soil thaw, last spring frost, first fall frost, first fall freeze) is very different, and with certain crops, timing is really important. OP was right in seeking info from Maine gardeners.
I did raised beds this year with pre-started broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, hot peppers, basil, thyme, and one other herb I can't remember.
I've never grown anything before:
broccoli and tomatoes went nuts. Peppers grew but struggled. Herbs were fine. Cauliflower was fine...
Pay attention to the soil you use and note that (at least I was told) you'll have to replace it every year.
Thinking of doing potatoes this year.
Location: pretty damn far north.
Peppers like to be mistreated. Hot miserable temps, under watered, and less nutes. Ive had great luck putting a bunch of plants in a 10 gallon air pot.
If you have a compost you can break up your root balls there, with leaves, grass clippings, and a few turns you can "recycle" your old soil. It adds up quickly.
Thanks! I'll definitely put the peppers elsewhere next time... All of this was just thrown together just to see what would stick with the least amount of effort the first time..
I don't have compost, but I need to, so I'll try that eventually..
>Peppers grew but struggled.
I thought I'd focus on peppers this year. Same as you, they grew. And grew. Never before had a 6-foot pepper plant. But only hard as hell, 2 inch peppers. Really weird result.
I'm not a very good gardener but I enjoy it!
One difference between house plants and gardens are the pests. With tomatoes keep an eye out for hornworms. And tomatoes get big so a cage helps support them so the fruit stays off the ground. I LOVE Sungold cherry tomatoes but there are quite a variety to choose from. If you get too many to eat, dry them in your oven or get a cheap dehydrator.
If you like root crops like carrots have your soil tested for lead. We have some lead in our soil so we need to peel our carrots, potatoes, etc.
Enjoy
Gardens take more time than most non-gardeners think. My suggestion is start small and keep it simple. Tomatoes and peppers can be tough. Greens and herbs can be pretty simple. Also, seriously consider buying transplants at a nursery or small farm and use those. They are much easier than direct seeding, to start out.
We have several Maine-owned seed and nursery companies. Fedco is a Clinton-based co-op that has a great selection of seeds and plants with great information. They are accepting orders for spring now. Pinetree Seeds and Johnny’s are also wonderful. Coast of Maine has a really good raised bed mix that is ready to go. I agree that raised beds are great for beginners. You can even purchase tall ones that you don’t need to bend or kneel with. Be prepared to fail a lot at first, but it is all a learning experience!
I do raised beds, in ground, and containers. I enjoy the container gardening the best. I also use a compost, and compost tea.
A simple yet satisfying start is peppers/tomatoes for salsa. As you get better at it, you may try to grow onions, garlic and cilantro. The toms/peps are gonna be easier to learn than the latter.
I also capture rain. Its nearly as satisfying as the gardens themselves.
What sort of container or rain catching system do you have?
I have 4 55gal containers that are placed at the corners of the house. I bought them from a person in Windsor.
Even without gutters they fill in a matter of a few storms. This past summer was dry, so we had to supplement from the tap a few times. First time in a few summers we had to fill from the tap. Having said that. One of the storms we had beginning of this fall filled the containers over night. Little late in the season to be useful, but a good example of how quick it can happen.
I make sure to scoop water and aerate with a watering can a few times a week. It helps avoid mosquitos and other gunks. If it turns into a mosquito breeding ground, its happened to me once. I cured it with 5 drops from a dropper of clorox bleach, and lots of aerating.
When its time to use nutrients I use a seperate 5 gal bucket with a pillow case and some compost. I bubble the compost inside the pillow case with a small air stone. Its pretty general, and rarely do i try to fine tune nutes with amendments. It is a fun lane to go down after getting the basics down. Yet far from the simplicity of the tea.
I use an old hoop beer barrel. Leaks a little but I can't stand those blue plastic things.
Wait until after the last frost to plant. Add a little water every now and then when it's dry but otherwise plants know how to grow.
You can start tomatoes and peppers inside, in a south facing window. Set them out during the day after the weather warms up, to harden them off. Bring them in if the weather gets bad.
See if you can buy rotted (not fresh) cow manure from a farm.
Test your soil to find out what it needs to improve it. The local County Extension can help.
Start with radishes and go from there
I’m not a Maine gardener but will be soon. I’d suggest you search for MOFGA on Youtube. They have some great videos!
rangerlight t1_ixxfk15 wrote
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
This is an amazing resource!