Trying again....

[Lisa0825]

Well, my first attempt at gardening didn't go so well last year. Everything sprouted up like gangbusters, but seemed to stunt at a certain point. I was using the Square Foot method, and I was wondering if the depth of the box just wasn't quite enough. So in late summer, I added a third section without the weed barrier fabric. However, by the time those plants were starting to mature, Hurricane Ike hit, and there wasn't much left afterwards.

So I pretty much just forgot about it all for the fall/winter. I finally went to my backyard to mow, and see what kind of weeds had taken over my boxes. Much to my surprise, I had MAMMOTH carrots still growing! LOL! I mean, they are like 3 inches in diameter! I picked a few to use for dinner tomorrow night, and left the rest in the ground. Does the flavor change if carrots get "old" in the ground? LOL

I started some seeds in soil plugs this week, so I may start planting in the ground in a few weeks. Last time, I tried to grow too many things, and not enough of each. This time, I will be happy if I at least get tomatoes, corn, and beans.

I am really interested in some gardening planning software, if anyone knows of a good one.

[WolverineDG]

1. I threw down a square foot garden a couple of weeks ago

covered up the ground with wet newspaper, then dumped top soil on it. When I planted, I made holes in the newspaper layer to the roots could grow. It's going like gangbusters now. Have fun with the carrots; I've never been able to get them to grow. :(

dg

[hippywife]

2. Each year is a learning experience

no matter how many years we do it. LOL But at least you got a nice little reward today to excite you about it all over again. Carrots can overwinter just fine. Let us know how they were.

This isn't planning software but a really good read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/garden/26slow.html?_r=2

Good luck on your second ever garden, Lisa. :hi:

[XemaSab]

3. I have had homegrown old growth carrots that were

sweet and delicious. :9

Good luck! :hi: