Planting root crops

[hilly7]

For those of us in the US, Saturday 4-18 will be the best day for potatoes. I know it is a little late here in TN, but it is wet. You'all probably knew this, but just in case... the signs are in the knees and going down plus it will be the "dark of the moon". All root crops should be in this moon phase and the signs below the heart and heading down. We're hoping to plan abut 80lbs of seed potatoes.

Northern States to lower Canada will be 5/10, upper Canada will be 6/1-7 & 22-30.

[blove8.]

I won't even be able to start digging my beds until May 1stish because that's when I move into the new place. Should be interesting how this garden thing goes. I was just at Gabriel Brothers last week and scored some great deals on gardening equipment.. I'm talking ash handled/tempered shovels for under $10 each. If anyone is near that place I recommend you hurry out and check out their stock. Ollies also has some decent prices on this sort of equipment.

[hilly7]

That is a good deal. Not sure where you are moving to. I found this http://www.almanac.com/garden/plantingtable/index.php , but you'll have to change your location. On the signs I think it just shows moons, but there may be elsewhere they have what part of the body. If not, just PM me and I'll check it out. Depending on where your at, longer crops may not work, but shorter ones will. This one is pretty informative and while you probably will have to start with plants, it will tell how long until it produces. http://rareseeds.com/ . I like these people, they sort of fit in with us. Germination is also very good. If I can help, just let me know.

[blove8.]

Thanks for the excellent resources hilly7! I'm going to be in zone 2 (according to that Almanac site) in SE Michigan in the beginning of May. The plan at this point is to dig up a 25ft x 20ft (approx size) bed in the middle of the backyard (sod) and I think I will probably just use some of this veggie seed I bought last year and get some of the flower seeds I bought at Gabriel Brothers going on around the yard w/ marigolds and nasturtiums in/around the large bed. I might make a separate bed for the corn and sunflowers against the back fence. We're talking a lot size of 60x60x100x100 feet (.14 acres) in an in-town subdivision. I'm not all that experienced with doing any of this on my own, so I'm looking forward to the learning experience. At this point I don't know what the soil will be like. I'm planning to get a compost pile going with the sod I dig up but without having a readily accessible supply of compost to put in the garden beds I am kind of wondering how I should initially feed the soil for my beds. I'd rather keep costs to a minimum if possible. Unfortunately I'm not able to start any seeds until I get there too, so I feel like I am working against the clock to a certain extent, although the almanac shows many of the veggies to be planted in mid to late May and June so I think I should be OK on much of it. I'll let you know if I come up with any other issues I would like advice on. If you have any tips or need any other information from me to give me more pointed advice, let me know. Thanks again.

[hilly7]

On the compost, we don't have one either. In MI, see if you can locate cow farms, horse farms, or somewhere where the have shows for livestock and equine. Most will (around here) give away the manure. If its green though, mix with lime or it can burn up your plants. Turn the sod over instead of digging up, adds nutrients. I'll try and remember my camera and show you what I'm talking about in the new garden we're doing. That's my lazy one, lol. I bought a 5 ft 3 in rotortiller for my tractor, couse when planted I'll have to use the walk behind one.

If you can get or borrow a rear tine tiller, get a dual action and it will turn the ground for you. (so I'm told). They claim it will break the ground. I bought a new one this year, but 2 older gardens established and the new one I plowed before tilling it. There is a 4th spot I'm gonna try, about 75 x 100, I'll let you know how it does.

Once you get the ground turned, either hoeing or the 2 cycle (Mantis type, I bought a sears though) small tiller. While it won't braek ground, it will work the soil afterwards, pull it backwards and it will even heel your plants.

I done sunflowers last year, 1st time. Very useful in attracting bees. I got a start of Asparasgus this year, not sure how smart that was as my parents are in their mid 80s, looks like 3 years until harvest. They are the only ones who eat it.

[hilly7]

Sorry, forgot the most important thing, never plant in the signs of the head and neck.

Got interupted by a prowler. It is getting bad around here. Must be new ones. Old ones know I don't dial 911.