My garden is a mess. Just a disaster. I don't know where to begin

[Raven]

to get it in decent shape for growing this season.

Last year was a complete failure. We had so much rain that everything rotted and I got so discouraged that I walked away from it. In 2 weeks I should start planting but I don't know how to get it back into decent shape to do that. Please give me some advice!

[pengillian101]

1. What's the problem?

Are last year's plants just a mess? I would think rototilling would fix that problem.

Or is it something else?

[wildeyed]

2. Maybe scale back this year.

Get a small patch in shape to plant, keep everything else mulched so it doesn't get weedy. That is what I am doing too.

[Kolesar]

6. plant buckwheat as a cover crop to enhance the soil and shade out the weeds...eom

[RedEarth]

3. This might inspire you

You might want to scale it back some this year and just grow a few veggies or herbs. Could even do some container garden this year and spend the summer getting your garden in shape for next year. Good luck!

[beac]

4. Till, baby, till!

;)

I'm trying a new method with a previously unruly area...

I found someone on craigslist to come till my hot-mess of an upper garden (weed-o-rama land!) and then I covered the whole thing in cardboard. After about a week or so, they say I'll have killed off the weedlings and I can punch holes in the cardboard to plant and cover spaces between in straw as walkways. The cardboard will biodegrade and augment the soil, so they say.

[Vinca]

5. I'm not really "into it" so far this year. Every time I go out to the garden

I think of my cat, Stinker, who died on Thanksgiving. He was my gardening buddy among other things and sometimes I get teary just looking at the catnip coming up. I guess it will all get better with time.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

7. I know how you feel

I have four cats and two of them are my constant companions when I garden. They were out "helping" me weed a flower bed last night. They love it, and help me dig holes. So sorry for your loss. I have had many cats over the years and it is hard to let go, such wonderful friends cats are to us.

[Raven]

8. Thank you all for the advice and inspiration. I'm going to go out

there tomorrow morning and tackle it. Maybe a little bit at a time. :-)